Meet the woman breathing new life into Singapore's grandest heritage homes

Most people walk into the House of Tan Yeok Nee for dinner, cocktails or afternoon tea.


Chai Karim hopes they leave with something else: a newfound appreciation for Singapore's heritage.


As the woman behind the restoration of one of Singapore's last remaining Teochew mansions, she never wanted the National Monument to simply be admired. She wanted it to be experienced.

“It deserved to be more than a preserved monument, admired from afar,” she says. “Our vision was to create a living destination where history and hospitality come together.”

It’s an approach that’s shaped every decision she and her team have made, from the years spent restoring the building to the experiences now housed within its walls.

A house with a story to tell

Standing for more than 140 years, the House has never been fully opening to the public despite being one of Singapore’s most significant heritage buildings

For Chai, changing that became just as important as preserving it’s architecture.

“What made it meaningful wasn’t just the restoration itself,” she says. “It was knowing that after 140 years, people would finally get to walk through these doors, not as a monument sealed behind glass, but as a place that’s actually lived in and experienced.

When the building becomes your guide

Restoring a National Monument isn’t about starting with a blank canvas.

In fact, Chai says one of the biggest lessons was learning to work with the building instead of trying to change it.

“One of the biggest lessons was learning to let the building lead the conversation,” she explains.

That meant protecting the original timber floors, preserving architectural details and ensuring every new addition respected what was already there.

Rather than recreating history, the team looked for thoughtful ways to complement it. The communal bar, for example, takes inspiration from traditional Chinese medicine cabinets, while mirrored surfaces draw attention back to the original timber ceilings. Even the patterns woven throughout the interiors reference the House’s windows, doors and columns.

“Our role wasn’t to reinvent the House,” she says. “It was to add another chapter without erasing the ones already there.”

Making heritage feel relevant again

For many younger Singaporeans, heritage can sometimes feel disconnected from everyday life.

Chai believes the best way to change that isn’t through exhibitions or information boards. It’s through experiences.

“I think heritage becomes far more meaningful when people can experience it rather than simply read about it,” she says.

Whether someone visits for afternoon tea at Jing Studio, dinner at Loca Niru or cocktails at BAR KAP, every experience has been designed to remain connected to the House’s story.

“If someone comes for dinner or cocktails and leaves wanting to know more about Tan Yeok Nee, the building or Singapore’s history, then we’ve made a real connection.”

“Sometimes curiosity is the first step toward appreciation.”

More than just a beautiful space

That same thinking also reflects how Chai sees hospitality today.

She believes diners are increasingly drawn to experiences that feel authentic and meaningful, where every detail has intention rather than simply looking luxurious.

“I think the future belongs to places that balance authenticity with innovation, while staying grounded in the fundamentals: flavour, warmth and genuine hospitality,” she says.

“Luxury for its own sake doesn’t hold up to that anymore. What people remember is whether something felt thoughtful and true to where it came from.”

Curiosity is the first step

Ask Chai what she hopes people leave with, and she doesn't mention the food or cocktails.

"So beyond a good meal or a memorable evening, what I hope people leave with is a sense of connection. To the House, and through it, to a piece of Singapore's history they might not have encountered otherwise."

Sometimes, she says, curiosity is the first step towards appreciation.