Chijmes

CHIJMES (pronounced "chimes") was once a convent school and orphanage. Now conserved as a national heritage site, it is an attraction offering exciting shopping, dining and drinking options, both indoors or al fresco on two levels. For the more energetic, live music and late-night dancing in two joints will certainly stir anyone out of slumber, perhaps even the fabled “ghosts” of a bygone era. The old chapel with beautiful stained-glass windows is today CHIJMES Hall, serves as a small but pleasing venue for musicals, recitals and other theatrical performances as well as social functions such as product launches, cocktail parties and wedding dinners.

Open: F&B outlets: 11am till late(daily); Shops & Boutiques: 11am - 10pm(daily)
Location: 30 Victoria Street

5 Feb 2005
Chjimes

Evening
http://img175.exs.cx/img175/1779/ch17ac.jpg

Night
http://img200.exs.cx/img200/5884/ch24fg.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/x3.jpg

I think this magnificent restoration project deserves its own thread. Trying to find more pics taken by various forumers of this building.

Some info and pics by hyacinthus:

CHIJ
Chijmes was once the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) established in 1854 and was founded by a Frenchman, Father Nicholas Barre.

At the beginning of the 20th century, CHIJ started the construction of the new neo-gothic Chapel which was later followed by neo-gothic galleries at both sides of the Chapel. Following petitions to preserve the building, renovation works started in 1991 to convert the premises into a plaza of themed retail and F&B outlets. The result is a 4-acres S$100 million project unmatched for its unique ambience, now known as CHIJMES.

Then - 1906
http://img175.echo.cx/img175/6246/img00153ve.jpg

Now - 11 Jun 2005
http://img175.echo.cx/img175/962/dsc67825fu.jpg

heh... :)

Interior of Chijmes

http://img175.echo.cx/img175/3356/dsc67881vb.jpg

Hya apparently enjoying her fisheye lens a trifle.. :lol:

would the interior look better with benches instead of chairs?

It's now no longer a real chapel....

Some pics from

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/chijmes/

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/chijmes/small/9th_july_02.jpg

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/chijmes/small/16th_may_02.jpg

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/chijmes/small/9th_july_06.jpg

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/chijmes/small/9th_july_05.jpg

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/chijmes/small/9th_july_08.jpg

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/chijmes/small/9th_july_07.jpg

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/chijmes/small/23rd_july_02.jpg

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/chijmes/small/23rd_july_03.jpg

The Gate of Hope

The following text was taken from a plaque beside the "Gate of Hope" (see photo below) at Chijmes. I've decided to type it out instead of posting the picture of the plaque because the words on its green textured marble background aren't clear.

At this small gate of the former Convent of Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ), many babies were abandoned in baskets to be picked by the Sisters of the Convent. This was the origin of the Home for Abandoned Babies.

For over 100 years, the orphanage was home to children from poor or broken families as well as unwanted babies. The orphanage took in many Chinese baby girls born in the year of tiger - "tiger girls" - because of the strong superstitious belief then, that they would bring bad luck to their families.

In 1988, the Mother Superior noted that this practice was stopped as there was a marked change in this superstitious belief.

The Home for the Abandoned Babies ceased functioning in 1983 when CHIJ was relocated.

The CHIJ was founded in 1854 in Singapore by French Catholic missionary Father Jean Marie Baurel.

PS. Don't you think that was too long-winded? -_-

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/5297/p10106660uk.jpg

Chijmes' front gate - A little closeup

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/1509/p10106693rz.jpg

Reminds me of Oreo cookies.... :drool: :D

I think u r hungry.

The black of the gate and the cream white of the chapel.... :D

Chijmes gets latest tenant - Australia's Hog's Breath

27 Oct 05


CHIJMES will see restaurant Hog's Breath Cafe move in, taking up space vacated by Vietnamese restaurant Viet Lang.


This year, Upper Club, a dinner and dance venue, and Sun, a Japanese restaurant, also opened there. It is also understood that the space vacated by night spot China Jump recently, has been taken up by two new F&B operators and will open sometime next month.

Chijmes Investments sales and marketing manager Kevin Tan says there has been increased leasing interest in Chijmes, especially over the last two years. Although the rentals charged are not known, Chijmes Investments has been reported as being landlords that do not bargain on price. 'Chijmes is well aware of the worth of our location,' Mr Tan added.

Chijmes has seen a few high-profile wind-ups over the years, since it opened about eight years ago, including Stars, which closed with Shrooms opening in its place. Shrooms also closed in 2002 and is now occupied by Upper Club. In between, smaller outlets have also come and gone. Chijmes was formerly the girl's school Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus before being restored to the tune of $100 million.

When it first opened, only 50 per cent of its lettable area was F&B outlets. Chijmes Investments Mr Tan says this figure is now closer to 80 per cent F&B outlets with the rest going to retail and other services. Chijmes is now about food, 'And you get an international selection here,' adds Mr Tan.

