Lau Pa Sat

Gazing at Lau Pa Sat, have you ever wondered about its journey? Lau Pa Sat, also known as Telok Ayer Market, has a rich history. It began in 1824 as a simple fish market by the water. Stamford Raffles himself ordered its creation. This first Lau Pa Sat was a humble wooden structure on Telok Ayer Bay. Imagine the fishermen bringing in their daily catch directly from their boats. In 1838, architect George Drumgoole Coleman redesigned Lau Pa Sat, giving it an octagonal shape. However, the sea’s relentless battering and the powerful monsoons necessitated yet another move. By 1894, Lau Pa Sat found its final home at Raffles Quay. This time, it was built with a magnificent cast-iron frame, shipped all the way from Glasgow. This Victorian marvel, designed by James MacRitchie, remains one of the oldest Victorian structures in Southeast Asia. Lau Pa Sat is a landmark. It transitioned from a wet market to a hawker center in 1972. It even closed temporarily in 1986 for the construction of the MRT line that now runs beneath it. The market was meticulously disassembled, its cast-iron supports stored safely in Jurong, and then reassembled. Today, Lau Pa Sat offers a vibrant mix of local cuisine. In the evenings, Boon Tat Street transforms into “Satay Street”. The aroma of grilling meat fills the air as stallholders expertly prepare satay. The striking clock tower, added in 1991, houses 23 bronze bells that chime delightful melodies. If you look closely, you might even spot the jacquemart, a mechanical figure dressed as a coolie, striking the bells high in the tower. Lau Pa Sat embodies Singapore’s history. It has gracefully adapted from a seaside market to a beloved landmark amidst the city’s skyscrapers.