New Bahru: 1960s Singapore School Transformed into Creative Business Incubator

New Bahru, a three-storey blush-pink modernist building in Singapore originally constructed in 1969 as a high school, has been regenerated into a creative business incubator by The Lo & Behold Group, a hospitality company founded by Teng Wen Wee. The project preserves the building's post-independence architectural heritage, featuring Corbusier-inspired design, and houses 95% Singapore-based brands, makers, and creatives. It includes independent homeware, stationery, fashion, and dining spaces, with interiors designed by ten local studios. Notable tenants include Stacked Store, Studio Yono, Woods in the Books, Bar Bon Funk, Somma, Coconut Club, and Parlour. The old school hall, restored by Open Studio, now hosts events like In-Between and the ECA fair. A photography exhibition, Now Now, curated by Dawn Ng, displays billboard-size images by local photographers. The branding, designed by Portland-based studio Omfg.co, and in-house creative team led by Ester Poh, incorporates unique elements like a zebra crossing and neon signs. Teng Wen Wee emphasizes that the project couldn't have happened ten years ago due to the lack of a deep creative community. New Bahru aims to provide an alternative to Singapore's mall culture and support independent creators, with a focus on community-led, creative-led initiatives.