Ten-bedroom bungalow at Lewis Road on sale for $16.8 mil
By Valerie Kor
/ EdgeProp Singapore |
SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - Twenty-five years ago, when the patriarch of a multi-generational family acquired a bungalow sitting on a 9,623 sq ft plot of freehold elevated land on Lewis Road, he sought to redevelop it to accommodate him and his wife, as well as his two children and their respective families.
With over 10,000 sq ft in built-up area, a wall divides the upper floors of the house into two. A spiral staircase leads up to the side of the house facing Margoliouth Road, while a regular staircase leads up to the other side, towards Lewis Road.
Each side has three en suite bedrooms on the second level and a one-bedroom en suite on the attic level. Both the rooms on the attic level open out to a balcony, which offers an aerial view of the houses in the estate as the house is built on elevated ground.
Eclectic antiques and art decorate the communal halls (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore)
Additionally, there are also two main entrances, one at Margoliouth Road and the other at Lewis Road, off Bukit Timah Road. Houses with two entrances are very rare in Singapore, says Harry Yap, associate executive director at OrangeTee & Tie, who specialises in selling luxury bungalows and is co-broking the house with Jerald Foo, marketing manager at ERA Realty Network.
The design of the house ensures that the two families have privacy, but if they choose to, they can mingle in the communal areas, such as the living and dining rooms on the first level, and the recreational area in the basement, which comes with a gym, an 18m lap pool and a lounge, says Foo.
The patriarch, who is now 95 years old, and his wife occupy an en suite bedroom on the first level of the house. The house contains 10 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms in total, including a room on the second level, which is used as a study. However, selected bedrooms come with an alcove, which is suitable for use as a study or workspace. “There is also a connecting door on the second floor, which can be opened to access all the rooms on that level,” Foo adds.
The basement of the 10-bedroom house has an 18-metre indoor lap pool, a gym and lounge areas (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore)
Eclectic oriental
On the walls, the family displays photos of the family’s ancestors, dating back a few generations (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore)
The common areas on the first level have a ceiling height of 4.7m, and are tastefully decorated with antiques and paintings acquired from the owner’s journeys abroad. Photos and artefacts of the family’s ancestors, dating back a few generations, hang on the walls.
A central airwell in the middle of the house extends from the rooftop to the pool at the basement level of the house. It brings natural light and cross ventilation throughout the house. It also makes the house look spacious.
The basement is where younger family members like to socialise with their friends, says Foo, who is also a family friend. The basement level has a ceiling height above 4m and is well ventilated with the airwell and slit windows. This is unlike the basement level of most houses, which tend to be enclosed and do not have much natural light, says Foo.
One of the en suite bedrooms on level two (Photo:
The home is ideal for large extended families. “During festive occasions such as Lunar New Year, Hari Raya or Deepavali, the owner would invite family and friends to gather here,” he adds. “The formal Regency-style dining room with the long table is ideal for feasts, and many memories were made here over the years.” Beyond the lounge on the first level is a covered patio, which is ideal for al fresco dining, according to Foo.
The house is equipped with a three-phase power supply, not unlike those found in commercial and industrial facilities, says Foo. This means that it can support high cooling capacity when it comes to air-conditioning, as well as a high heating capacity for the water heaters and ovens, he adds.
The toilets in the house have been renovated four years ago, and the owner plans to renovate the kitchen next.
The foyer on level two (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore)
As the house has now become too large for the existing family members, with some of them having moved out over the years, they are looking to sell the property. “With 10 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and just three family members living here now, it is too big, and they have decided it’s time to sell,” says Foo.
A bank’s valuation in November 2018 had pegged the house at $17 million ($1,767 psf). The owner’s asking price is $16.8 million ($1,746 psf), which is close to valuation.
Foo reckons the property should appreciate in value, given its prime District 10 location and freehold tenure. It is also within a five-minute walk from the Stevens MRT station, which will be an interchange for both the Downtown Line and the upcoming Thomson-East Coast Line.
OrangeTee & Tie’s Harry Yap and ERA’s Jerald Foo are currently co-broking the house together (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore)
Located within a 2km range are schools such as Singapore Chinese Girls’ Primary and Girls’ School, Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) and Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road), St Joseph’s Institution and Nanyang Primary School.
“Given its proximity to top schools, this house is ideal for a multi-generational family; or for someone who wants to leave a legacy,” says Foo. If the new owner wants to tear down the existing home to build a new home, that is possible too, he adds.
Follow Us
Follow our channels to receive property news updates 24/7 round the clock.
EdgeProp Telegram
EdgeProp FacebookSubscribe to our newsletter
Top Articles
Search Articles