Joshua Schwartz of SJS Group laughs when I ask him which of the five Cotu (acronym for “Centre Of The Universe”) concepts he likes best. “That’s like asking which child is my favourite,” he responds. Eventually, he concedes and mentions The Whisper Room, a jazz bar that transforms from an afternoon tea joint into a live jazz club with DJs after dark. Inspired by the great hotel bar experiences of New York, Schwartz adds, “It was the most challenging, with so many moving parts.”
But Schwartz is not one to shy away from a challenge. In partnership with his wife Sarissa Rodriguez-Schwartz, he has been responsible for some of Singapore’s most iconic nightlife and restaurant concepts, including Lulu’s Lounge, Employees Only, and Pasta Bar.
The newly-opened Cotu, launched in December at CapitaGreen, is a game-changer. Spanning two floors over 18,000 sq ft, it encompasses The Whisper Room, cocktail bar Little Birdie, Ensou Steakhouse, Dashi Sky Pool, and Dash Go-Go Ultra Lounge.
Schwartz says this lifestyle and entertainment space is unlike anything he has ever worked on. “This has been the most ambitious project of my career”, he says. It is not just one venue, but five distinct experiences seamlessly connected under one roof.
He stresses the importance of making the daytime experiences, live music lounge, dining, and nightlife feel distinct but integrated. “What’s new for me is the sheer scope of Cotu. It’s a labyrinth of experiences, designed to evolve throughout the day and night.”
Schwartz has lived in Singapore for 14 years, and feels it is the perfect culmination of his time here. “It’s an opportunity to combine what I’ve learnt in New York and Miami with what I’ve learnt from living and working in Asia. Cotu is wholly Singaporean, inspired by the city’s dynamism and global appeal, and designed to offer a journey through diverse, interconnected experiences.”
Additionally, it has given him an opportunity to work with former “competitors”, who have worked on well-known concepts such as Empire, Zouk, and Formula One’s Amber Lounge. Schwartz reveals that his company has seven partners, all visionaries in their own right.
“In creating something truly unique, we’ve combined decades of experience. It’s exciting to see how our collective vision has come to life in such a bold and impactful way.”
Joshua Schwartz on collaboration
However, Schwartz is mindful that Cotu is opening in an almost post-Covid era. “The pandemic hangover still lingers, he says. “People continue to go out and spend money, but how and where they do so has changed. “
The dining-out market is still vibrant, but faces new challenges. Rising costs, manpower shortages, and changing customer expectations mean we cannot afford to stand still. These were some of the reasons our concept came about. We wanted to create something forward-looking and fresh that would embrace changes.”
Schwartz is clear about the priority of Cotu in the future. Two years after conceptualisation, the excitement is palpable. It remains focused on seeing what it can become, but he acknowledges that you never know what might happen.
“The magic of this industry is that there’s always a new idea waiting to be explored.”
Art direction: Ed Harland
Photography: Mun Kong
Photography assistant: Melvin Leong
Grooming: Crystal using Goldwell & Wee Ming using Gucci Beauty
