“Oh my. What a total knock-out. A complete stunner! I spotted her on a drive past the corner of a block and I couldn’t help but gawk out of the windshield of my car. Judging by the number of heads being turned, she has most definitely caused a few accidents by now.”
All dressed up in beautiful green and purple lace-like frills with a smashing red outline bordering some classic Chinese motifs — my favorite Sim Kwong Ho shophouse in the Balestier neighborhood, done up in the “Singapore Eclectic” style.
You might spot the freshly painted neon green shophouse just down the road that almost glows in the dark. Or, high up on Emerald Hill, you might have already glimpsed the stripy shophouse that looks like it came out of a Paul Smith catalog.
Feel free to ask the tourists snapping away at the pastel-colored Grand Dames on Joo Chiat, and yes, they will tell you that our Singapore shophouses are that sensational. I am also guessing that you have probably been on a night out on Club Street or Keong Saik Road, all decked out with shophouses along the way.
These are not mere mortals. Many have now been conferred conservation status by our urban warriors at the URA and immortalized to stand the test of time — the epitome of timeless fashion that dates back to before our nation’s independence.
However, did you know that you could actually live in them? Residential shophouses are pretty rare and I have painstakingly counted 857 throughout the whole of Singapore which is not too different from browsing a limited edition Supreme catalogue.
Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av MEN 'S FOLIO Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av MEN 'S FOLIO Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Performance Meets Sophistication
Meet the dynamic duo of Porsche 911 and 718 that prove jaw-dropping power can harmoniously coexist with sleek sophistication.
The Expanse of Water
On the banks of the Thames River, the Chelsea Harbour Hotel & Spa proposes itself a contemporary oasis, and as a sanctuary where respite arrives in a suite approach to hospitality.
Infinite Layers of Flavour
Suntory Global Spirits Global Ambassador of Scotch & Irish Teddy Joseph shares there is more than meets the eye with Bowmore.
Spirit of Oak
The Macallan unveils the fourth instalment of its Harmony collection headlined by The Macallan Harmony Vibrant Oak.
A Platinum Jubilee
Men's Folio spoke to Franck Muller Genève CEO Nicholas Rudaz about the special Sincere Fine Watches' 70th anniversary edition and Franck Muller's relationship with the luxury watch retailer.
Timeless Icon
Jake Gyllenhaal emanates spirit, style, and ambition, the enduring qualities of the Cartier Santos.
A Daring Spirit
The Tudor Black Bay exemplifies Tudor's Born to Dare spirit and is crafted for life's boldest adventures.
Square Root
It has been 25 years since Patek Philippe unveiled a new collection. The protracted wait is over with the Cubitus joining the Genevan manufacture’s lineup.
Poised To Remember
The first-ever re-release of a Maison Francis Kurkdjian fragrance - A Piece of Me (APOM) as a gender-neutral creation prompts a candid conversation with the master creative of the namesake perfume house. In an exclusive interview, Francis Kurkdjian talks to Men's Folio about what fragrance means to him, what inspires him, and what the horizon of the fragrance industry looks like in the years to come.
SOS
What can one turn to in the times of distress? When it comes to the skin, there's no better option than to sit back and let a select few hero products do the work. Soothing, gentle and reliable, these skin-saving failsafes have got the back of even the most sensitive and reactive of skins.
