From sake bars to yacht cabins, Singaporeans remodel no-frills public flats | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
May 28, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025
From sake bars to yacht cabins, Singaporeans remodel no-frills public flats

Habitat

Reuters
21 December, 2021, 12:05 pm
Last modified: 21 December, 2021, 12:13 pm

Related News

  • REHAB calls for revision of DAP, citing impact on housing sector
  • Court freezes 45 bank accounts, attaches 4 flats of Nasrul
  • Revise DAP, finalise people-friendly building regulations in 15 days: REHAB
  • Sales of existing US homes rise in October
  • Urbanisation of Bangladesh: Challenges of housing & affordable living

From sake bars to yacht cabins, Singaporeans remodel no-frills public flats

For decades, Singaporeans have used their HDB flats to make extra cash either by renting them out or re-selling them at a profit

Reuters
21 December, 2021, 12:05 pm
Last modified: 21 December, 2021, 12:13 pm
From sake bars to yacht cabins, Singaporeans remodel no-frills public flats

Singapore's public housing system is acclaimed for providing affordable homes in the land-scarce country where private apartments can cost upwards of S$1 million ($740,800).

The Housing Development Board (HDB) flats, in which 80% of Singapore's 5.5 million people live, are typically utilitarian with tight rules governing ownership and resales.

But inside the usually staid and uniform tower blocks, some homeowners have let their creative juices flow.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Melvyn Yap, a consultant, spent about S$226,000 renovating the ageing home he shares with his mother to create the vibe of a Japanese sake bar complete with a hydraulic table that opens up from a tatami mat-covered seating area where he can sip sake.

"If you get a place, with nice neighbours, renovate it nicely, stay in it, make it a home rather than thinking about making money," said Yap, who used to regularly travel to Japan before the Covid-19 pandemic.

For decades, Singaporeans have used their HDB flats to make extra cash either by renting them out or re-selling them at a profit.

Boating enthusiast Wan Ismail bin Wan Nussin was undeterred by the relatively small size of the 750 square foot (69.7 square metre) apartment, which he shares with his wife and four children.

He transformed the flat to resemble a luxury yacht cabin with wood-panelled walls and ceilings resembling decking.

"With the confined space in a vessel, a small area needs to have multiple uses, and that's how I applied the concept to a small shoebox apartment," said Ismail, an interior designer, whose children sleep on double-decker 'berth' bunk beds.

Maheswari Balan has altered the HDB she shares with her husband into a post-apocalyptic doomsday bunker with concrete walls and floors and a weapons cabinet showcasing archery equipment.

"You want to come home to a place where you can be yourself, so just go creative, be yourself and go crazy with the house (design) you want," said Balan.

Housing / Singaporean / flats

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Illustration: TBS
    'Where is the transparency in economic activities of this government?' asks Debapriya
  • Infographic: TBS
    Deadlock over key reforms: Is there any solution in sight?
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Saudi Arabia to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha on 6 June

MOST VIEWED

  • 6 troubled banks to be merged by July, govt to take ownership
    6 troubled banks to be merged by July, govt to take ownership
  • Selim RF Hussain. Sketch: TBS
    BRAC Bank MD Selim RF Hussain resigns
  • Bangladesh Army’s operations director Brigadier General M Nazim-ud-Daula talks to reporters at Army Headquarters on 26 May 2025. Photo: BSS
    Govt, army not at odds, working in unison: Brig Gen Nazim
  • Army reaffirms commitment to stand by the people, warns of strict action against mob violence
    Army reaffirms commitment to stand by the people, warns of strict action against mob violence
  • FY26 budget: Black money whitening in real estate to stay – but with 5x taxes
    FY26 budget: Black money whitening in real estate to stay – but with 5x taxes
  • KEPZ
    Gas crisis criticism: Petrobangla contradicts business leaders, says supply rose by 21% compared to last year

Related News

  • REHAB calls for revision of DAP, citing impact on housing sector
  • Court freezes 45 bank accounts, attaches 4 flats of Nasrul
  • Revise DAP, finalise people-friendly building regulations in 15 days: REHAB
  • Sales of existing US homes rise in October
  • Urbanisation of Bangladesh: Challenges of housing & affordable living

Features

In recent years, the Gor-e-Shaheed Eidgah has emerged as a strong contender for the crown of the biggest Eid congregation in the country, having hosted 600,000 worshippers in 2017. Photo: TBS

Gor-e-Shaheed Boro Maath: The heart of Dinajpur

1d | Panorama
The Hili Land Port, officially opened in 1997 but with trade roots stretching back to before Partition, has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral commerce.

Dhaka-Delhi tensions ripple across Hili’s markets and livelihoods

2d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Desk goals: Affordable ways to elevate your study setup

2d | Brands
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. PHOTO: Asif Chowdhury

Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting

2d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

Trump delays 50% tariffs on EU goods

Trump delays 50% tariffs on EU goods

4h | Others
Eid may be celebrated in Bangladesh on June 7

Eid may be celebrated in Bangladesh on June 7

4h | TBS Today
TSMC begins construction on US semiconductor plant

TSMC begins construction on US semiconductor plant

4h | Others
Trump's tariff policy shock: US dollar dominance under threat

Trump's tariff policy shock: US dollar dominance under threat

7h | Others
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net