The former Nan Chiau High School and Tai Wah Garments & Knitting Factory in River Valley have now been transformed into a massive lifestyle destination filled with cafes, sushi, fashion stores, wellness spaces and even pickleball courts.
New Bahru, located at 46 and 58 Kim Yam Road, first opened within the former Nan Chiau High School compound. The neighbouring former Tai Wah Garments & Knitting Factory has now also joined the space after a major refurbishment.
With the expansion complete, New Bahru now houses more than 60 brands across food, retail, wellness, enrichment, hospitality, art and culture.
This is the kind of place where you can easily spend half a day cafe hopping, shopping and exploring random aesthetic corners.
New Factory Building Has Sushi, Gelato & Casual Eats
The newly restored former Tai Wah Garments & Knitting Factory now houses over 10 new dining and retail brands, adding even more cafes, shopping and lifestyle experiences to New Bahru.
Highlights include Dumpling Darlings’ largest flagship outlet, Japan’s popular conveyor belt sushi chain SUSHIRO, nostalgic gelato cafe Parlour, handmade pasta pop up Fico and a coffeeshop concept that transforms into a craft beer taproom at night.
Images from New Bahru
BEAMS Opens Its First Southeast Asia Flagship Store Here
Fashion fans will probably recognise one of the biggest names joining the lineup.
Japanese fashion label BEAMS has opened its first directly operated Southeast Asia flagship store at New Bahru.
The store features signature Tokyo style pieces alongside Singapore exclusive merchandise.
Visitors can also browse limited time pop ups from VEJA and YETI, plus homeware shops, bookstores and independent fashion labels.
Images from New Bahru
The School Hall Is Now A Cultural Venue
Instead of completely rebuilding the space, many of its original features were preserved, including the teak wall panels, mosaic flooring and signature ventilation blocks that once helped cool the hall naturally.
Today, the refreshed hall hosts exhibitions, performances, creative events and community activities, while also doubling as a public pickleball venue that visitors can book.
Image from New Bahru
Heritage Spaces Given A New Lease Of Life
The former Nan Chiau High School campus still retains traces of its old school charm, including vintage corridors and ventilation blocks. Founded in 1947, the school later relocated to Sengkang in 2004.
Right beside it sits the former Tai Wah Garments & Knitting Factory, a 1960s industrial building that once formed part of Singapore’s textile manufacturing boom. Look closely and you’ll notice rope inspired installations woven throughout the restored factory building, referencing the pulley systems once used to transport fabric rolls through the old textile factory.
Today, both heritage spaces have been restored and given a new lease of life, while still keeping elements of their original identity throughout the compound.
How To Get To New Bahru
Address: 46 & 58 Kim Yam Road
Nearest MRT Stations:
Fort Canning MRT (Downtown Line) – Around 12 minutes walk
Great World MRT (Thomson-East Coast Line) – Around 10 minutes walk
Bus Services Nearby: 32, 54, 139, 195 and 195A
Directory: https://www.newbahru.com/directory
