People's Park Complex, Brutalist skyscraper in Outram, Singapore.
People's Park Complex is a 31-floor skyscraper in Outram with a raw concrete facade and geometric patterns rising above a broad commercial base. The building combines residential units in its upper levels with a shopping center below that houses diverse retailers and food vendors.
The building was constructed in 1973 on the site of a former market destroyed by fire in 1966. This project marked the beginning of modern shopping centers in Southeast Asia and showed Singapore's ambitions for urban renewal.
The complex houses many small shops and food stalls run by traders who have worked here for generations. These independent retailers and craftspeople shape the daily rhythm of the place, reflecting how the city has kept local commerce alive.
The complex sits directly next to Chinatown MRT station, making it easy to reach by public transport. The different levels are clearly organized with shops and food stalls on lower floors and residential units above.
Inside is a specially designed open space called the City Room that lets natural light pour in through glass panels. This interior creates an unexpected brightness and sense of openness within the raw concrete structure.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.