Category Archives: General

Property craze sparks poem

IN BETWEEN listening to the real estate agent’s spiel about the rainshower in the bathroom and studying the gleaming mahogany parquet flooring, Mr Toh Hsien Min started forming a poem in his head.

That visit to a condominium showflat resulted in Mr Toh, 34 – a leading member of the crop of English-language Singapore poets born after Independence – writing a poem for Insight.

He went down to The Peak@Balmeg showflat in Pasir Panjang with the sole purpose of doing research for the poem after spotting an advertisement for the condominium in the newspaper.

Showflat-viewing – a symbol of Singaporeans’ love affair with property – is the ‘classic Singaporean weekend activity’, declares Mr Toh as he explains his choice of subject matter.

‘There are people who spend all their weekends just going to showflat after showflat. It’s part of the fabric o Continue reading

Nice hotel, very quiet neighbours

Aqueen sets up stall right next to Singapore Casket

IS it possible to sleep well knowing that your neighbours are also resting – not just peacefully but in peace? This is what guests will soon find out when they check in at Aqueen Hotel Lavender, which is right next to Singapore Casket.

The 105-room hotel on Lavender Street will be opening its doors in September. Its owner is Crescendas Group, which owns another three Aqueen sites.

Times have changed, said Crescendas CEO Lawrence Leow, when BT asked if travellers would be nervous about the funeral service provider nearby. ‘In this modern world … I’m not affected by the fact that it’s next to the Casket.’

In fact, the location could open the door to unique opportunities. Cushman & Wakefield managing director Continue reading