A BEACON OF LIGHT

Nestled near the iconic Singapore River in the bustling Boat Quay area, 38 Circular Road is a 4-storey conservation shophouse within walking distance of Clarke Quay and Raffles Place MRT Stations. Circular Road, branching out of South Bridge Road, follows the path of Boat Quay and is steeped in history, having once been the first Teochew enclave and a thriving textile district.

In the 1800s, new migrants from various regions of Chaozhou province transformed Boat Quay into the busiest port in Singapore. Known as the Teochew quarters, this area saw migrants adopting the Teochew dialect. What began as a swampy area rapidly evolved into a bustling hub, handling up to three-quarters of Singapore’s maritime trade. Its strategic location, resembling the “belly of a carp” – an auspicious symbol of wealth and prosperity – made it a vital commercial venue for businesses, bustling with traders and coolies.