Special Feature

Two-storey conservation family home on Onan Road going for $3.18 mil

By EdgeProp Singapore

/ Brought to you by Jason Tan |

February 4, 2021 6:30 PM SGT

SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - A renovated conservation house on Onan Road is on the market for $3.18 million. The inter-terrace house sits on a 1,187 sq ft plot and the asking price translates to $2,679 psf on the land area. The freehold property is exclusively listed on EdgeProp Singapore’s property portal and is marketed solely by Jason Tan, branch division director at ERA Realty.

The two-storey house is home to a local family who bought the property in December 2017. The owner and his wife say they had been hunting for a heritage property to turn into their family home.

The owners renovated the conservation house when they bought it in 2017. (Picture: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore)

At the time, the couple needed a house that could also accommodate their preschool son, the owner’s father, as well as a domestic helper. “One of our requirements during our house hunting was the ability to create different rooms for everyone in the family, as well as a functional layout that catered to our home design ideas,” the owner says.

The two-storey property was slightly rundown when they bought it in 2017 as it had been leased to several tenants who segregated the living spaces into smaller rooms, recalls the owner. The family spent about $300,000 to thoroughly renovate the house before moving in, says Tan.

The owners have decided to sell the property now because they are looking for a bigger home for their growing family. (Picture: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore)

The family picked a minimalist design to highlight the depth of space within the house. They opted for timber flooring and Peranakan-inspired floor tiles to reflect the long history of the conservation house. They also fitted a glass roof over the kitchen to bring in more natural light. The property has a built-up area of 2,052 sq ft, and comprises four bedrooms and three common bathrooms.

The owner says that the recent birth of his baby daughter means that the family will need more room to accommodate all its family members in the future. While he would prefer to continue living in the East Coast area, he would like to live closer to his son’s school in Bishan. According to ERA’s Tan, the limited supply of conservation houses in Singapore means that such homes typically receive many enquiries when they are put on the market. He has already received several enquiries from potential buyers over the past two weeks.

The conserved house on Onan Road features timber flooring on the second floor which features a study area that over looks the road. (Picture: Jason Tan, ERA Realty)

The house at Onan Road would appeal to home buyers who appreciate the design and style of conservation houses, says Tan. He adds that the house is in move-in condition.

The property also enjoys proximity to Paya Lebar, which has been rejuvenated by new anchor developments such as Paya Lebar Quarter and a refreshed SingPost Centre. According to the owner, his family also frequents many of the eateries in the Joo Chiat area and spends the weekends relaxing at the nearby East Coast Park. The owner also quoted 'Shophouses are iconic and richly reflect Singapore’s culture and history. So we are honoured to have been able to own a part of Singapore’s history'

Inter Terrace House 4 bedrooms Onan Road

The inter-terrace house has a built-up area of 2,052 sq ft, and comprises four bedrooms and three common bathrooms. (Picture: Jason Tan, ERA Realty)

ERA’s Tan is an experienced realtor. He leads a team at ERA and continues to serve a range of clients. “My eight-year career as a real estate salesperson has enabled me to serve many home buyers and sellers in Singapore from all income groups,” he says.

Being a realtor was a career he stumbled into during a challenging time in his life. He had been a Naval Diving Officer in the Navy from 2001 to 2012 and was even deployed to 2 SAF overseas missions to North Arabian Gulf , after post Iraq War and for Anti Piracy efforts.

"My eight-year career as a real estate salesperson agent has enabled me to serve many home buyers and sellers in Singapore from all income groups," says Jason Tan, branch division director at ERA Realty. (Picture: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore)

He became a real estate agent to pursue his dream but was dealt a blow before he even made his first sale when the government announced a series of property cooling measure on Jan 12, 2013.

“It was a very difficult first year for me and I clocked in about $8,000 nett income that year. It was also the first time I didn’t have to pay income tax because I was near the bottom of the income bracket,” says Tan.

Inter Terrace Conservation House Onan Road

The inter-terrace conservation house on Onan Road is exclusively listed on EdgeProp Singapore’s property portal. (Picture: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore)

Recently, Tan advised a couple in their 60s against selling their old HDB flat as they would likely incur a net loss. “The couple thanked me for my honesty in helping them understand their flat situation. We eventually settled on renting out a room so that they could still earn some income,” says Tan.

“I’ll continue to put my clients first in this job, and I’m optimistic that the conservation house on Onan Road that I’m currently marketing will find a new owner very soon,” he says.

For more information about the listing, visit here.