It’s been a long time in the works, but the Andaz group has finally landed in South East Asia. The location, in Singapore’s historic Bugis, cleaves close to the brand’s MO of opening in a buzzy, culturally-rich quarter. Visually, the decision pays off handsomely with remarkable views of the colourful rooftops of the area’s fin-de-siècle shophouses, a dollhouse silhouette that’s made all the more stark against the looming skyscrapers.
Occupying the top 15 floors of Duo, a massive mixed-use development that its architects Buro Ole Scheeren have conceived as a honey-combed curvilinear twin-tower, the interiors of the 342-room hotel are the work of André Fu.
Here, the Hong Kong-based designer cannily references the area’s spice trade, cultural and architectural heritage without slipping into obvious clichés. And so, the colour palette echoes the shades of spices, narrow corridors – a by-product of the building’s polygonal cross-section – are quietly refashioned as alleys, elevator signals bear the palimpsest of ancient streetlamps, and old letterboxes are reimagined as room-number plates, whilst a towering installation of stylised Singaporean landmarks by André Mendes rears up through the central atrium.
The diversions are modestly restricted to an outdoor lap-pool that overlooks IM Pei’s grand Gateway towers, the goal being to nudge guests into the local neighbourhood for spa and fitness options. Gourmands, though, will thrill to ten food and beverage outlets, of which the rooftop Mr Stock bar and lounge, on the 39th floor, offers thrilling wraparound views of the island.
ADDRESS
5 Fraser Street
-
The Subaru Forester is the definition of unpretentious automotive designIt’s not exactly king of the crossovers, but the Subaru Forester e-Boxer is reliable, practical and great for keeping a low profile
-
Sotheby’s is auctioning a rare Frank Lloyd Wright lamp – and it could fetch $5 millionThe architect's ‘Double-Pedestal’ lamp, which was designed for the Dana House in 1903, is hitting the auction block 13 May at Sotheby's.
-
Naoto Fukasawa sparks children’s imaginations with play sculpturesThe Japanese designer creates an intuitive series of bold play sculptures, designed to spark children’s desire to play without thinking
-
Wallpaper* checks in at The Standard Singapore for a quirky tropical city breakDisarming and energising in equal measure, The Standard Singapore is a lush addition to the brand’s growing Asia-Pacific portfolio
-
Singapore bar and lounge Baia revives the opulence of Ancient RomeDaven Wu samples Baia’s bacchanalian cocktails and louche slouching spots that are drawing the crowds in Singapore
-
Wallpaper* checks in at QT Singapore, a plush hotel amidst wondrous skyscrapersSet within an elegant neo-classical building, QT Singapore blends playful design and modern luxury in the heart of the city’s Business District
-
Odem, Singapore’s first craft Makgeolli bar has arrivedAn extensive collection of Makgeolli, also known as Korean rice wine, can be enjoyed at this new bijou bar and restaurant in Singapore
-
Inside Na Oh, Hyundai and Corey Lee’s experimental Korean restaurant in SingaporeAcclaimed San Franciscan chef Corey Lee is the driving force behind Na Oh, a new Korean restaurant at the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore
-
AIR is a new OMA-designed Singapore restaurant and cooking clubAIR is a Singapore restaurant, circular campus, and cooking club, designed by OMA and inspired by a ferverous approach to innovation, sustainability and food
-
Eastern and Western flavours meet at Jiak Kim House in SingaporeJiak Kim House, led by Chef Seow Tzi Qin, pays a heartfelt tribute to Singapore's vibrant history through traditional and contemporary dishes
-
The Singapore Edition makes the case for opulenceThe new Singapore Edition, the work of Moshe Safdie and local studio DP Architects, with interiors by Cap Atelier, embraces leafy luxury
