Marine Parade is one of Singapore’s most desirable neighbourhoods, a coastal estate with a breezy mix of HDB flats, private condos, and landed homes. It’s prized for its proximity to East Coast Park, Parkway Parade, and some of the island’s top schools, with even more accessibility thanks to the Thomson-East Coast Line MRT station.
But here’s something most people don’t realise: Marine Parade was never part of Singapore’s original coastline. In fact, the entire estate was built from scratch on reclaimed land, transforming what was once open sea into the vibrant, seafront community we know today.
1960s: Once a seaside promenade with private coastal bungalows
Image credit: HDB Annual Report 1964
Before it became a heartland favourite, Marine Parade was literally beachfront property, the kind of homes that opened straight out onto the sea. It was a popular hangout for locals looking to swim, picnic, or just enjoy a breezy stroll along the water.
After the Japanese Occupation, the area got a bit of a facelift and was redeveloped into a public seaside promenade. The beachfront charm remained, but now it was shared with the wider community, a rare blend of private living and public leisure space.
Fun fact: Before land reclamation changed the landscape, East Coast Road actually ran right along the shoreline. So yes, that road you now take to get to Katong laksa used to be beachfront property.
Early 1970s: Start of reclamation works
Image credit: MPthen&now
By the early ’70s, Marine Parade’s beachfront days were numbered. Large-scale land reclamation works had kicked off in full swing, covering a huge coastal stretch from Bedok to Tanjong Rhu. Basically, Singapore decided it needed more land, and the sea had to scoot over.
Image Credit: HDB Annual Report 1972
To make that happen, nearby hills in Bedok and Siglap were dug out for their earth, and when that wasn’t enough, we brought in sand from abroad like we were shopping for soil overseas.
Under the East Coast Reclamation Scheme, over 1,525 hectares of land were reclaimed. So if you live in the area, your flat’s probably sitting on what used to be seabed… or a former hill.
Late 1970s: First HDB flats were built
Image credit: SG101
Once the land was ready, it didn’t take long for Marine Parade to start taking shape as a full-fledged town. By 1974, the first HDB flats, Blocks 1 to 8 along Marine Terrace were up and ready to welcome residents.
What followed was a boom of development: 57 blocks of housing, and about 7,800 units were built. Complete with schools, markets, parks, and yes, the good ol’ void deck for everything from weddings to badminton games.
And the prices? Unbelievable by today’s standards:
- 3-room flat: $13,500
- 4-room flat: $20,500
- 5-room flat: $35,500
Beyond the numbers, Marine Parade holds a special place in Singapore’s history as it was one of Singapore’s first “new towns” to be fully built on reclaimed land, proof that we literally built homes out of nothing but sand, sea, and sheer willpower.
1980s: Popular demand for seaside living
Image credit: National Archives Singapore
By the 1980s, Marine Parade was no longer just a new town, it was the place to live. With unblocked sea views, a straight shot to the city via the newly built East Coast Parkway (ECP), and the opening of Parkway Parade mall in 1983, the estate had everything you’d want without the Orchard Road chaos.
It wasn’t just the view that drew people in. The area was home to top schools like CHIJ Katong Convent and Tao Nan School, as well as the ever-busy Marine Parade Promenade Market, where you could pick up anything.
Image credit: Colin Wong
Naturally, demand soared. What used to be a quiet coastal stretch became one of the most desirable addresses in Singapore. A 3-room flat that once cost just $13,500 was going for around $50,000 by 1988, and over $165,000 by 1996.
Not bad for a neighbourhood quite literally built from scratch. Despite being public housing, Marine Parade had all the makings of prime property, long before the term “million-dollar flat” entered the chat.
2025: Still a Sought-After Address
Decades later, Marine Parade hasn’t lost its shine. In fact, it’s only gotten more attractive, a blend of old-school charm and new-age convenience. You’ll find everything from aging HDB blocks to newer, upscale developments like Marine Blue and Amber Park that come with sleek finishes and hefty price tags to match.
With the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) finally bringing MRT access to the neighbourhood, getting to town (or anywhere, really) has never been easier.
And yes, prices have kept up. Older flats in Marine Parade now go for around $500K and up, while larger units and condos? Let’s just say crossing the $1 million mark is pretty standard these days.
Not bad for a neighbourhood that used to be the sea, huh?
For more history and facts:
- 7 Singapore estates that were built over exhumed grave sites
- Did you know HDB ballots were once like a lucky draw?
- Did you know that Singapore used to have one-number postal codes?
Cover image adapted from: HDB Annual Report 1972, Michael Karavanov
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