Film studio
Other than shophouses and bungalows, there were industrial activities in the area as well. There were rattan plantations along the Whampoa River and sugarcane productions at Jalan Ampas. The Balestier Market (now Balestier Market and Food Centre) was where locals could sell their produce. It was used as a food rationing centre during World War II. Later, the market was rebuilt and housed a hawker centre as well. The market has since undergone upgrading works in the 2000s. Developers went on to construct landed properties in the 1920s with bungalows and terrace housees. In the 1950s, there was a film studio run by Shaw Brothers for its Malay language films. It is called the Jalan Ampas Shaw Malay Film studios. The film studio has played a significant role in the film industry like none other as it holds the stories of many social and political milestones in Singapore. The Jalan Ampas Malay Film studio was established in 1937 by Shaw Brothers with the intention of making Malay Films in Singapore for their local clients. By 1942, the studio because such a popular and famous place that it was crowned by many as the Hollywood of Singapore. During World War 2, this place was utilized by the Japanese to broadcast propaganda films. It was later reopened after the war in 1947, but was eventually closed in 1967 due to the falling demand for Malay language films. This place is considered one of the most iconic places in Singapore in the early days as a form of local entertainment.