A New Look for an Old Favourite: ABC Brickworks Reopens!
ABC Brickworks is back better than ever! With the upgrades, visitors can now enjoy cooler breezes, cleaner spaces, and beautiful heritage murals.
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After a two-month break, ABC Brickworks Market and Food Centre is officially back in business. The historic food centre, which has served the Bukit Merah community since the 1970s, was reopened to the public on 8 June. Following recent refreshment works by the Tanjong Pagar Town Council, diners could now enjoy a cleaner, brighter, and more comfortable environment for all.
Cooler and More Accessible
Diners and stallholders would be able to notice several key improvements designed to enhance the overall dining experience. For instance, in order to tackle the common issue of birds scavenging for food, the Town Council installed upgraded bird netting and automated doors at tray return stations.
Mdm Pan, owner of Wah Heng Wanton Noodles, welcomes these measures. Speaking in Mandarin, she noted that “the birds were a big problem previously and made the centre a bit unhygienic.” She added that “now, the environment has become much cleaner.” Mr Alvin Lee, owner of The Bowl Story, agreed, mentioning that “the persistent birds will now have fewer places to land.”
The Town Council also focused heavily on comfort and inclusivity when implementing the upgrades. Multiple High-Volume Low-Speed fans now line the ceiling to improve air circulation, while dedicated blue tables have also been added to provide seating for wheelchair users.
“Last time we did not have these fans, so that is a good implementation,” said Mr Eze Ang, owner of Hong Lim Curry Puff, who also appreciated the fresh coat of paint, upgraded toilets, and new storage compartments for hawkers.
Long-time resident Mr Tan shared that the area feels noticeably cleaner. Having detoured to Mei Ling Market during the closure to get his daily coffee, he is glad to be back. “Hopefully, with the renovation done, more people will visit,” he added.
Preserving the Heritage Vibe
At the entrance, visitors are now greeted by a new signboard in Singapore’s four official languages, alongside vibrant, historical-themed murals. The artwork pays tribute to the rich history of the area, which draws its name from the old Archipelago Brewery Company and the red brick factories that once stood nearby.
The new art addition is already a hit with residents. “It is very nice and reminds me of the olden days,” said resident Mr Brendan Teo. “It is great to see these works in public, allowing everyone to come by and appreciate some art and heritage.”
For regular diner Ms Chan, who visits the centre two to three times a week, the charm of the hawker centre remained fully intact after the renovation. “While they are not major structural changes, small upgrades were made here and there,” adding that “it improves the experience for everyone while keeping the look and feel of the place intact.”
Supporting Our Local Hawkers
While the National Environment Agency (NEA) maintained frozen rental charges throughout the renovation period, the hawkers at ABC Brickworks still faced pressure from the rising costs of raw ingredients and logistics. To keep their businesses sustainable, some stallholders have introduced small, carefully considered price adjustments ranging from 10 to 50 cents on selected items.
“Suppliers increased fees due to rising delivery and ingredient costs,” explained Mr Lee of The Bowl Story. “We did not want to do it, but circumstances forced us to raise prices slightly.” Despite these challenges, stallholders like Mr Lee intentionally kept these increases minimal out of care for the community, adding: “At the same time, we must think of our customers, who are mostly elderly. Thus, we only made small increases to certain dishes.”
Residents have shown great understanding and solidarity regarding the minor price increases. “It is unfortunate, but the costs for hawkers to prepare food are going up,” noted Ms Chan. “Most of the increases seem minimal and reasonable, so I do not really have an issue.”
With its upgraded facilities, cooler breeze, and beautiful new murals, ABC Brickworks is now ready to welcome back old friends and greet new faces. Head down this week to support your favourite hawkers and enjoy a meal in the refreshed space!
