AWARDS: Leedon Residence — Condominium inspired by Good Class Bungalow living

By Lin Zhiqin

/ EdgeProp |

October 28, 2017 11:00 AM SGT

Leedon Residence, developed by Singapore-listed GuocoLand, is located in prime District 10 and surrounded by some of the most desirable Good Class Bungalow (GCB) areas: Leedon, Cornwall, Belmont and Holland Park. The 381-unit project comprises 11 low-rise blocks of just 12 storeys each and sits on a sprawling land area of 4.9ha (523,169 sq ft), making it one of the largest freehold sites in District 10.

Leedon Residence was designed by celebrated architect Chan Soo Khian of SCDA Architects

The project was designed by celebrated architect Chan Soo Khian of SCDA Architects, who was involved in all aspects of the design — from the exterior to the landscaping and interior spaces, including the customised kitchen fittings, appliances, vanity fittings and wardrobes, as well as timber cladding, marble finishes and the type of low-emittance glass used for privacy and sound-proofing.

At the inaugural EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards on Oct 23, Leedon Residence scooped the award for Development Excellence. “Leedon Residence is a great development — the design is well executed,” says Tan Tiong Cheng, president of Knight Frank Asia Pacific and adviser to Knight Frank Singapore, who was one of the judges for the awards. “The focus is on bigger units and the layout of the units is well-thought-out, which gives the entire project a sense of space and luxury.”

The architect was involved in all aspects of the project’s design, including the customised kitchen fittings and appliances

Although the development has two-bedroom units that start from 1,044 sq ft, most of the units are larger. The four-bedroom units start from 2,486 sq ft; five-bedroom units from 4,704 sq ft; and garden homes are 3,789 to 8,051 sq ft. There is also a wide range of penthouses, from sky suites of 3,283 to 3,767 sq ft to deluxe penthouses of 5,694 to 7,718 sq ft. Ceiling heights range from 3m for typical units to 6m for the living area of the four- and five-bedroom units as well as penthouses.

Many of the units have living rooms with double-volume ceiling heights

Leedon Residence is a redevelopment of the former Leedon Heights, which GuocoLand purchased a decade ago. While some developers have reduced the sizes of their units to make them more palatable in absolute prices following the global financial crisis, GuocoLand remained true to its vision of a luxury development with spacious units.

That bet has paid off. There was an uptick in sales after the project received its Temporary Occupation Permit in June 2015. And Leedon Residencewas the top-selling development in Singapore in 2016 when it came to luxury properties priced above $4 million, according to GuocoLand. As at Oct 15, the project was 95% sold.

“Astute buyers recognise quality and great value, and these become more evident once the project is completed,” says Cheng Hsing Yao, group managing director of GuocoLand Singapore.

Owing to the spaciousness of the units, the project appeals to owner- occupiers. About 70% of the buyers are Singaporeans, says GuocoLand. The majority of them have addresses in prime Districts 9, 10 and 11, and some are from the surrounding GCB areas. They are believed to have purchased units either for their own use or for their family members.

Leedon Residence’s 4.9ha site boasts beautiful gardens and water features

A foreign buyer purchased two units at Leedon Residence for his extended family in July for a total of $20.3 million. One unit was a 6,986 sq ft, five-bedroom, double-storey garden home on the first level that comes with a private pool, which he purchased for $11.5 million ($1,648 psf), according to a caveat lodged then. The other was a five-bedroom duplex on the third level, above the first property, which he purchased for $8.8 million ($1,871 psf).

The buyer, believed to be a Taiwanese, is said to have been attracted by SCDA’s design of the units as well as the facilities and landscaping. These include a 200m Forest Walk, recreational gardens, water courts and plants in every corner.

“By integrating greenery with the built environment, interiors and overall landscape, Leedon Residence combines generous living space with the comforts and tranquillity of a modern- day resort,” says Cheng.

This article appeared in EdgeProp Pullout, Issue 803 (Oct 30, 2017).

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