Holland Village, together with the nearby Holland Road, Holland Avenue, Holland Close, and Holland Drive, got its name from Hugh Holland in 1907, an early resident in Singapore who was an architect and an amateur actor. Over the years, it has evolved into what has been dubbed the ‘bohemian enclave’ of Singapore.
Popular with expatriates and the young generation, Holland Village is surrounded by tall residential apartments. There is even a static windmill planted in the centre of the village. The shops here represent the old and the new, funky and traditional, and the quirky and ordinary.
Holland Village Shopping - one of the highlights of 10 Best Nightlife Experiences in Singapore (Read all about Singapore here)
photo by Terence Ong (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
Mingle with locals sipping coffee at the traditional kopitiam (local coffee shops) or watch the world go by in the alfresco Coffee Bean cafe. From 6pm onwards, the street takes on a nocturnal vivacity of its own as diners start patronising the many restaurants there. At the open market, you will find made-in-Asia wearables, trinkets and Crocs footwear.
photo by Terence Ong (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
In the air-conditioned comfort of the Holland Village Shopping Centre are some fantastic finds from all over Asia – arts and crafts, carpets, antiques, fashion items and footwear for large sizes, optical wear, home furnishings, and more. The key newsstand in the Village carries newspapers and publications from the main financial capitals of the world.
photo by Terence Ong (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
Lim's Arts & Living at Holland Village stocks exotic homeware, furnishings, and accessories – worth a visit if you’re looking for Asian influenced gift ideas. For brilliant framing artistry and framed gift ideas, visit Framing Angie Art Gallery. For something special, consider taking home a unique art piece, like your Chinese zodiac sign in an ornate frame!
To get to Holland Village, depart at the nearest MRT station, Buona Vista, then board SBS Transit 200 from there.
photo by Terence Ong (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
Holland Village Shopping
Location: 211 Holland Ave, Singapore 278967, Singapore
Open: Daily from 10.30am to 9pm
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