Singapore’s buzziest lifestyle enclave is getting even bigger. New Bahru—the sprawling creative complex in the former River Valley High School campus—will welcome 15 new food, retail, and wellness tenants across its Factory Block and School Block by the end of May 2026. The expansion doubles down on homegrown talent, with most vendors either reimagining heritage formats or opening their first physical spaces.
The new additions join an already strong roster—including Rye, Beyond The Vines, Dearborn, and The Coconut Club—and introduce a pet-friendly ground floor in the refreshed Factory Block. We got an early look at what’s coming.
A New Food Hall With 14 Beer Taps
Level two of the Factory Block now houses a food hall seating roughly 150 diners, with stalls arranged like a modern hawker centre. At its heart sits Orh Gao Peh Gao, a craft beer and Asian comfort food bar relocating from Serene Centre. “This is a step up for us—it allows us to explore new demographics,” says manager Darien. The bar pours 14 rotating taps from local breweries, paired with snacks like kaya toast sets (from $5.50) and crab fried rice ($16).
Next door, Kios Minang brings a 40-year-old Indonesian heritage brand into a sleek, express format. “This is an express version of nasi padang,” says second-generation owner Ariff Zin. Dishes include beef rendang ($12), ayam bakar ($12), and a new Padang wrap ($12), designed for health-conscious guests. “We want to reach a new generation,” Zin explains.
Kulon, a longtime favourite on Bali Lane, serves contemporary Indonesian noodles (from $8.90) alongside new sharing platters. “We’re introducing more small plates you can enjoy with family,” says co-founder Haris. And Laifaba reimagines hawker-style roast meats with rice bowls (from $12.80) and artisanal noodles, featuring barbecue pork jowl and dry-aged duck.
Pricing sits between hawker and casual dining, with vendors emphasising community spirit. “It feels like your friends are serving you,” one vendor notes.
Dumpling Darlings Goes Izakaya
On level one, cult dumpling spot Dumpling Darlings opens its third outlet with an extended menu. “We’re rolling out small plates in collaboration with Mustard Seed, plus more drinks for an izakaya-style vibe,” says co-founder June. Signature items include agedashi prawn tofu ($10) and nasi ulam ($11). June adds: “We love being surrounded by other creative Singaporean brands we personally patronise.”
Retail: Beams Arrives, Local Brands Experiment
The retail lineup is headlined by Beams, the Japanese select shop opening its first Southeast Asian store on the Factory Block’s ground level. The space features its signature orange branding and a curated mix of menswear, womenswear, kids, and lifestyle goods. “We’ve brought together brands tailored for the Singapore market,” says Beams representative Gen.
Across from Beams, Stacked Store—known for quirky home goods from artists like Jean Julien—opens its first flagship. “We’re reimagining home shopping through a living room-style, curated concept,” says experiential lead Haikal.
In the School Block, Store Store launches as a rotating pop-up platform. Its first edition features Atlas Kind, a responsible fashion brand, and Source, a modular apparel label opening its first physical space. “Customers can finally feel the fabrics and see how pieces come together,” says Source founder Vincent.
Sound Healing in the School Block
Wellness space Future Resonance occupies level four of the School Block, offering light, sound, and vibration therapy. Visitors move through two environments: a warm, analogue Solar space rooted in traditional sound healing, and a futuristic Lunar space with Light Sound Vibration (LSV) technology. The space evolved from eight years of work at Pyramids of Chi in Ubud, Bali.
What the Expansion Signals
Nearly every new tenant is reimagining its format—whether Kios Minang’s express nasi padang, Orh Gao’s upgrade from Serene Centre, or Source’s first brick-and-mortar. New Bahru is becoming a testing ground for local brands to experiment in a creative-led environment, proving that a destination complex can thrive on homegrown names rather than international chains.
Where to Find Them
Factory Block (Level 1 standalone): Dumpling Darlings, Parlour Gelato, Beams, Stacked Store, Veja (pop-up), Yeti (pop-up)
Factory Block (Level 2 food hall): Fico (pop-up), Kios Minang, Kulon, Laifaba, Sushiro, Orh Gao Peh Gao
School Block: Store Store (Atlas Kind / Source pop-ups), Future Resonance
All tenants open by end of May 2026. Follow New Bahru on Instagram for updates.