Tag Archives: New Launches

Govt move has ‘no impact’ on new launches

PROPERTY developers were sticking to their prices yesterday following the Government’s announcement of a slew of measures designed to cool the market.

At two of Singapore’s more eagerly anticipated launches, The Interlace and Hundred Trees, developers said they did not foresee any need for price adjustments.

A spokesman for CapitaLand said it was holding prices at between $850 and $1,150 psf for The Interlace at the former Gillman Heights site.

She noted that less than 5 per cent of buyers at the developer’s other new property – The Wharf Residence, launched earlier this year – had opted for the interest absorption scheme (IAS) abolished by the Government on Monday.

The scheme, popular among investors and speculators, allowed buyers to put down a deposit and make no further payments until the property was completed.

City Developments Limited’s spokesman Gerry de Silva played down speculation among property agents that CDL’s upcoming Hundred Trees site would be priced under $950 psf, saying that no price had been set yet.

Mr de Silva said the government measures would ‘have minimal effect on our plans to launch Hundred Trees and other developments’.

He also cited the low take-up rate of IAS among purchasers. Continue reading

The Interlace replaces Gillman Heights

A NETWORK of apartments and recreational spaces looks set to replace the vertical blocks that used to be the landmark of Gillman Heights.  Unveiling The Interlace on Friday, CapitaLand and Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) said they are ready to launch the project next month.

Featuring 1,040 apartments on a 99-year leasehold land of 871,884 square feet, The Interlace will have units that range in size between 807 sq ft for two bedroom apartments and 4,306 sq ft for “super penthouses”.

CapitaLand president and chief executive Liew Mun Leong declined to disclose how much the units will cost, but said the firm is trying hard to price them under $1,000 psf. The Interlace sits on the site which used to house 608 units at Gillman Heights. The former HUDC estate was in the news following a $548 million collective sale inked in 2007, and subsequently, a series of legal cases when a minority group of owners challenged the sale. The deal was finally wrapped up in May this year.

The development of The Interlace is led by CapitaLand and two other shareholders, including HPL. The construction cost is expected to be $250 to $270 psf and total investment is estimated at $1.4 billion. The construction contract is  expected to be awarded by year-end and the project will be completed in 2014. Continue reading