The Next Neighbourhood- Redux

Photo above from hyacinthus.

I personally much prefer Arab Street for the interesting architecture and generally more sedate commercial mix. Do notice a proliferation of creatives heading for Joo Chiat though- a neighbourhood where there's a real mix between photography studios, karaoke joints and seedy bars.



Joo Chiat area fast becoming haven for creative industries

18 Mar 07

SINGAPORE: Rich in history and culture, Singapore's Joo Chiat area is fast turning into a hotspot for the creative industries.

Joo Chiat isn't just known for its hawker food – the area is also a smorgasbord of creative folks.

27-year-old Gayathrie Nahappan started her own art gallery this month.

Having cut her teeth in the arts scene in New York and Stockholm, the Malaysian-born artist could have opened her gallery anywhere in the world.

But she chose little old Joo Chiat in Singapore instead.

She said: "All my friends were like, ‘Why are you moving into Joo Chiat? It's not the best area, it's seedy and not safe’. But I said it's actually quite quaint and I like it for that. I felt like I was going back to the Chelsea of New York. Originally, the Chelsea of New York was just warehouses, now it's become an arts district."

By a rough estimate, Joo Chiat has about 20 to 30 creative companies.

Kamal Mahtanim, 28, is also one of Joo Chiat's newcomers.

He set up his recording studio here recently and loves the peaceful nature of the area.

"When the musicians and artistes come to Joo Chiat, the pace just drops. When they come here, it's a lot more relaxed and calm. This environment here in Joo Chiat will definitely give a lot of people a sense of calmness and everyone would be able to work at ease," he said.

But will the influx of the young and hip erode the charms that give Joo Chiat its unique flavour?

"I really do hope the youth preserve the Joo Chiat area because otherwise we're going to lose something of Singapore that we should really appreciate," said Ms Nahappan.


By Satish Cheney, Channel NewsAsia
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