OLÁ EC Review: Singapore’s first luxury EC with a Spanish theme

Located in the heart of Sengkang in District 19, OLÁ, or better known as OLÁ EC, is an upcoming 548-unit executive condominium (EC) project developed by Anchorvale Pte Ltd (a joint development by Evia and Gamuda Land). The development is positioned to be Singapore’s first luxury-branded EC that features a Spanish theme and host of unique and condo-like facilities. 

OLÁ comes with 548-units of two-bedrooms to five-bedroom penthouse suites ranging from 775 to 1,722 sq ft across 9 blocks of 16-storeys. The development is sprawled over 184,465 sq ft of site area, with a gross land area of 553, 397 sq ft. 

Inspired by the contemporary Spanish lifestyle, the executive condo boasts two unique design features to complement the Spanish theme. Firstly, OLÁ has partnered with world-renowned Spanish porcelain maker Lladro to weave its design elements throughout the project.

For instance, a chandelier handcrafted by Lladro with 200 porcelain fairies will adorn the project upon completion. And secondly, every residential block will also feature a painting by renowned Spanish artist, Eva Armisen featuring themes of family and love, to be displayed at each block of OLÁ EC. Beyond the name, the amenities at the condo all have a Spanish name to it (e.g. Fresco Lounge, Flamenco Studio Uno-Lagoon Hall etc.)

Because of its many attractive features and attributes, and the fact that nearly half the units were priced lower than or equal to existing EC stocks on a psf basis, the project was very well-received, garnering 1,163 e-applications during its preview weekend, which was more than two times oversubscribed following a much higher-than-expected turnout at the show gallery. Following the overwhelming response, OLÁ unveiled the much-awaited show flat this past weekend (19th & 20th March), before sales begin 21st March.

Despite the overwhelming response, the launch unfortunately coincided with the worsening COVID-19 situation, which not only caused lower turnouts, but buyers were more concerned with the economy and their job security as well.

OLÁ Executive Condo: unique features that we like

OLÁ EC is the first residential project to offer residents telehealth services, which covers telecommunication consultations with doctors, MC approvals, invoices and medicines delivered via a kiosk machine. Residents can enjoy virtual consultations with telehealth startup HiDoc’s General Practitioners (giving residents access to 40 over GPs across the island) for virtual consultations with doctors for the first 2 years of moving in, with compliments from OLÁ (excluding prescriptions).

It’s also the first executive condo to officially collaborate with Samsung SmartThings Hub for its residents to be able to automate, monitor and remotely control compatible smart devices. Every OLÁ unit will be fitted with a Climate Control IR Hub, a Samsung Smart Digital Door Lock and a Samsung SmartThings Hub.

Other green features in the development include a Smart Home starter kit; a digital lock, a smart gas heater, motorised blinds as well a climate control module enabling control over the home’s environment while being energy efficient.

In response to Budget 2020 initiatives to promote the use of EVs, the executive condo will also include at least 2 electronic vehicle (EV) charging stations for the convenience of EV-owning owners. 

Another first is the fact that this EC provides residents with unique landscaping, comprising a 115m elevated walkway, a biodiversity pond, a sensory garden, lush greenery, stream deck, and a dedicated pet playground for pet owners. The landscaping has been done by Ecoplan Asia.

All residential units are specially designed to face the greenery of Sengkang Riverside Park, with uniquely themed 3- and 4-bedroom units. 

OLÁ will also collaborate with Real Madrid Football School to provide football classes for children 6 to 16 years of age, while residents can enjoy regular skincare workshops conducted by award-winning skincare brand IZU with a possibility of veteran actor Li Nanxing dropping by. 

Other classes and activities available for residents include zumba, yoga, taekwondo, dance, baking, aqua zumba and aqua taekwondo, totalling over 500 hours of classes in a year. 

There is also an exclusive tie-up for new enrolments with Star Learners, largest private child care group with 41 centres island-wide, for e-applicants.

