New Bahru is Singapore’s latest creative cluster. Located at 46 & 58 Kim Yam Road in River Valley, it offers a range of lifestyle options that are different from the usual mix you find at many malls in Singapore. You will find food and restaurants at New Bahru, along with a mix of interesting shops and a New Bahru playground that is free to play!
New Bahru aims to bring together a new creative community. And since Bahru also means “new” in Malay, it is also a playful nod to the very Singaporean penchant for repeating words for emphasis, for example, swee swee, play-play, jalan jalan.
The lifestyle destination is the work of The Lo & Behold Group and joint-venture partner Sunray Group Holdings. It breathes new life into the former Nan Chiau High School buildings, and has retained and updated some elements such as the school hall and lawn.
Overview of New Bahru
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New Bahru is divided into two blocks.
There is the Small Block, which was formerly a garment factory. It is the first point of entry for those arriving on foot.
The Big Block is where you will find many of the New Bahru restaurants and retail outlets.
There is a car park with limited lots in front of the Big Block.
Many of the shops and retailers at New Bahru are still in the midst of opening. You can expect more shops to progressively open over the next couple of weeks and months.
Nonetheless, here’s a look at what you can find at New Bahru as of June 2024.
New Bahru Food and Dining
You can look forward to swanky dining options and restaurants at the lifestyle hub along Kim Yan Road.
Amongst the New Bahru food establishments that are already open include the Mediterranean cuisine Artichoke (#01-02), Sri Lankan restaurant Kotuwa (#01-03) and Odem (#01-17), an artisanal Makkoli restaurants and bar with modern Korean dishes.
Lo and Behold’s own The Coconut Club brand has an outlet at New Bahru too.
Dearborn (#03-04) has its flagship store at New Bahru. Its outlet at New Bahru features a microbakery, breakfast provision shop and all-day breakfast cafe.
Some of the other food brands that will be opening at New Bahru include burger maestros One Fattened Calf Burgers and coffee specialists PPP Coffee.
Retail Shops at New Bahru
There are several interesting shops at New Bahru and this is to be expected since it brands itself as a creative hub.
Crafune (#02-11, Big Block) offers leather craft workshops.
Soilboy (#02-07, Big Block) is a plant design studio that sells plants and also holds workshops.
You can also visit The Sea Apple Create Store (#02-09, Big Block) by the sustainable children’s brand.
MAKE by GINLEE (#02-10, Big Block) offers fashion and lifestyle products that are crafted on demand in an effort to minimise waste.
On Level 3, there is Sojao Home Goods Store (#03-05, Big Block), a store that offers organic bed sheets, loungewear and towels, as well as other home essentials that are designed to allow you to get a good night’s rest.
We look forward to Woods in the Books (#03-06, Big Block) opening at New Bahru in the future.
There is also a CS Fresh supermarket (#01-09, Big Block) if you need to get your grocery shopping done.
Fun for Families, Enrichment & Experiences
One of the earliest tenants to have opened at New Bahru was the indoor playground Kiztopia Prestige (#04-01, Small Block). Read our full review of Kiztopia Prestige.
There is also a pop-up exhibition on the second floor by Art:Dis.
This pop-up showcases the work of artists with disabilities.
Other enrichments and experiences that will be opening at New Bahru include art studio Chalk N Pencils (#04-03, Big Block) and paper-focused studio PeiPer (#03-08, Big Block).
New Bahru Playground and More
Kids and families will be attracted the free New Bahru playground, located outdoors next to lawn area. It is known as the Oatside Funside Playground and is billed as Singapore’s tallest outdoor communal slide.
The New Bahru playground consists of a slide that is hidden away inside a humped structure that feels oddly nostalgic. The slide is wide enough to accommodate two persons side by side.
Climb up the slope on one side of the slide.
Cute characters wait at the top. A tunnel beneath the slide offers some shade from the sun.
There is also a set of swings as well as a trampoline.
The New Bahru playground is recommend for children 6 years and above. Nonetheless, adults are also welcome to “try-try”. Kids should be accompanied by supervising adults, especially on the slide.
Next to the playground is The Lawn, an open area for activities.
Did you know that the school was founded in 1947 by businessman and philanthropist Tan Kah Kee to support local education after World War II? The building was desigend by James Ferrie and Partners in 1969 in the brutalist architecture style.
You can also pay a visit to the old Nan Chiau High School hall. Imagine all the students that once took part in assembly and other activities in the hall. Take a peek at it while you can because it will eventually be transformed into a cultural gallery in 2025.
You can find out more about New Bahru.
New Bahru is located at 46 & 58 Kim Yam Road Singapore 239351.
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