Gardens by the Bay is an iconic park in Central Singapore that houses two cooled conservatories
Singapore’s Garden City journey began in 1963, when then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew launched the campaign. Greenery is now a major feature of our landscape.
The Edge Property has rounded up five notable gardens and parks, and the condominiums near them for prospective homebuyers who love greenery.
Gardens by the Bay is an iconic park in Central Singapore that spans 101 hectares and comprises three waterfront gardens – Bay South, Bay East and Bay Central. The two cooled conservatories – Flower Dome and Cloud Forest – replicate the climate and conditions suitable for plants from the Mediterranean regions and the tropical highlands. Other attractions include the grove of Supertrees, which are iconic tree-like vertical gardens up to 50 m tall, and the OCBC Skyway, an 128m long aerial walkway.
Located in the vicinity of Bay South Garden, Marina Bay Residences is a 428-unit leasehold condominium completed in 2010. In August this year, two 1,066 sq ft two-bedroom units were transacted at $2,100,000 or $1,971 psf while another 1,076 sq ft two-bedroom unit fetched $2,152,000 or $1,999 psf. The development was jointly developed by Cheung Kong Holdings, Hongkong Land and Keppel Land.
Completed in 1997, Costa Rhu is a leasehold condominium comprising 737 units
Over at Bay East Garden, a 1,776 sq ft three-bedroom unit at Costa Rhu fetched $1,940,000 or $1,092 psf in August this year. A 990 sq ft two-bedroom unit changed hands at $1,145,000 or $1,156 psf on the same day. Completed in 1997, Costa Rhu is a leasehold condominium comprising 737 units.
An 829 sq ft two-bedroom unit at Sanctuary Green fetched $1,060,000 in September
Other condos in the area include Sanctuary Green, a 522-unit leasehold development that was completed in 2004. The most recent transaction was in September where an 829 sq ft two-bedroom unit fetched $1,060,000 or $1,279 psf. A similar sized unit on the second storey was sold at $918,000 or $1,108 psf in June.
The Botanic Gardens is the first and only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO World Heritage List
The 82-hectare Botanic Gardens has more than 150 years of history and is the first and only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Botanic Gardens comprises various themed landscapes such as the Bonsai Garden, Sun Garden and water features such as the Eco-Lake, Symphony Lake and Swan Lake. Symphony Lake plays host to orchestral performances while the 1.5-hectare Swan Lake is home to a pair of swans, as well as numerous aquatic plants and fishes.
Besides the greenery and easy access to the rail network, one can also enjoy a meal or indulge in retail therapy at the eateries and shops that dot the lush landscape.
Cluny Park Residence by Tuan Sing Holdings received its TOP in August
Cluny Park Residence is located beside the Botanic Gardens and its namesake MRT station. The luxury freehold condominium by Tuan Sing Holdings received its TOP in August. The development designed by Chan Soo Khian, a renowned architect, comprises 52 luxury units, each with private lift access. The two-bedroom units measure 754 to 1,421 sq ft, while four-bedroom units measure 1,594 to 2,842 sq ft. All the three-bedroom units are penthouses ranging from 1,507 to 1,647 sq ft in size. Based on the latest developer sales data released by URA, there are 24 units available for immediate occupation. The most recent transaction at Cluny Park Residence was for an 840 sq ft two-bedroom unit at $2,150,000 or $2,561 psf in August this year.
Completed in 2005, D’Dalvey comprises 37 apartment units
Botanika was designed by Chan Soo Khian and completed in 2008
Other non-landed projects in the area include D’Dalvey where a 1,206 sq ft three-bedroom unit changed hands at $1,670,000 or $1,385 psf in September. The 37-unit freehold apartment development was completed in 2005.
At Botanika, a 34-unit development located along Holland Road, the most recent transaction was in March 2015 when a 2,196 sq ft unit was sold at $4,725,000, or $2,152 psf. The development, also designed by Chan Soo Khian, was completed in 2008.
Jurong Lake Gardens
Jurong Lake Gardens comprises the current Jurong Lake Park, and the Chinese and Japanese Gardens. The remaining areas under development will be completed in phases from 2018. The new Science Centre will be integrated with Jurong Lake Gardens to create outdoor learning facilities. Residents of the Jurong Lake District can look forward to other exciting features around the lake such as a boardwalk and fishing deck, floating wetlands and a 20m high fountain.
