Everton Park, one of Singapore’s oldest residential estates, was built in 1965 to house the Singapore Harbour Board’s personnel until it was renovated in 1979. Blocks 1-3 and 4-6 are split into two rows of apartments. Everton Park has evolved into a distinct area with its charm. The estate, as well as the adjacent Spottiswoode district, is full of charm, with cafes, spas, boutiques, pottery studios, and art galleries. Not to mention the historic street murals that can be spotted on almost every corner.
What to do?
1. Art Agenda @ 63 Spottiswoode
Art Agenda @ 63 Spottiswoode is a three-month pop-up that includes exhibitions, a shop, and a series of activations, hidden amongst colorful conservation shophouses. But first, familiarize yourself with Art Agenda S.E.A. 63 Upper and 63 Ground are the two exhibition halls. 63 Ground, located on the first floor, focuses on photography and associated issues through a series of exhibitions, events, and activations. The exhibition features postwar photographers such as Yip Cheong Fun and Lim Kwong Ling, as well as contemporary artists such as Dave Lim and Lavender Chang.
Head upstairs once you have finished. 63 Upper is a large hall that occupies the second floor of a historic shophouse and aims to give visitors a glimpse inside an artist’s work. It has subsequently been transformed into a curatorial space in conjunction with Art Porters, with multi-colored rooms freshly painted in vibrant blue, green, yellow, and other hues. These chambers feature a rotating exhibition of artworks from private collections.
2. Art Porters Gallery
Artist Alex Face’s mural of two beautiful characters dressed in traditional Peranakan garb can be found in the back of a conservation shophouse. Guillaume Levy-Lambert and Sean Soh, the proprietors of Art Porters Gallery, commissioned it. The gallery exhibits works in a variety of mediums, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and digital animation, by artists from Singapore and throughout the world. Established names such as Mulyana from Jogja and local mural artist Yip Yew Chong coexist with newcomers such as Chloe Manasseh, Jamie Tan, and Jamie Teo.
3. Baba House
This is not a standard museum, but a heritage house to promote education about Straits Chinese culture. It is thought to be one of Singapore’s most authentic existing Peranakan residential properties. It was repaired and reopened in 2007 as the home of Singapore’s 108-year-old Peranakan Association, which is run by the National University of Singapore’s Centre for the Arts.
4. Studio Sands
Take a dancing trip with Studio Sands to get away from your daily routines or to help pole dancers grow more holistically through this art form. Studio Sands encourages dancers to greater heights with 40mm stainless steel and 45mm stainless steel poles which is the world competition standards to meet your training demands.
5. Kew Organics
The beauty salon is a quiet, sleek refuge to pass away your day, decorated in black and white and features brick walls lined with pictures of Coco Chanel. It treats acne and wrinkles with treatments like Ultrareviv Booster Shots and Hydropeptide Anti-ageing Organic Facial, which use only vegan and organic ingredients and cutting-edge technology.
6. Mister Moustache Barbershop & Shaving Parlour
A gentrified residential neighborhood these days does not seem complete without a vintage-styled barber. Grooming-conscious gentlemen can get their fix of new fades and elegant undercuts here. Do you think you deserve some pampering? Come in for a fresh, soothing shave and to replenish your hairstyle supplies.
7. Sally’s Room
Pure soy wax candles, palm wax candles, and candle accessories are all handcrafted at Sally’s Room. If you want to learn how to make your candles, Sally’s Room offers a variety of candle-making lessons, including introductory sessions, candle crafting, and floral soy candle cake workshops for advanced students.
8. Blossoms by Rei
This neighborhood has it all! Blossoms by Rei handcrafts its bouquets with superior blooms that are claimed to stay longer, believing in sharing joy and romance with flowers. For a more personal touch, order the fresh petals online or visit the floral bar to handpick your favorite flowers.
Where to eat and drink?
1. Ji Xiang Confectionery
Looking for a more traditional? This old-school bakery prepares Ang Ku kueh from scratch along the same stretch as The Better Half. It is a Chinese pastry composed of glutinous rice flour with sweet and savory contents like peanut, salted bean, maize, and coconut for the uninitiated. This local dessert, which has been a regular fixture of Everton Park since 1988, is the one thing you must buy if you are in the region.
2. Kith Cafe Spottiswoode
A classic yellow exterior with “Kith” plastered across the storefront is tucked in between a series of shophouses. For those in the area, Kith Cafe Spottiswoode is the go-to spot for a coffee or an afternoon pick-me-up. Get an acai bowl with pure acai berry, banana, toasted coconut shavings, muesli, blueberry, strawberry, orange, watermelon, and green apple, or order the monthly brunch, pulled pork, and eggs.
3. Little Part 1 Cafe
This cafe tucked away on Blair Road has been termed a secret hideaway by residents of the estate as it is distant from the hipster eateries in the neighborhood. It is an irresistibly groovy spot for bending your arm, slowing your bones, and sampling rare, imported, and carefully selected German and Swiss beers. It also has an excellent assortment of Belgians and is the only outlet in town that sells La Trappe from the Netherlands. On Thursdays, enjoy happy hour with $11 pints of draft beer.
4. Miz Japanese Restaurant
You get a sense of Japan along Kampong Bahru Road as if you are right there in the Land of the Rising Sun. On the second floor of a shophouse hidden in the Spottiswoode neighborhood, Miz Japanese Restaurant serves traditional Japanese food. Unagi rice bowl, garlic udon, rei shabu salad, or chirashi are all available at incredibly low costs. With a pint of Asahi or a shot of sake, wash it all down.
5. Nylon Coffee Roasters
Outside this cafe at 4 Everton Park, there is constantly a line. Nylon Coffee Roasters has been a top name in Singapore when it comes to quality coffee since opening its doors in 2012 as one of the country’s first boutique roasters. Despite its small size, the coffee shop has a loyal following of customers who swear that it serves the greatest coffee in town. The business is committed to sustainability and openness, so do not be hesitant to inquire about the origins of your coffee.
6. Strangers’ Reunion
This minimalist cafe, housed in a series of shophouses, is led by two-time national barista champion Ryan Tan. Regular flat whites and piccolo lattes with coffee art, as well as the Magic latte with two ristretto shots, are available. Expect good croissants and other pastries, as well as more decadent cranberry rum muffins, frosted chocolate whiskey cake, and red-velvet cupcakes. In this narrow, industrial, slightly mismatched room, WiFi access completes the picture.
7. The Better Half
This tiny bakery on the corner of Block 1 is managed by a couple who are passionate about artisan bakes and coffee. Everything, including the bread, is made from scratch. The shop is small, but the cakes make up for it: choose from rose raspberry, vanilla salted caramel, and coconut passionfruit flavors. You may always order them to go, and the crew also accepts bespoke cake orders.
