Balestier

Balestier, a subzone of Novena, is named after an American sugar plantation owner – Joseph Balestier, who was also the first US consul (1837 to 1852). The population of the area increased gradually over the decades, but it was not until the late 1960’s that significant efforts were undertaken to modernise the area.

Many of the low rise houses – the majority of which had become dilapidated, were torn down and replaced by high rise housing. The St Michael’s and Balestier Estates were the first HBD (and the SIT before that) developments in the area.

Modernisation and improvements continued throughout the 1980’s and ‘90’s with Whampoa Market being built to replace the nearby Raymond Market. The area’s other market, Balestier Market has always been in the shadow of Whampoa, and finally closed in 2004, before being renovated and turned into a food centre.