RADII recently had a chance to experience the soft opening of Singapore’s latest hipster haven: New Bahru, on Kim Yam Road in the River Valley neighborhood. Converted from an old girls’ high school, the 20,156 sqm development boasts several compounds with designated zones and hosts over 40 businesses across dining, wellness, and lifestyle categories. The new destination’s name echoes that of the fiercely independent and creative neighborhood of Tiong Bahru, and also references the Singaporean fondness for playfully repeating words: “bahru” means new in Malay.

The brainchild of The Lo & Behold Group, an experienced hospitality group in Singapore, New Bahru has been positioned as the go-to destination for independent Singaporean brands. What’s more, many of the vendors featured there have sustainability and experientiality at the core of their brand identities. Reflecting a change in societal discourse, the circular economy has recently been gaining popularity in Singapore as a lifestyle concept.

Reflecting Singapore at its multicultural best, New Bahru offers everything from reimagined local Malay cuisine to new school Middle Eastern fusion food — which RADII tried out at Artichoke, the creation of Singaporean celebrity chef Bjorn Shen.

Check out these and other highlights from New Bahru in the photo essay below:

New Bahru has maintained much of the original architecture of the former Nan Chiau High School, preserving its staircases and hallways, but upgrading it with chic red paint.

Young families and couples enjoying restaurants and cafés in New Bahru amongst avant-garde installations.

Former classrooms have been converted into rows of restaurants, along with lifestyle and wellness shops, all amongst stylish tropical decor.

Soilboy, an independent brand offering carefully curated indoor plants with a minimalist touch, is focused on educating the public on how to prolong plant lives.

Patrons queue for at least 15 to 20 minutes for coffee and baked goods at Dearborn. The bakery prides itself on sourcing the best ingredients for its creations and baking with responsible practices.

Must-tries at the trendy Artichoke include Singaporean takes on traditional Middle Eastern and North African favorites such as shakshuka and falafel, using locally sourced ingredients.

New Bahru is quickly positioning itself to become a hub for events centered around themes of sustainability and creativity. Back in July it played host to Green-House, a festival focused on home-grown eco-friendly brands.

All images by Rilly Chen.