MeraPrime brings comfortable homes to life in style. Taking the form of a 36-storey skyscraper with a unique rooftop sky garden, MeraPrime will feature sleek architecture for a modern look. Internally, functional design combines with quality fittings for the perfect finish. Within the grounds, full condo facilities consisting of a swimming pool, a gym, tennis court, BBQ pits, a fitness corner and a children’s playground take the spotlight.

http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/meraprime.jpg

http://www.mclland.com.sg/property/dreamhomes/meraprime/media/img_meraprime_sitemap.JPG

Location Map

MCL Land is gearing up to launch MeraPrime, a stylish 213-unit condominium in central Singapore. Sitting at the doorstep of the Tiong Bahru MRT Station and bustling Tiong Bahru Plaza, MeraPrime offers the ultimate in convenience. Public transport, shops, eateries, supermarkets and boutiques are mere minutes away. No longer will getting to work or to the shops be a hassle as the superb road and rail networks serving the area make other parts of Singapore easily accessible.

http://www.mclland.com.sg/property/dreamhomes/meraprime/media/img_meraprime_location.JPG

Is this the one advertised on TV where the guy was given the idea by his driver to buy a unit since it's very close to the MRT ? :D

I didnt see the TV ad but might be the same one..that guy is the one that acted in the local sitcom Mr Kiasu, and the ad for this property comes out everyday in the papers showing his face! Maybe I will scan it in :D

Yes it is.....Chow Chor Meng....I absolutely HATE the way he pronounces the name of the development thou! :bash: :D

Yes it is.....Chow Chor Meng....I absolutely HATE the way he pronounces the name of the development thou! :bash: :D

I can imagine..does he mis pronounce the 'r'?

http://tinypic.com/ea3045.jpg

http://tinypic.com/ea305u.jpg

Well..he did pronounce the "r"..but it jus sounds so typically Singlish...which can be irksome when over-stressed by some speakers..haha!

And looks like you managed to grap a shot of the model again!

yup..the showroom was very crowded today as it was a Sunday :cool:

Hm...I was actually supposed to go down to Bukit Ho Swee today (Sunday), but I changed my mind and slept!! :D

You didnt miss much at the construction site though..this project is fresh and will have lots of chances to document. :happy:

Ok...I will need more photos of the model thou. Hopefully it remains crowded enough for me to do some photographing next week or something...:D

MCL Land’s MeraPrime To Launch This Weekend

15 April 2004 - MCL Land will be launching MeraPrime this weekend following a strong take up rate during last week’s preview at an average price of $596 psf.

Interest was very strong over the long weekend, with an estimated 700 visitors to the sales office. “We had received many enquiries for the project in the past few months, with strong expressions of interest, so we are not altogether surprised at the good sales achieved during the preview” said Mr Vito Koh, General Manager (Business Development & Marketing), MCL Land.

“Due to the good response, we are likely to release an additional 6 to 10 floors this weekend,” added Mr Koh.

“MeraPrime's average price of $596 psf will be an appealing factor when compared to recent launches of leasehold projects in the central area such as "Icon" and "Soho@Central" which were released at prices above $700 and $900 psf respectively,” said Mr Peter Ow, Executive Director of Residential Marketing at Knight Frank.

"Apart from its affordability, MeraPrime is very conveniently located next to Tiong Bahru MRT Station/Plaza and in close proximity to many neighbourhood amenities and well–known eateries. Being only three MRT stops to the Central Business District (CBD) and a five-minute drive to Orchard Road, we expect MeraPrime to also attract the expatriate community working in the city when completed. It is probable that owners can expect a rental yield of more than 5 per cent per annum," said Mr Joseph Tan, Director, Residential Project Marketing, CB Richard Ellis.

MeraPrime’s high quality high-rise development of 213 units in one 36-storey block, is set to capture the spirit of city living through carefully thought-out architectural details. It combines the use of high quality materials with cleverly designed spaces and features spectacular views of the city as well as Bukit Timah Hill. Comprising two, three and four-bedroom units, with sizes ranging from 840 – 1313 sq ft, MeraPrime is expected to receive its Temporary Occupation Permit in 2007.

The architectural design reflects a modern contemporary theme. The project has full condominium facilities that includes a swimming pool, tennis court, BBQ areas located on the roof terrace and more than ample underground parking lots.

MeraPrime is jointly marketed by property consultants CB Richard Ellis and Knight Frank.
The showflats at Jalan Bukit Ho Swee will be open to the public this weekend between 10.00am and 6.00pm daily.


For further enquiries, please contact Joseph Tan, Director, Residential Project Marketing, T 6326 1236, Chan Yee Yin (Ms), Manager, Corporate Communications, T 6326 1252.

WHY FLOUT SEAT-BELT RULE?

Television advertisements by real-estate developer MCLand for Meraprime feature local actor Chew Chor Meng sitting in the rear of a moving taxi without belting up.

