Here’s a little-known way to gauge just how attractive a new condo really is: check how many property agents have signed up to buy it themselves. (Talk about putting your money where your mouth is.) For Emerald of Katong, the buzz was evident early on, with a record-breaking 3,629 cheques collected from both agents and the public. By the time the project opened for public preview, nearly half the units were already snapped up.

As of today, Emerald of Katong is an impressive 99 per cent sold, with just 11 units left out of its 846-unit development.

But with the full pricing details now available, the question remains: is Emerald of Katong as attractively priced as it seems? Here’s what buyers have paid for the various units - and how the numbers stack up:

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Current prices we’re seeing, versus indicative prices

BR TYPELowest PriceAvg PriceHighest PriceStarting Indicative% More
1-Bedroom + Study$1,240,000$1,328,254$1,425,000$1,200,0003.33%
2-Bedroom + Study$1,688,000$1,825,748$1,965,000$1,600,0005.50%
2-Bedroom Premium$1,589,000$1,742,835$1,888,000$1,500,0005.93%
3-Bedroom$2,167,000$2,348,750$2,512,000$2,100,0003.19%
3-Bedroom + Study$2,337,000$2,607,818$2,853,000$2,300,0001.61%
3-Bedroom Flexi$2,399,000$2,578,125$2,770,000
4-Bedroom + Study$2,749,000$2,928,529$3,106,000$2,700,0001.81%
4-Bedroom Luxe + Study$3,167,000$3,311,778$3,498,000
4-Bedroom Premium$3,044,000$3,238,803$3,406,000$3,000,0001.47%
5-Bedroom Luxe$3,604,000$3,858,935$4,142,000$3,500,0002.97%

For comparison, here are the indicative prices:

Indicative priceSizePrice From$PSF
1 Bedroom + Study484$1,200,000$2,479
2 Bedroom Premium624$1,500,000$2,404
2 Bedroom Premium + Study678$1,600,000$2,360
3 Bedroom883$2,100,000$2,378
3 Bedroom + Study969$2,300,000$2,374
4 Bedroom + Study1,152$2,700,000$2,344
4 Bedroom Premium1,259$3,000,000$2,383
5 Bedroom Luxe1,475$3,500,000$2,373

In general, actual transactions have been higher than the indicative prices. The larger disparities were among the smaller units, particularly the premium two-bedders, which are close to six per cent higher than starting indicative prices.

Once you get to the larger units though (three-bedder plus study or larger), there wasn’t much departure from the starting indicative prices. In an overall sense, this does make Emerald of Katong more expensive than expected, as smaller units make up the majority here (two and three-bedders make up 33 and 34 per cent of the total unit count respectively). 

This is also reflected in the price per square foot:

Prices ($PSF)
BR TYPELowest $PSFAvg $PSFHighest $PSF
1-Bedroom + Study$2,562$2,744$2,944
2-Bedroom + Study$2,450$2,657$2,852
2-Bedroom Premium$2,546$2,750$2,960
3-Bedroom$2,417$2,609$2,779
3-Bedroom + Study$2,411$2,610$2,789
3-Bedroom Flexi$2,423$2,604$2,798
4-Bedroom + Study$2,386$2,542$2,696
4-Bedroom Luxe + Study$2,412$2,533$2,687
4-Bedroom Premium$2,418$2,568$2,705
5-Bedroom Luxe$2,443$2,549$2,663

It’s quite normal to have a higher price psf for a smaller unit, and vice versa. Emerald of Katong can easily get away with $2,740+ psf pricing for one and two-bedders, as the quantum is still comparable to its nearby competitors (about $1.3 million to $1.5 million). We have a price comparison against nearby options below.

We’d also remind you that Emerald of Katong is a post GFA-harmonisation project, so the square footage isn’t adding in useless spaces like air-con ledges. This does make the price psf seem higher, despite being a more accurate reflection of size. 

How does the pricing change between floors and facing?

StackBRFacing?Average Per Floor Jump In PriceAverage $PSFSize
221-Bedroom + StudyEmpty Plot$8,167$2,725484 sqft
301-Bedroom + StudyPool$8,188$2,785484 sqft
351-Bedroom + StudyRoad$9,067$2,718484 sqft
011-Bedroom + StudyRoad$9,556$2,749484 sqft
182-Bedroom + StudyPool$9,895$2,696689 sqft
122-Bedroom + StudyRoad$10,167$2,580689 sqft
092-Bedroom + StudyPool (Facing Tennis Court)$10,222$2,656678 sqft
232-Bedroom + StudyPool$10,632$2,680678 sqft
392-Bedroom + StudyPool$10,632$2,677689 sqft
262-Bedroom + StudyEmpty Plot$10,926$2,616700 sqft
052-Bedroom + StudyPool$11,111$2,685689 sqft
152-Bedroom PremiumEmpty Plot$10,200$2,702646 sqft
422-Bedroom PremiumRoad$10,200$2,703646 sqft
192-Bedroom PremiumPool$10,250$2,785624 sqft
042-Bedroom PremiumPool$10,294$2,807624 sqft
272-Bedroom PremiumEmpty Plot$10,472$2,715624 sqft
082-Bedroom PremiumRoad$11,079$2,749646 sqft
382-Bedroom PremiumPool$11,111$2,802624 sqft
253-BedroomEmpty Plot$11,511$2,588883 sqft
163-BedroomEmpty Plot$12,000$2,586904 sqft
103-BedroomPool (Facing Tennis Court)$13,031$2,648904 sqft
413-BedroomRoad$13,528$2,584904 sqft
073-BedroomEntrance$15,667$2,641904 sqft
203-Bedroom + StudyPool (Next to tennis court)$11,850$2,6381023 sqft
283-Bedroom + StudyEmpty Plot$11,900$2,5651023 sqft
363-Bedroom + StudyEntrance$12,971$2,585990 sqft
063-Bedroom + StudyPool$13,222$2,658969 sqft
373-Bedroom + StudyPool$13,222$2,6741023 sqft
113-Bedroom + StudyRoad$13,676$2,552969 sqft
023-Bedroom + StudyRoad$16,100$2,599990 sqft
293-Bedroom FlexiPool$11,481$2,670990 sqft
213-Bedroom FlexiPool (Next to tennis court)$11,900$2,544990 sqft
134-Bedroom + StudyRoad$12,882$2,4921152 sqft
144-Bedroom + StudyPool (Facing Tennis Court)$14,733$2,5991152 sqft
314-Bedroom Luxe + StudyEmpty Plot$14,529$2,4971313 sqft
344-Bedroom Luxe + StudyPool$14,529$2,5691302 sqft
174-Bedroom PremiumPool$12,850$2,5701259 sqft
244-Bedroom PremiumPool$14,368$2,5511259 sqft
034-Bedroom PremiumPool$16,154$2,5731270 sqft
404-Bedroom PremiumPool/Park$17,250$2,5811259 sqft
335-Bedroom LuxePool$19,967$2,5491475 sqft
325-Bedroom LuxeEmpty Plot$29,000$2,5481561 sqft
Average$12,496$2,641

