Nothing says charming quite like the way a historical building does. Here are 20 nostalgic old buildings that have gotten a new lease of life.
1. Spruce @ Old Fire Station
It might be a laidback cafe now, but back in the day (as its name suggests), it used to do important things…like put out fires.
ColBar
2. ColBar
This charming and old-timey cafe located in Wessex Estate used to be a canteen serving hungry British soldiers.
3. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
This iconic hotel started its majestic life as The Fullerton Building, which was mainly occupied by the General Post Office.
4. National Gallery
Re-opening this year-end, the new art gallery will be occupying the same space where the Old Supreme Court and City Hall once stood.
MICA
5. Ministry of Information, Communication & The Arts (MICA)
Before this cheerful building became MICA, it was the Old Hill Street Police Station, and funnily enough, was also home to Singapore’s first jail. Seems plush for incarceration.
6. Chijmes
There are plenty of trendy eateries and bars to pick from at this hip enclave, but for over a century, it stood as a Catholic convent.
Skyve Wine Bistro
7. Skyve Wine Bistro
This stylish restaurant was once the canteen of the old Monk’s Hill Secondary School. Now we wonder if they cheekily named it after students who skivved off classes.
8. The White Rabbit
Prior to becoming the elegant restaurant that it is today, this space was once a chapel. You can still see hints of its past like the high beams, stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings.
Raintr33 Hotel
9. Raintr33 Hotel
Housed within two colonial-style buildings, this new-ish 50-room hotel has taken over the derelict army barracks that’s down the road from the spooky Old Changi Hospital.
Old Ford Factory
10. Old Ford Factory
First, it was Ford’s first motor car assembly plant in South East Asia. Then, it became known as the site the British surrendered to the Japanese at the end of WWII. Today, it is home to a collection of images and artefacts from the war years.
11. Malay Heritage Centre
Located in Kampong Glam, this building was once Istana Kampong Glam—a regal Malay palace. It now aptly houses historic Malay artefacts and also hosts cultural programs and workshops.
St. James Power Station
12. St. James Power Station
It might be a mega club today but way back when, it was Singapore’s first coal-fired power plant and used to supply electricity to nearby shipyards and residences.
13. Black Swan
This swanky restaurant and bar is housed in an equally swanky colonial building. The Quadrant was once the headquarters for now-defunct banks like Kwangtung Provincial Bank and Four Seas Bank.
Museum of Contemporary Arts
14. Loewen by Dempsey Hill
The site of a former military hospital back in ‘60s, this place is has transformed into a hip weekend destination. It’s currently home to the Museum of Contemporary Arts and Singapore’s first five-star pet hotel, The Wagington.
15. Boathouse
The Fullerton Waterboat House was once used by the former Port of Singapore Authority to provide fresh water to ships docked in the bay. Today, it houses several restaurants and bars like the Boathouse and Prelude.
16. Peranakan Museum
This intimate museum has galleries across three floors housing a comprehensive collection of Peranakan objects. Prior to this, it used to be Tao Nan Chinese School.
Singapore Art Museum
17. Singapore Art Museum
One of Singapore’s more prominent museums, with a massive collection of South and East Asian art, was once St Joseph’s Institute, a 19th-century mission school.
18. The Capitol Piazza
It used to be home of the iconic art deco-style Capitol Theatre. With its shiny, new extensions, it’s now home to a supermall, a theater, six-star hotel and luxury residences.
Asian Civilisations Museum
19. Asian Civilisations Museum
This museum used to be the colonial-era Government Office that functioned as offices for various government departments.
20. Gillman Barracks
This former military camp has taken on a very arty twist and is now home to some 17 boundary-pushing international art galleries and restaurants.
