| |
| |
![]() |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
SINGAPORE: It can be very easy to hate the people who run House at Dempsey Hill.
Especially when they tell you that, during "office meetings", they usually sip cocktails and get massages.
That's, like, so unfair.
But then again, how can you begrudge anyone sweet enough to nickname a hundred-year-old banyan tree "Priscilla"?
Lifestyle queen Cynthia Chua may run an expanding lifestyle and wellness empire, but in this particular House, everyone's family.
And that includes certain flora found outside House's immediate premises.
The 37-year-old managing director of Spa Esprit, together with her long-time friend and brand manager Jerry de Souza, 37, have turned the one-time army barracks into what's probably the most "wholistic" three-in-one F&B place in town.
Depending on your mood, House is where you get pampered (Spa Esprit), chill out (Barracks cafe) or par-tay (Camp bar).
The project, which cost between S$5 million and S$6 million to open last year, is undoubtedly unique within the SpaEsprit Group's stable of brands like the waxing joint Strip, brow-beater Browhaus, and others like MASK, Qi Mantra and 12x12 Cafe.
After all, why's a group known for detoxing now getting popular for a place to get, well, intoxicated? (We've heard celebs like Kit Chan, Fiona Xie, and certain, er, TODAY editors chill out there)
Ah, but that's life. Or nightlife, as the case may be.
The Spa Esprit Group's S$25-million-a-year empire is still growing. They've got outlets in London, Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur, with others coming up in Bangkok, China and the Philippines.
Despite recently losing the bid to create an arts village at nearby Phoenix Park, Chua said that particular project is still "in the pipeline".
One of their biggest breakthroughs is selling a franchise to Landmark Group in the United Arab Emirates, which is committing around 200,000 sq ft of retail space.
First up is Dubai, where they'll be opening Strip, Browhaus and Qi Mantra at two places, later this year.
Closer to home - actually, just beside House - their fine dining venture The Tippling Club is set to open on August 15.
But for now, at least, there's only one House.
And two lucky "tenants".
You Mean We're Actully Working?
Jerry: We've got two offices, one at Shaw Centre in Scotts Road and one here (at House).
Cynthia: And who doesn't want to work here? You have the biggest bungalow in town, surrounded by greenery, and you've got a "private chef" who bakes muffins for you - hot off the oven. It's just really fun.
Jerry: Yesterday, I went outside and saw two of our staff sitting on the chairs outside and I thought, "I can't imagine a better office anywhere." I was recently in Dubai and I've seen how they work. They're all in small rooms ...
Cynthia: You'd never go back to your four walls again. We'll be in the foot massage room having a meeting, while having our legs rubbed: "Hey, what do you think about this campaign? Ey, ow, ow!"
Detox Or Retox?
Jerry: Just because you're gonna get a massage doesn't mean you can't drink. It's a lifestyle.
Cynthia: We call it "retox" and "detox". If you talk about detox, that'd be the spa. "Retox" will be Camp. And the restaurant's basically food. When we started the concept, it encompassed everything that we loved. You'll see a lot of our personality in the brands themselves.
I can go for a massage, then have dinner. And then, listen to some music and have a cocktail at the (bar). Or, if I get stressed out in a meeting, I'll sit outside, have a glass of champagne and watch the sunset.
A Three-In-One Deal (Or More)
Cynthia: People say, "Oh, it's so confusing, why don't you just call it House?" But I see each of the brands becoming very strong, just like Strip or Browhaus. If I see a nice place somewhere I could just do another Camp. But it's still new - I would die if I do another one.
If you want it more chilled-out, sit down for a cup of tea or a nice dinner, or have a glass of wine with really nice music - that's Barracks.
If you want it a little bit more upbeat, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays you'll have people sprawled around the hundred-metre outdoor platform at Camp, and there'll be people dancing in the DJ consoles.
We create a lot of activities. We've got flea markets and a barbecue on Sundays; there are movie nights; we've got poetry readings, tea appreciation classes, aromatherapy classes; you can even make your own Plasticine sushi. (Laughs)
We have a DJ "bootcamp" where we teach girls how to spin music, so you'll get three gorgeous girls who each bring maybe a hundred friends when they spin, you know? It can get really rowdy.
In Case You Still Don't Have A Clue, They're, Like, BFFs
Cynthia: We met eight years ago. He was a fashion designer who operated Oppt Shop, a fashion store that sold vintage clothes. And I looove vintage clothes. I was the customer who bought in bulk! But because I'm quite petite, and he always buys size 14 dresses, he started cutting the dresses for me. We got along really, really well. It's nice to have a sparring partner.
Jerry: Four years ago, she invited me to come aboard the creative team for Spa Esprit. I always think I can't do things, but she always pushes me off the edge hoping that I will make it somehow. And, most of the time, I do! We're "soul mates". We do everything together, from travelling to working.
Cynthia: We made a pact to travel together every 90 days. We often go to New York or London together and we always have silly things to keep us occupied. We could be discussing a big business deal, but kick each other's legs under the table because someone good-looking just passed by. Or we'd get excited about discovering a 10-cent bus ride in Sri Lanka.
Jerry: Working with Cynthia is never boring, which is good because establishing a big brand is a lot of work.
Cynthia: A lot of people think we're dating, but we're not. I'm married. And he's gay. (Laughs)
Jerry: Yeah. We usually kick her husband out of bed when I'm there. (Laughs too) - TODAY/fa
|
