This week in our Units Of The Week issue, we take a closer look at District 3, where a mass of new towering condos have been sprouting up in recent years. If you haven’t been to the area in the past few months, take a drive along Alexandra Road and you could be quite stunned at the transformation in the area.
That said, District 3 isn’t just about the tall gleaming buildings, it is after all still home to the Tiong Bahru area, so we do have a few unique walk-up apartments as always. Although these do not have many years left on their lease, it is hard to deny their heritage and rarity in Singapore.
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Here we go, these are the Units Of The Week for the week of 13 October 2020.
Shortlists like this are a useful starting point, but the units that make the list aren't necessarily the ones that make the most sense for your budget, lifestyle or long-term plans.
The harder part comes afterwards: comparing the trade-offs, evaluating the numbers, and deciding which home is actually the best fit for your situation.
Over time, that's also why we decided to work with agents who shared the same data-driven and advisory-led approach behind our editorial, consultants who could help readers think through decisions more objectively, rather than simply push transactions.
Today, the team has worked with more than 2,000 clients across over $5B in property transactions.
1Alessandrea
$1,750,000
| Project: | Alessandrea |
|---|---|
| District: | 03 |
| Address: | 31 Alexandra Road |
| Tenure: | Freehold |
| Size: | 1,098 sqft |
| $PSF: | $1,593.81 |
| Developer: | Poh Lian Residences |
| TOP: | 2003 |
Why I like it
The Alessandrea is located along the stretch of Alexandra Road before you get to Queenstown. It stands out quite starkly compared to the modern new launches beyond it, and not in a good way. But it is hard to fault it too much, it is after all creeping onto twenty years of age at this point.
It isn’t particularly near the MRT station either, although it does enjoy good road connectivity, and of course, a very central location.
So what else does the Alessandrea have to offer?
For one, it is a freehold property – something not too common in this neck of the woods. Plus I really like the interior here, it’s soft, not in your face, and looks highly cosy and comfortable. It does feature premium fittings and furniture as well – Hansgrohe toilet fittings, Kohler toilet bowls and Toto sinks, among others.
– Ryan
278 Moh Guan Terrace
$1,000,000
| Project: | 78 Moh Guan Terrace |
|---|---|
| District: | 03 |
| Address: | 78 Moh Guan Terrace |
| Tenure: | 99 years |
| Size: | 990 sqft |
| $PSF: | $1,010.10 |
| Developer: | HDB |
| TOP: | 1967 |
Why I like it
Let’s not kid ourselves here, $1 million for a leasehold HDB apartment is quite an eye-watering sum – even if its location is in the very trendy and appealing Tiong Bahru district. Then again, it’s not like $1 million for an HDB is really anything new. Even in this crazy time, there are still people dropping these 7 digit sums elsewhere around Singapore.
So what’s good about this unit? Firstly, it is a ground floor apartment, so no need to walk up any flights of steps here. At 990 square feet for a 1 bedroom apartment, it is extremely sizeable and features oodles of space for one person or even a couple.
I like the decoration in the apartment too, it definitely fits the area it is in like a glove, and the views out into the air-well/courtyard is quite something.
– Druce
357 Eng Hoon Street
$960,000
| Project: | 57 Eng Hoon Street |
|---|---|
| District: | 03 |
| Address: | 57 Eng Hoon Street |
| Tenure: | 99 years |
| Size: | 990 sqft |
| $PSF: | $969.70 |
| Developer: | HDB |
| TOP: | 1967 |
Why I like it
Not too far off from the magical $1 million 7 digit mark, this 1 bedroom 1 bathroom unit is the exact same size as the Moh Guan unit above, and in a fairly similar location in the Tiong Bahru vicinity.
You do have steps to climb here, however, as this one is located on the 3rd floor. That said, its higher floor does afford a greater level of sunlight to the unit – hence its brighter and more open nature.
As with the above, 990 square feet is definitely overly generous for a 1 bedroom apartment, but if you are after a hip location and want lots of living space this is certainly one to look out for.
– Reuben
4Principal Garden
$970,000
| Project: | Principal Garden |
|---|---|
| District: | 03 |
| Address: | 91 Prince Charles Crescent |
| Tenure: | 99 years |
| Size: | 495 sqft |
| $PSF: | $1,959.60 |
| Developer: | UOL Group Limited |
| TOP: | 2019 |
Why I like it
If anything, this 1 bedroom unit is like the complete opposite of the above 2 units. It’s a condo, on a super high floor, new, modern, and double the psf.
For those who haven’t read it yet, we do have an in-depth review of the Principal Garden here. But to cut a long story (review) short, the Principal Garden does offer a great living environment. It’s rather quiet, has good facilities, and a stunning number of swimming pools that you can choose from.
Admittedly, the interior space here isn’t all that great but for a modern 1 bedroom unit I don’t think anyone would be complaining all that much!
– Stanley
578 Guan Chuan Street
$1,100,000
| Project: | 78 Guan Chuan Street |
|---|---|
| District: | 03 |
| Address: | 78 Guan Chuan Street |
| Tenure: | 99 years |
| Size: | 980 sqft |
| $PSF: | $1,189.19 |
| Developer: | HDB |
| TOP: | 1967 |
Why I like it
I’m not quite sure what it is about this area that attracts people of the same tastes to congregate here, it’s almost as if no one has a boring cookie cutter interior here.
But I guess that’s all part of the charm (and expense) of living in the Tiong Bahru estate. Other than the convenience and proximity to good food, it does offer a unique environment that is hard to come by anywhere else in Singapore.
Other than that, you should know the drill by now after seeing the first two properties here. It’s a walk up on the second floor, with just the 1 bedroom covering 925 square feet of interior space. The result? It’s hugely open and if living room space is what you’re after this will definitely be up your alley.
– Sean
Round-ups like this are a good place to start a shortlist, but the real work begins when you start comparing the final few options, looking beyond the headline criteria to decide which property is the best fit for your own situation.
That’s where many readers ask us to help.
If you’d like a second view on any of the units above (or others we haven’t listed), you can reach out for a one-to-one consultation here.
And if you simply have a question or want to share a thought, feel free to write to us at stories@stackedhomes.com. We read every message.
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