I’ve Lived In Avenue South Residence For 3 Months: Here’s My Review Of What It’s Like To Live In A New Mega Condo 

8 min read

Located along Silat Avenue, this project is a short walk away from the vibrant Outram Park and Tanjong Pagar, with its key selling points being unblocked views of the Greater Southern Waterfront and city skyline. 

When the project was first marketed back in 2019, there was quite a good response from the public when 90% of its initial 300 units were snatched up during its first launch (although it did take some time to sell out).

Apart from the lure of unblocked views and a central location, there was more to Avenue South Residences’ design than initially meets the eye. On top of the eye-catching 56-storey towers (that currently hold the world’s record for the tallest PPVC residential development), there is also a heritage component thrown into the mix. Featuring a cluster of five conserved four-storey blocks, it gives residents the choice between a high-rise or low-rise option.

This isn’t the first time that we’ve featured this project, but now that the condo is finally ready and residents have started moving in, I’m sure many would be interested to know the experience of living in this new project (along with its teething issues). 

One problem that has recently spurred Avenue South Residence into an unwelcome spotlight was an issue with termites that some homeowners have been experiencing upon moving in (which we will talk about more later).

Developed by UOL, Avenue South Residence is a 99-year leasehold project sized at 245,482 square feet and offers 1,074 units. 

In this insightful resident review, we delve into life at Avenue South Residence through the eyes of Melody, a 29-year-old first-time homeowner. Melody, who took the leap into property ownership earlier in August, initially envisioned her new abode as a stylish bachelorette pad. However, life had other plans, and she now shares this space with her partner, adding a new dimension to her experience of living in this community.

Before we dive in to learn more about the estate, let’s find out what ultimately made Melody decide to purchase a unit at Avenue South Residence. 

Comparing Other Projects to Avenue South Residence 

Before settling for her unit at Avenue South Residence, Melody was on the lookout for a suitable home for almost a year. 

“I knew that I wanted a new launch property and I had to do a ton of due diligence because it’s my first time buying a home and moving out from my family, so I wanted to start off my home ownership journey on a good note”, she shared. 

As a young and single homeowner, her main considerations revolved around three key factors: lifestyle, location and of course, price. 

“The first thing that came to mind was the downpayment since I’m fully responsible for financing the entire apartment alone. I wanted to get a unit I was confident that I can afford without going above my bandwidth and I can finance the mortgage comfortably”.

When touring the sales gallery, Melody recounted that she was very impressed by the location and lifestyle offered at Avenue South Residence. 

“Apart from it being within my budget, I really liked how close it was to Chinatown, Outram Park and Harbourfront. Due to the nature of my work, I do have to travel around town quite often and on days when I have to come back late, it was so much more convenient to get home”. 

The final thing that made her bite the bullet was the impressive views promised to the residents. 

“I thought that the stunning views of the sea were such a unique trait to the project since it wasn’t a common view that other projects nearby get to enjoy”, she explained. 

For those unaware, this project boasts an unparalleled panorama over the Greater Southern Waterfront project, along with Singapore’s city skyline, which means that most units would be able to enjoy one of either view. 

Melody also closely considered One Pearl Bank, another top contender in her property search.

“Like many potential buyers, I found myself comparing Avenue South Residence with One Pearl Bank. They were launched around the same time and are situated in similar locales,” Melody explains.

However, it was Avenue South Residence that ultimately won her over. The deciding factor? A more attractive price per square foot (psf). Melody believed it offered better value for her investment.

Reflecting on her decision after settling in, she says, “Now that I have moved in and got to enjoy the sea views every day from my home, I’m really happy with my choice”

What Made Avenue South Residence Stand Out From Other Choices

Melody, a frequent cab user, instantly saw the value in the project’s location. “I’m always pressed for time, so cutting down on travel and getting home earlier is a big deal for me,” she shares.

The condo is conveniently connected, though it’s worth noting that the nearest MRT Station, Outram Park, is a 16-minute walk away. However, a nearby bus stop just a short stroll from the development offers easy access to key destinations like Orchard Road and Bugis Street.

