Forum: Fewer and fewer places ‘with character' due to gentrification
A sense of nostalgia swept over me as I read the article (Empty shops, boarded windows: Has Holland Village lost its mojo?, June 7)
As a teenager who went to school nearby in the 1990s and subsequently, navigated a budding social life as a young adult in the early 2000s, 'Holland V' has always held a special place in my heart.
Having first dinner dates as junior college students at Fosters, aptly described as 'An English Rose Cafe', was as commonplace as having ice-cream dates at the now-defunct Haagen-Dazs in Lorong Mambong.
Other fond memories include bumping into home-grown singer Stefanie Sun at the old Holland Villlage Food Centre (before its makeover) who said 'hi' with a tip of her baseball cap as mutual acquaintances exchanged warm greetings while having a late night supper.
Wala Wala Cafe Bar was one of our go-to places for weekend and midweek gatherings as young adults – fun times spent on scintillating conversations that got increasingly animated as the nights wore on.
Singapore has the unenviable and delicate task of striking a good balance between the old and new.
As more and more places go through development, spurred on by rental prices and market forces, is our uniquely Singaporean version of gentrification resulting in fewer and fewer places 'with character', such as Tiong Bahru and Holland Village?
We need to do more so that such havens, which played an important role in our personal stories, do not fade into our distant collective memories.
Teo Eng Keat Julian
More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
Forum: Don't just rely on schools to pick a hobby
The pressure of exams and the endless distraction of the digital world can leave young people exhausted and stressed. Yet there is a simple, often overlooked way to recharge and grow: cultivating hobbies. While there has been greater emphasis on holistic development, schools alone cannot meet every student's needs. Some struggle to maintain the breadth and scale of their co-curricular activities – something I've experienced first-hand in my junior college . This makes it all the more important for students to take ownership of their personal growth. We should not wait for schools to offer opportunities, but instead take the initiative to explore our own interests. Today, picking up a hobby is easier than ever. Online platforms and public libraries provide free or low-cost resources on everything from photography to foreign languages. ActiveSG sports centres also offer a wide range of classes – from kickboxing to yoga – many of which can be paid for using the Government's recent top-up of ActiveSG credits. Hobbies can make our youth far more enriching – and who knows where they may lead us. Jaden Tee, 18 More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Business Times
15-06-2025
- Business Times
Sober clubbing brews fresh beat for Singapore's Gen Z
[SINGAPORE] Swaying to dance music and TikTok-fuelled pop under a disco ball, young punters are packed shoulder to shoulder while sipping on coffee, their energy powered by pour-overs rather than pints. This is no underground rave, nor a brunch gone wild. It's a caffeine-powered daytime clubbing sesh – part of a growing wave of alcohol-free, Gen Z-driven events gaining traction in Singapore and elsewhere in the world. At a recent event in Singapore's trendy Duxton district, the space was jammed by 4.00 pm, with baristas churning out fancy coffees and DJs spinning back-to-back sets. The crowd grooved with energy, even without the usual liquid courage. 'A lot of people think alcohol gives you the high, but caffeine sometimes can do that too,' said Aden Low, 21, co-founder of Beans and Beats which organises coffee raves at different venues. 'That's why the atmosphere at our events tends to be quite energetic.' The parties blend curated music with specialty coffee served in white paper cups. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up The vibe is light, friendly and very Gen Z. 'It's also the idea that this is a safe space,' said Esther Low, 31, who was at the event in Duxton. 'When you go to a club setting, there's usually this underlying intention to hook up. So, for me, that's personally why I would prefer this.' Several reports say Gen Z is chugging fewer pints than previous generations, with the sober curious movement gaining popularity on social media. Sober curious people cut back on drinking or abstain altogether, often citing health reasons and better mental acuity. 'Changes in alcohol use have been observed in population surveys and cohort studies. Generally, alcohol use among young adults has decreased,' the World Health Organization said in a 2024 report. Club culture update From London to Los Angeles and Melbourne, similar coffee raves have swept up the social scene, appealing to young partygoers who also want to avoid hangovers. Ashley Chean, a Singaporean student who has been alcohol-free for a year, said she appreciates these sober gatherings. 'When I lived in Paris, I realised I had a lot of alcoholic tendencies and I didn't want that to be my lifestyle,' the 20-year-old told AFP. 'More and more of my friends are sober or sober curious.' The coffee clubbing events are usually held in cafes and other spaces such as rooftop bars – as long as there's room for DJs and baristas to do their thing while people dance. The parties typically end by late afternoon, just in time for golden hour selfies. Besides the health benefits of avoiding alcohol, the events appeal to cost-conscious youth in Singapore, one of the most expensive cities in the world. The excess drinking and hard-partying ways of Gen X – fuelled by anthems such as the Beastie Boys' Fight for Your Right (to Party) and hip-hop videos glamourising club culture – are fading for members of Gen Z. While organisers don't see Singapore's glitzy nightlife and clubbing being replaced, they hope their combination of beats and brews will keep the dance floor buzzing. 'As long as we bring the vibes, we'll be OK,' said Ashley. AFP
Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Straits Times
Singer Madonna carries handbag from viral Singapore fashion brand Aupen's first couture line
Madonna has joined the ranks of international pop stars and actresses who have decked themselves out in an Aupen handbag. The 66-year-old American singer took to her Instagram Story on June 13 to brandish her couture arm candy from the viral fashion brand founded by Singaporean Nicholas Tan, alongside the text 'Today is in the bag'. She was reportedly in New York and wore a blue polka dot blouse and denim jeans, complete with Aupen's one-of-a-kind Haute Maroquinerie bag on her right arm. This first creation of the label 's p rivate couture programme was conceived in partnership with French luxury conglomerate LVMH's artisanal arm Metiers d'Art. Aupen said in a press statement: 'Composed through a fragmented, asymmetric technique, the piece embraces imperfection, rupture and reinvention – echoi ng Madonna's legacy of transformation and Aupen' s d esign philosophy rooted in tension and individuality. 'With its Haute Maroquinerie programme in the works, Aupen is shaping a new frontier in bespoke leathercraft. This programme is invitation-only. It will invite clients into a deeply personal, couture-level design process – one that reimagines the handbag as a sculptural, intimate object. In close dialogue with Aupen's design team, clients will explore rare materials, shapes and colours that push beyond conventional customisation.' Aupen was founded in Singapore in November 2022. While maintaining its local roots, the bags are designed in Paris. They are available exclusively on and new styles are occasionally previewed on Instagram (@aupenofficial). The official social media account boasts pictures of a slew of celebrities wearing Aupen handbags, including British Florence Pugh, American actress Jenna Ortega and Indian actress Priyanka Chopra. Th e superstar w ho catapulted the brand into the limelight is American singer Taylor Swift. She was spotted holding Aupen's Nirvana Mini Fearless bag in Noir during her night out with her boyfriend, American professional footballer Travis Kelce, in New York City in October 2023. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
