A Tale of Two Shophouses

Two historic shophouses sit side by side. One is a home and the other a contemporary art gallery. We talk to one of the owners about the area and what’s inside these beautiful properties.

- Gracie Stewart

Spottiswoode Park Road is located in the residential historic district of Blair Plain, just west of Duxton Hill. It takes its name from the merchant Charles Spottiswoode, who established the trading firm Spottiswoode & Connolly in Singapore in 1824. The area is lined with beautiful two- and three-storey Peranakan shophouses and the neighbourhood has been eloquently preserved, offering a rare glimpse into the past.

French art collector, gallery owner, and artist Guillaume LévyLambert and his partner Mark Goh are lucky enough to call 64-1 Spottiswoode Park Road home. Guillaume was an investment banker at BNP Paribas, and former Asia CEO of Publicis, before realising art was his true calling. He’s been living in Singapore for 25 years and Asia since he was 24, when he first moved to Tokyo.

Initial restoration

The home was originally built sometime between 1910 and 1920 when it was used as a warehouse on the ground floor. Today, the double-storey transitional shophouse turned live-in museum boasts old-world charm while providing a haven from bustling city living.

When the property was first renovated, the team at Eco-id Architects were tasked with restoring the residential front of the house, building up the rear with a double-storey extension, and adding a mezzanine level with what’s known as a “jack-roof” at the attic. The restoration was such a success that in 2003 the property was presented with an Architectural Heritage Award, which recognises well-restored monuments and conserved buildings in Singapore, and the people behind them.