Old site at Bestway Building, Prince Edward Road
The first institution to provide technical education in Southeast Asia, Singapore Polytechnic was once situated on this site.
Established as an autonomous body on 27 October 1954, the polytechnic was set up to train manpower needed for Singapore’s industries. From 1957 to 1958, classes in navigation, town planning, surveying and commerce were temporarily held at various school premises. After two years of construction, the polytechnic was officially opened on 24 February 1959 by Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh. The building’s distinguishing feature was its rectangular foyer façade with a striking mosaic pattern.
In the early 1970s, the polytechnic spread to an annex building across the road at Shenton Way. Two feeder campuses were also set up at Ayer Rajah and the former Princess Mary barracks at Dover Road. On 29 May 1978, the beginning of a new term brought all the polytechnic’s students together on a new 37-ha campus at 500 Dover Road. The polytechnic has remained there to this day.