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TOURIST INFORMATION |
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| "Since I am Governor of Singapore, I have the opportunity to know the work done in this colony, and it is why I do not hesitate to say that there is no institution as well conducted as this one. I know to whom the Government turns when it is confronted with poor destitute, children or adults; and we are sure that they will find here a good home and a good education." -Governor of Singapore, 1892 |
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Our Mission
As the premier lifestyle destination in Singapore, Chijmes is committed to providing its customers and tenants with services and facilities of impeccable quality, with an ambience that is both vibrant and sophisticated.
Given the varied range of F&B dining experiences set amidst unique landscaped surroundings; it's the perfect venue for cosy indoor dining or alfresco dining under the stars. Chijmes, with its charming settings and historical appeal, is definitely a must visit for the local and expatriates community - from families to working professionals, tourists and a re-visit for former and current students of CHIJ.
Working closely with the tenants, the Management of Chijmes is also looking to plan the open spaces and courtyard areas as the backdrop for musicals and theatrical performances. The courtyard areas and landscaped lawns are also idyllic venues to set the perfect mood for corporate functions, event launches and private cocktail parties.
But more than a visual treat awaits visitors to Chijmes. Given its city location, rich history, unique ambience and splendid architectural style, the venue has succeeded in attracting premier F&B establishments to be a part of the Chijmes experience, offering diners and patrons an extensive selection of dining choices ranging from local to international fare with a spectrum of cuisines; Italian, Japanese, French, Spanish, American and Cantonese amongst others.
Connoisseurs can also look forward to specialty cocktails, malt whiskeys, a range of vodkas and fine wines offered by the pubs and bars at Chijmes.
Be it dining or chilling out at the restaurants, cafes, wine bars and nightspots, or an intimate walk along the open courtyards and lawns - a myriad of pleasant experiences await you at Chijmes!
Area: Four acres (16,187 sq. meters)
Restoration work started: 1991
Completion Date: 1996
Cost of Restoration: S$100 million
Conservation Consultant: Mr Didier Reppelin
Architectural Consultants: Ong & Ong Architects Pte Ltd
Conservation Awards :
1) 1997 Aseanta Awards for Excellence - Best Asean Conservation Effort
2) 1997 URA Architectural Heritage Awards
3) 5th SIA Architectural Design Awards 1998 - Conservation
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The history of Chijmes is a marvellous mosaic. It reveals beautifully that love does in fact conquer all. Its odyssey from struggling convent school to resplendent living history was never easy, but then most worthwhile journeys are always challenging. Chijmes was once the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ), established in 1854. The order of the Holy Infant Jesus was founded by a Frenchman,
Father Nicholas Barre. Born in Amiens, France in 1621 and educated at a Jesuit college in his hometown, Nicholas Barre decided to dedicate his life to God. He joined the Convent des Minimes, one of the strictest orders in the church and was appointed Professor of Theology. Despite his success, he was a man of humility and the idea of improving education in France struck him.
Young women volunteers of Rouen ran the first "Charitable Schools" in their town to teach the poor children. They went each morning to teach, gathering the children from home to home if necessary. Father Barre realized the need of spiritual bond among the sisters to counteract rising opposition from the other "writing masters" or teachers of that time. Thus, he began a new religious congregation. As membership increased, the schools multiplied. In Paris, he named his schools simply as "School of the Holy Infant Jesus". In 1678, he founded a Novitiate for the Sisters on the Seine.
However, in May 1686, his health declined and on 24 May, Father Barre's soul returned to the Maker. By the end of the century, less than 25 years after the opening of the Mother-House in Paris, Father Barre's congregation was directing 80 establishments for free education and 40 boarding schools in the French provinces. The period of office of Rev Mother de Faudoas (1837-1877) saw a wonderful expansion in the Institute's work. The Institute developed rapidly after official approval by the Holy See of Rome was given. It spread from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, to the Far East - from America to England, Spain, Malaya, Japan and even to Thailand.
The first missionary trip to the East was made in 1851 by five nuns but it was a failure. The Superior of the party died at sea, another caught brain-fever and a third left on reaching Singapore. Only two nuns were left and another party had to be sent. Sister Mathilde was chosen as the Superior of this new party of four Sisters who finally reached Penang on 28 October 1852 after a tiring journey of six months.
