With endless construction practically part of Singapore’s skyline at this point, the silver lining is finally getting to reap the benefits and enjoy the shiny new upgrades once the dust settles. And one of such new openings in 2026 includes the much-awaited Circle Line 6 (CCL6) stations, the final stretch of the yellow line that will make it a full circle.
Once operational, Keppel, Cantonment, and Prince Edward Road MRT stations will close the gap between HarbourFront and Marina Bay, making CBD commutes more convenient.
But before this stretch of Shenton Way becomes synonymous with trains and platforms, Prince Edward Road MRT has a backstory worth knowing, as it was once home to Singapore Polytechnic’s (SP) original campus.
Image credit: Roots
Prince Edward Road MRT is built on the site of the former Singapore Polytechnic campus. As Singapore’s 1st polytechnic, construction began in 1957 on a sprawling 10-acre site, at a cost of $5.2 million.
The campus was completed in 1958 and officially opened by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in February 1959. Over 2,800 students enrolled in courses such as engineering, commerce, and building and architecture – skills that were much needed to support Singapore’s early industrialisation.
Image credit: National Archives Singapore
Campus life looked vastly different back then, with SP students required to wear school uniforms complete with a tie – something that feels almost unimaginable compared to the casual poly life of today.
Screenshot from: Facebook
But thanks to its central Tanjong Pagar location, students could easily walk to nearby hawker spots around Shenton Way or head to the Padang after class, offering a glimpse into a very different side of CBD life, before finance bros and peak-hour rushes became the norm.
By 1978, Singapore Polytechnic relocated to its current, much larger campus at Dover, marking the end of its chapter along Prince Edward Road.
Image credit: Roots
The site of SP’s former campus took on a few more transformations before eventually making way for the MRT station. In the 1990s, the building was renamed the Bestway Building, later becoming home to Mediacorp TV12.
The building was eventually vacated in 2017 to make way for the Circle Line extension construction, marking another transformation of the historic site.
Exterior of the upcoming Prince Edward Road MRT.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Soon, the space will house the completed Prince Edward Road MRT, set to open in the 1st half of 2026. The new MRT station will make getting around Shenton Way and Tanjong Pagar a lot easier, opening up access to the lesser-known parts of the CBD beyond the usual office hotspots.
P.S. Check out our roundup of things to do near the new CCL6 stations.
Commuting directly between HarbourFront and Marina Bay will also no longer mean squeezing through peak-hour crowds at City Hall and Raffles Place, a welcome relief for CBD workers.
It’s fascinating to see how this pocket of Shenton Way has been given a whole new lease of life, from shaping a part of Singapore’s early education system to now becoming part of our daily commute.
And knowing how MRT stations often sneak in subtle nods to their past, it wouldn’t be surprising if Prince Edward Road MRT incorporates references to its days as SP’s first campus.
For more Singapore heritage articles:
Cover image adapted from: Wikimedia Commons, Roots, National Archive Singapore
Weiner weiner, chicken dinner.
SP’s original campus was built in the 1950s.
Consider these hobbies instead of doomscrolling.
There’s also an outdoor rock climbing and abseiling wall for you to defrost.
Early bird tickets to Marquee start at just $30.
Sentosa Beach Fest The March school holidays are upcoming, and whether you have big or…