Maxwell Road Food Centre was built in 1929 on land that used to be a Chinese burial ground. At the beginning, many street hawkers still opted to set up stall outside the hawker centre so they did not have to pay any rent. 

​

During the Japanese occupation, the market actually stayed open. In fact, Japanese authorities actually reduced rental charges to attract more hawkers. 

After World War 2, Maxwell Road Market was used to sell meals to poor people for a very low price at eight cents.

​

Maxwell Road Market used to be predominantly a wet market. In 1972, Telok Ayer Market underwent renovation and market vendors were relocated to Maxwell Road Market.

​

Maxwell Road Market really became a food centre in 1986, when 70 street hawkers that used to be located under zinc and roof structures along the back lanes of Chinasquare were relocated to Maxwell Road Market. 

In 1987 Maxwell Road Market was officially turned into a food centre, and serves delicious Chinese delicacies to this day.