Keen interest in Cairnhill and Scotts Road projects

May 30, 2011  

Homes around Cairnhill and Scotts Roads are getting a buzz from new launches and the completion of condominiums in the neighbourhood. CapitaLand recently launched its boutique development, the 64-unit Urban Resort Condominium, and of 34 units launched, 21 had been sold as at end-April, with the latest median price achieved at $3,076 psf, according to the latest data by URA.

At the neighbouring The Laurels, Sing Holdings sold a unit at the 229-unit project for $2,947 psf last month.

Up on Cairnhill Rise, SC Global’s 240-unit upscale condo Hilltops and the neighbouring 140-unit Helios Residences by Wing Tai have obtained their temporary occupation permits (TOP) earlier this year. Along Cairnhill Road, KOP Properties is expected to complete its 56-unit boutique branded residences, Ritz-Carlton Residences by 2H2011. The most recent transaction here was in February, when the 6,501 sq ft triplex penthouse on the 36th level was sold for a whopping $28 million, or $4,307 psf.

Meanwhile, Cairnhill Mansions along Cairnhill Road was put up for en bloc sale last month at a reserve price of $361.5 million, or $2,308 psf ppr. Based on the price tag, the breakeven cost for the developer would be in the range of $3,000 to $3,100 psf, and that means the new development could sell at prices averaging $3,500 psf. The tender for the site, which closes at end-May, is handled by CB Richard Ellis.

Work is also underway at the show flat of Scotts Tower, a bespoke development by Far East Organization. The project, designed by award-winning Dutch architect Ben van Berkel of UNStudio, is located on Cairnhill Road, just off Scotts Road. The development could potentially be launched later this year.

With the spotlight in the Cairnhill-Scotts Road neighbourhood, it’s not surprising that some homebuyers are also turning to the existing condos there. One that has been receiving quite a lot of attention, resulting in a spike in the number of transactions last month, is the 136-unit Scotts 28 located along Scotts Road. The project was jointly developed by Hotel Properties Ltd and MCL Land, and completed in 1999. It was considered one of the most upscale developments in the area when launched, and coveted by the who’s who in Singapore. Scotts 28 has a mix of sizeable units, starting from two-bedroom to four-bedroom apartments, with sizes ranging from 1,098 to 3,606 sq ft. Penthouses are from 4,650 to 6,846 sq ft.

At the peak of the market in 2007, a 1,636 sq ft unit was sold for $3.93 million, or $2,400 psf. Prices this year are approaching that level, and hit a high of $2,250 psf last month when a 1,733 sq ft unit on the 13th floor was sold for $3.9 million. These days, owners of units at Scotts 28 are asking for prices of as high as $2,500 psf on the resale market, notes Arthur Tan, an agent with PropNex. “The sellers are basing their price tags on the recent transacted prices of condos in the area,” he says.

There were three transactions at Scotts 28 from April 26 to 29, with prices ranging from $1,991 to $2,222 psf. A 1,733 sq ft unit on the 15th floor was sold for $3.85 million ($2,222 psf) on April 27. This represents an 81% gain for the previous owner who purchased it at $2.125 million ($1,226 psf) in 2004. Before this, the unit changed hands at $2.2 million ($1,280 psf) in 1999 and $2.4 million ($1,393 psf) in 1995.

Another 1,733 sq ft unit on the 23rd floor was sold for $3.45 million ($1,991 psf). Before this, the unit changed hands at $2.78 million ($1,600 psf) in 1999 and $2.49 million ($1,437 psf) in 1995.On the 18th floor, a 1,636 sq ft unit was sold for $3.5 million ($2,139 psf), or a more than 51% premium over the last transacted price of $2.3 million ($1,408 psf) during the launch in 1995.

Source : The Edge – 23 May 2011