In every edition of The PropertyGuru, we’ll be taking a closer
look at one district in Singapore. We’ll be looking at the key buying
factors and identifying properties worth a closer look. In this edition,
Cheryl Tay and Nikki De Guzman shine the spotlight on District 23.
Encompassing Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Dairy Farm and Hillview Estate, District 23 is known for the extensive greenery surrounding its upper-class residential developments, popular among the well-heeled who prefer to live away from the city and enjoy the wonders of nature in land scarce, cosmopolitan Singapore.
Speaking to The PropertyGuru, Donald Han, Managing Director of Chesterton Singapore, said: “District 23 is favoured by those who want to live near the nature reserves at a reasonable price. Some older freehold condominiums in the area are still priced at an attractive sub-S$1,000 psf.”
TUCKED AWAY CONVENIENCE
Though the district is a comfortable distance from the busy city centre and therefore, prized for the privacy it offers, it is far from inconvenient.
The various malls in the area, such as Bukit Panjang Plaza, Junction 10, Lot One and The Rail Mall offer a variety of products and services for nearby residents. Everything one could need, from dining, entertainment and fashion to groceries, household items and daily necessities, can be found at any one of these retail outlets.
Furthermore, a new mall, HillV2, will open on Hillview Avenue in the first quarter of 2014. Part of an upcoming mixed-use development that will also comprise SOHO apartments, it will especially benefit Upper Bukit Timah residents.
According to Han, “expatriates prefer to rent landed houses in this district. Such tenants typically drive and want to live close to international schools, like the German European School Singapore”.
While new residential projects have been springing up in and around Singapore’s city centre, as well as its non-mature estates, the appeal of living amid the unspoilt beauty of nature has not been lost on property developers. In fact, three 99-year leasehold condominium projects are underway in District 23 alone.
One upcoming development is The Skywoods by Bukit Timah Green Development at 1 Dairy Farm Heights. Consisting of 420 units across 15 storeys, the project is located near the upcoming Hillview MRT station and will be ready by 2017.
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| The 99-year leasehold The Skywoods comprises 420 condominium units. |
Buyers and investors can also look forward to Eco Sanctuary by SP Setia International (S). To be completed by 2016, it is located on Chestnut Avenue and comprises 483 units and a large variety of facilities, including a grand piazza and tennis court.
The third is Foresque Residences at 107 Petir Road. With 496 units across 24 storeys, it will be finished by 2015 and will feature facilities such as a swimming pool and half basketball court.
These developments are no doubt highly anticipated; as Han says, “new condominium launches are aimed at middle-income buyers who desire a tranquil and green living environment”.
FUTURE ROUTES
Although District 23 has long attracted wealthy buyers who prefer the tranquillity of the area, some may be deterred by its lack of accessibility, especially when compared to other residential areas in Singapore. The area’s lack of public transport makes island-wide accessibility an issue for those who do not drive, and congestion is common during peak hours.
However, Han reckons “this will be resolved when the Downtown Line station is completed by 2015/2016. The Bus Service Enhancement Programme will also see some 29 new buses service the Bukit Panjang area. Two new flyovers along Upper Bukit Timah Road and Woodlands Road will also be built, with parts of this stretch widened to improve the overall traffic flow.”
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District Watch: District 13
Homes nearby HillView MRT station