Martaban Road, Singapore

Martaban Road is a short one-way street in Singapore that connects Mandalay Road in the southwest to Balestier Road in the northeast. Situated within Novena Planning Area in Postal District 11, it lies within a historically rich neighbourhood known for its mix of old-world charm and modern developments. The nearest MRT station is Novena MRT Station (NS20), served by the North South Line, providing residents and visitors with convenient access to the wider city.

Overview and Surroundings

Martaban Road is a relatively quiet residential street despite linking two busy arterial roads. Its southwest end begins at Mandalay Road, near the Thomson Medical Centre, and continues northeastwards until it intersects with Balestier Road, a vibrant stretch famous for food, heritage shophouses, and lighting shops. Along the way, Martaban Road passes by residential apartments, condominiums, and smaller service roads that link to private houses. The street is one-way, guiding traffic from Mandalay Road toward Balestier Road, which helps ease congestion in this bustling part of the city.

The roads around Martaban Road form part of a close-knit network. Mandalay Road runs southwards to Moulmein Road, while Balestier Road connects eastwards towards Serangoon and westwards towards Thomson. This makes Martaban Road an important link in the local traffic circulation, especially for residents living in the nearby estates.

History of Martaban Road

The origins of Martaban Road date back to the early 20th century, when the Balestier area was developed into a residential and commercial district. The road was named after Martaban, an old port city in Myanmar (then Burma), which was historically important for trade between India, China, and Southeast Asia1. This naming was part of a larger colonial practice of drawing on place names from across Asia, reflecting the cultural and economic links of the British Empire at the time.

The pronunciation of the name is usually "Mar-ta-ban," represented in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ˈmɑːrtəbæn/.

Character of the Street

The character of Martaban Road is a blend of tranquillity and vibrancy. On the one hand, it is lined with low- to mid-rise residential buildings, offering a quieter environment compared to the bustle of Balestier Road. On the other hand, its proximity to major roads means that amenities, eateries, and shops are just a short walk away. The street has a leafy, shaded atmosphere, typical of older residential neighbourhoods in central Singapore.

Nearby Sights and Amenities

Martaban Road is within walking distance of several landmarks and attractions, making it a convenient location for both residents and visitors. Notable places nearby include:

Real Estate along Martaban Road

Residential developments along and near Martaban Road include private condominiums, walk-up apartments, and landed houses. As of early 2025, property prices in the Novena and Balestier vicinity generally range between SGD 1,800 to 2,200 per square foot2, depending on the age and type of the development.

For example, a typical 3-bedroom condominium unit sized around 1,200 sq ft (111 sq m) may fetch around SGD 2.2 million for sale, while rental prices often range between SGD 4,500 to 5,500 per month. Older apartments, slightly smaller in size (approximately 900 sq ft / 84 sq m), may sell for SGD 1.5 to 1.7 million, with monthly rentals between SGD 3,200 and 4,000. Compared to other parts of Singapore, prices here are considered mid- to high-range, reflecting the central location and accessibility to amenities.

Transport Connectivity

The nearest MRT station, Novena MRT Station (NS20), is a short distance away and lies along the North South Line, offering quick access to Orchard Road, Marina Bay, and Woodlands. Additionally, bus services run along Balestier Road and Moulmein Road, providing direct connections to Toa Payoh, Geylang, and the Central Business District. Bus stops are located within a short walking distance from both ends of Martaban Road, ensuring excellent connectivity for residents.

Fun Facts

A fun fact about Martaban Road is that it belongs to a cluster of roads in Novena named after places in Myanmar, including Irrawaddy Road and Minbu Road. This thematic naming reflects the colonial-era practice of grouping road names by geographic or cultural references, creating a unique historical layer to the urban landscape.

Quick Facts

References

  1. Martaban Road - Singapore Infopedia
  2. Singapore Property News - EdgeProp

Map of Martaban Road, Singapore

Page Details

This page was created on 23 August 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.

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