Lease on 195 Pearl's Hill Terrace Extended to March 2028

195 Pearl's Hill Terrace (195PHT), home to fledgling arts businesses and a hang-out for creatives, will get a longer stay as an independent arts cluster following the Singapore Land Authority's (SLA) extension of its lease till March 2028, master tenant Jerry Tan tells The Straits Times.

- Shawn Hoo

Mr Tan, who has leased the gazetted building from the SLA since 2007, says his sub-tenants are "overjoyed and hope to continue with their art dreams here and contribute more to the community." More than 95 per cent of his sub-tenants are start-ups, he told ST in 2024.

In response to ST's queries, an SLA spokesperson said the tenancy was renewed "to facilitate business continuity amidst the ongoing review of detailed development plans and timelines for the area by the relevant agencies."

In January 2024, the arts enclave's fate seemed uncertain as the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced tentative plans to "revitalise the conserved former police barracks." ST reported on the struggles of independent arts clusters in Singapore due to rent hikes, uncertain leases and urban development, including the worries of the community at 195PHT with its lease ending in March 2025.