CHIJMES SINGAPORE

A magnificent lifestyle complex in the heart of cosmopolitan, CHIJMES is well known for the numerous restaurants, bars and cafes with alfresco seating and entertainment options in Singapore. Home to two National monuments, CHIJMES hall and Caldwell house, the establishment shares insights about the history of Singapore. You can also admire the architectural marvels closely while enjoying CHIJMES’ Heritage Trail.

Located in the downtown region of Singapore, CHIJMES is a popular lifestyle and entertainment destination favored by locals and tourists alike. This could be your perfect dining spot whether you want to enjoy a delicious meal with your family and friends or a romantic date with your partner in one of the 30 restaurants, bars and cafes at this place.

You get to indulge in a wide variety of wellness and lifestyle services at one of the 3 amazing spas while on your visit to CHIJMES. The complex also features a couture label, Ethereal by Watabe Wedding, where the ladies can choose their dream gowns.

Being one of the oldest building complexes in Singapore, you can get closer to Singapore’s history while exploring this serene place. The historic place originally started as the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus Middle Education School, a Catholic convent school for girls in 1852 which was later renamed as the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus Educational School.

The architectural beauty of the buildings is maintained intact by the government to ensure the longevity of these buildings. The classrooms and halls of CHIJMES are being used today to house fun dining spaces with a welcoming ambience, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking to experience the charm of Singapore travel packages.

The second oldest building in Singapore which is still standing, the Caldwell house now hosts weddings and other grand celebrations. Whereas CHIJMES hall, with a Gothic-revival style of architecture, is used to entertain private parties along with other events.

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Highlights

• CHIJMES complex consists of several buildings and wide lawns, all of which together create a serene environment for the place.
• The historic establishment features two National Monuments: Caldwell house which happens to be the second oldest building in Singapore and CHIJMES hall which has a Gothic-revival architectural style.
• CHIJMES has 30 restaurants, with some of them providing a luxurious experience and others serving delicious meals and beverages in an exciting ambience.
• You get to indulge in any of the 3 Spas which offer a variety of therapies and treatments to the visitors.
• You may be surprised by the beautiful gowns for ladies at the couture label, Ethereal by Watabe Wedding, which is also a part of this building complex

How To Reach

Location: 30 Victoria St, Singapore 187996

By Car/Cab: The best route to CHIJMES from central Singapore is via Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 and CTE. You will be covering a distance of 14 km approximately in under 25 minutes, depending on the traffic conditions.

By Bus: You can take any of the following buses to reach CHIJMES: 166, 106, 197, 175, 7, 61, 857, 857.

Nearest bus stops to CHIJMES are Bras Basah Rd - Aft Bras Basah Stn Exit A (04179), Victoria St - Aft Chijmes (04159) and Victoria St - Cath Of the Good Shepherd (04151).

By Metro: You can board any of the trains running on ‘Circle line’ or ‘East West line’ to reach CHIJMES. Board off the metro train at the ‘Bras Basah (CC2) station’ which is just a 4 minute walking distance from your destination. You can even take a cab to reach CHIJMES from this metro station.

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Best Time To Visit

Late afternoon would be the perfect time to enjoy the combination of the best experiences at CHIJMES.

You can first embark on the Heritage Trail to explore the complex and admire its architectural beauty during the day, and then possibly head to the Spa for a relaxing massage in the evening. Later in the night you can go to any of the 30 restaurants, cafes and bars for an ultimate dining experience with your loved ones.

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Other Essential Information

1.History of CHIJMES

From being a house for the magistrate clerk in 1840, then a convent school, then a heritage site to now a famous lifestyle & entertainment destination, CHIJMES has seen a lot of transformations over a century.

The journey of this National heritage site started with Father Jean Marie Beurel’s wish to build a convent school. By 1852 he was able to invite the Infant Jesus sisters from France to help him build a convent school for girls and managed to buy a compound for the girl’s school.

With the construction of an orphanage and the first chapel by the year 1854, the school began to grow.

By the year 1860 the convent school which was also a charitable institution at the time was flourishing. The school kept growing till 1963, after which a decline was seen in people opting for orthodox ways of schooling due to which the boarding house of the school was forced to be shut.

The school premises were relocated in 1987 and the school building was demolished, and the buildings were handed over to the government. After 5 years of reconstruction and conservation of the leftover structures, the new CHIJMES complex was ready.

The establishment won a Merit award for the conservation of the heritage site in 2002, and the establishment gained fame and recognition over the years.

2.Architecture of CHIJMES

Offering a visual retreat to visitors, CHIJMES is a collection of beautiful buildings, some of which dating back to the 19th century, housed in the center of the cosmopolitan. You will be able to notice a variety of architectural styles including Gothic-revival and Neoclassical styles, through different buildings complementing each other to create a picturesque view.

There are 33,000 Belgian tinted glass pieces used in the making of CHIJMES hall which also houses 648 columns with carvings of flowers and birds spread throughout. The reconstruction of the building complex in 1996 joined the segregated buildings as a whole.

3.Best restaurants in CHIJMES

1.Whitegrass restaurant: The elegant ambiance of the restaurant invites people to indulge in the beautiful fusion of French cuisine with a hint of Japanese culinary expertise. Giving the visitors a fine dining experience, this Michelin one-star restaurant has a thoughtful four-seasonal menu that promises to serve you fresh food which is prepared with sustainable practices.

2.Lei Garden restaurant: Serving delicious Chinese cuisine featuring delicate and refreshing flavors, this restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience to the visitors. With new innovations continually being added to the menu, this restaurant can offer you a unique fine dining experience every time you visit. 

3.Coriander Leaf: Perfect for those who love to try out new flavors, Coriander leaf serves contemporary Asian cuisine to its guests. You get to enjoy distinct flavor profiles of Fresh, Familiar, Sweet, Spicy & Umami, in their dishes. Full of unique combinations and delicious dishes you will be able to try a mix and match of various classics at this place. It also features an all vegetarian menu for the guests.

4.Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Restaurant: The best ‘Yakiniku’ (Japanese BBQ) in town, Gyu-Kaku will offer you a chance to enjoy a traditional meal with your loved ones. Opting for a table grill from the menu to have a classic experience.

You will be greeted with a warm ambiance as you enter the restaurant, which is a great fusion of classic Japanese and contemporary style architecture.

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