Category Archives: Property Market / Real Estate

Merchant Sq, Katong bungalows up for sale

MERCHANT Square in the Clemenceau Avenue area and four freehold strata bungalows at Bournemouth Road in the Katong locale are among the latest offerings in the property investment sales market.

The guide price for Merchant Square is about $48 million – or 34 per cent lower than the $73 million sought for the property in February last year.

Its owner, carpet manufacturer Jackson Carpet, did not get its asking price then for the property, which comprises offices, some shop space and 76 car park lots.

BT understands that the latest price reflects a net property yield of close to 4 per cent, based on Merchant Square’s current passing income.

The latest $48 million guide price is about $955 per square foot, based on Merchant Square’s 50,262 sq ft net lettable area. This compares with about $1,450 psf, based on last year’s $73 million price tag.

Merchant Square was completed in 1996 and is on a site with a remaining lease of about 83 years. It comprises a four-storey office tower, two blocks of shophouses, and a couple of basement levels for carpark lots. CB Richard Ellis is marketing Merchant Square through an expression of interest exercise that closes on Oct 6. Continue reading

Another round of trimming for development charge rates

Sharp cuts for commercial DC rates at Raffles Place; no change for landed residential, industrial uses

The government has again trimmed development charge (DC) rates for some sites – though the cuts on average are smaller than those made six months ago.

The changes were largely in line with market expectations. Some industry watchers felt that the continued cuts reflect the government’s caution in dealing with the property market when the economy remains shaky.

Developers have to pay DC for enhancing the use of some sites, and the market monitors these rates closely as they reflect land values. As part of a half-yearly review, the National Development Ministry (MND) announced yesterday a 2 per cent drop in the average DC rate for non-landed residential use. This is far below the 15 per cent chop in February.

MND also reduced the average DC rate for hotel and hospital use by 4 per cent. This is again smaller than the previous 10 per cent cut. Continue reading