For more than a decade, the government has generally rejected the application of new hotels, hostels, and serviced apartments in parts of the Central Area such as the Singapore River Planning Area and parts of Rochor. But now, the government has overturned this long-standing guideline and relaxed its stance to new development applications in two key areas – Upper Circular Road in Clarke Quay and a street block along Beach Road. Specifically, the area of Clarke Quay where owners may submit proposals for new hotels, hostels, and serviced apartments which consists of the commercial properties along Upper Circular Road, Carpenter Street, Hongkong Street, and a portion of North Canal Road. Meanwhile, several commercial as well as mixed-use commercial and residential buildings along Tan Quee Lan Street, Liang Seah Street, parts of Middle Road, Purvis Street, and Seah Street are part of the relaxed guidelines. The revised stance by the government is significant because it carries...