Tucked away in Singapore’s quiet Seletar district, a conserved 1930s colonial bungalow—once a residence for Royal Air Force officers—has unveiled its most ambitious transformation yet. The Summerhouse estate, which first opened its doors in 2016, now reimagines its ten distinct spaces around four guiding pillars: Grow, Gather, Glow and Getaway. The overhaul introduces a floral workshop space, a revamped Italian restaurant, expanded lawn activities, and a pet-friendly community hub, all designed to draw visitors north of the city.
Bloom Room Brings the Garden Indoors
The most immediate draw for daytime visitors is the Bloom Room, a new indoor floral space that hosts hands-on flower-arranging workshops. Guests can also enjoy high teas and a rotating menu of seasonal desserts made with edible flowers and produce harvested on-site. Expect creations like the vanilla lavender blueberry petite cake and pandan lime blossom cake—sweet treats that blur the line between pastry and garden.
The Garden Beds: From Soil to Plate
The estate’s commitment to hyperlocal ingredients is on full display at The Garden Beds, a plot containing more than 20 varieties of herbs and plants. Self-guided trails let curious diners trace where their lunch begins, as the harvest feeds three on-site outlets: Wildseed Café, Wildseed Bar, and Botanico. Herbs appear in dishes, botanicals infuse cocktails, and fresh vegetables star in pasta plates—all sourced steps from the kitchen.
The Lawn: Community Events and Dog Days
Outdoors, The Lawn becomes the estate’s communal playground. Throughout the year, it will host markets, pop-ups, giant lawn games, and seasonal takeovers including Oktoberfest and Christmas fairs. Come Halloween and the festive season, large-scale installations will turn the grounds into a family-friendly photo stop without requiring a trip into the city centre. Dog owners, meanwhile, can let their pets roam free at Wags & Wander, which also organises pet meet-ups, dog-friendly brunches, and walks around The Oval.
Botanico Goes Italian with Wood-Fired Fare
Upstairs, Botanico receives a distinctly Italian makeover. The menu now features homemade pasta, wood-fired meats, and whole fish, all incorporating produce from the garden and local farms. Weekend brunch gets a fresh twist with The Carrello Brunch (S$60++ per person), a procession of small plates, tableside Parmigiano pasta, hearty mains, and a dessert trolley that rolls by to finish the meal.
Wildseed Bar Takes Over at Sunset
As evening falls, Wildseed Bar takes centre stage. Its Sunset Porch now offers more booth seating for groups, daily live music, and a Saturday Garden Grill that pairs live-fire cooking with a live band. The combination of flame-grilled food and ambient tunes creates a laid-back neighbourhood vibe.
Broader Impact: A Blueprint for Heritage Hospitality
The Summerhouse’s overhaul represents a growing trend in Singapore: repurposing historic structures into multi-purpose lifestyle destinations that prioritise local sourcing, community gathering, and seasonal programming. By blending conservation with modern hospitality, the estate offers a replicable model for other heritage sites seeking relevance in a competitive dining landscape.
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