Category Archives: En-bloc / Collective Sales

Laguna Park has advantage over Pine Grove, say analysts

Pine Grove and Laguna Park are currently the two most expensive en bloc properties up for sale, costing about S$1.7 billion and S$1.33 billion respectively.

But analysts said Laguna Park’s sea view frontage along Marine Parade Road and its rectangle-shaped land plot put it in a more advantageous position over Pine Grove in terms of attracting potential developers to bid for the sites.

They added that Laguna Park is the only seafront land parcel available at the moment and its rectangle-shaped plot allows for a consortium of developers to divide up the land among themselves.

With a total area of 677,493 sq ft, Laguna Park is also considerably cheaper than Pine Grove.

Inclusive of the development charge of S$269 million and S$250 million of lease-top-up, it works out to S$1.85 billion or S$975 per sq ft per plot ratio.

Pine Grove, on the other hand, is located in Ulu Pandan and sits on an irregular-shaped plot of 893,219 sq ft.

Pine Grove will cost developers S$2.17 billion or S$1,152 per sq ft per plot ratio in total, inclusive of the S$460 million development charge.

“At the end of the day, it boils down to price,” said Ms Christina Sim, director of investment sales at Cushman & Wakefield.

“Laguna Park’s larger plot ratio allows the winning developer to build up to 36 storeys. Although it is a smaller plot compared to Pine Grove, the intensity to build is there. The buildable areas for both sites are about the same,” said Ms Sim.

For instance, with a land area of 677,493 sq ft and plot ratio of 2.1, the redeveloped Laguna Park is able to yield about 1,600 units at 1,200 sq ft each.

With a plot ratio of 2.1, Pine Grove is able to yield about 1,500 units at the same size per unit.

“Both properties have their own charm,” said Ms Sim. “Pine Grove is near the Buona Vista business parks and near Holland Village. But people will still pay for seafront views,” she added, citing East Coast property Silversea’s latest transaction prices of up to S$2,000 per sq ft.

Analysts have told MediaCorp previously that a reserve price with a discount of 20 to 25 per cent is more “realistic” for Pine Grove.

This translates to about S$1.275 billion to S$1.36 billion, or about S$924 to S$970 per sq ft per plot ratio.

With private property price growth moderating, Pine Grove’s massive size may also prove too risky for property developers, added analysts.

Pine Grove, which sits within a landed housing enclave, is likely to sell at a market range of S$1,400 to S$1,500 per sq ft, said analysts.

This is based on the nearby D’Leedon’s selling price of S$1,600 per sq ft. “D’Leedon has a price advantage because it fronts Farrer Road,” said Ms Sim.

Pine Grove’s marketing agent Jones Lang LaSalle did not provide MediaCorp with any update on any bids submitted but it has the until end of next month to negotiate a private treaty with interested parties.

Source : Today – 30 May 2011

Keen interest in Cairnhill and Scotts Road projects

Homes around Cairnhill and Scotts Roads are getting a buzz from new launches and the completion of condominiums in the neighbourhood. CapitaLand recently launched its boutique development, the 64-unit Urban Resort Condominium, and of 34 units launched, 21 had been sold as at end-April, with the latest median price achieved at $3,076 psf, according to the latest data by URA.

At the neighbouring The Laurels, Sing Holdings sold a unit at the 229-unit project for $2,947 psf last month.

Up on Cairnhill Rise, SC Global’s 240-unit upscale condo Hilltops and the neighbouring 140-unit Helios Residences by Wing Tai have obtained their temporary occupation permits (TOP) earlier this year. Along Cairnhill Road, KOP Properties is expected to complete its 56-unit boutique branded residences, Ritz-Carlton Residences by 2H2011. The most recent transaction here was in February, when the 6,501 sq ft triplex penthouse on the 36th level was sold for a whopping $28 million, or $4,307 psf.

Meanwhile, Cairnhill Mansions along Cairnhill Road was put up for en bloc sale last month at a reserve price of $361.5 million, or $2,308 psf ppr. Based on the price tag, the breakeven cost for the developer would be in the range of $3,000 to $3,100 psf, and that means the new development could sell at prices averaging $3,500 psf. The tender for the site, which closes at end-May, is handled by CB Richard Ellis.

Work is also underway at the show flat of Scotts Tower, a bespoke development by Far East Organization. The project, designed by award-winning Dutch architect Ben van Berkel of UNStudio, is located on Cairnhill Road, just off Scotts Road. The development could potentially be launched later this year.

With the spotlight in the Cairnhill-Scotts Road neighbourhood, it’s not surprising that some homebuyers are also turning to the existing condos there. One that has been receiving quite a lot of attention, resulting in a spike in the number of transactions last month, is the 136-unit Scotts 28 located along Scotts Road. The project was jointly developed by Hotel Properties Ltd and MCL Land, and completed in 1999. It was considered one of the most upscale developments in the area when launched, and coveted by the who’s who in Singapore. Scotts 28 has a mix of sizeable units, starting from two-bedroom to four-bedroom apartments, with sizes ranging from 1,098 to 3,606 sq ft. Penthouses are from 4,650 to 6,846 sq ft.

At the peak of the market in 2007, a 1,636 sq ft unit was sold for $3.93 million, or $2,400 psf. Prices this year are approaching that level, and hit a high of $2,250 psf last month when a 1,733 sq ft unit on the 13th floor was sold for $3.9 million. These days, owners of units at Scotts 28 are asking for prices of as high as $2,500 psf on the resale market, notes Arthur Tan, an agent with PropNex. “The sellers are basing their price tags on the recent transacted prices of condos in the area,” he says.

There were three transactions at Scotts 28 from April 26 to 29, with prices ranging from $1,991 to $2,222 psf. A 1,733 sq ft unit on the 15th floor was sold for $3.85 million ($2,222 psf) on April 27. This represents an 81% gain for the previous owner who purchased it at $2.125 million ($1,226 psf) in 2004. Before this, the unit changed hands at $2.2 million ($1,280 psf) in 1999 and $2.4 million ($1,393 psf) in 1995.

Another 1,733 sq ft unit on the 23rd floor was sold for $3.45 million ($1,991 psf). Before this, the unit changed hands at $2.78 million ($1,600 psf) in 1999 and $2.49 million ($1,437 psf) in 1995.On the 18th floor, a 1,636 sq ft unit was sold for $3.5 million ($2,139 psf), or a more than 51% premium over the last transacted price of $2.3 million ($1,408 psf) during the launch in 1995.

Source : The Edge