Units Of The Week Issue #40

District 12 has always been a bit of an oddball because of the way that the highway (PIE) clearly segregates between Balestier, Potong Pasir, Toa Payoh, and Boon Keng. So those not familiar with the area are usually surprised to find that they are all actually within the same district.

Given the mix of really old and new condos, there have been some really interesting finds in this weeks Units Of The Week – especially the one at Moonstone View (which we’re pretty certain 99% of you have never heard of).

Missed last week? You can view the previous issue here.

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Here we go, these are the Units Of The Week for the week of 9 December 2020.

1

Balestier Plaza

$1,680,000

Why I like it

If you remember my pick last week, this one at Balestier Plaza is obviously wildly different. Its look is similar to buildings that were built during the same era (Far East Plaza, Orchard Plaza) – I mean, even just from the word “Plaza” in its name and you know its old. Clearly, this isn’t the place for those who dislike dated exteriors.

But look beyond its facade and you might actually find a gem. For one, its age matters less here because it is a freehold development. Plus, it has a number of shops downstairs with Shaw Plaza right next door (restaurants, supermarket, and cinema). And that’s not even taking into account that Balestier is basically foodie heaven.

Ultimately, the best part about this unit is really its interior space. At 1,368 square feet for a 3 bedroom unit, it is generous by today’s standards. It is well renovated, with bright and cheery tones. For those looking to maximise interior space as well, there’s no balconies here so what you do get is an extended living area.

– Ryan

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2

Moonstone View

$1,350,000

Why I like it

Moonstone View – it’s probably not a name that you might commonly associate with condos in Singapore. Like Balestier Plaza, its exterior is nothing to shout about, but it is really in the unit that this one shines.

For those looking for the ultimate bachelor pad, I’d say this one probably comes quite close. It was actually a 2 bed 1 bath unit previously, so its 1,098 square feet of interior space is sizeable, to say the least. By virtue of it being a ground floor unit, it also features a 3.6m ceiling height, which goes some way into emphasising the space available.

Other than the size, the decor is exemplary – for those that prefer black tones. It’s quite an open concept, so while privacy isn’t going to be a real highlight here, it really does give way to the spacious feeling. Of all though, I really like the design of the bathroom, that raw unfinished look is quite a stunner.

– Druce

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3

The Verve

$1,280,000

Why I like it

Like many of the developments in this area, this is another one of those that you might consider to be boutique. That aside, the biggest highlight of this development is probably its rooftop swimming pool. While it isn’t a big one, it does feature quite a nice view of the surrounding area.

What I like about this 2 bed 2 bathroom unit of 1,130 square feet is its design. Clad mostly in grey, white and black tones, it looks modern and minimalist – which I think most people would be fans of.

– Reuben

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4

The Arte

$2,649,000

Why I like it

I actually quite like the exterior design of The Arte. It is 8 years old now, but I think when most people drive by on the PIE they will probably think it is a new condo – it still looks quite impeccable and modern from the outside.

That’s not to say it is any different on the inside. For those that like sleek clean lines, this will probably be right up your alley. This 4 bedroom unit comes in at 1,873 square feet, which is not bad at all size wise (although some may baulk at the size of the balcony. That said, the owners have decked it out quite nicely, and along with the roller blinds you could almost think of it as an interior space as well. And yes, it does come with private lift access.

Interior wise, it’s homely and comfortable looking. Unless you have a specific interior direction in mind, I think most would see this as a ready to move option.

– Stanley

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5

Okio

$1,350,000

Why I like it

I gotta say, the Balestier area has some of the more unique condo names found in Singapore. This condo is actually pretty new to the area, having only been built in 2015. It has just 104 units, which again, is quite standard of the size of condos in the vicinity.

This is a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom penthouse unit that comes in at 1,044 square feet. Which may sound big but don’t forget that quite a bit of space is taken up by the rooftop patio as well as the stair case. This one also does come with a household shelter, which may be a boon or a bane for you depending on how much storage you need.

Other than that, the place is decked out rather neatly, especially if you are a fan of white. I do like the rooftop patio as well, especially with that big overhanging umbrella as it does add a bit more usability to the space.

– Sean

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