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Detached house at Jalan Dermawan up for sale at $10.8 mil

By Bong Xin Ying

/ EdgeProp Singapore |

December 5, 2019 7:00 AM SGT

SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - In the Hillview Garden Estate, up on Jalan Dermawan in District 23, is a 999-year leasehold detached house that is currently on the market for $10.8 million ($1,196 psf).

With a land area of 9,032 sq ft and a built up area of about 11,000 to 12,000 sq ft, this three-and-a-half-storey detached house is an amalgamation of two adjacent semi-detached houses. According to OrangeTee’s associate executive director Jeffrey Sim – who is marketing the property – the current owners first stayed at one of the houses before purchasing the neighboring unit when it went on sale. Both houses were then torn down six years ago for a reconstruction work which Sim says costs “at least $3.5 million”.

The house strikes a balance between traditional and contemporary styles. The white walls are a stark contrast to the ornate wooden furniture.

The house is decorated with classical Chinese furniture like these carved throne armchairs in the living room

The highlight of the house is the constant flow of natural spring water which comes from the dedicated water reserve tank in the basement. “The spring water is unlimited, and can be used for various activities like tea-making, floor mopping, plant watering, gardening and even washing,” says Sim.

Deep-rooted tradition is also evident from the classical Chinese furniture like the wooden television console, wooden rectangular waisted stools and the throne armchairs with Chinese dragon carvings in the living room. Notably, Chinese lattice windows in a striking emerald is a constant feature throughout the house and especially at the main entrance framing the doorway. Touches of classical Chinese architecture can be seen, especially in the siheyuan – a courtyard surrounded by buildings on all four sides – a historical type of residence commonly found in China.

The white walls are a stark contrast to the ornate wooden furniture (Credit: Samuel Isaac Chua/ The Edge Singapore)

Having a courtyard located in the middle of the house with generous windows on all sides ensures that the house is constantly bathed in natural light and allows cross ventilation.

The house comes with two wings, with 11 bedrooms, and an additional helper’s room.

Cascading lights hang from the ceiling, illuminating the stairway to the upper levels of the house

The master suite occupies the entire top floor and opens out to a roof terrace offering views of Hillview and Bukit Timah. The master suite comes with a spacious en suite master bathroom, a walk-in wardrobe and a pantry area. Sim says that the roof terrace can be fitted with a jacuzzi. Alternatively, it’s an ideal space for meditation or Tai Chi, he adds.

Touches of Chinese architecture can be seen, especially in the courtyard, where chinese lattice windows are in a striking emerald (Credit: Samuel Isaac Chua/ The Edge Singapore)

Sim reckons the detached house will appeal to those with big families or multi-generational families who want to live together.

The current owners are looking to downsize as their children have grown up and moved out. Hence, they have decided to put the property for sale, he adds.

Big glass windows are added to ensure that the house is always bathed in natural light (Credit: Samuel Isaac Chua/ The Edge Singapore)

Several interested parties have already visited the property and made offers. “But they were below the asking price,” says Sim.

The master bedroom opens onto a roof terrace overlooking Hillview and Bukit Timah (Credit: Samuel Isaac Chua/ The Edge Singapore)

The main draw of the property is its hilltop location. It’s a 20-minute walk to Hillview MRT station on the Downtown Line, a 3-minute drive to HillV2, 5-minute drive to The Rail Mall, and a less than 9-minute drive to both Hillion Mall and Bukit Panjang Plaza. It is also well-connected to the Bukit Timah Expressway and Pan Island Expressway.