Tag Archives: Capitaland

Developers ready to launch, but may hold their fire

Many looking at market conditions, competition before deciding launch date

DEVELOPERS are busy getting projects launch ready. However, whether they release them by this year’s end or next year will depend on market conditions, ‘ground feedback’ from potential buyers and the segment of the market the projects are in.

Far East Organization began previewing its Alba condo at Cairnhill Rise this week. The property giant is believed to have released 18 units up to the seventh floor of the 18-storey freehold condo, which has a total 50 units. The 18 units range from 1,862 to 2,250 sq ft.

Under the project’s ‘white plan’, Far East can customise apartment layouts to suit buyers’ preferences. The developer told BT that prices start from $2,400 psf. Alba comprises a single Y-shaped tower; most floors will have three units per floor although there are two levels in the development with just one unit per floor.

Oxley Land also began previewing Suites@Guillemard at Lim Ah Woo Road yesterday. The five-storey freehold project comprises 72 units, of which 45 are smallish one-bedders of 258-527 sq ft. The smallest unit is said to have been snapped up at about $400,000. As of 6pm yesterday, more than 50 units in the project were said to have been sold. The average price is believed to be about $1,000 psf. No interest absorption scheme (IAS) was offered. Continue reading

A seller’s cautionary tale

I AM compelled to share my experience as a cautionary tale after reading the report, ‘Private homes still seeing high demand’ (Sept 22). I was a flat owner of Gillman Heights, which was sold in a collective property sale exercise and for which I received $887,000 (around $520 per sq ft) for my 1,700 sqft three-bedroom unit.

The amateurish miniature model of The Interlace condominium (left) at the exclusive private preview for former owners of Gillman Heights was a stark contrast to the sleek, three-dimensional and professionally crafted model displayed at the public launch. — PHOTO: REGINALD TAN

By the time I received my money, I could only afford a similar unit far from the city and certainly not as central as Gillman Heights.

Former owners like me were assured we would receive priority in buying units in the new condominium – The Interlace – on the site of our former home.

But at $1,000 psf, I would have been effectively downgraded to a much smaller apartment at the same location. Worse, we were given only three days’ advance notice of the exclusive preview for us to choose our units at the Shenton Way office of the developer, CapitaLand Residential. Continue reading