By The Eye desk · Last verified 12 October 2026
Gillman Barracks is Singapore’s contemporary art cluster, set in a former British army camp built in 1936 off Alexandra Road, along Lock Road and Malan Road. The galleries are free to enter. Gallery listings give typical hours of 11am to 7pm, Tuesday to Saturday, and 11am to 6pm on Sunday, with galleries closed on Mondays and public holidays; individual galleries set their own times. Tenants include FOST Gallery, Mizuma Gallery, Ota Fine Arts, ShanghART, Sundaram Tagore Gallery, Richard Koh Fine Art and Yeo Workshop. The nearest station is Labrador Park MRT on the Circle Line. In July 2026, HDB announced plans to turn the wider site into a residential estate while keeping key heritage buildings.
Gillman is one of the gentlest art outings in town: black-and-white colonial blocks, quiet galleries and a coffee or a burger between shows. Here is how to make the most of it.
Quick facts
- Where: Lock Road and Malan Road, off Alexandra Road; Block 9 is the main colonial building.
- Entry: free for galleries.
- Typical hours: Tue–Sat 11am–7pm, Sun 11am–6pm; closed Mondays and public holidays.
- History: built in 1936, named after General Sir Webb Gillman; launched as an art cluster in September 2012 with 13 galleries.
- Nearest MRT: Labrador Park (Circle Line), then a walk along Alexandra Road.
- Future: HDB plans housing for the site; key heritage buildings, including 6, 9 and 22 Lock Road, are to be retained.
Which galleries are at Gillman Barracks?
Tenants change, so treat this as a guide and check each gallery’s own page for current shows and hours. Block numbers are from earlier visitor guides and may have moved.
| Gallery | Known for | Where (as last reported) |
|---|---|---|
| FOST Gallery | Contemporary art; artist walkthroughs | Block 1 |
| Mizuma Gallery | Mainly Japanese contemporary artists | Block 22 |
| Ota Fine Arts | Japanese contemporary art | Block 7 |
| ShanghART | Chinese contemporary art; the Shanghai gallery’s first overseas branch | Block 9 |
| Partners & Mucciaccia | Modern and contemporary art | Block 6 |
| Sundaram Tagore Gallery | Contemporary art | Gillman Barracks |
| Richard Koh Fine Art | Contemporary art | Gillman Barracks |
| Yeo Workshop | Exhibitions, workshops and talks | Block 47 |
| The Columns Gallery, Ames Yavuz | Contemporary art | Gillman Barracks |
The non-profit Art Outreach is also based on site, and the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore keeps a research presence after closing its exhibition hall in 2021. Restaurants and cafés sit among the galleries, so lunch is easy.
How to get there and plan a visit
- Pick your day: Tuesday to Sunday. Avoid Mondays and public holidays, when galleries are closed.
- Arrive by MRT: Labrador Park station on the Circle Line, then walk along Alexandra Road; buses also stop nearby, opposite Alexandra Point.
- Or drive: the main entrance is on Malan Road, with a side entrance on Lock Road. Earlier guides reported paid parking on weekday daytime and free parking on evenings, weekends and public holidays; check signs on arrival.
- Map your galleries: the galleries are spread across several blocks, so note the block numbers, wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
- Allow two to three hours to see several shows and stop for food.
What is happening to Gillman Barracks?
On 10 July 2026, HDB announced plans for a residential estate with public and private homes at Gillman Barracks, and published environmental and heritage studies, with public feedback open until 6 August 2026. According to Mothership’s report, all four buildings rated “Exceptional” for heritage, Block 3 and 6, 9 and 22 Lock Road, will be kept, along with 21 of 27 rated “High”. The concept plan proposes repurposing former barrack buildings on Lock Road and Malan Road for commercial uses and amenities. No construction dates or unit numbers have been given, and the announcement did not set out what happens to individual galleries.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1936 | Barracks built for the British Army |
| 1971 | Handed to the Singapore Armed Forces |
| 1996 | Reopened as Gillman Village, a lifestyle hub |
| 2012 | Launched as Gillman Barracks art cluster with 13 galleries |
| 2026 | HDB announces housing plans for the site |
The WahLiao Verdict
Go soon, and go on a weekend afternoon. It costs nothing to wander, the galleries are welcoming to browsers, and the setting is unlike anywhere else in the city. Check two or three gallery pages for current shows before you leave, take the Circle Line to Labrador Park, and finish with lunch on site. With housing plans now on the table, this is a good season to enjoy Gillman as it is.
Questions people ask
Is Gillman Barracks free?
Yes, the galleries are free to enter. Workshops, guided walks and special events may charge or need registration.
Are the galleries open on Mondays?
Generally not. Gallery listings show closures on Mondays and public holidays, and some galleries close on other days too.
Do I have to buy art?
Not at all. Commercial galleries welcome browsers; ask for a price list only if you are curious.
Will Gillman Barracks close?
HDB plans housing for the site but will retain key heritage buildings. No timeline has been given, so watch for updates.
Sources: Singapore Art Gallery Guide, Gillman Barracks hours and address; Mothership, HDB redevelopment plans, July 2026; Wikipedia, Gillman Barracks history and tenants; TheSmartLocal, Gillman Barracks visitor guide. The Eye explains; it does not endorse.
Read next: Buying Art in Singapore: Originals, Prints and Gallery Pricing · The Singapore Art Museum at Tanjong Pagar · Back to The Eye
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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