Building Up An Appetite For Change

Kishin RK Hiranandani, founder and CEO of the RB Capital Group, shares his insatiable hunger for global lifestyle trends.

- Koh Yuen Lin

Anybody who has been visiting the Robertson Quay area would have noticed a gradual but distinct change underfoot. The Quayside – the quiet little sister to Robertson Walk – seems to have finally come of age. The area has welcomed an influx of hip concept eateries such as Summerlong and Super Loco. The crowd is cool, and the vibe relaxed. The mastermind orchestrating this transformation is Kishin RK Hiranandani of RB Capital Group, who acquired the former Gallery Hotel in 2013 and The Quayside’s retail podium in 2012. The 34-year-old Singaporean might be the founder and CEO of the company, but he doesn’t limit himself to “high level” decisions. Every single detail of his projects – from curating the tenant mix to choosing the right lighting – is important to him. He doesn’t just set trends – he builds them from ground up. Here, he shares his observations of the latest F&B concepts from his travels, and gives us a little peek into his personal taste in food.

When it comes to property development, you focus on business-to-consumer first, which allows you to shape the positioning of that property. In terms of the F&B landscape today, what are consumers looking for?

They are looking for the fine-casual option. The people here are well-travelled and discerning, but there is less and less of a want to dress up to go out for a meal. Summerlong is a perfect example of such an option. It offers fine, well-curated food served in a casual setting, and it doesn’t compromise on the food quality. Such concepts are what people are looking for, yet is missing – in Singapore, and on a global level.

What do you look for when dining out?