Photo Tont Snbbs SHOPHOUSES on Boat Guay along the Singapore Fiiver have been restored and converted for use as restat!- rants and nighiciubs. ~Toni Dabbs: Contributing Writer “EVERYTHING old is new again.” The lyric - popped into. my head as I stead in the shadow of “ the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles and gazed : across the Singapore Rives. In 1989, I'd stood in almost the same spot asa guide. pointed out the run-down shophouses along Boat Quay on the opposite shore and explained: “The government is consid- ering restoring them, bur they might be too dilapidated to be “save . In the end, Boar Quay wasn’t just saved, it was transformed ., into one of che most popular restaurant districts in Singapore. Where coolies and swaylos {water hands) once loaded and unloaded freighters, hip young professionals now dinc al fresco at water-side tables, V cre immigeant merchants proclaimed their wealth by the height of their shophouses, restaurants , of international cuisines, ng old is new again” might be the unofficial “ miticnal anthem of Singapore, a tiny islend republic at the southern tip of the Asian mainfand, between Malaysia and Indonesia. The former British colony with a cultural milieu that is approximately 77% Chinese, 14% Malay and 7% Indian ent ON Nor just preserving but resuscitating its varied her- itage structures. Shophouses, which are unique to Singapore, are a key part of this program. So called becuse their owners , operated a business on the ground floor and resided upstairs, shophouses originally were associated with immigrants from southern China. Examples from the 19th century were simple two- story buildings, but 20th century versions became taller and more ornate. ‘The most recognizable shophouse style, known as Chinese Baroque, combines Georgian windows and cornices, plaster reliefs of Chinese elements, and detailed Mafay wood carvings. The first group of shophouses to be restored was Tanjong Pagar, an area of Chinatown defined by Craig, Duxton, Net and Tanjong Pagar Roads. The work had just been completed when I -d the area in 1989, Since then, many traditional Chinese businesses have returned to the buildings. ; One such business is Tea Chapter at 9A/11/1 1A Neil Road. At strect level, it sells Chinese tea, teapots and tea acces- sories, end it has converted the upstairs into a tea house so charming that even Queen Elizabeth couldn’t resist stopping for refreshment when she toured the area. It’s.a delightful place for a tourist to take a break and to learn the Chinese way of brewing and sezving tea... , More contemporary uses have been found for other shop- ‘ See Old page % TALKING YELLOW PAGES Fd 298-2000 139A. 183 Pemberton Ave. 985-7795 Chimes & New ears Spec | Lezeto, Mexics Departs me 23, 1999 Was 7949 Eden Loreto Resort ***** 1 Week Av inclusive "4448 Cancun, Hexics ; Departs December 25, 1999 Was (2369 Biue Bay Village **** 1 Week Al ncksive 79558 Manzanille, Mexico Departs Secember 24 and 31,1999 Was £2399 Sierra Manzanillo ***** 1 Week Ail inctusive “1G Bali Magic £ | Singapore j package from... 1599.06 can p.p. Departures fer 17 Gays ask for Loreaine she has just | returned from: bali ~ *21 day advance purchase required : .