When Australian gallery Sullivan + Strumpf opened a branch in Gillman Barracks two years ago, people were surprised that the gallery owners chose Singapore over bustling Hong Kong.

It entered barely a year after six galleries out of 17 decided not to renew their leases at the visual arts cluster, citing poor sales and low footfall. Since then, the enclave seems to have turned a corner, with all the vacancies filled, though tenants say that there is still room for improvement, chief of which is the need for a centralised curatorial and management body.