Godown Get-Up at Singapore’s Warehouse Hotel

The arcane history of Singapore’s riverfront godowns and their illicit pasts is the central concept and design inspiration behind the Warehouse Hotel.

The original triple-peaked structure, built in 1895, had already enjoyed three distinct lives before its most recent reincarnation. First, it served as a spice (and reputedly opium) warehouse at the height of the international spice trade. The building’s second life was just as louche during a period when the entire lane was nicknamed ‘distillery street’ for its many illegal spirit distilleries and secret societies. Then, for a decade from the mid-80s, it operated as an underground disco, hosting many a wild party.

This long, dark, rebellious history was an important element that designer Chris Lee and his team at local design studio Asylum wanted to bring to the fore rather than hide in their first complete hotel project. The studio worked with long-time collaborators the Lo & Behold Group, which has established a reputation for high- quality hospitality venues across the garden city.

The two-and-a-half-year process began when Wee Teng Wen, managing partner of Lo & Behold, approached Lee about creating a hotel in the vacant building. He was excited about the project, but more so about working with such an iconic structure: ‘Everyone knew the building. It had been left vacant since the warehouse discos in the 80s until today.’

The elation soon faded though, when an initial site visit revealed just how much work needed to be done to restore the building. After more than 20 years of lying vacant, it was in a state of severe disrepair. Rising to the challenge, Lee brought on local architects Zarch to assist with the preservation and conservation elements and to resurrect the original structure.

Today, the original edifice and many of its structural elements have been preserved, from the beams to the brickwork. It was important to the team to retain the original materials, making for a very humble and industrial palette. Not wanting to merely repeat an overly popular design trend — ‘everyone is doing that look,’ says Lee — they ‘added a layer of luxe’. Thus, each of the 37 guest rooms is generously sized and pared down in terms of materials and palette, giving the space design cred without compromising on comfort.

Contextualising the property was important to both client and designer, who want the hotel to become a portal for local culture. Many of the details and amenities throughout the hotel call back to the building’s ‘naughty’ history, while other products such as bed throws, ceramics and small pieces of furniture were made locally in partnership with emerging young designers and craftspeople.

Perhaps an even more enjoyable way for overseas guests to experience the local culture, though, will be to mingle with the locals in the popular lobby bar over a perfectly crafted gin and tonic — both locally produced, of course.

Text / Suzy Annetta
Images / Courtesy of The Warehouse Hotel