The adaptive reuse of old buildings, such as the Warehouse Hotel - a former 19th-century godown - often results in buildings that marry new and old, retaining traditional architectural elements while sporting refreshed interiors.

At the same time, there are certain challenges - from limited know-how, on the part of building owners who have to maintain the site, to having to navigate Urban Redevelopment Authority conservation guidelines, in the case of restoring buildings that have conservation status.