A Masterpiece In Restoration
After almost five and a half years of painstaking conservation and construction work, what was once the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus(CHIJ) and the seat of education for generations of Singapore girls, has been converted into a plaza of theme retail and F&B outlets interspersed with ample outdoor spaces and courtyards, cloistered walls and long, covered walkways. This haven in the city hub of Singapore, known as CHIJMES (pronounced "chimes"), is a S$100 million project unmatched for its location and unique ambience.

Inside the Chapel - before restoration

The four-acre site in the heart of the Civic and Cultural District previously housed a Catholic girls school. There are a total of five buildings, including two historic buildings (the former Chapel and Caldwell House), that are part of CHIJMES.

The two buildings were gazetted by the Preservation of Monuments Board for restoration and re-adaptation for a new purpose. Addressing guidelines set by Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the developers of the site evaluated the types of businesses that would best take advantage of the historical and conservation features.

Unlike a new development which is built with facilities to suit its tenants, CHIJMES had to work the other way round -determining the functions and facilities that would work best within the constraints and specifications of the site. The heritage aspects of the site, the design features and the quality of restoration were foremost in the planning stages. High standards and criteria were set for careful preservation and adapting the building for new use.

At the same time, the developers contracted the services of conservation consultant Mr Didier Reppelin, an expert in the design and technical aspects of gothic and neoclassical architecture. Under the architectural firm of Ong & Ong, every detail of the restoration and rebuilding was undertaken with utmost sensitivity.

The newly-constructed buildings at CHIJMES follow the similar 19th century neoclassical architecture of the original buildings. The new buildings have been built to maximize the open spaces and many courtyards. What visitors at CHIJMES can look forward to is a variety of theme food & beverage outlets offering cuisine from all over the world in a unique setting.

CHIJMES Hall
The piece de resistance of CHIJMES is CHIJMES Hall, which once served as the Convent's chapel. The Hall is one of the two buildings (the other being Caldwell House) at the site which have been gazetted by the Preservation of Monuments Board for their historical and architectural significance.

One of the many beautiful pieces of the restored stained glass in CHIJMES Hall

Much of the original fabric of the historic building has been retained and restored, notably the beautiful 19th-century stained-glass windows, the intricate plasterwork on the column capitals and the facade of the buildings, the steeple, the original floor tiles, terracotta roof tiles and the marble plaques listing the names of benefactors.

The most prominent feature are the beautiful ceiling-high stained-glass windows. Some thirty thousand individual pieces were cleaned and replaced where necessary to bring back their original brilliance.

CHIJMES Hall is now used as a multi-function venue such as for selective performances and recitals, weddings and special events that complement its ambience.