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At the beginning of the 20th century started the construction of the new neo-gothic chapel which was followed later by the neo-gothic galleries at both sides of the Chapel. The buildings are still predominant on the site and make the C.H.I.J. site an important architectural ensemble in the city. The first chapel of the Convent, which had been built around 1850, was in such a bad condition that it was necessary to build a new one. At the end of the 19th century, the Sisters started the fund-raising by various means for the new chapel.
The old one was becoming so dangerous that the Sisters decided to celebrate mass in Caldwell House.
Father Charles-Benedict Nain was engaged as an architect and, on behalf of the Roman Catholic community, was in charge at the same time of the construction of the extension of the boys' school (St Joseph Institution). The construction of the Chapel started in 1901 and it was consecrated in 1904. Father Nain was highly involved in the worksite. He is the author of all the fine architectural details we can still admire in the Chapel.
During this period, the Mother Superior went to Europe to choose the furniture for the Chapel. The stained-glass windows were made by a Belgian artist, Jules Dobbelaere, who worked also for the chapel of St Joseph Institution.
The two-storey galleries, at both sides of the Chapel, were added around 1913 by another architect, Craig, who continued in the same neo-gothic style, with the same quality of details and finishes. The neo-gothic style made a radical change in the general classical concept which was adopted so far, but Father Nain for the Chapel as well as Craig for the galleries, adapted with a great feeling and skill for harmony, the rhythm and the proportions to the existing situation.
There were no more major changes on the site till the nuns left in 1983, except the addition of the new building in the courtyard (1950) (block E) with less architectural significance.
CHRONOLOGY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE
From the articles and the documents of the archives we can assume the following construction dates or periods of each building: Classical Buildings:
1) Block A: Caldwell House built in 1842, extended in 1852 by Father Beurrel.
2) Block F & C: Open Galleries. There are no written documents describing their construction, but according to their architecture and construction details, they are certainly from the middle of the 19th century, but with many modifications during their existence.
3) Block D: Orphanage built probably between 1860 and 1890.
Neo-gothic Buildings
4) Block B: Chapel built in 1902 - 1904 Grotto built in this time.
5) Block C: Gallery built directly after the construction of the Chapel (probably around 1910).
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A MASTERPIECE IN RESTORATION
After almost five and a half years of painstaking conservation and construction work, what was once the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus(CHIJ) and the seat of education for generations of Singapore girls, has been converted into a plaza of theme retail and F&B outlets interspersed with ample outdoor spaces and courtyards, cloistered walls and long, covered walkways. This haven in the city hub of Singapore, known as Chijmes (pronounced "chimes"), is a S$100 million project unmatched for its location and unique ambience.
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The four-acre site in the heart of the Civic and Cultural District previously housed a Catholic girls school. There are a total of five buildings, including two historic buildings (the former Chapel and Caldwell House), that are part of Chijmes.
The two buildings were gazetted by the Preservation of Monuments Board for restoration and re-adaptation for a new purpose. Addressing guidelines set by Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the developers of the site evaluated the types of businesses that would best take advantage of the historical and conservation features.
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Unlike a new development which is built with facilities to suit its tenants, Chijmes had to work the other way round -determining the functions and facilities that would work best within the constraints and specifications of the site. The heritage aspects of the site, the design features and the quality of restoration were foremost in the planning stages. High standards and criteria were set for careful preservation and adapting the building for new use.
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At the same time, the developers contracted the services of conservation consultant Mr Didier Reppelin, an expert in the design and technical aspects of gothic and neoclassical architecture. Under the architectural firm of Ong & Ong, every detail of the restoration and rebuilding was undertaken with utmost sensitivity.
The newly-constructed buildings at Chijmes follow the similar 19th century neoclassical architecture of the original buildings. The new buildings have been built to maximize the open spaces and many courtyards.
What visitors at Chijmes can look forward to is a variety of theme food & beverage outlets offering cuisine from all over the world in a unique setting.
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CHIJMES HALL
The piece de resistance of Chijmes is CHIJMES Hall, which once served as the Convent's chapel. The Hall is one of the two buildings (the other being Caldwell House) at the site which have been gazetted by the Preservation of Monuments Board for their historical and architectural significance. |
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