SeaHill Review

The showflat for SeaHill have been removed, as all condominium units save one (at time of writing) have been sold. Only the townhouses remain, so Far East Organization outfitted one of their townhouse units with fittings and furnishing to be used as a gallery.

This unit is still on sale, though with the interior designing done (including beds, bedsheets, television etc.), it will cost more than the other townhouses that come bare.

It must be said that while all three types – condominiums, townhouse and serviced apartments –share the same plot of land, each residential type is planned separately and possess separate parking lots, landscaping and communal features. As such, SeaHill is like three projects existing under one banner managed by Far East.

For the purpose of this review, only the townhouse unit will be shown, since all the condo units have been sold out. While Far East has yet to release the service apartments for rent, their overall design is similar to a condo’s.

The service apartments will also be located within their own tower. As an added incentive for residents of SeaHill, they have the option of booking a service apartment for their out-of-town relatives to stay for a short period of time.

(Actual townhouse unit is shown)

The townhouse is a triplex unit in a condo like setting. All the units face the 50m lap pool which runs like a stream between the townhouses. The living area looks onto the pool, and for better or worse, into the opposite neighbour’s living room as well.

SeaHill townhouse living area

The ability to go from your living room straight into the pool is evocative of a villa, but if you’re wary of your privacy being intruded upon, some curtains will go a long way.

The living area is quite huge. Compared with other developments, it resembles the size of that in a 3-bedroom unit. The open kitchen has a sliding door that when closed, separates the cooking area from the preparation area.

All appliances, which are Gaggenau branded, are included. There’s even a wine cellar that comes with the unit. This is certainly one of the most equipped kitchen seen thus far with the appliances all neatly arranged in easy to reach spots.

Townhouse kitchen

In front of the kitchen is the guest room and common bathroom. If you have an older relative to whom walking up and down stairs is difficult, then this guest room will resolve that matter quickly. It is smaller than the common bedrooms but the space is adequate for a single bed.

The developer has included a built-in wardrobe, unobtrusively situated against the far wall, leaving much space for walking. The best thing about the guest room is that it’s on the ground floor, next to the main door, which makes ingress and egress convenient for those whom walking long distances can be difficult.

On the basement level there are two things: the entrance to the personal 2-lot carpark and the bomb shelter/maid’s area.

Basement with access to bomb shelter and car park

There is a small washing area with toilet and shower next to a small corner where the washing machine and dryer are stacked one on top of the other. Next to that is the heavy door to the bomb shelter.

It is an odd place to turn into a maid’s room but the bomb shelter does have more usable space than a typical yard in many mass-market condominiums. There’s room for a single bed, a small wardrobe and even a writing/laptop desk. Furthermore, there’s a ventilation shaft to prevent it from getting too stuffy.

While the heavy doors do provide privacy, it might make things difficult when the person behind the door can’t hear what’s going on in the rest of the house. Removing the door however, is illegal so owners might want to consider building in an intercom system of sorts.

Bomb shelter and washing area

Moving onto the third level, there are three bedrooms, including the master bedroom, and a communal bathroom.

The two common rooms are bigger than the guest room and capable of accommodating a queen size bed, though space will be a little restricted. However, even with a queen size bed in the rooms, there’s room to walk. It is a good, reasonable size.

Thus, the townhouses as SeaHill can accommodate six people not including the maid and whoever might occupy the guest room.

Common bedroom

This particular townhouse looks out toward Vision, another development with townhouses as well.

However, due to the smaller land size, the townhouses at Vision are narrower than SeaHill with the common bedrooms large enough for a super single at best. As such, if space is a major requirement, then SeaHill is the better option.

The master bedroom on the other hand is big and made even bigger when you shut the room door to reveal an en suite bathroom with wet and dry areas partitioned off.

Master bathroom with bathtub

There’s a bathtub there, next to the regular shower area. A rain shower is provided in the townhouses as well as all the other units throughout the development.

The bedroom has a full length wardrobe that spans the entire opposing wall. This is quite rare for many developments and is a much appreciated addition.

Clothing space is very difficult to plan for, on the developer’s side and built-in wardrobes can only be so big before they eat into the room. In this master bedroom, the space is more than twice than what is conventionally offered, reducing the need to add your own.

On the other side of the bed are the sliding doors that allow the resident to open and look down into the pool. A security railing is built in the room instead of outside to prevent potential accidents.

An extremely spacious and well-designed master bedroom

While it does affect the look and aesthetics of the room, it is a URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority) requirement that it be built inside the room rather than outside.

However, the steel railing does blend with the sliding windows so it’s not bad, especially once some long curtains are hung and used to conceal the opposite ends of the railing. All in all, it does little to diminish the look of the room since it does not stick out like a sore thumb.

Lastly, there is a roof terrace and the space is quite generous. In the enclosed area are some cushions and a television. Once again, the other units do come bare, but this gives you a good idea of what can be done. A small toilet is hidden behind a door and flush with the wall once you clear the top of the stairs.

Terrace on the uppermost floor

Beyond that and outside, are spaces you can include a large table for family BBQs. A Jacuzzi is provided for all townhouses and that sits in its own corner at the back.

The ‘roof’ beneath the table does not keep the rain out. However owners can retrofit it with a screen or umbrella according to their preferences.

On the other end, facing the pool, is a large outdoor space that can accommodate more than 10 people in one sitting.

It’s great for large parties or even yoga sessions on the deck.

Terrace facing the pool and neighbours

The proximity to the neighbours however, may be an issue because just as they can hear you, you’ll be able to hear them too. The distance is so close that you can casually toss something over to your neighbours and have it land on their deck.

Aside from a few design oddities that are a result of the buildable space, the townhouse unit is impressive. From branded kitchen appliances to high quality marble and timber flooring, it certainly brings the quality.

Admittedly, the quantum is a lot higher than what most Singaporeans are comfortable with but if you have the cash and like a suburban/villa hybrid lifestyle, then this townhouse delivers in spades.