SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - Villa Harimau, a private seaside property in Batam, Indonesia, is on the market for US$3.6 million, or around $4.95 million. The property sits on a 30,000 sq ft cliff-top estate located at Bukit Harimau, which is a 10-minute drive from Batam’s Sekupang Ferry Terminal.
According to Victoria Garrett, head of residential at Knight Frank Asia-Pacific — who is marketing the property — the owner of Villa Harimau is a foreign expatriate living in Singapore who inherited the villa from his father, a Singapore permanent resident who had built the property as a retirement home. “The current owner is looking to relocate from Singapore to the UK and hence is keen to divest ownership of this property,” she explains.
The property was completed in 2017 and comprises a main two-storey residence, a stand-alone two-storey guest house and a separate staff house.
The main villa has a total of six bedrooms, two of which are located on the first floor, including a children’s room fitted out with four built-in bunk beds. The first floor also has a living room, a formal dining area, a full-sized kitchen and a separate breakfast area. Upstairs, there is another living room which is spacious enough to accommodate furniture, a small dining set as well as a pool table. There is also a verandah that runs the entire length of the house.
A focal point of the property is a 30m infinity pool that boasts panoramic views of the sea, with the Singapore skyline in the distance. The property also has a large poolside area that fits several lounge chairs, daybeds and an outdoor barbecue pit. A gazebo housing an outdoor bar is tucked in the corner.
Next to the main villa is the standalone guesthouse, which overlooks a large manicured lawn. It has two en suite bedrooms, located on the first and second floors respectively, and a kitchenette. The bedroom upstairs is connected to a wide verandah, which the current owner has furnished with various outdoor furniture.
Meanwhile, the staff house, located on the other side of the main villa, has three bedrooms. It is currently occupied by service staff employed by the current owner.
The dining area
Villa Harimau was designed by renowned Balinese architect Popo Danes, who has worked on a number of Indonesia’s luxury boutique island resorts including Samsara Resort Ubud, Lelewatu Resort and Natya Resort Ubud. He is also the author of New Regionalism in Bali Architecture.
In designing Villa Harimau, Danes focused on combining both contemporary architecture and Balinese design elements. “I loved the site of Villa Harimau from the first moment I set my eyes on it and I wanted to maximise the way that we can enjoy the view through a special experience. So, the architecture was set in a classy tropical style to suit the local nature and environment,” he says.
Similarly, the furnishings selected for the property reflect a relaxed, resort-style ambience. According to Garrett, the interior was completely refurbished in the last year with a combination of custom-built Balinese furnishings and modern design elements, while the kitchen was also overhauled and updated. The interior features the use of natural materials such as teak baths, wooden cabinetry, and hardwood floors in the bedrooms, while the furniture pieces selected are largely in relaxing neutral tones.
Villa Harimau’s furnishings are also available for purchase by the future buyer of the property, subject to further negotiations.
Villa Harimau sits on a 30,000 sq ft site and features a six-bedroom villa, a standalone guest house and a separate staff house (Source: Knight Frank)
Garrett anticipates keen interest from prospective buyers, including hospitality operators who may be interested in running the villa as a boutique luxury holiday villa. “It would make a sensational guest house, especially for residents of Singapore looking for a luxurious, private holiday retreat,” she says, noting that Batam is just a 45-minute ferry ride away from the Harbourfront Ferry Terminal. She adds that Villa Harimau’s land titles, which are currently zoned for residential use, can be changed to allow for villa and accommodation usage, subject to approvals from the relevant authorities.
Garrett also anticipates interest from buyers such as high-net-worth individuals looking to purchase the home for use as a personal retreat. “The property has ample space that’s ideal for a large family,” she points out, adding that the large living, dining and poolside areas are also perfect for hosting guests.
Villa Harimau also serves as an investment opportunity, Garrett says. Given the villa’s scenic settings, ocean views and beautiful architecture, she expects the future owner to benefit from strong rental demand driven by those seeking to lease a holiday home, as well as overall capital appreciation. Citing Knight Frank’s Global House Price Index, she notes that Indonesian house prices saw a nominal increase of 1.7% in 2Q2022, which may further strengthen as Indonesia’s economy continues to recover post-pandemic. “Villa Harimau enables buyers to gain access to both exceptional idyllic surroundings and tangible financial investment,” she says.