About a year back, we lamented and despaired that the great House at Dempsey was to cease all operations. What would replace that unique lifestyle space that made the cab ride up to Dempsey almost worth it? Well, we now have an answer, and we’re liking the look of it.
In its place is Siri House, an epic new venture by Thai luxury property developer Sansiri that’s simply dripping in decadence. It can be overwhelming at first; the lifestyle concept combines multiple aspects – interior design, food, retail; even art – to create the ultimate cocoon of curated living. While Sansiri has always been known for constructing quality condominiums, the real estate giant is taking the opportunity to branch out, so as to fully embody a well-rounded, live-and-play experience. Siri House Singapore marks its first such venture in the world; preceding even home soil, with a flagship concept slated to open in Somkid, Bangkok this March.
Inside, the first room of the single-storey space is the Sales Gallery, Siri House’s showroom and the jewel of the house. A joint venture between Sansiri and Thailand’s BTS, the section offers prospective buyers a quick glance at the furnished interiors of the Monument Thong Lo – a new 45-storey residence in Bangkok’s hip Thong Lo district. Here, you’ll get a preview of the apartments, bathroom included, designed lavishly by interior designer Vichada Sitakalin (Dao) with wallcoverings by Jim Thompson Fabrics. Every six to eight months, the entire gallery gets a refresh.
Further in you’ll reach the heart of Siri House: JAM at Siri House, or the concept’s 48-seater dining area. Among plush cushions consistent with the Sansiri design, dine on a menu of Western small and large plates (from scallop carpaccio to fried chicken), managed by Ming Tan of Park Bench Deli and Jeremy Cheok of New Ubin Seafood and Garang Grill fame. You can choose to take a seat at the counter or in the restaurant lounge; the setup is meant to evoke the feeling of dining comfortably in a friend’s home. An adjoining bar serves up daintily crafted tipples by Sunday Punch’s Mark Tay and Yap Hwee Jen.
There’s a healthy dose of art and culture residing in Siri House too. A dedicated Art Space, cosy as it is, features a rotating roster of international artists, with new art exhibitions every three to four months. Currently on show is Thai artist Gongkan’s Another Dimension, a dazzling mirror-centric work and his first exhibition in Singapore.
Another Dimension by Gongkan
And get a spot of shopping done at The Shop, a retail space along the corridor of the entire floor. You’ll find an ever-changing selection of quirky homeware, accessories, knick-knacks and other lifestyle products from emerging Thai designers like The Only Market, Thingg, and Mirror Mirror. Plus, built right into the space is a retail installation by Bangkok-based design duo Jirawat and Tijn, where authentic antique cabinets were deconstructed then reassembled to display the items.
Siri House does its best to cram as much as it can into the tiny space it’s got. And despite its intimidating luxe exterior, there’s something for everyone – whether you’re there to peruse real estate, have a good meal, pick up trinkets; or just take a ton of photos.
Siri House is located at Blk 8D Dempsey Road, #01-02 Dempsey Hill, and is open Tue to Sun, 11.30am-10pm. More information here.
