21 Carpenter’s Grand Opening Party Aims to Give Back

Housewarming with Purpose:

Celebrating the Intersection of Heritage, Design, and Community Building.

Embarking on a fusion of heritage and modernity,  21 Carpenter, the iconic heritage hotel nestled between Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, hosted its Grand Opening Party: A Social Edition on Thursday, 18 April 2024. This inaugural edition emphasised social interaction, fostering connections, and collaborative community building, marking the first of numerous gatherings to follow.

Over 600 distinguished guests, including community members of official media partner a+, forged genuine connections with like-minded individuals while experiencing multiple levels of creative expressions of art, music, and epicurean delights in the vibrant social spaces provided throughout the night. Guests were also invited to give back to the community through a special partnership with the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) and its national giving platform giving.sg. This partnership, the first for 21 Carpenter in Singapore, aligns with the hotel’s mission of creating thoughtful experiences and positively impacting the world around them.

A spectrum of special moments

The launch party positioned 21 Carpenter as the vibrant heart of the neighbourhood, illuminating the surrounding area as guests flowed in and out, with music weaving through the space. One of Asia’s internationally prominent DJs, DJ Aldrin — who also curated the official playlist for 21 Carpenter — set the vibe for the evening with his genre-bending tunes that pulsated throughout the building.

Guests seamlessly transitioned into Kee’s, the hotel’s Neo-Bistro & Bar, which offers modern European fare alongside a thoughtfully curated array of Pan-Asian dishes. There, they were treated to a refined menu of canapés such as Manchego Cheese Croquettes and Caviar & Shrimp Cocktail, curated by the Michelin-starred Chef and Culinary Director of Kee’s, Andrew Walsh.

The Garden Terrace on Level 3 was transformed into an intimate botanical bar dedicated to Kee’s custom 1936 Gin. This bespoke spirit was meticulously crafted to incorporate distinctive botanicals like green peppercorns that thrive in the terrace’s curated garden, echoing the essence of Carpenter Street’s bustling spice trade from the bygone era. Guests were invited to savour the aromatics of the gin while indulging in specially crafted tipples, all while marvelling at the hotel’s architectural feat, where the urban extension was seamlessly stacked atop the heritage shophouses.

Additionally, amidst the intimate setting of the Garden Terrace, guests were transported back in time with a vintage ice cream cart, serving a taste of nostalgia. Live typewritten poetry by The Novel Encounter was also offered, harking back to the building’s past, where classically trained poets penned remittance letters for illiterate migrant workers. Excerpts from these letters are reflected in the hotel’s facade, which grants guests an immersive and memorable experience deeply rooted in the history of 21 Carpenter.

The fete culminated on the Level 9 Rooftop Infinity Pool & Lounge, where guests immersed themselves in the breathtaking panoramic views of the Singapore skyline and Marina Bay while enjoying Telmont Champagne. Against this stunning backdrop was a 360-degree photo booth for guests to remember the night of revelry, with the essence of Singapore’s vibrant urban landscape in the distance.