North Park Residences Review

North Park Residences is a very prominent development. In addition to all the media coverage and hype, its location makes it stand out. The plot of land which used to be the former Yishun Bus Interchange is prime real estate and the project is poised to reap its benefits.

Construction for the landmark development began in April this year and is expected to be completed in 2018. On paper, TOP is scheduled for 2020.

Residents will have direct access to the MRT via Northpoint Link, an underground link way that will be built with up to 30 retail outlets along the way. (Think City Link Mall and the link way from City Hall MRT) When completed, North Park Residences should be standing right next to Northpoint Mall, Northpoint City and above the integrated bus interchange.

FCL has definitely pulled out all its chops in trying to make the development an iconic one. It is also building Singapore’s very first Community Club within a shopping mall to provide residents of North Park Residences with a fully air-conditioned environment for recreational activities.

On top of that, there are a multitude of facilities at the residences – 88 to be exact.

For kids, there are the Adventure Cove and Family Cove, with a playground and children’s pools between them.

Fitness enthusiasts can get their fix at the Energy Cove, which features a 50-metre lap pool surrounded by a generous water deck and pool deck. Other amenities include an indoor gym, tennis court, yoga deck and an outdoor fitness station.

To relax, residents can head to the Spring Cove, where they can indulge in the aquatic pond or heated spa pool. The spring villa with its waterfront setting and private Fragrance Garden serves your entertainment needs luxuriously. Other options include the Water Play Cove which features the water play pool and pavilion, the Fountain Cove and the Spa Cove.

The Party Cove offers an excellent venue for get-togethers with the party pavilion overlooking the party lawn. The party pool boasts spa and aqua seats. There are also function rooms as alternative venues or the BBQ pavilion and lounge area for barbeque sessions.

Nature lovers have the Hammock Garden and various other themed gardens to relax in and appreciate their surroundings.

It is clear that a certain kind of lifestyle is being promoted and North Park Residences carries with it, Mr Shanmugam’s (MP for Nee Soon GRC and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law) stamp of approval.

The development is also priced to sell and sales are a clear reflection of this, with only 2 and 3-bedroom units left on the market for the currently launched phase.

The lowest-priced listing available on PropertyGuru at time of writing (Aug 2015), is a 430 sqft studio unit going for $580,000, which translates to around $1349 psf. Conversely, a 1206 sqft 4-bedroom unit is going for $1,868,000 which means an estimated $1549 psf. Prices are definitely higher than The Estuary’s and the Symphony Suites’, North Park’s closest competitors. This is to be expected however, given the magnitude of the development and the sheer number of facilities.

FCL had the foresight to offer a wide range of unit sizes to cater to different types of buyers while simultaneously maximizing usable space in all of them. There are neither bay windows nor bomb shelters in any unit. What they do have to justify the price premium paid, are branded fittings to give a more luxurious finish.

Showflat units were only available for the VERANDAH (3-bedroom + universal deluxe unit (above left)) and the VIVA (3-bedroom unit (above right)). The kitchens feature homogenous, ceramic floor and wall tiles, and a fixed glass panel above the counter top. They also come with a gas hob and hood, built-in oven, washing machine and dryer from TEKA and a refrigerator from Fisher & Paykel. There is direct access to the balcony from the kitchen in the VERANDAH unit, so residents have the option of alfresco dining. There is also however, a marked difference in kitchen size between the 2 units. 2 people can be comfortably moving around in the former while the latter allows only a person to be doing any work in the kitchen at any time.

The dining and living room boasts marble tiles, a wall-mounted air-conditioning system and a television, data and telephone point. The area is rather spacious, with very high ceilings. Both the photos are of the VERANDAH flat, which is an ideal space for a family.

Bedrooms 2 and 3 from the VERANDAH unit can nicely accommodate a queen-sized bed or 2 single beds each. Both come with timber flooring, a wardrobe with sliding doors, an aircon and the television point.

Bedrooms 2 and 3 from the VIVA unit while slightly smaller than their counterparts, can still accommodate a queen-sized bed or 2 single beds each. Fittings are the same as above.

The master bedroom in the VERANDAH unit can fit a king-sized bed with sufficient room for movement. The same in the VIVA unit is spacious, but fitting a king-sized bed may be pushing it. Both come furnished with timber flooring, a timber door, a wardrobe with sliding doors and/or folding door, an aircon and a television point.

Master baths in the various types of units are all relatively spacious and come with homogenous ceramic floor and wall tiles, a timber door, vanity cabinet with basin and mixer, shower screen with shower mixer, mirror and a towel rail and/or hook.

The common bathrooms in the units come with the exact same fittings as the master bathrooms, but with a slightly smaller floor area.

The distinguishing aspect between the 2 showrooms is the universal room, which affords flexible usage. It is possible to fit a single bed in it and convert it into a bedroom. Given that it comes with the water closet, it would be an ideal room for an elderly person in a multi-generation household. Features of the room include marble tiles, a timber door and an aircon system.

Given the immense potential that North Park Residences has, it is no surprise that 561 of the 600 units launched (93.5%) have been sold. Buyers have been mostly Singaporeans (89%). PRs and foreigners make up 7% and 4% respectively. 66% of the occupants appear to be HDB upgraders.

Occupants are likely to be a good mix of home buyers wanting the convenience of an integrated development with easy access to other parts of Singapore and investors who are banking on the value of their units skyrocketing in the near future with the complete transformation of Yishun and its neighbouring estates.