District 13
HDBs in Potong Pasir are recognisable by their sloping roof lines.
Comprising MacPherson, Potong Pasir and parts of Braddell, the District is well-serviced by public transport, enjoys good road connectivity and is close to several major schools as well as East Coast Park.
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| Potong Pasir MRT station connects commuters via the North-East line; other District 13 stations connect to the East-West and Circle lines. |
District 13 is surrounded by the Pan Island Expressway (PIE), Central Expressway (CTE) and Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) while MRT stations at Potong Pasir, Aljunied, Tai Seng and Payar Lebar provide access to the underground rail network.
While traditionally the area was home to some of Singapore’s poorest residents, recent developments, both because of and as well as, its city fringe location have seen the area undergo a substantial transformation.
Private property development in the area has seen a surge in the volume of sales, with April recording 568 private property transactions – mainly for sales at Bartley Ridge (352) and Sennett Residences (163).
Price-wise, housing estates in the surrounding areas of Geylang and Toa Payoh attracted average prices per square foot (psf) of around S$489 and S$467 respectively in 2012, in comparison to the most expensive prices in Districts 1 and 2 (around S$675 psf) and the least expensive in District 25 (S$378 psf).
In the private housing market, average psf prices in District 13 were S$1,223 in 2012, while District 6 fetched the highest prices (S$2,720 psf) and Districts 17, 18, 19, 25, 27, 19, 22 and 23 were all priced below S$1,000 psf.
A new mixed-use (residential/retail) project planned for the area is set to further concrete this mid-tier price bracket when 266 residential units are launched at an average price of S$1,450 psf.
The Venue Residences will have four towers of 260 units and a low-rise block of six units at Tai Thong Crescent, at the junction of Upper Serangoon Road and MacPherson Road within the Sennett landed estate.
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| The Venue Residences and Shoppes. (Artist's Impression) |
Developed jointly by City Developments Limited (CDL) and Hong Leong Holdings, the project will offer one- to four-bedroom suites and three- and four-bedroom penthouses.
Various other configurations including two-bedroom plus study duplex units and three-bedroom dual-key suites are available.
Other projects in the area by the developers – in partnership with TID – have seen strong demand, with Bartley Residences selling completely and Bartley Ridge 80 percent sold.
The Venue Residences’ condo facilities include pools, steam rooms and a gymnasium as well as sky terraces, themed gardens and children’s play areas.
The Venue Shoppes, on the ground floor, will provide onsite shopping and eating options at the 28 retail and dining units.
In the surrounding area, City Square Mall, NEX Shopping Mall and wet markets provide further shopping and eating options.
Schools in the area include St. Andrew’s Junior School, Secondary School and Junior College; Maris Stella High School, Cedar Primary School, Cedar Girls’ Secondary School and Stamford American International School.
In a statement, CDL’s Group General Manager Chia Ngiang Hong said the city fringe location of the project within District 13 was a strategic one.
“…The Shoppes present a rare opportunity to leverage on the exciting developments and growth of this residential neighbourhood,” he said.
“With the ongoing transformation of the ara around Potong Pasir MRT station into a key private residential enclave close to the city, we expect this integrated project – which offers exclusivity, connectivity and unparalleled convenience – to be highly sought after by both discerning homebuyers and savvy investors.”
Other new developments in the area include Kensington Square, a 141-unit mixed residential/retail project at the junction of Upper Paya Lebar Road and Jalan Lokam jointly developed by Fragrance Group and World Class Land; R Maison, part of The Maisons development by Top Global off Braddell Road, and Sant Ritz, a condominium at Potong Pasir.