Temasek Shophouse, a beloved social impact hub in the heart of Singapore, closed a chapter with a “Lights Out Celebration” event on 2 December 2023. This took place before expansion renovations kicked off at Temasek Shophouse which is scheduled to reopen to the public in 2025. The event featured musicians from the Let’s Jam! inclusive music community, and a coffee appreciation workshop by social enterprise Foreword Coffee Roasters, one of Temasek Shophouse’s earliest co-working partners.

Tribute to Partners and the Community

Since opening its doors in 2019, Temasek Shophouse has established itself as a convener, collaborator, and catalyst for a vibrant and fast-growing community of changemakers. It has engaged with ~112,000 people, partnered with ~120 partners, and hosted ~300 events. These included the Purple Symphony community concerts, ‘Sustainability & Oceans: An Earthshot Week Event’, and the ‘Hands-on Hearts-In’ workshop by WeHiro. 

Temasek Shophouse has also served as a co-working space for organisations dedicated to making a difference such as ABC Impact, Foreword Coffee Roasters, Tri-Sector Associates, Happiness Initiative, and The Idea Co. 

The “Lights Out Celebration” was a tribute to the partners and the community who have supported Temasek Shophouse’s journey as a social impact hub for changemakers, thought leaders, and various communities to drive positive change. As part of the event, it showcased musicians from the Temasek Shophouse Let’s Jam Music Fellowship – a testament of the convening and catalysing spirit that Temasek Shophouse has been championing. 

An inclusive music community that started in September 2023, Let’s Jam has been making waves in the local music scene – attracting musicians and audiences of all ages. Brought together by veteran Singaporean composer, producer and performer, Clement Chow, Let’s Jam has established itself as an inclusive space for musicians to gather and celebrate their shared love for music. In just a few months, the community blossomed from fewer than 50 people into a regular gathering of over 180 musicians and music-lovers from diverse musical backgrounds, ages, and abilities. 

The Temasek Shophouse Let’s Jam Music Fellowship in action

During the ‘Lights Out Celebration’, veteran musicians like Greg Anderson and Ernesto Valerio, often dubbed the Dean Martin of Singapore, serenaded the audience with nostalgic tunes from the 1950s. 

Ernesto Valerio (left) and Greg Anderson (middle) performing at the Lights Out concert at Temasek Shophouse

Zack, aka “Z-Loco”, and Elaine, aka General Ling, who represented Singapore in the World Beatboxing Championships in Berlin, created on-the-spot lyrical magic and dynamic beatbox sets, showcasing the diverse talent in the Fellowship.

Elaine and Zack showcasing their beatboxing and rapping skills

“What sets Let's Jam apart is its ability to bridge diverse communities through music; breaking down barriers and fostering connections that extend far beyond the vibrant performances we enjoy,” said Mr. Clement Chow, Community Partner, and Co-curator of Let’s Jam. “We are heartened to see musicians from different generations, backgrounds, and abilities find a place of belonging and endearment here at Temasek Shophouse Let’s Jam Music Fellowship.” 

The “Lights Out Celebration” showcased musicians from the Let’s Jam Fellowship for a final concert before the Temasek Shophouse expansion project kicked off.

The other highlight of the “Lights Out Celebration” was the Beans & Bonds coffee appreciation workshop, organised by Foreword Coffee Roasters. The social enterprise hires and equips persons with disabilities, special needs, and mental health conditions as their frontline crew and has grown tremendously since its early days at Temasek Shophouse.

"We are grateful to be an early partner at Temasek Shophouse. The synergy between Foreword Coffee and Temasek Shophouse’s commitment to sustainability and inclusivity as well as the vibrant co-working ecosystem here, have been a catalyst for our growth,” said Mr. Lim Wei Jie, Co-founder of Foreword Coffee Roasters. “We look forward to creating meaningful connections and contributing to a space that goes beyond just bricks and mortar, but truly embodies the spirit of community and progress when Temasek Shophouse reopens again."

Part of the “Lights Out Celebration”, the Beans & Bonds coffee appreciation workshop was organised by social enterprise Foreword Coffee Roasters.

“We are very excited about the expansion of Temasek Shophouse and how this can better serve the needs of the community,” said Ms. Yvonne Tay, Head of Temasek Shophouse. “The Lights Out Celebration is a showcase of the collective efforts that have brought us to where we are today. It’s an opportunity to recognise the dedication of our residents, partners, and the entire community in driving positive impact in Singapore.”

See you in 2025! 

Starting from 4 December 2023, Temasek Shophouse will be closed for expansion renovation works. It is expanding its space to better serve a growing community of changemakers driven to find innovative solutions for global challenges. After the expansion, four shophouses – unit No. 16 (former Malayan Motors Showroom), No. 22 (former Midfilm House), No. 38 (Tropical Modernist Shophouse), and No. 28 (current Temasek Shophouse) – will become one. 

There are also plans to rejuvenate and activate the surrounding outdoor spaces, including Handy Green and Stamford Canal, for the community. 

Temasek Shophouse is scheduled to reopen to the public in 2025. 

For renovation updates and reopening information, please follow Temasek Shophouse on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for updates, or visit their website.

It’s not goodbye but see you later!