Lau Pa Sat, Singapore’s only hawker market under a gazetted national monument, managed by FairPrice Group’s Kopitiam, commemorated its 130th anniversary today by launching “Feast for the Senses” experiences, a series of exclusive activities, assets, merchandise and deals for the public to enjoy.

More than a year in the making, the Lau Pa Sat Heritage Trailer will take visitors back in time to witness the iconic hawker market’s humble beginnings as a seaside wet market. AR and VR technology will enable guests to view the area’s historic vistas first-hand, from the now defunct Telok Ayer Police Station in its heyday to the seaside landscape in front of Raffles Quay, to bustling scenes of fishermen and street hawkers peddling their wares by the roadside.

Despite its century-long evolution, Lau Pa Sat’s essence remains – the original Victorian cast-iron architecture and structure, built with prefabricated cast-iron columns from Glasgow, Scotland and assembled here, and the stately clock tower, one of four major public clocks in the pre-war city centre of Singapore and the first sight that greeted many seafaring visitors as their steamships docked in the Singapore harbour.

Visitors will also be able to experience Lau Pa Sat’s century-long story through a recently unveiled ten by three metre mural – commissioned by FairPrice Group (FPG) in celebration of the anniversary – by renowned Singaporean artist Yip Yew Chong. The mural, dubbed ‘From Shoreline to Skyline’, depicts Lau Pa Sat’s transformation over the decades, in tandem with the surrounding central business district.

FPG also collaborated with Dick Lee, critically acclaimed singer-songwriter and recipient of the 2005 Cultural Medallion for his contributions to music, to produce ‘The Song of Lau Pa Sat’, a commemorative track that evokes the vibrant atmosphere of the area through Lee’s characteristic lyrical style. ‘The Song of Lau Pa Sat’ will be used in Lau Pa Sat’s marketing and complement the clock tower’s familiar hourly peals.Adding another layer to the experience is the exclusive 3-part mini-docuseries, “Our Lau Pa Sat Stories”. This video series features stories of how Lau Pa Sat has touched the lives of people across generations, and backgrounds over time.

Customers will also be able to bring a piece of the area’s history back with them, through exclusive merchandise, including those designed in collaboration with Singaporean artist Yip Yew Chong and local illustrator Lee Kow Fong, also known as Ah Guo. Each piece of exclusive merchandise – from pouches to stationery – features Lau Pa Sat’s 130th anniversary logo and unique depictions that pay homage to Singapore’s rich hawker culture. The commemorative merchandise will be available for a limited time at Food Folks @ Lau Pa Sat.

“Lau Pa Sat is an integral part of Singapore’s rich hawker heritage, and we are proud to be the custodians of this hawker market, a cultural gem. Kopitiam, and FairPrice Group are committed to ensuring that this national monument remains accessible and enjoyable for all. We believe that the everyday Singaporean should be able to have access to world-class satay, hokkien mee, prawn mee and other international delights. At FairPrice Group, we will do all we can to promote and protect the rich hawker culture heritage of Lau Pa Sat so that Singaporeans will be filled with pride when they talk about their local cuisine globally,” said Mr Vipul Chawla, FairPrice Group, Group CEO. 

Lau Pa Sat, first declared a national monument in 1973, has existed since colonial times. In 1894, the former “Telok Ayer Market” was relocated from its past location and rebuilt on reclaimed land, where it still stands.  Today, Lau Pa Sat has evolved into Singapore’s most iconic hawker market with more than 80 stalls offering local favourites and international cuisine, including 6 MICHELIN-recommended eateries. Within Lau Pa Sat, visitors can also find Singapore’s first “Everything Food” blended retail space supporting heritage and innovative local brands, Food Folks @ Lau Pa Sat, and Singapore’s largest open-air Satay Street offering authentic street hawker experiences.

“For 130 years, Lau Pa Sat has been serving the needs of our community, enabling success for businesses and fostering jobs for workers. As we celebrate this milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to enhancing the well-being of the working people, especially our union members. I have every confidence that FairPrice Group and Lau Pa Sat will continue providing ‘Everything Food’ at affordable prices and great value,” said Mr Ng Chee Meng, NTUC Secretary-General.

More information on Lau Pa Sat and its 130th anniversary celebrations available here. All activities are open to the public.