Special Feature

‘Quiet luxury’ Mount Sinai bungalow, a rare gem in District 10

May 31, 2024 3:00 PM SGT

The living hall, the heart of this home, is smartly integrated with the dining, kitchen, patio and pool to maximise family interaction.

A classically designed, modern-fitted freehold bungalow in Mount Sinai is on sale for under $2,500 per sq ft. This unique two-storey (with attic) property will appeal to buyers looking for a well-maintained, move-in-ready home.

“Given the scarcity of available bungalows for sale in prime District 10, especially renovated ones, it is rare to come across a house with these qualities. Spanning a land size of more than 6,400 sq ft, it is a very sought-after land size by bungalow seekers today,” says Willi Ching, the founder and head of Huttons Landed Division (HLD) and the exclusive marketing agent.

The bungalow blends classic and modern styles, embodying today’s quiet luxury aesthetic while allowing for future extensions. In a competitive market, buyers seeking landed homes often face tough choices due to the scarcity of spacious properties, leading to compromises, says Ching, adding: “A land size of 6,000 to 8,000 sq ft is a ‘sweet spot’ sought after by many bungalow buyers, as a plot of that size offers a considerable upgrade in terms of land and built-up area from semi-detached houses.”

A still from the “Charming House” video, produced by Ching, showcases the distinctive and attractive features of this home. (Picture: Willi Ching)

“Landed homeowners in coveted District 10 typically hold on to their properties for a long duration and are reluctant to put them up for sale,” says Ching, noting that only 11 detached houses in Districts 10 and 11 changed hands in the first five months of this year, with just three transactions involving properties with land sizes of more than 6,000 sq ft.

According to Hutton’s Landed Division’s proprietary database of landed houses on sale, more than 75% of detached houses available on the resale market today are listed for more than $2,500 psf. Most of these properties are newly rebuilt houses or are still under construction and priced at over $3,500 psf.

For available resale landed houses priced under $2,500 psf, the vast majority are either in original condition requiring complete redevelopment or feature under-utilised features such as a long, narrow driveway.

While many newly built houses by developers remain a popular choice for landed home buyers, a common gripe, on top of the record-breaking prices, is the relatively smaller land sizes of less than 5,000 sq ft.

The kitchen of the bungalow is spacious and well-kept, with direct access to the living room.

With a site coverage limitation of 50% (for detached houses outside Good Class Bungalow or GCB areas), this leaves a ‘footprint’ of less than 2,500 sq ft per floor, diminishing the feeling of grandeur that a typical detached house buyer would expect from a ‘proper’ bungalow. “The delicate balance of indoor and outdoor space achieved by this bungalow in Mount Sinai is a rarity in the market,” adds Ching.

Spacious haven

The property has been the owners’ family for over a decade, after extensively renovating it in 2012. The bungalow features four en suite bedrooms, a second-floor study and a fifth en suite multi-purpose room in the attic. The ground floor hosts spacious living, dining and kitchen areas and an attached helper’s quarters suitable for two helpers. Outdoor amenities include a kidney-shaped swimming pool, garden, sheltered patio and parking for four to five cars, highlighting the generous land size.

This two-storey bungalow meets most of the criteria that landed homeowners prioritise. “With a built-up area of more than 5,500 sq ft, this is a decent size for a variety of upgrades, as well as existing bungalow owners looking to right-size their home,” says Ching.

The home features a classic kidney-shaped swimming pool, shelter patios and ample parking for four to five vehicles. (Picture: Willi Ching)

The ample indoor and outdoor space makes this bungalow suitable for various buyer profiles. It caters to semi-detached owners looking to upgrade their space, GCB owners seeking a smaller house with a strong bungalow feel and investors aiming to enter or expand their presence in the coveted bungalow segment. With a ready-to-rent house appealing to many expatriate tenants, it offers versatility for different needs and preferences.

The house is strategically positioned at a corner apex, featuring a tapered entrance that enhances privacy from the street. Its main orientation doesn’t face the front gate. The owners were drawn to this feature during their first visit. After considering other sites, they concluded that this house perfectly met their need for “privacy with convenience.”

The ground floor comprises communal areas, with the living room centrally located. Its palatial ceiling spans the entire length of the built-in area, connecting it to the entrance foyer, grand glass staircase, dining area and kitchen. Clear views overlook the pool, patio and car porch, offering a bird’s eye view of all connected parts of the house. Despite this, each space maintains its distinct identity and purpose.’

Timeless appeal

Ching observes that the house’s classic design and modern aesthetics blend with the emerging “quiet luxury” trend favoured by affluent consumers across various lifestyles. This trend, evident in fashion, travel and home interior design, reflects a preference for understated style accentuated by quality.

He also discusses this concept further in HLD’s signature “Charming House” video, which showcases the bungalow. Ching adds that its unique architectural elements, like clean lines and interesting angles, showcase the property’s distinctive character and enduring appeal. Positioning all five bedrooms on the upper floors is also ideal for families. “For example, the owners have shared that their family is much more tight-knit because they live in bedrooms next to each other, with a shared study room and entertainment-cum-fitness room that further encourages interaction, especially among the children. This kept the family close as their children grew up, even though they live in a big house.”

An architectural rendering of some of the possible extensions the new owner could embark on the house in the future.

The layout’s versatility stands out as a unique advantage of this house. Whether the new owner has a smaller or larger family, the flexible design allows for expanding bedrooms. For instance, a granny’s room could be added on the ground floor, a private lift accessing all three floors could be installed, and a luxurious master suite with a study, walk-in closet, balcony, and roof terrace could be created on the third floor through addition and alteration works.

To help the new owner envision these possibilities, Ching collaborated with an architect to create detailed floor plans, 3D renderings and proposals to maximise value. The highlights of these enhancements are showcased in the “Charming House” video. “The new family can comfortably settle into the current space, knowing they have the option for custom upgrades in 10 to 15 years as their family evolves,” says Ching.

Sought after address

District 10 is highly sought after by residents who prefer serene surroundings near green spaces such as park connectors, the Rail Corridor and Dover Forest. Additionally, it offers direct road access to Orchard Road.

Families with school-age children are attracted to this neighbourhood, particularly parents whose children attend Henry Park Primary School on Holland Grove Road, located within 1km of the house for sale.

The area has also seen a surge in popularity due to recent and upcoming developments along Holland Road. The completion of Parksuites at Holland Grove Road and One Holland Village, a mixed-use development near Holland Village MRT Station, has significantly enhanced the convenience of amenities in this neighbourhood. “More home seekers now recognise that these new developments have elevated the overall livability of the area, transforming it into a vibrant and active neighbourhood,” says Ching.

Other exciting upcoming developments in the area include the transformation of Dover Forest, the refurbishment of Jelita Shopping Centre on Holland Road and the recently announced redevelopment of the former Raffles Junior College in Mount Sinai, which will soon be demolished to make way for new residential developments, amenities and other facilities.

These upcoming developments near the bungalow will enhance the appeal of the entire enclave, making it a more attractive option for future landed homeowners.

For more information,

Contact Willi Ching | 94315145

ASSOCIATE DISTRICT DIRECTOR (R014380H)

Huttons Asia Pte Ltd