Park Nova is Hong Kong-listed developer Shun Tak Holding’s maiden residential project in Singapore (Credit: Shun Tak Holdings)
In June 2018, Park House, a 15-storey building located at the corner of Tomlinson Road and Orchard Boulevard, was sold to Hong Kong-listed Shun Tak Holdings for $375.5 million, which translated to a land price of $2,910 psf per plot ratio (ppr). It set a new record for collective sale deals in terms of psf ppr, which remains unbroken to date.
Around the same time, Shun Tak also purchased another freehold site measuring 66,452 sq ft on Nassim Road for $218 million or $2,744 psf ppr. The site is where Shun Tak, one of the leading real estate developers in Hong Kong and Macau, is currently developing the ultra-luxury Les Maisons Nassim. The development made waves last month when a penthouse unit was sold for $75 million, or $6,210 psf.
At the Park House site, Shun Tak launched Park Nova — its maiden residential project in Singapore — in May. The project’s name is an amalgamation of “Park”, a tribute to the original Park House building on the site, as well as “Nova”, a reference to Shun Tak’s flagship development with the same name in Macau.
Park Nova’s design incorporates a curved building exterior that mimics butterfly wings (Credit: Shun Tak Holdings)
Nova can also mean the birth of a bright new star, which the developer associates with promising new possibilities and new beginnings.
Befitting its auspicious name, Park Nova, which will be completed in 2024, has seen a great start by clinching four titles at the EdgeProp Excellence Awards (EPEA) 2021. The development was awarded Design Excellence, Showflat Excellence (Luxury), Top Luxury Development, and Top Boutique Development at the awards ceremony held on Nov 24.
Once completed, the freehold luxury condominium will offer 54 exclusive residences housed within a single 21-storey tower. Located in the heart of prime District 10, Park Nova will boast excellent connectivity.
Besides being within close proximity to the Orchard Road shopping district, it is also a short walk away from the upcoming Orchard Boulevard MRT Station on the Thomson-East Coast Line that will open next year. It is also within a 10-minute walk of the Orchard MRT Station on the North-South Line.
Joanne Goh, assistant director, Shun Tak Holdings receiving the awards for Top Boutique Development and Top Luxury Development from KPMG partner, Gabriel Toh (Photo: Albert Chua/EdgeProp Singapore)
Biophilic design inspired by nature
Despite its enviable location near the hustle and bustle of Orchard Road, Park Nova was designed to be a private sanctuary, where residents can bask in lush natural surroundings. London-based architectural firm PLP Architecture has been engaged for the project and tasked with designing a development that embraced a harmonious connection with nature.
The result is a striking one. Inspired by nature, Park Nova’s floorplan suggests the shape of a butterfly. Three central columns make up the core of the building, while apartments — three on each floor — are arranged around the columns. Undulating balconies, combined with alternating floor plates, produce a curved building exterior, mimicking the shape of butterfly wings.
The design allows each apartment to look away from one another, with each “wing” having a distinct view either to the northwest, south or the east. It also provides balconies with shade from the heat as well as privacy from neighbouring units.
Facilities at Park Nova include swimming pools, outdoor lounges, a jacuzzi, and a garden pavilion (Credit: Shun Tak Holdings)
A lush vertical garden is woven into Park Nova’s distinct façade, with green terraces installed along the exterior of every apartment.
Angela Lim, co-founder of design studio SuMisura and one of the judges for the EPEA 2021, says that these outstanding architectural features distinguished Park Nova from other projects. “The biophilic design element was strong with its beautiful curvy planters wrapping itself around the building. The external structure reminds me of a greener and a more organic version of The Concourse tower by Paul Rudolph,” she enthuses.
The design also took into consideration existing natural elements, including the vast array of trees that line Orchard Boulevard and Tomlinson Road. The apartment tower is raised 17m above the street level, meaning that units on even the lowest floors sit above the treetops. Besides providing scenic greenery, the tree canopy acts as a buffer against the sounds of traffic.
Each residence at Park Nova comes with a balcony that offers a 270-degree view of the city (Credit: Shun Tak Holdings)
Luxurious urban living
Residences at Park Nova are tailored for comfortable and luxurious living.
All 54 units feature large floorplans that provide ample space. These include twobedroom-plus-study apartments measuring 1,432 sq ft; three-bedroom-plus-study apartments of 2,207 sq ft, and four-bedroom apartments from 2,896 sq ft. There are also three five-bedroom penthouses, with sizes ranging from 3,229 sq ft to 5,899 sq ft.
Meticulous thought has been placed into the layout of each unit. Bedrooms are placed at the perimeter of the façade, so that they will enjoy natural light and scenic views. Each bedroom comes with an attached bathroom for added privacy, while each unit also has private lift access. The balconies provide a 270-degree view of the city, while the orientation of each unit enhances privacy.
All 54 units at Park Nova feature large floorplans that provide ample space (Credit: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore)
Units come with high-end brand fixtures and fittings, including kitchen appliances from Miele, sanitaryware and bathroom accessories from Laufen and Vola, and built-in wardrobes and kitchen systems from Italian brand Molteni & C.
The same thought and care can be seen in Park Nova’s facilities, which are spread across two amenities decks within the development. Aimed at improving residents’ health and well-being, the facilities on the first floor include swimming pools, outdoor lounges, a jacuzzi, and a garden pavilion. On the 14th floor, there is a gym and sky terrace where residents can enjoy panoramic views or entertain guests.
Rounding out its offerings, a concierge service will also be available, allowing residents to easily book private rides, make reservations or request assistance.
The four-bedroom showflat at the Park Nova sales gallery (Credit: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore)
Showflat excellence
Judges for the EPEA 2021 were also impressed by the development’s showflat gallery designed by Brewin Design Office, which also crafted the interior design of the building.
Located on a site surrounded by greenery at 21 Orchard Boulevard, the gallery features a tree-lined driveway leading up to its entrance that sets the tone of the experience for prospective buyers.
The two-storey gallery has a 7m-tall entry atrium, where an eye-catching light fixture and staircase provides a sense of grandeur as befitting the luxurious nature of the development. A model of Park Nova anchors a corner of the showroom, where a large screen displays further visuals of the development.
The development’s show gallery garnered praise from EPEA 2021 judges (Credit: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore)
The three-bedroom show unit located on the first floor was built with an exact replica of the development’s exterior façade, allowing visitors to easily see the intricate details and materials that will be used for the actual building up close.
Meanwhile, the four-bedroom show unit is cleverly oriented such that the windows open out to the existing lush greenery on site, providing scenic views while also allowing prospective buyers of the lower-floor units to visualise the tree canopy view they will enjoy from their residence.
Since its launch, 30 units at Park Nova have been sold, according to caveats lodged. The development achieved its highest psf price of $5,838 when its biggest penthouse unit was sold for $34.438 million in May.