These efforts are in line with Anchorvale’s commitment to bring an environmentally friendly and sustainable lifestyle. OLÁ would be achieving the Green Mark GoldPlus Standard, exceeding the usual guidelines on the Green Mark Certified Standard for residential buildings. 

OLÁ EC: Site plan and Facilities

Contemporary architecture and modern Spanish aesthetics come together in this luxury EC with an emphasis on conscious living and wellness. Lush greenery, and its close proximity to nature and nature parks, along with several activities such swimming pools and indoor gyms, to fitness and wellness classes, make OLÁ a very attractive proposition to residents. The cost of these services and classes will be absorbed by Anchorvale, and will not be included in the pricing of the units, in line with the developer’s commitment to building a community for its residents.

OLÁ Site plan and Facilities: What else we liked

OLÁ EC is also the first EC to provide 12 lounges and clubhouses combined, for its residents to promote a cohesive and friendly community living but still with an exclusive lifestyle. The development also boasts many aspects of the Spanish culture, such as warmth and the love of family, as well as quality craftsmanship, with thoughtfully designed spaces to promote inspired living, to recharge away from Singapore’s normally hectic pace of life.

OLÁ EC: Interior fittings and design

Unique to the EC and a rare offering in modern-day condo kitchen designs is the kitchen island provided in the 4-bedroom design plans, along with other organisational accessories. Master and junior master bedrooms are fitted with full-height glass curtain walls to provide floor-to-ceiling views, with the master bedroom providing a 270-degree view of OLÁ’s landscape deck.

Each home is optimally designed to optimise views and allow natural sunlight to stream into each unit, whilst avoiding the sunny east-west orientation.

OLÁ EC: Layouts and floorplan

OLÁ will have a mix of unit types (2 to 5-bedroom penthouse units) and sizes ranging from 775 sqft – 1722 sqft. There are four different layout choices possible for the 3-bedroom apartments also.

The unit mix is as follows:

2 bedroom (30 units) – 772 sqft

3 bedroom (148 units) – 923 sqft

3 bedroom Deluxe (48 units) – 942 – 946 sqft

3 bedroom Premium (211 units) – 1,050 – 1,053 sqft

3 Bedroom Supreme (15 units) – 996 sqft

4 Bedroom (87 units) – 1,424 – 1,426 sqft

5 Bedroom (9 units) – 1,717 – 1,722 sqft

All units will face the landscape, which means facing the pool, the 12 lounges, clubroom and the elevated forest walkway at the centre of the condo. Furthermore, the unique designs of the 3-and 4-bedroom units, are inspired by famous themes from Alice in the Wonderland, such as the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and White Rabbit. 

OLÁ EC Layouts and Floorplan: What we like

There are a few unique elements that make OLÁ’s layouts very attractive. For instance, the 3- & 4-bedroom units also offer increased privacy, as the wall partitions are designed to double up as an entryway, rather than have the front door immediately opening up into the living room. Hence, thanks to the well-planned layout, it is not possible to see directly into the home from the door. Furthermore, the triple frontage design of the flat will also provide superior views for residents, making the layout unique to OLA. Also, with each tower having only one penthouse suite unit, it adds to the glamour of owning that unit for any prospective home-owner or investor. 

OLÁ EC: Pricing

Before the launch, Anchorvale announced that about 15% of the units will be priced below $1 million, with the starting prices for the various units on psf basis are as follows:

2-Bedroom (total 30 units @ 775 sqft each) – $1,100 psf

3-bedroom and 3-bedroom + 1 premium (total 422 units; from 926 sqft – 1,055 sqft) – $999 psf

4-Bedroom (total 87 units @ 1389 sqft each) – $976 psf

5-Bedroom Penthouse Suites (total 9 units @ 1722 sqft) – $1,154 psf

Of the nine penthouses, a number of units will be priced at around $2 million. According to Anchorvale, the above pricing range applies for applications made on 21st March. During its launch weekend, the average price was $1,135 psf.