Design Hotels member 21 Carpenter Singapore fosters a bold, modern community while nodding to its historic roots; the exquisite heritage boutique hotel gracefully intertwining legacy with modern appeal.
With a structure that dates back to the 1930s and a location at the intersection of Clarke Quay, a neighbourhood known for its nightlife and dining scene, and the old-world charm of Chinatown, 21 Carpenter blends tradition and innovation, a place to experience Singapore’s true history and past while creating new stories for the future.
The original structure and striking five-storey cubic extension houses 48 guest rooms, a rooftop infinity pool, and a street-level neo-bistro and bar helmed by Michelin-starred chef Andrew Walsh; the former Chye Hua Seng Wee Kee remittance office of Lee Wee Nam — who went on to become one of the founders of the Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation — now standing as a testament to Singapore’s rise to prosperity.
The re-imagination of the existing structure and design of the Jenga-like cubic extension was carried out by WOHA Architects who told us “in the creation and design of 21 Carpenter, we wanted to honour the rich history of the heritage structure. Every detail has been thoughtfully crafted, with key parts of the design reflecting the building’s historical aesthetics and storied past.”
At 21 Carpenter, restored solid Chengal wood floors and paned windows beautifully contrast bespoke furniture designed by WOHA with Asian modernist and Art Deco influences. Founding director, Richard Hassell, created headboards based on calligraphy inspired by historic remittance letters, while other unique artworks, curated in collaboration with The Artling, celebrate the local community. Additionally, Singaporean artist Heman Chong created an enormous tapestry for the lobby’s towering triple-height ceiling while specially commissioned canvases from painter Khairulddin Wahab hang in the neo-bistro.
The bistro goes by the name of Kee’s, and is a destination for locals and guests to come together over shard culinary experiences, chef Andrew Walsh, whose other Singaporean restaurant Cure has a Michelin star, presenting a refined take on classic European bistro fare with a tight selection of local favourites.
Guest rooms and suites are imaginative spaces meticulously designed for cherished moments of pause, infusing heritage features with modern amenities and experiences and enabling guests to take a breather from their hectic schedules in this modern of metropolises.
A significant newcomer set within a significant heritage building, 21 Carpenter is set to be a cornerstone of the city state’s hospitality scene for many decades to come.
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21 Carpenter Singapore Photography © Design Hotels 2024.
