In one of Singapore’s most sought-after heartlands, an unconventional structure breaks the skyline of regular-shaped buildings in its vicinity. Sky Habitat, a 509-unit condominium in Bishan, is renowned for its step-pyramid architecture, the brainchild of world-acclaimed architect Moshe Safdie, whose works in the city state include Marina Bay Sands and the upcoming Jewel Changi Airport.
More than just an architectural landmark, Sky Habitat’s step-pyramid design and permeable façade serve to maximise cross-ventilation and natural lighting. Marco Wong, a resident at the project and a property agent at HSR International Realtors, remembers how a gust of wind toppled a flask of water at a barbecue gathering he hosted last year.
“This was on the ground floor. It is breezy throughout the development, not just on high floors,” Wong says. He lives on the 26th floor with his wife Joey Tan, an arts marketing strategist, and their five-month-old daughter Isabelle.
The Wongs at the sky garden on the 26th floor
Many units at Sky Habitat come with outdoor terraces, which enable residents to experience landed living in the sky. Kelvin Foong, an insurance claim consultant at JDK Advisory, says the outdoor terrace was a key factor in his decision to purchase a unit at Sky Habitat.
“It is a very unique space for outdoor gatherings with family and friends. The closest alternative in other condos would be a ground-floor unit with a patio. The outdoor terraces here, however, are on elevated levels with scenic views,” says Foong, who lives on the 28th floor with his wife, Elaine Chen, a procurement director.
The view from the outdoor terrace at the Foongs' unit, where they regularly hold gatherings with family and friends
As part of his community-centric design, Safdie incorporated three sky bridges linking the two towers at Sky Habitat. The bridges on the 14th and 26th floors were designed as sky gardens with a range of facilities, including a gymnasium, an outdoor exercise area, a karaoke room, a movie screening room and a reading/ games lounge.
The highest sky bridge on the 38th floor features a sky pool with a panoramic view of the city and park — a favourite spot among residents and their guests. Sky Habitat also has a 50m lap pool and children’s pool on the ground floor.
Completed in 2015, Sky Habitat was jointly developed by CapitaLand, Mitsubishi Estate Asia and Shimizu Corp.
The Foongs at the sky pool on the 38th floor - a favourite spot among residents and their guests
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The Foongs’ previous residence was at Blossoms @ Woodleigh. “It took me close to 10 minutes to walk to the Woodleigh MRT station. Sky Habitat, on the other hand, is less than a five-minute walk from the Bishan MRT station and Junction 8 shopping mall,” Foong says. Although he drives, he prefers to take the train if he has to commute to the city area.
The Foongs had gone house-hunting in River Valley before committing to their 1,733 sq ft, three- bedroom unit at Sky Habitat. “For the same price, we get a bigger living space at Sky Habitat and still enjoy top-notch convenience,” Foong points out.
Wong, on the other hand, only had his eyes on Bishan, having grown up in the nearby Thomson area. The Wongs purchased their unit in 2012. Sky Habitat was the obvious choice, as no other condos in Bishan enjoyed the same proximity to transit nodes and amenities, he says.
For parents with schoolgoing children, Sky Habitat is located in the vicinity of reputable schools, including Ai Tong School, Catholic High School, Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School, Pei Chun Public School and Raffles Institution.
Investment potential was not the top consideration for both the Wongs and the Foongs. The families simply wanted a liveable space they could call home. In the two years since they moved into Sky Habitat, however, the property market has evolved. “Even HDB flats have fetched over $1 million,” Foong notes.
In January, a five-room DBSS flat on Bishan Street 24 changed hands at $1.18 million, setting a new price record for public housing.
Developers’ bullish bids for land at recent state tenders have also boosted market sentiment and created value proposition in existing projects. A residential site next to the Woodleigh MRT station recently fetched $1,110 psf per plot ratio, which could translate into a launch price of above $1,800 psf. CapitaLand, meanwhile, paid $869 psf ppr for the Sky Habitat site in 2011. After a lone sale in 2016, 21 units at Sky Habitat changed hands this year at an average price of $1,452 psf.
“There is definitely an investment value for a condo with a unique product offering in a choice location,” Wong concludes.
This article appeared in The Edge Property Pullout, Issue 792 (Aug 14, 2017) of The Edge Singapore