This neighbourhood is getting to be quite the hip place

An unofficial creative cluster has emerged as small, indie businesses set up shop in conserved shophouses and light industrial buildings in Jalan Besar. Photos: ST

First came a stream of hipster coffee joints, bars and cafes that perked up sleepy Jalan Besar five years ago.

Now, for the second wave, the neighbourhood has become a hotbed for creative types, attracting branding and social media marketing agencies and architecture firms.