Of course, getting the right formula is also important. Jason Pope, Asia director of operations and development of Hog's Breath Cafe, an Australian steakhouse chain, says it will be pumping A$500,000 (S$628,000) into the 4,000 sq ft Chijmes outlet. Mr Pope also expects to franchise another seven outlets around the region in the next three years. Franchises can be bought for A$50,000 and this will come with in-house training at its Chijmes outlet.

By ARTHUR SIM

Viet Lang@Chijmes - the place which we had desserts in that meetup with Szehoong.

yup its gone.....as typical of all these start-ups..they seem to come and go

The article states the venue is 4,000 sqf. But, it's not a huge place the last time we went there. Yet, the restaurant is pumping in A$500k. Wonder how long would it need to take in order to reap all that back.

Viet Lang.....
So memorable for all of us.....

Can anybody tell me the name of the school it used to be?

CHIJMES (pronounced "chimes") was once the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ), established in 1854.

In-CREDIBLE!!!!! :eek:

Thanks! This is just fascinating. :happy:

I'm a bit appalled by what's going on in this erstwhile so very pious place ... there even was a Mother Superior in residence at some point! :D

On the other hand, it's a very fine building, and I'm glad it has found a new (albeit secular) use. :okay:

would the interior look better with benches instead of chairs?

I'm sure it would, shao_ye, but chairs give a much greater degree of flexibility as far as the setup is concerned. ;)

Besides CHIJ, St Nicholas Girls' School used to share the same grounds.

The site was under grave danger when the MRT subway was being constructed in the 80s. Fortunately it has been preserved and it does have a nice ambience for dinner :)

Having fun with the wide lens.....:D
Chijmes
1.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Sigma/DSC_0090.jpg
2.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Sigma/DSC_0091.jpg
3.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Sigma/DSC_0093.jpg

New mini or old, they both sit nicely in the grounds of Chijmes:D

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/4588/cc0pj.jpg

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/2464/ee5ze.jpg

^ Interesting composition.....:okay:

Hey, babystan, I sure am glad you've given yourself to photography since you got your fancy camera! And I'm also glad that you resuscitated this thread, thank you! :okay:

Judging from the lineup of fancy cars in your first shot, that must have been quite a chi-chi affair going on in there that evening! :cool:

And Cliff, thanks to you as well for that fine view of what I gather is a side fassade ... the details are lovely! :)

^ Wah....actually I just take pictures for fun.......:D

Thanks anyway.....:D

Some evening shots.....:D
1.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Chijmes/DSC_0003.jpg
2.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Chijmes/DSC_0005.jpg
3.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Chijmes/DSC_0002.jpg

Passage
4.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Chijmes/DSC_0009.jpg
5.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Chijmes/DSC_0008.jpg

very nice wide angles, and my fav, is the last one!:D

very nice wide angles, and my fav, is the last one!:D

Thanks.....feel giddy looking at it....:lol:

^^ Lol, that is a dizzying shot indeed! :)

I prefer sushi though. :okay:

Thanks for the comprehensive pics from CHIJMES, the area is quite big and allows many different possible angles :yes:

@Cliff, thats a very cute shot with the Mini! :happy:

Yeah very nice place for photography.....:okay:

Here's a evening shot....:D
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Chijmes/DSC_0020.jpg

^^ That cute little red Mini we already saw in Cliff's photos seems to be parked there quite often! Perhaps its owner works somewhere in the complex. :)

Long corridor
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/7995/dsc00066ju.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/churchctrast2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/churchctrast2.jpg

This is a very refreshing angle!

^^ An exceptionally fine photo, Raffi! :okay:

It captures in one shot the two -- quite different -- images that come up in my mind when I hear or think of the word "tower." :)

^^
Thanks hya, SEAfan :)


It captures in one shot the two -- quite different -- images that come up in my mind when I hear or think of the word "tower." :)

Yup...I love the contrast of the different types of towers...in days of old, church steeples were the landmarks of Singapore city.

Yes! In the days of old, pretty much all cities' skylines were marked by their church towers. :yes:

I'll post an old pic of Singapore showing that if I can find one :)

CHIJMES in 2007:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/chijmes1002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/chijmesnite.jpg

Day and night ... :)

Thanks, Raffi! Good to see that the towers aren't too close to that sweet building so it isn't entirely dwarfed and overpowered by them.

Thanks SEAFan

Whats amazing is that this entire complex of church and former convent buildings occupy extremely prime space in town, and in fact the subway construction burrows underneath the church building if I'm not wrong.

I'm not sure if it was a conscious decision in the early 1980s to save the building, but it has withstood the test of massive development around it.

I was reading a book about WW2 in Singapore, when Japanese were dropping bombs on the city, the nuns and children huddled within the walls of the convent.

Oh ... during the war people were huddled together in sacred buildings in fear in so many places. :( Glad the ChimJmes Convent survived, and so, I gather, did the nuns and children seeking shelter inside it.

And what a stroke of good luck not to wreck the place in the 1980s! :)