After 2 years of renovation works, Temasek Shophouse (TSH) is set to reopen on 29th September 2025 – an expanded space that comprises 4 conservation shophouses that have been carefully restored to honour their history. You might remember it as the row of short buildings just after Plaza Singapura, but if you’ve never been inside, now’s as good a time as ever.
Image credit: Temasek Trust
Located just 3 minutes down the road from Pop Mart at Plaza Singapura, Temasek Shophouse, or 28 Orchard Road, was originally built in 1928 as a townhouse by Malacca-born businessmen and philanthropists Mr Ee Kong Guan and Mr Chee Guan Chiang, housing commercial spaces on the ground floor, and residential units above.
The former Malayan Motors showroom.
Image credit: Henry Cordeiro
While the 4, now-connected buildings have been collectively named Temasek Shophouse today, they once were numbers 16, 22, and 38 Orchard Road, alongside the original 28. Their histories are no less scintillating – one housed the former Malayan Motors showroom; another, built even earlier in 1921, was the offices of Middle East Films Limited, the pioneering distributor of films in Southeast Asia.
Midfilm House.
Image credit: Henry Cordeiro
Temasek Holdings acquired the building in 2017, undertaking its restoration and reinstating its original features, then launching it as a social impact hub that housed Temasek Holdings’ philanthropic arms.
Temasek Shophouse today.
Image credit: Temasek Shophouse
It was announced in August 2022 that the shophouse would close in order to extend the hub into the adjacent shophouses, to meet the needs of a growing community of social changemakers.
Image credit: Temasek Shophouse
Grand dame of Singaporean cooking, Violet Oon, has set down roots in the new TSH to launch her first casual Peranakan cafe and bakery offering all-day dining. Coined Bibik Violet, this cafe serves dishes that will make you feel like you’re literally eating in a Bibik’s kitchen.
Image credit: Bibik Violet
Unlike the more refined fare of her namesake restaurants, you can look forward to kueh, sugee cake, kaya toast, kopi, and of course, dishes like nasi lemak, Nyonya laksa, buah keluak pork ribs and more – at more wallet-friendly prices too.
Image credit: Temasek Shophouse
Social enterprise cafe Foreword Coffee, which was also previously a tenant at the old TSH, is back with a bigger space, championing inclusive employment for differently abled individuals.
Image credit: Temasek Shophouse
There’s also Martket by Abry, a retail space that employs and sells art by underserved communities – a store-exclusive collaboration with hearing-impaired artist Canlaken features a line of merchandise inspired by the building.
Image credit: Temasek Shophouse
Otherwise, check out Shophouse BAR, curated by Our Grandfather Story, for old-school snacks.
Image credit: Temasek Shophouse
The corridor, which connects all the shophouses, is lined with interactive installations and art, aiming to help visitors understand social impact, heritage, and sustainability. There’s an AI-animated video by former architect Lip Chiong, an illustrated panel by 8EyedSpud, and a 2-way sticker that traces the history of Midfilm House and how they made cinema accessible to all.
Illustrated history of Midfilm House.
Image credit: Temasek Shophouse
Besides the snacks, Shophouse BAR is also a curation of books by local writers, as well as local films and documentaries; BAR is short for Books, Artefacts, Reflections. As such, visitors are invited to pen notes that reflect their aspirations for Singapore.
Tembusu Canopy.
Image credit: Temasek Shophouse
With the expansion, TSH now has 60 co-working spaces, a huge improvement from the 20 they had before. There are also 3 event spaces dedicated to social enterprises, non-profits, and charities, including the new Tembusu Canopy and Banyan Cove, which can accommodate up to 200 and 220 people respectively.
These bigger spaces allow TSH to organise larger-scale community experiences, such as upcoming events with Dementia Singapore to raise awareness and support those who are living with dementia, and involve the public, as well as caregivers, in conversations about ageing and well-being.
Come January 2026, TSH will also see the reopening of their refreshed outdoor spaces, Stamford Canal and Handy Green Park, which will be free for all to gather at and enjoy. In the meantime, you can look forward to seasonal markets, festivals, and concerts, among other events, that will be held at the rejuvenated building.
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Cover image adapted from: Temasek Shophouse
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