Chijmes

The former Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ), beside Raffles city shopping center. Interestingly, Singapore never lets something like religion get in way of a good development. The chapel, built in the 1903, is now a shrine to worldly indulgence in the form of a swish Restaurants, Bar and Shopping complex.

The restoration of the CHIJMES building cost S$100 million, with the help of Didier Repellin, the same conservationist who worked on Empress Place Building. In 1997, CHIJ reopened its doors as CHIJMES. The name was adopted to incorporate the initials of the convent, church and school that had stood here since its founding in 1860 by the Sisters on the Seine from France. The convent also ran an orphanage; its Gate of Hope on Bras Basah Road was where babies would be left by their unmarried mothers.

The Anglo-French Gothic chapel (1903) at the centre of the complex has been beautifully preserved and wedding celebrations are still held there. Here you'll also find Caldwell House (1841), designed by George Coleman and the original residence of the French nuns who set up the school that once existed on the site.

CHIJMES is now a collection of restaurants (outdoor dining in its softly-lit courtyards is a delight), pubs and art and handicraft shops. Don't miss the Belgian-crafted stained glass windows of the Chapel, renamed CHIJMES Hall and a venue for concerts and weddings. The CHIJMES Fountain Court, flanked by pubs and restaurants with alfresco Dining areas, reverberates with life on most Sunday evenings when free outdoor Concerts are held.