The Mondrian Singapore Duxton continues to redefine hospitality in the heart of a storied district.

There are few places in Singapore as richly layered as Duxton. Once nicknamed &ldquo;Jinriksha,&rdquo; after the hand pulled rickshaws that rattled through its narrow streets, this was where the city&rsquo;s history unfolded in vivid colour. In the nineteenth century nutmeg and clove plantations scented the air, before rows of shophouses rose to accommodate waves of Chinese immigrants. Cantonese, Hokkien, and other communities made their lives here, creating a district alive with trade, clan houses, temples, and the hidden worlds of opium dens and red-light houses.
Today, Duxton remains deeply rooted in heritage, though its character has been reimagined. Pastel hued shophouses now host art galleries, design studios, and eclectic shops. Temples and clan associations stand as reminders of tradition, while just around the corner, nightlife, creativity, and modern culture thrive.
As Guillaume Gallas reflects, &ldquo;This is my first time in Singapore as a General Manager, but I have visited the Lion City many times. I was familiar with the usual spots like Orchard Road and Marina Bay Sands. However, after immersing myself in the Duxton Hill neighborhood, I can say it's been a revelation.&rdquo;
Around every corner are heritage shophouses, tattoo parlours, speakeasy bars, creative restaurants, and art galleries. It is a blend of history and imagination that few districts can claim.
Gallas adds, &ldquo;There's a genuine sense of community here, with beautiful heritage shophouses, eclectic shops, speakeasy bars, creative restaurants, tattoo parlors, and art galleries.&rdquo;
Its location enhances the appeal. Duxton sits steps from the Central Business District, within walking distance of Tanjong Pagar, Outram Park, and Chinatown MRT stations. A short ride connects guests to Marina Bay, Orchard Road, Clarke Quay, or Sentosa, yet the neighbourhood retains a sense of intimacy. For culture seekers, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Sri Mariamman Temple are close at hand. For gourmands, hawker icons like Maxwell Food Centre, Chinatown Complex, Amoy Street Food Centre, and Tanjong Pagar Plaza Food Centre are a daily reminder of Singapore&rsquo;s culinary soul.

The Maverick at the Helm

It is in this setting that Guillaume Gallas has taken the reins of Mondrian Singapore Duxton. With over twenty years of experience across London, Tokyo, Dubai, Hong Kong, Macao, Beijing, and Oman, he is both commercially astute and culturally sensitive. He now leads what he describes as a collective of creatives, disruptors, mavericks, and provocateurs, with a mission to elevate this art forward, community focused lifestyle hotel to new heights.&nbsp;
Since arriving, Gallas has been drawn to Duxton&rsquo;s vibrancy and eclecticism, qualities that align perfectly with Mondrian&rsquo;s identity. His career has seen him move from the refinement of London to the innovation of Tokyo, from the opulence of Dubai to the nightlife pulse of Macao. Each destination has informed his philosophy of hospitality, one that marries local character with global flair.

Mondrian Meets Duxton

From the Hollywood Strip to Singapore&rsquo;s Duxton Hill, Mondrian has built a reputation for injecting art, glamour, and culinary verve into dynamic neighbourhoods. In Singapore, that energy is unmistakable. The property rises above Chinatown&rsquo;s colourful shophouses, while its cinematic rooftop pool and eclectic restaurants and bars make it a destination in itself.&nbsp;
From its launch, Mondrian Singapore Duxton set out to challenge the idea of what a hotel could be. It quickly became a cultural provocateur, blending bold design with creative approaches to cuisine, art, and nightlife. As Gallas notes, &ldquo;Having our hotel right in the heart of Duxton Hill is a significant draw for our international guests.&rdquo;
But Mondrian&rsquo;s ambition is larger than simply offering a stylish address.
&ldquo;I am particularly keen about fostering this dynamic community by expanding regular events that bring everyone together, celebrating the unique spirit of Duxton Hill. We want to create connections, buzz and wild and unexpected experiences for everybody that visits Mondrian Singapore Duxton to fire their imaginations.&rdquo;

Design as Dialogue

Mondrian Singapore Duxton&rsquo;s 302 rooms and suites are designed around the idea of a &ldquo;deconstructed shophouse,&rdquo; paying homage to traditional Singaporean architecture while embracing modernity. The design creates stylish sanctuaries that are both comfortable and imaginative. Each space is carefully thought out, equipped with luxurious amenities and detailed finishes that balance bold creativity with refinement.
Throughout the hotel, art is not an afterthought but a guiding principle. Guests encounter works by international and local names, including KAWS, Tracey Emin, Ian Davenport, Dawn Ng, and Andr&eacute; Wee. Artistic touches are found everywhere, from the exterior to the lobby, corridors, and guestrooms. The effect is of a living gallery, with Mondrian not just located in a cultural hub but embodying one.
The towering KAWS Companion sculpture at the entrance has already become a much-loved mascot, embraced as part of Duxton&rsquo;s fabric. Its playful yet commanding presence reflects the hotel&rsquo;s ethos: daring, unexpected, and seamlessly at home in its surroundings.

Where Food Meets Fire

Gallas&rsquo; own passion for gastronomy is woven into Mondrian&rsquo;s culinary programme. Having worked seven years with Alain Ducasse at the famed Hotel de Paris in Monaco, as well as in London and Hong Kong, he brings a depth of knowledge and respect for food to the table.
At Mondrian, this passion is brought to life at Christina&rsquo;s, where Chef Kenny Huang has introduced a new wood fired lunch and dinner menu. Plans are underway for collaborations with visiting chefs and for special events that will keep the dining experience fresh and surprising.
The nightlife offering is equally vibrant. Jungle Ballroom, the late-night hotspot, now features a cocktail menu curated by Adrian Besa. Together, the culinary and bar programmes reinforce Mondrian&rsquo;s role as a creative stage, where dining and drinking become experiences of their own.

A Global Spirit, A Local Future

Mondrian may be a name recognised in cities from Los Angeles to London, Seoul to Singapore, but here in Duxton, it feels unmistakably local. The brand&rsquo;s DNA of bold design, art, and culinary innovation is alive, yet it finds new expression in the rhythms of the neighbourhood. The rooftop pool overlooks Chinatown&rsquo;s heritage roofs and the skyscrapers of the CBD, while the art collection spans from global icons to Singaporean talents. In every space, Mondrian connects international glamour with neighbourhood authenticity.
What sets this property apart is the way it bridges worlds. Guests step into a hotel that carries global cachet, yet they are immediately immersed in the character of Duxton: eclectic, vibrant, and alive with contrasts. Under Gallas&rsquo; leadership, the hotel is sharpening that identity, ensuring it remains not only a destination for travellers but also a stage for locals, artists, and creatives to connect.
Mondrian Singapore Duxton is not simply a place to check in. It is a living conversation between past and future, between tradition and imagination. With its art, its culinary energy, and its playful sophistication, it captures both the grit and the glamour of the city it calls home. And as Duxton continues to evolve, so too will the Mondrian, guided by Gallas and by the community that surrounds it.

To discover more about the wonderful destination that is Mondrian Singapore Duxton, please visit its website, https://mondrianhotels.com/singapore-duxton or its Instagram @mondriansingapore

The Mondrian Singapore Duxton Delivers Culture In Residence

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