Once Nan Chiau High School, now a creative cluster that houses some of Singapore’s most-loved local businesses: New Bahru. The latest and undoubtedly, the greatest undertaking from The Lo & Behold Group finally welcomed a sneak preview last weekend, one that set the streets of Kim Yam alight with anticipation and wonder. At last, an address that pulsates with the hallmarks of the Singapore spirit: enterprising, independent and a vicarious appetite for food.
One can also easily spot nuances of the country’s vernacular in the name itself. Bahru , which translates to ‘new’ in Malay, is the project’s cheeky nod to our colloquial slang, with repetition of words for emphasis like ‘jalan jalan ’ and ‘ swee swee’ in our daily vocabulary. With a tenant list that ropes in inspiring change-makers from F&B, retail, wellness and hospitality—think Bjorn Shen’s Artichoke , Rishi Naleendra’s Sri Lankan restaurant Kotuwa and home goods darling Sojao —it’s no surprise to why this is Singapore’s most anticipated opening of the year.
But what’s worth noting is every brand that has congregated in New Bahru has brought something new to the table, apart from its existing offerings. From new-to-market concepts to additional services in its brick-and-mortar spaces, the creative playground is definitely shaping up to be true to its name. Whilst a grand opening has been penned in for September, there’s already a plethora of brands that have officially opened their door.