Forest Woods impresses with its complementary approach to its surrounding landscape
By Felicia Tan
/ EdgeProp Singapore |
Jointly developed by City Developments (CDL), Hong Leong Holdings and TID, Forest Woods emerged as one of the top-selling projects when it launched in 2016. Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore
Forest Woods, a 519-unit development in Serangoon’s District 19, took home the top prize for Top Development for completed residential projects within the Central region in this year’s EdgeProp Excellence Awards (EPEA). Jointly developed by City Developments (CDL), Hong Leong Holdings and TID, Forest Woods emerged as one of the top-selling projects when it was launched in 2016.
The launch brought the spotlight back to District 19, after a dearth of new launches within the area in the last several years. The strong sales have also sparked renewed interest in the enclave.
Sanctuary landscape
According to the judges, Forest Woods managed to impress with its design that was inspired by the flora and fauna that once surrounded the old Serangoon area. The site is filled with intoxicating greenery, including a meandering 75m waterscape that complements the tranquil environment.
“The design concept of Forest Woods was inspired by its location in Serangoon,” says Ong Choon Fah, board member of Edmund Tie Holdings and executive committee member of Urban Land Institute Singapore Council and chair of nominations committee. “The developer is recreating the experience of living within a sanctuary surrounded by water and greenery.”
Forest Woods scored well in all categories, from design to sustainability and technology, according to Ong, who was one of the judges on the panel of the EdgeProp Excellence Awards this year.
EPEA judge Khew Sin Khoon, who is the group CEO of CPG Corp, was impressed that some of the designs allowed for “flexibility and convertibility to suit the preferences of the homeowners. (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore)
President and group CEO of CPG Corp Khew Sin Khoon, who is also part of the panel of five judges at the EPEA 2021, felt that the planning of the development “responded excellently to the environmental conditions around the site”.
The north-south orientation of the seven 12-storey residential blocks also means the units will enjoy cross ventilation and a breeze. It also minimises solar heat gain in the living spaces, notes Khew. The clever use of the common facilities as a buffer to the busy Upper Paya Lebar Road helps to isolate the residential blocks from the traffic noise.
What stood out for Khew was the lush landscaping that evoked a “forest-like” environment that is reminiscent of the old Serangoon area. “[This] is augmented by the selection of native flora species that benefits biodiversity conservation,” he adds.
The launch brought the spotlight back to District 19 after a lack of new launches within the area in recent years. (Photo: CDL, Hong Leong Holdings and TID)
Impressive design
Khew was also impressed by the flexible spaces that came with some of the units that allow homeowners to convert the space for alternative uses according to their lifestyle.
The 99-year leasehold development was completed last year. The 519 units in the development range from one- to four-bedroom apartments, with sizes from 490 sq ft to 1,450 sq ft. There are also penthouses within the project, which are sized from 2,050 to 2,570 sq ft.
Located along Lorong Lew Lian, Forest Woods is within walking distance of Nex shopping mall, which is integrated to a transport hub that includes the Serangoon MRT Interchange Station for the North-East and Circle Lines and the Serangoon bus interchange.
The site is filled with intoxicating greenery, including a meandering 75m waterscape that complements the tranquil environment. (Photo: CDL, Hong Leong Holdings and TID)
It is also close to St. Gabriel’s Secondary School, Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Primary and Secondary) and Maris Stella High School (Primary and Secondary).
The latest transaction at Forest Woods was for a 980 sq ft unit on the eighth floor on Nov 1. The three-bedroom unit sold for $1.75 million, or $1,781 psf, based on caveats lodged with URA.
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