The Lowdown On This New Insta-Worthy Spot Where You Can Go For Yoga, Get $2 Coffee, Or Spot Celebs

Think of it as somewhat of a more chic and updated version of a country club, where members can come to work, play and mingle. But the folks at Crane pride themselves in being a little different from other new generation clubs on our shores. “I realised that most social clubs in Singapore are either very exclusive and focus on the high-end demographic, not so much the working class, which I identify with more,” says Federico Folcia, the CEO of Crane who’s been based in Singapore for almost eight years. “[At these other clubs], you either have to be invited to join, [and membership is expensive], and you have to pay extra for most activities in these club. We wanted to democratise the concept of social clubs to make it more accessible — you don’t have to be invited or pay a lot to join Crane."

While other members-only clubs like Straits Clan and 1880 have fees in the range of the thousands, Crane’s monthly fees are $180 (they go as low to $50 if you sign up in a group). Members have access to Crane’s co-working facilities, fitness classes, private dining events, and activities such as cooking classes, Pilates classes or floral arrangement workshops (above). Activities are mostly free, or are heavily discounted for members, such as massages for $40 per hour. No knead to traipse to Bangkok or Bali for affordable massages anymore!

It's nestled in Level 1 of The Herencia, a non-descript complex that used to be Nan Chiau Girls’ School, tucked away in plain sight among the condos at Robertson Walk. It may be just a stone’s throw from the bustling restaurants, bars and cafes at Mohammad Sultan, but Crane feels like an entirely different — and incredibly serene — world.

Don’t be deceived by the inconspicuous, albeit cool and old-school, entrance. There’s plenty that lies beyond these retro-chic doors, which are the school’s original doors that have been restored.

This spacious, sun-lit area is a multi-purpose space. Members can use this as a co-working space to bang out e-mails or hold meetings, have lunch from adjoining café Mercato, or just Instagram up a storm. After all, this space is #interiorgoals.

Federico, who was the man behind home-sharing site Roomorama (basically Airbnb before there was Airbnb) before it ceased operations in 2017, sourced for furniture from all over the world himself. There was only one rule when it came to furnishing Crane, which took about two months: that it was in line with the social club’s ethos. “You won’t see teak wood from England or marble from Italy or other expensive items here. This space is very true to itself. A lot of it is reclaimed or recycled,” the 40-year-old head honcho shares.

Take this retro-cool cane bar counter at the entrance, for instance, which Federico found on Carousell.

Activities at Crane run the gamut from yoga and art classes to photography workshops and even a meditation sesh by a Bhutanese monk. Enter these incredibly cool partition wall and extendable benches, which are all made out of paper. They're easy to move around, and help convert the space according to the activity of the day. Plus, they make for a pretty good OOTD backdrop too.

Park yourself here at this co-working space, replete with chic exposed brick walls and flatlay-ready terrazzo table tops which are all the rage in interior design right now. Erstwhile MTV VJ Nadya Hutagalung has been spotted here previously. Other recognisable members at Crane include husband-and-wife thespians Lim Kay Siu and Neo Swee Lin.

This room, in all its eclectic glory (just look at that wallpaper with crane motifs), has played host to private dining events, meetings and even a sound healing session.

Refuel at Mercato, the adjoining café that’s oh-so-quaint and accessible to members of the public. Members can order food, pastries, and even craft beers here and chow down within the confines of the members-only area. Prices are ridiculously reasonable — mains such as pasta or the tasty rosemary chicken we had cost $6 to $10 for lunch. Mind you, members get discounts on food and drinks, so you could be paying as little $2 for an espresso.

Oh, just original cinema chairs from the old Capitol Theatre, plucked from Federico’s own collection at home.

It seems like everyone’s in lurve with all things rattan, including the folks at Crane, who sourced these chairs from Indonesia.

Crane is at #01-06/07 The Herencia, 46 Kim Yam Road, S239351. Open Sun to Thur at 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-9pm. Mercato opens 9am till late. More info at https://www.crane.club.

PHOTOS: Crane