Melody is particularly fond of an unexpected perk: “The free bike rentals are a game changer, especially with the railway corridor right next to us,” she adds. This unique feature, coupled with the condo’s strategic location, was a decisive factor for this young homeowner.

A Typical Day at Avenue South Residence 

Melody’s transition to her new apartment has been a journey of delightful discoveries. Although she hasn’t settled into a fixed routine yet, she’s found joy in small moments.

“I don’t exactly have a fixed routine yet, but I really enjoy sitting by the balcony and playing games while looking out at the ships far away at the horizon. To me, the sea view really ties the whole experience together very nicely”.  

She shares that when her schedule frees up, she’d like to explore the food options nearby, from the bigger hawker centres to the more obscure restaurants that are found in Tiong Bahru, Chinatown or Tanjong Pagar close by. 

A Look Behind Avenue South Residence Facade 

In the fresh atmosphere of the new development, Melody quickly observed a strong sense of community among the residents. This camaraderie became especially evident during the ongoing phase of renovations and rectifications.

She finds this collective spirit both helpful and reassuring. “Right now, most residents are still renovating their apartments and have ongoing rectifications. We have a condo group chat which is quite active so we know if a certain unit is facing any issues so we can keep a look out if our unit encounters the same problems”. 

For those unaware, Avenue South Residence also features several conserved blocks (coined as Heritage Blocks), which offer low-rise living similar to that of shophouses at Tiong Bahru. Though the landscaping is not fully completed yet, this adds a unique juxtaposition to the high-rise annexes on site. 

Considerations Potential Buyers Should Know 

One of the unexpected shocks that Melody encountered upon moving into Avenue South Residence was the designated delivery slot timings for bulky purchases. 

“I’ve lived in an HDB my whole life and I never expected that there are specific slot timings when receiving bulky purchases like furniture! That was quite a shock for me when I was furnishing my home, but all’s good now since that part of the process is over”, shared Melody.  

While there’s not much that Melody has to complain about the project as of yet, one thing she did mention was the maintenance fees. 

“Initially, I was quite taken aback by the maintenance fees (she pays around $295 per month) since this was a new cost that I wasn’t used to paying when living in an HDB. However, after finding out that other new project launches like the 2 Bedroom unit in Dairy Farm Residences charge around *$730 per month for maintenance, I realised that I was quite blessed”. 

*This has now been revised to a more palatable rate.

Melody enthusiastically recommends that fellow residents take advantage of the building’s amenities, particularly the function room on level 56. “The view there is simply breathtaking,” she shared. “Especially for those in South-facing units, like mine, you’re in for a treat with the fireworks display almost every evening at 8.01 or 9.01 pm. It’s a sight to behold!”

Do note though that the currently empty plots of verdant spaces fall under the Greater Southern Waterfront plan and have been zoned for future residential projects, which means that the skyline will not be permanent. 

When asked about the recent termite infestation at Avenue South Residence that made headlines, Melody shared her thoughts empathetically.

“The termite issue was all over the news and it’s really unfortunate that some of my neighbours have to go through that. I don’t want to jinx it but it wasn’t applicable to me and I didn’t experience any issues with termites in my home. I get that those affected were desperate about their situation but their circumstance was quite an outlier”.

From what she understood, UOL has been replacing the wood furniture from affected units as a response to the issue and she hopes that it will help tide over the root cause.

The sense of community has been a silver lining in this ordeal. “We have a group chat and the neighbours have all been actively supporting each other through this termite issue. From what I know, UOL has been efficient in rectifying the problems too and everyone is doing the best that they can in this situation” Melody noted.

Staying at Avenue South Residence 

Finally, when asked how long she is planning to stay at Avenue South Residence, Melody shared that this would probably be her home for the next half-decade. 

“This is my first home and probably I might consider moving in another three to five years. By then, maybe Brani Island would have been done developing. But then again, I haven’t really set a timeline for how long I intend to stay here. I’m really just enjoying what I have right now”, concluded Melody. 

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