DBS unveils an exclusive startups co-working space

It exhibits sharp contrasts between remaining historical features and modern interior design and artwork.

Dedicated to house innovative FinTech startups selected to join the DBS Accelerator programme, powered by Nest, the team launched a more than 5000 sq ft co-working space named “The Vault.”

Located in the basement of the Overseas Trust Bank Building at 160 Gloucester Road in Wan Chai, “The Vault” will provide startups access to ongoing mentorship and speaker and networking events.

The space itself will provide startups access to ongoing mentorship and speaker and networking events. Over time, the space's goal is to make it a showcase for “The Internet of Things” and it has already incorporated innovative collaboration technology. The technology elements aim to make it easier for the startups to develop, experiment and prototype their ideas. 

Operating 24/7, the new space centerpiece features the doors of the old bank vault, a heritage feature retained from when it was part of the Overseas Trust Bank (merged into DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited in Year 2003.

According to a spokesperson from DBS, they felt that it was important that the space reflected the transition from old to new, which is very much symbolic of what is happening in the banking industry right now. That’s why a key design challenge for the office was to transform the space around the vault itself.