Kallang Development’s heritage project

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January 3, 2018 9:00 AM SGT

The latest phase at The Springside by Kallang Development was completed last year and 68 (60%) of the 114 landed houses have been sold, says Margaret Bong, senior general manager of marketing at Kallang Development. Named Brooks Signature @ Springside, this is the 13th phase of the freehold residential estate. The first phase was completed two decades ago in 1997 and there are only two remaining phases to be developed, adds Bong.

Brooks Signature comprises 114 3½-storey, terraced houses with five bedrooms. It was launched for sale in 2014 and the most popular are the inter-terrace houses, which have a built-up area of 3,681 sq ft on land plots of about 1,765 sq ft. The average price is $1,500 to $1,600 psf based on land area and about $700 psf based on built-up area, according to Bong. The only remaining units of this size are five corner-terraced houses, as well as a furnished inter-terrace that was a show unit, she says.

Brooks Signature @ Springside is the 13th phase of the freehold residential estate (Picture: Kallang Development)

According to Bong, Brooks Signature is popular with upgraders, typically parents, who buy the houses and have their children move in with them — three-generation families are very common in the estate. She adds that many buyers are attracted to the project because of its freehold tenure and the houses come with their own land titles instead of being strata- landed. Residents therefore own the land and can pass it to the next generation indefinitely.

Interest from buyers began to pick up last year, when many estates were initiating their collective sale attempts, says Bong. Some en bloc beneficiaries had even expressed their interest before they could be certain that the collective sale of their condo would be successful. Bong expects sales to pick up further, as “it is usually easier to sell landed houses when they are completed, because people can see and feel the space”.

Some of the terraced houses at Brooks Signature have been designed with a more modern façade and layout to appeal to younger buyers, says Bong. These have a built-up area of 3,907 sq ft and land plots of about 1,744 sq ft. They also come with five en suite bedrooms but have smaller wet kitchens to accommodate a larger backyard. According to Bong, the younger buyers “love the staircase”, which serves as a focal point in the design. The dining area, which is located beyond the staircase, has a triple-volume ceiling that extends through the house. The houses at Brooks Signature have been designed to accommodate home lifts for the elderly, adds Bong.

Some of the houses have been designed with a more modern layout that appeals to younger buyers

The most affordable houses at Brooks Signature are the four-bedroom terraced units, which sit on land plots measuring from 1,679 sq ft and have a gross floor area of 3,864 sq ft, according to Bong. They are priced from $2.796 million. Kallang Development is also offering 12- and 24-month deferred payment schemes.

The Springside is built on former plantation land, which has been held by the developer since before Singapore gained independence. Kallang Development was able to convert the land lease into residential use and retain its freehold tenure. Over the years, Kallang Development has built parks and community spaces in The Springside, in addition to the homes, says Bong. The row of houses on Springside Walk “is possibly the friendliest neighbourhood”, she says. The residents will close off the street, decorate it together and host street parties during festivities such as the Mid-Autumn Festival, she says.

The Springside is a peaceful neighbourhood surrounded by greenery

The estate is located off Sembawang Road and between Upper and Lower Seletar Reservoirs. Unlike some other landed estates, “which are surrounded by tall buildings”, Springside Estate is serene and surrounded by greenery, says Bong.

In addition to landed houses, Kallang Development also developed a pair of four-storey mixeduse buildings on Sembawang Road. Named Brooks I and II, the freehold properties comprise 34 retail units and 61 residential units. The residential component was launched for sale in April.

A 603 sq ft, one-bedroom-plus-study at Brooks I

A mix of one- to three-bedroom units are available, measuring 571 to 1,066 sq ft, as well as two- and three-bedroom penthouses from 1,152 to 1,400 sq ft. According to URA caveats, 22 units (36%) have been sold and the most recent unit transacted was a 710 sq ft, two-bedroom unit on the second floor that sold for $905,000 ($1,274 psf) in November. Most units have sold at an average of $1,250 psf, says Bong.

Brooks I and II received their Temporary Occupation Permit last year. The developer has yet to launch the strata retail units for sale, which may be leased out for recurring income. Kallang Development is curating the tenant mix to ensure it serves the needs of the residents.