The difference per floor is roughly $12,500, which is typical for most launches. We wouldn’t consider it too big a jump. 

For stack 07, you may have noticed a significant price jump between the fifth and sixth floor. This is because you face a gap between Haig Court and Tembusu Grand that is only visible from the sixth floor and above - so this is priced in. 

So far, the most expensive stacks seem to be the ones featuring pool views. This is probably because the surroundings (whilst convenient) don’t provide an exceptional view. It’s mainly just other residential buildings and light commercial. As we’d also expect from this, the cheaper stacks tend to be the ones overlooking the road.

How does it compare to nearby launches?

Project NameBedroom TypeSize From (Sq Ft)Size To (Sq Ft)Avg $Emerald of Katong Price$ Difference
GRAND DUNMAN1 Bedroom452581$1,200,372
1 Bedroom + Study549603$1,410,652$1,328,254$82,398
2 Bedroom667893$1,705,176$1,742,835-$37,659
2 Bedroom + Study7751,012$2,009,212$1,825,748$183,464
2 Bedroom Dual Key721775$1,901,690
3 Bedroom9581,163$2,343,240$2,348,750-$5,510
3 Bedroom (Grand)1,4751,475$3,640,000
3 Bedroom + Study (Luxury)1,1191,335$2,876,733
3 Bedroom Dual Key1,0551,055$2,631,500
3 Bedroom Flex1,0981,098$2,727,462$2,607,818$119,644
4 Bedroom1,2921,292$3,146,160$2,928,529$217,631
4 Bedroom (Grand)1,8571,927$4,410,000
4 Bedroom (Luxury)1,4321,432$3,593,314
5 Bedroom (Grand)2,1312,131$5,168,000
5 Bedroom (Luxury)1,6901,690$4,282,143$3,858,935$423,208
TEMBUSU GRAND1 Bedroom + Study527667$1,336,822$1,328,254$8,568
2 Bedroom667829$1,670,304$1,742,835-$72,531
2 Bedroom + Study743743$1,888,670$1,825,748$62,922
3 Bedroom9901,184$2,405,584$2,348,750$56,834
3 Bedroom + Study1,1731,173$2,840,911$2,607,818$233,093
4 Bedroom1,4321,604$3,463,274$2,928,529$534,745
5 Bedroom1,7111,711$4,232,000$3,858,935$373,065
THE CONTINUUM1 Bedroom + Study560560$1,521,625$1,328,254$193,371
2 Bedroom667667$1,802,580$1,742,835$59,745
2 Bedroom + Study721721$2,008,396$1,825,748$182,648
3 Bedroom947947$2,557,248$2,348,750$208,498
3 Bedroom + Study1,2491,249$3,598,482$2,607,818$990,664
3 Bedroom Premier1,0871,087$3,024,437
4 Bedroom1,2701,292$3,476,955$2,928,529$548,426
4 Bedroom Premier1,6901,690$4,809,500$3,311,778$1,497,722
5 Bedroom1,9052,260$5,874,000$3,858,935$2,015,065

Despite some unit types being higher than initial indications, Emerald of Katong is still more affordable on average, compared to the trinity of Grand Dunman, Tembusu Grand, and The Continuum. That’s with the exception of its two-bedders, which seem to be pricier than its competitors.

This is a bit uncommon: the latest launch in an area will usually be the priciest, compared to the surroundings. But overall Emerald of Katong is a cheaper development, despite being quite late to the District 15 new launch party.

We’ve also heard it said that Emerald of Katong is cheaper due to its leasehold status; and granted, District 15 has a lot of freehold condos (which includes The Continuum). But we don’t think that’s the main reason, as fellow new launches Tembusu Grand and Grand Dunman are also leasehold. 

(In any case, many of the surrounding freehold condos make for poor points of comparison, as they’re boutique condos without full-suite facilities).

Overall, Emerald of Katong may be a more cost-effective option for those who like the Haig Road/Katong area. This is especially true if you’re going for a family-sized unit, which is increasingly unaffordable in District 15. 

At Stacked, we like to look beyond the headlines and surface-level numbers, and focus on how things play out in the real world.

If you'd like to discuss how this applies to your own circumstances, 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.