5 Surprising Freehold Units In Central Singapore

Once the whole Midtown development is up, plus the redevelopment of Shaw Tower, the entire area will really be transformed. If I had a decision of where to stay in town (CBD, Orchard or Bugis), this area is definitely the pick of the bunch for me.

Naturally, the new launches in the area (Midtown Modern, Midtown Bay, The M), are all leasehold. But what's quite interesting to see here is that there are actually freehold (okay, 999-year leasehold) ones around! It's actually on Tan Quee Lan Street. It's a really bustling one, with multiple food joints (some which open late at night at Liang Seah Street), and just opposite Bugis Junction with the MRT station nearly at your doorstep.

This unit is a decently sized one at 742 square feet for a 2 bed 1 bath. Of course, there are no facilities here, but with just 30 units it is as exclusive as they come.

I'm stealing some lines from Matt here in his conserved piece, but for those who want to know a little more about the place here you go:

"The area used to be a notorious red-light district before being cleaned out by the government in the 1970s. The 6 pre-war shophouses here at Tan Quee Lan Suites were carefully restored and its timber shutters reconditioned.

A rear extension was also built to house the residential units while the shophouses served F&B joints and offices on its 1st and 2nd floors. You can check out some of the photos published by URA here when it was awarded the 2006 Architectural Heritage Awards ."

As you can probably tell by the name, Emerald Garden is an old development. It was completed in 1998, and is really one of the most sneaky, unassuming condos in the area. With its location along the hip Club Street, most of the diners that throng this area would probably never even know that there was such a development, especially with its unique entrance that serves as the gateway to the rest of the condo.

Remarkably, it does have the usual facilities too, like a swimming pool, gym, bbq pit, and a covered car park. It's not technically a freehold development (999-years lease), but to have a proper condo development amidst a sea of shophouses is quite special indeed. At least, you are always assured on views in the immediate area.

You are of course, very close to a whole spectrum of food options in the area, and Telok Ayer MRT station is a very short walk away.

The unit itself is a decently sized 1,249 square feet one that offers 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Save for the angular living room window shape, the rest of the layout is surprisingly regular with everything that a family will need - like a enclosed kitchen, utility, and yard.

Unlikes Emerald Garden, and Tan Quee Lan Suites, Spottiswoode Suites is probably one of the better known freehold developments in a central area. Still, I think it's easy to overlook that since it is super close to the CBD. It isn't the only freehold development in that little enclave though, all its neighbours (Spottiswoode Residences, Spottiswoode 18, and the upcoming Sky Everton are all freehold as well.

You are probably about the same distance between Cantonment MRT station on the Circle Line, and Outram Park MRT station (North East, East West, and Thomson East Coast), so you are about as connected as you can possibly get. The biggest draw here though, is undoubtedly the walking distance to the CBD.

Don't expect to have big living spaces here, it's always going to be one of the downsides of living in such a central location. At the very least, it's on a high enough floor that you can get a good view of the sea, and it is nicely done up too, so you shouldn't be needing to spend a cent on renovation.

Most people would naturally assume Tiong Bahru doesn't have any freehold developments, and so they are usually shocked to learn that Twin Regency and Regency Suites are actually both freehold.

We've written a bit about Regency Suites here, but as always the main attraction of this location is really the charms of Tiong Bahru. You can easily walk to the hip Tiong Bahru enclave, and Tiong Bahru Plaza (and the MRT station) is just a short walk away as well. There is also an NTUC just at the shophouses in front of the development, and for a bit of green, Kim Poh Park is just opposite too, although it is quite a small one.

This is the penthouse unit, so you will be enjoying very scenic views right at the top. As with most penthouses, it is set over 2 levels, with the second level a dedicated outdoor terrace with a jacuzzi. The unit was originally a 5 bedroom at a very big 3,454 square feet, but has now been converted to a 4 bedroom instead.

I think most people are aware that the Sophia area is home to a lot of small boutique and freehold developments. It is still consistently overlooked though, perhaps because this end of town just doesn't quite enjoy the same level of prestige as the other areas. Still, it's a very convenient location, as you are a very short walk away from Dhoby Ghaut MRT station which connects the North East, North South, and Circle line. You can also get to the Downtown line if you need to, with Bencoolen MRT station a little further away. Of course, you also have Plaza Sing at your doorstep, and for a bit of exercise, Dhoby Ghaut Green and Istana Park.

Nomu is a freehold development with just 50 units. You do also have a lap pool, a gym, and barbecue area but that's about the extent of the facilities. At 1,389 square feet for a 3 bedroom unit it is certainly a good size. Potential buyers should take note of Haus On Handy next door, as it is currently still under construction.