Singapore's heritage buildings are experiencing a renaissance, with a focus on adaptive reuse that transforms these historical structures into vibrant, modern spaces. This approach not only preserves the past but also creates a bridge between Singapore's rich history and its rapidly evolving urban landscape. One standout example of this rebirth is the Bukit Timah Fire Station, a once-essential civic building that has been reimagined as a co-living and lifestyle destination.
The station, completed in 1956, served the community for decades as a working fire station with firefighters' quarters and a main red-and-white building. After ceasing operations in 2005, the site found new life as a hub for food and beverage outlets, keeping the building active even as its long-term future was uncertain. In 2019, it was gazetted for conservation, formally recognizing its heritage value.
In 2024, the government tender for the former Bukit Timah Fire Station was won by Coliwoo, a home-grown co-living brand. The $7.5 million redevelopment spanned 15 months, requiring close consultation with authorities to retrofit the 1950s civic structure for its new life as a modern co-living and commercial cluster. The project officially launched in September 2025, and within three months, occupancy climbed to about 95%.
The revamp transformed the old fire station from 45 original rooms across seven blocks into 62 serviced apartments. It also created 32 ground-floor commercial units for communal space, F&B outlets, and retail. As of April, 28 of those units have been leased out, with tenants ranging from a bakery and an activity-based operator to a swim school and a pet boutique. The co-living rooms start from about $3,000 a month for 100 sq ft, while commercial leases range from $8 to $15 a square foot.
The design was shaped first by conservation rules, with key heritage features retained, such as the engine bays, hose-drying tower, facade, and overall building form. Within these limits, the company kept and adapted parts of the building that were still sound and suitable for co-living, such as the firemen's quarters. Areas that were too damaged or did not suit residential use were reworked.
One of the most distinctive features, the hose-drying tower, was meticulously restored and refurbished, allowing its original architectural integrity to re-emerge. It is further elevated with a curated art mural that accentuates its imposing presence. By night, the tower is reimagined as a luminous landmark, creating a striking 'pass-through' glow that transforms the structure into a beacon reminiscent of a contemporary lighthouse.
The approval process for a conserved building was slower and more complex than for a standard project, but Coliwoo worked closely with authorities from the start, treating conservation limits as part of the brief. Its experience in co-living, leasing, and facilities management helped balance the budget and revenue model, with heritage features preserved and interiors fitted out to Coliwoo's standards.
The project's lead designer, Lorenzo Mariani, emphasizes the importance of ensuring that everything new felt like it belonged there and did not erase what had come before. The old Bukit Timah Fire Station was built with every element of its architecture serving the demands of firefighting, and the new layers of occupation respected that functional logic.
In practical terms, this meant retaining exposed concrete and leaving structural elements visible where possible. The material palette was chosen to complement rather than mimic the original, with color playing a central role. The terracotta tones used throughout the property evoke the warmth of the original civic red, grounding the building in its own story while giving it a fresh yet nostalgic character.
The Bukit Timah Fire Station project is part of a wider trend sweeping the island, with colonial-era black-and-white bungalows and other heritage properties drawing renewed interest. State-owned properties, such as heritage bungalows, are protected for their architectural, historical, and social value and are generally not for sale. As more buyers and tenants seek spaces with soul, these buildings are emerging as bridges between the city-state's rich past and its rapidly evolving urban future.
The Straits Times highlights the latest heritage buildings managed by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and the JTC Corporation that have been repurposed or are up for lease, including a black-and-white bungalow offering a glimpse of life in colonial-era Singapore and a former aviation landmark slated to be reborn as a sports hub. The adaptive reuse of existing properties is an alternative to building anew, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint and supporting new and diverse uses while retaining their architectural character and historical significance.
In conclusion, Singapore's heritage buildings are being reimagined through adaptive reuse, creating a harmonious blend of the past and the present. This approach not only preserves historical structures but also creates vibrant, modern spaces that cater to the needs of a rapidly evolving urban landscape.
