Gillman Barracks to be rejuvenated with cyclist friendly cafe, live entertainment

More dining and lifestyle options will be offered at Gillman Barracks by the end of 2023 as part of rejuvenation efforts by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA).

This tender award concludes the end of the first phase rejuvenation efforts for Gillman Barracks, where a total of five tenders out of 19 proposals were launched in May for State properties including Lock Road and Malan Road.

The tenders were awarded to bidders with the highest combined Price and Quality scores, according to the SLA. Existing establishments with their leases renewed are Creamier, Handlebar and Hopscotch and new establishments to come in are Wheeler’s Estate and The Blackbird.

SLA has stated that there has been emphasis placed on the quality of the proposed concepts to encourage tenderers to submit proposals aligned with the vision for Gillman Barracks as a creative lifestyle precinct, as well as to drive green initiatives, inject vibrancy, and facilitate engagement with the wider community.

The five successful bidders will offer a variety of concepts such as all-day dining, themed cafés, family- and pet-friendly settings, as well as lifestyle events such as farmers’ markets, live entertainment and music.

One of the successful bidders, Wheeler’s Estate, is opening a cyclist friendly café equipped with a bicycle pitstop and repair station.

On top of all-day dining offerings, there will be lifestyle events such as sports activities, movie screenings and acoustic live music.

Another themed establishment is Handlebar. The pet friendly premises biker-themed restaurant will offer American Southern style comfort food and  a farm-to-table concept with a vertical herbs garden and an eco-friendly welcome arch.

In line with SLA’s plans to make Gillman Barracks an eco-friendly precinct, these proposals also feature green initiatives such as the use of sustainable building materials during renovations and feasibility studies involving the installation of EV charging points on-site and solar energy panels. 

Visitors will also have the opportunity to participate in related workshops on eco-friendly topics, experience farm-to-table concepts and the utilisation of paperless receipts at selected outlets.

Infrastructure upgrades to the former military barracks are in progress with expected completion in the first half of 2023. This includes improved connectivity,  heritage storyboards, eco-friendly sanitary fittings in washrooms and a new thematic playground to provide additional recreation spots for families with children. 

Additionally, plans are underway to resume the regular heritage and art tours at Gillman Barracks, a programme that is managed by Friends of the Museums, by the end of the year.