The original 1940s Art Deco shophouses have been conserved and integrated into the project.
An inspiring Art Deco boutique project by local developer FLJ Property, Lavender Residence is quickly gaining traction among buyers looking for an affordable, centrally located apartment in District 12.
Launched for sale in June, the freehold, mixed-use development comprises four ground-floor retail units, 17 residential apartments, as well as a basement mechanical carpark. It is located at the junction of Lavender Street and Kempas Road, and the dual road frontage prominently showcases its restored conservation Art Deco architecture.
As the newest boutique project in the Boon Keng neighbourhood, Lavender Residence offers proximity to several transport and commercial hubs, a keen appreciation of Singapore’s architectural heritage, and the benefits of a mixed-use development.
No other new project launch in District 12 features the range of public transport connectivity and proximity to the city centre that Lavender Residence offers. With three MRT stations — Bendemeer, Boon Keng and Farrer Park — within walking distance and several major roads and highways serving the area, residents are directly connected to all parts of the island.
Bendemeer Station on the Downtown Line is two stops from the arts and cultural district in Bencoolen. Prominent stations on this line include Fort Canning, Chinatown, Telok Ayer, and Downtown in the CDB, and residents will benefit from the ease of commuting into the financial district.
Residents can also hop onto the North East Line at Boon Keng Station. This will take them to major suburban shopping malls in the northeast region, such as the newly opened Woodleigh Mall, connected to Woodleigh MRT Station; and Nex shopping mall, connected to Serangoon MRT Interchange Station.
The area is well served by several major roads and highways such as Serangoon Road, Balestier Road, Lavender Road, and the Central Expressway (CTE). This makes travelling into the CBD by car a three-minute ride. It is also easy to travel to the developing healthcare hub in Novena, the Orchard Road shopping belt, and the Singapore Sports Hub in Kallang.
Originally, the site contained a trio of two-storey conservation shophouses built in the Art Deco-style during the 1940s. As a symbol of Singapore’s early developing years, these shophouses have been conserved by the developer to celebrate their historic value.
FLJ Property has spared no expense and brought in renowned architecture firm Park + Associates to oversee the delicate conservation works, as well as the design of the new six-storey rear extension. The homegrown architecture firm has been careful to restore the Art Deco architecture while incorporating a variety of modern embellishments and contemporary design elements into the project.
The freehold mixed-use project comprises four retail units, 17 residential apartments, and a suite of amenities.
This modern take on heritage conservation is reflected in the Heritage Series, a mix of five apartment units that occupy the the second floor of the conservation shophouses. The units range from a studio to three-bedroom units with some dual-key variants.
Two of these units were snapped up by buyers at the project sales launch in June this year. Now, only the studio + study unit, one-bedroom + studio (dual key) unit, and a three-bedroom + study (dual key) unit are available. Unit layouts maximise the living areas and reduce dead spaces like corridors. The interiors have been designed in a modern style with a range of high-end branded fittings and fixtures from Brandt, Duravit, Franke, and Hansgrohe.
When Lavender Residence was launched for sale at the start of June, buyers were also keen to acquire units in the new six-storey rear extension block which comprises nine apartment units and three penthouses.
The penthouses were a hit and were all sold in June. They comprise a two-bedroom + study (dual key) unit, a four-bedroom + study unit, and a five-bedroom + study (dual key) unit.
The remaining available units range from one-bedroom + study units, two-bedroom units, two-bedroom (dual key) units, and three-bedroom (dual key) units. About half of the units in the six-storey block have been sold and the remaining units are expected to be snapped up quickly in the coming weeks.
An artist’s impression of the interior design of the units at Lavender Residence.
According to the developer, many buyers are keen on the dual-key units as these give them the opportunity to be a homeowner as well as a landlord. Moreover, it is increasingly rare to find new dual-key units among recent private residential launches, making this unit type more desirable.
Based on a tabulation of rental caveats by EdgeProp Singapore, condos in the neighbourhood enjoy strong rental demand that has translated into relatively high rental yields.
For example, at nearby Sturdee Residences, the average rent is $6.52 psf per month, which translates to a rental yield of approximately 4%. New projects such as 1953 on Tessensohn Road have seen average rents of $6.17 psf pm and rental yields of about 3.9%.
Homeowners and investors at Lavender Residence are sure to benefit from the attractive pricing set for the remaining units starting from $1,850 psf for a freehold development minutes away from the city — a competitive and affordable price for most buyers.