Temasek Shophouse quietly reshapes how Orchard Road’s past and present meet. Formed by four conserved interwar shophouses at 16, 22, 28 and 38 Orchard Road, the restored complex reveals layers of forgotten history — from ghost signs and Shanghai plaster to a hidden underground vault. One of its most remarkable stories dates back to 1929, when Malayan Motors displayed an Avro Avian aircraft inside what is now Banyan Cove, a double-volume event space that once served as a showroom for cars and small planes. Nearly a century later, these rediscovered details lend Temasek Shophouse a rare sense of continuity, transforming it into a place where history is not merely preserved, but actively lived in.
Today, the expanded Temasek Shophouse spans about 68,000 square feet and serves as a social impact hub housing Temasek Trust and a mix of community-driven spaces. Led by Surbana Jurong with conservation consultancy by Studio Lapis, the restoration followed principles of maximum retention and minimum intervention, ensuring each building’s distinct character remained intact. Architectural styles range from Early Modern and Art Deco to Neo-Classical and Indo-Saracenic, reflecting Orchard Road’s cosmopolitan past. Inside, original mosaics, plasterwork and structural quirks were carefully integrated into a cohesive layout, connected by discreet walkways, ramps and shared corridors designed to balance accessibility with conservation integrity.
The result is a thoughtfully layered public space where heritage and purpose coexist. Visitors move between installations like Shophouse B.A.R., retail concept Martket by ABRY, social enterprise Foreword Coffee, Peranakan café-bakery Bibik Violet, and event venues such as Banyan Cove and Tembusu Canopy — each occupying spaces rich with historical significance. Along the way, ghost signs, restored finishes and architectural details quietly tell their stories. More than a restoration project, Temasek Shophouse stands as a forward-looking reinterpretation of Orchard Road’s legacy, proving that conservation can honour the past while creating room for new forms of connection, community and impact.
