Ashish Manchharam - The Vintage Revivalist

Ashish Manchharam puts his stamp on history and reenergises forgotten streets, one shophouse at a time.

- Germaine Cheong

Ashish Manchharam isn’t one for half measures. Take the time he switched to a vegan and non-alcoholic diet for a month – all in the name of research. With veganism and vegetarianism gaining popularity, and as more alternative food sources enter the market, he wanted to know his options when dining out. “It’s all part of the adventure. I’m just trying to understand the trend. Is there something that we can do to tap into that?” says the founder and managing director of 8M Real Estate, whose $500 million portfolio boasts 50 shophouses mostly in Districts 1 and 2.

Over the past five years, the real estate developer has done more than trendspotting; he’s resetting the scene and revitalising culturally rich neighbourhoods that have been neglected. To draw the public, he has a two-prong approach: bring in top F&B operators, and offer flexible-living accommodation plans at his hotels.

New York cocktail institution Employees Only has remained the talk of the town since he brought it to Amoy Street three years ago, and indie club Kilo Lounge continues to draw crowds to Tanjong Pagar since he relocated it in 2016. Blue Label Pizza & Wine at Ann Siang House is the go-to joint for many foodies.