Right now, it is home to cranes and rows of stacked containers waiting to be loaded onto ships calling at one of the world's busiest ports.

But come 2027, when port operator PSA Corporation's lease on the land expires, the prime waterfront space should become home to skyscrapers of another sort.

The Economic Strategies Committee (ESC) yesterday called for Tanjong Pagar to be transformed into a waterfront city catering for the expansion of Singapore's business district and boasting apartments, hotels, and lifestyle and tourism facilities.

'This area is very attractive, it is just at the fringe of the city, the size is comparable to another Marina Bay and it can offer immense opportunities to support future growth,' said Senior Minister of State for National Development Grace Fu yesterday.

Because of its proximity to the Central Business District, Sentosa and universities, Tanjong Pagar 'will give us lots of elements to work on and we're quite excited about the potential', she added.

jcheam@sph.com.sg

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