Amidst the greenery of Dempsey Hill lies Siri House, a new multi-concept space that is equal parts design showroom, restaurant/bar, retail nook, and art gallery. The brainchild of Thai luxury property developer Sansiri, it’s actually the first in the world as of now, before the flagship opens in Bangkok by March.
To find it is a bit of a puzzle (just don’t go down the steps leading to Greenwood Fish Market), but once you’re past the stone-paved, downwards-sloping path and its lush, leafy surroundings, suddenly you’re in an entirely different aesthetic.
It’s certainly swanky, with a touch of island life vibes from the foliage wallpaper motifs and wooden wardrobes stocked full of trinkets — a far cry from the kind of raw industrial or clean minimalist designs you usually see in cafes and shops across the island.
For those keen on looking into properties in Bangkok, the sales gallery introduces The Monument Thong Lo apartments. To give you an idea of the space, it’s fully kitted out to display a lavish look in all its grand glory, with deep rich colors, marble surfaces, and monochrome patterns.
Even if it’s not entirely your style, no one’s stopping you from sinking into the plush sofa and pretending you’re visiting a friend’s expensive home. Plus, it’ll switch up every six to eight months to feature different Sansiri developments, so you can always come back for more design inspiration.
The creativity continues at Siri House’s Art Space, which will showcase new exhibitions every quarter, spotlighting renowned names and emerging talent from around the world. Its debut display, Another Dimension, is Thai artist Gongkan’s first show in Singapore, and will stay till April.
An evolution from his past Teleport series, which featured characters climbing out of dark holes, this new artwork explores the concept of freedom with mirror “teleports” scattered throughout the room, in a statement about leaving behind the social confines of ambition.
As you wander from one concept to another, you’ll pass by pockets of retail spaces, all of which make up The Shop. Put together by Siri House and slated to change every quarter, it focuses on Thai culture and designer names, with shelves full of eclectic jewelry, casual wear, accessories, and knick knacks.
Even the cupboards are an installation themselves, done up by Bangkok-based duo Jirawat and Tijn, who deconstructed and transformed cabinets found at the city’s antique markets into beautifully designed original pieces.
A mix of traditional and modern, the store’s first seven labels include The Only Market, which does quirky souvenirs with a twist; lounge wear by Soda; homeware brand Thingg; Sur, which specializes in cheeky sculptures for home furnishings; jewelry maker Mirror Mirror; The Archivist, a collective of print makers and art publishers; and Siri House Curate, a range of crafts and ceramics by Chiang Mai artisans.
Of course, a visit all the way to Dempsey warrants a meal (or at least a drink), which Jam at Siri House does deliver. Across its lounge seats and bar counter stools, the 48-seater is decked out in bold trimmings with Art Deco nuances, from its jacquard motifs and floral prints to vintage chandeliers and handwoven silk-covered ceilings. Even the restroom isn’t left out of theme.
Helming the open kitchen are Park Bench Deli co-owner Ming Tan and Jeremy Cheok, who headed up Garang Grill, alongside Sunday Punch fueling the drinks program.
Under an Asian influence, the chefs serve up dishes such as scallop carpaccio with yuzu and truffle dressing, fried chicken with a lemon, sage, dill and garlic ranch dip, prime rib slathered in shio kombu butter and salsa verde, and house-made pappardelle topped with charcoal grilled mussels and tiger prawns.
You can add on to your meal with small plates like chicken in a biscuit (chicken fat cookies with garlic-ginger cream cheese and crispy chicken skin), hasselback potatoes with mala mayo, and a bikini sandwich stuffed with cheese, cured meat, and black truffle.
There’s also a pretty extensive selection of wines and craft cocktails — the latter of which includes drinks like the Melting Port, a mix of white port, rum, burnt butter syrup, and a peach tuile shard, and the Maize Runner, a concoction made of roasted coconut whisky with bourbon, peanut froth, and a corn salt rim.
FIND IT:
Siri House at Dempsey is at Blk 8D, #01-02 Dempsey Hill, Dempsey Rd.
Sales Gallery: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm; Jam at Siri House: Tues-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 6pm-10pm (snacks and drinks available in between); The Shop and Art Space: Mon 10am-6pm, Tues-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 11:30am-10pm.
MRT: Orchard