436 units or 61% out of 710 total were sold over Lake Grande’s launch weekend in July this year
Developments located beside Jurong Lake Gardens include Lake Grande, a leasehold condominium development where 436 units or 61% out of a total of 710 units were sold over its launch weekend in July this year. Based on developer sales data released by URA, the developer MCL Land has 223 units available for sale as at end August. The latest transaction was for a 775 sq ft unit at $1,038,000 or $1,339 psf in September.
Located diagonally opposite Lakeside MRT and beside Lake Grande, The Lakeshore is a 99-year leasehold condominium completed in 2008. On 8th and 24th August this year, two separate 861 sq ft units changed hands at $950,000 or $1,103 psf.
736 out of a total of 738 units were sold over J Gateway’s launch weekend in June 2013
At J Gateway, a condominium development located beside Westgate mall near Jurong East MRT, a 1,163 sq ft unit was transacted at $1,700,000 or $1,462 psf in a sub sale in July 2015. Based on URA caveat data, this was the first and only sub sale transaction to date. 736 units in the 738 unit development by MCL Land were sold at an average of $1,480 psf over its launch weekend in June 2013.
HortPark/Kent Ridge Park
HortPark and Kent Ridge Park, along with Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Labrador Nature Park form the Southern Ridges which comprises 10km of green, open spaces. They are home to a variety of flora and fauna, and offer some of the best spots to enjoy views of the city and the Southern Islands.
The Interlace clinched the prestigious World Building of the Year in 2015
Private condos in the area include the 1,040-unit The Interlace which was developed by a CapitaLand-led consortium and completed in 2013. The project designed by renown architect Ole Scheeren clinched the prestigious World Building of the Year in 2015. Based on URA caveat data as at 27 September, 14 units were sold at The Interlace in September. The smallest was a 1,259 sq ft unit at $1,650,000 or $1,310 psf while the largest was a 5,328 sq ft at $3,447,000 or $647 psf.
Normanton Park was put up for collective sale in October 2015 but received no bids
Normanton Park, a 488-unit leasehold development fronted by Kent Ridge Park was put up for collective sale in October 2015 with a reserve price in the region of $840 million. The project is understood to have received expressions of interest from two developers but no bids at the close of its tender. Each owner could have pocketed between $1.6 million and $1.7 million if the sale had been successful. The most recent and the sole transaction at the development last year was for a 1,270 sq ft unit at $1,110,000 or $874 psf.
At The Grandhill, located near Haw Par Villa MRT station, a 1,830 sq ft unit was sold at $1,880,000 or $1,027 psf in February while a 1,841 sq ft unit changed hands at $2,030,000 or $1,103 psf in August. The freehold development by Hoi Hup Realty was completed in 2006 and comprises 53 units.
East Coast Park
To many Singaporeans, East Coast Park is treasured for the diverse activities it offers. Sporting activities include cycling, beach volleyball and water sports. The 185 hectare park stretches over 15 km along the coastline. Family and friends can gather at one of the barbecue pits or head to one of the restaurants to enjoy a meal after a fun day at the beach.
Marine Blue is a 124-unit freehold condominium by CapitaLand
Options abound for homebuyers seeking to live near East Coast Park, such as Marine Blue located near the upcoming Marine Parade MRT. The 124-unit freehold condominium by CapitaLand was launched in January 2015. Six units, all measuring 635 sq ft, have been sold this year at prices ranging from $1,134,900 or $1,787 psf to $1,184,400 or $1,865 psf. Based on URA’s developer sales data, the developer has 89 units available for sale as at end August 2016.
Laguna Park is a 516-unit leasehold development located beside the upcoming Siglap MRT
Located beside the upcoming Siglap MRT and East Coast Park, Laguna Park is a 516-unit leasehold development that was completed in 1978. There have been six transactions at the project this year. Three 1,453 sq ft units were sold at prices between $1,160,000 or $798 psf and $1,215,000 or $836 psf while three 1,615 sq ft units fetched prices ranging from $1,188,888 or $736 psf to $1,450,000 or $898 psf.
A 1,636 sq ft unit at Neptune Court was recently sold at $1,080,000
The most recent transaction at Neptune Court was for a 1,636 sq ft unit at $1,080,000 or $660 psf in March this year. Another 1,270 sq ft unit was sold at $868,000 or $683 psf in February. Neptune Court is a 751-unit leasehold development located beside Victoria Junior College.