As belting up is compulsory under the law, the advertisements set a bad example to the public. The authorities should take action.


MICHAEL YEO KHEE HIANG

:D

omigod what a weird complaint.... haha.. :lol:

mera prime is yet another acceptable looking condominium with a bad name... but a bad name is nowhere as great a deterrent to living in this condominium than the terrible terrible advertisement for this project.. i wonder who their target audience are; sophisticated young couples or don't worry be happy viewers.

But I find the design nothing to shout about? Some of the HDB blocks look better then this! :D

i find it better than say... the gardens at bishan... and some terribly coloured hdb blocks.. eg the new light blue ones at seng kang... but yes the design is nothing to shout about

Light blue dosent have to be that bad what...unless.....

ummm will post a pic of it tomorrow... then you will see what it looks like

I am laughing at the writer of the letter..its an ad for crying out loud! :bash:

anyway the design for this is pretty ok, I like the art-deco roof, although in reali-life it probably wouldnt look so nice.

http://www.mclland.com.sg/property/dreamhomes/meraprime/FP2.jpg
http://www.mclland.com.sg/property/dreamhomes/meraprime/FP3A.jpg
http://www.mclland.com.sg/property/dreamhomes/meraprime/FP3AP.jpg

omigod?!?! squeezing two bedrooms into 840 sq ft?! not even enough space for a bathtub! i fear one day singapore houses will become hong kong sized

Those are the smallest units. Heres the biggest I could find.
http://www.mclland.com.sg/property/dreamhomes/meraprime/FP4A.jpg

Construction site at the end of April 2004
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/ssc1819/DSCN2274.jpg

22 August 2004

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103mera228.jpg

4 Sep 2004

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103mp049.jpg

So small?

its still a bit too early to say how wide it will be, but the units are quite small it seems.

anyway the slimmer it is the taller it will look :cool:

8 Oct 2004

http://img18.exs.cx/img18/7646/mp810.jpg

Not much action...

yah, theyre still working on the basement levels it seems

And it looks awfully small for a 36 storey tower...

12 November 2004

http://img42.exs.cx/img42/9463/mp1211.jpg

17 December 2004

http://img65.exs.cx/img65/5199/mp17122is.jpg

http://img103.exs.cx/img103/9016/meraprimeadv0eg.jpg

26th January 2005

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050126_meraprime01.jpg
Working on second floor...

it looks quite big from this angle :yes:

Well, it won't be exactly small, at 36 stories, it should dominate Central Plaza and surrounding buildings with ease. It looks large on the rendering, btw ^^

yes, I believe it will be quite fat

many condos these days have a winged design. This one looks a lot like Bishan Point (in the other thread)

16th February

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050216_meraprime01.jpg

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050216_meraprime02.jpg
Now starting to build the 3rd storey.

Looks odd, smack in the centre of old HDB flats...

It's not so bad, on the other side is Tiong Bahru Plaza shopping centre, and it's less than 100 meters away from the MRT station ;-)

Its a very good and convenient location, as the ads say ^^

doesnt it look BIG now, redstone?

Okay...

I guess they looked small cos when I took the pics the site couldnt be contrasted, but compared to the HDB flats the footprint is quite fat ^^

Isn't it too abitious for a 99yr lease condo?:?
You think?

what do you mean?

It has 213 units

What's the lease for Moulmein and Newton Gems like?
Also 99???

hmmm..I'm not sure on that

Well, I think such a tall condo, near the city, 99 years....???
The lease on BFC and Sail should be freehold, too... :bash:

1st March 2005

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/7451/mp01039xf.jpg

10th April

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050410_meraprime01.jpg
Rising fast now...

It looks gigantic!

btw where do you take those pics from?

I think those show the backview

They are taken from Tiong Bahru Plaza 4th storey :-)

is that an open-air roofdeck for the food court or something like that?

Yes, there is an italian restaurant over there.

13th April

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050413_meraprime01.jpg

Visited the showflat. I didn't like it. The kitchen and bathroom look cheap. The rooms in the 3-rooms flat are too small and the layout is not convenient. The 4-room flat is much better but same kitchen an bathroom furnitures.

The project is 60% sold out.

when I was at the showflat last year, I overhead a family commenting in Mandarin how small the unit was...there are no penthouses.

11th May

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050511_meraprime01.jpg

It really stands it stark contrast to its 30+ year old neighbours :cool:

do you think this one is rising slowly? much slower than Twin Regency.

It grew about 3 floors in the past month, so on average I don't think it's slower than Twin Regency. Just that Twin Regency grew at a rate of a floor a week lately, but it was not growing for one month before ;-)

One Moulmein Rise is definitely freehold.

Newton GEMS... they haven't released any unit for sale yet, units are all leased to tenants. No information on its estate status. Think it should be probably be freehold.

On Newton Rd, Wing Tai built 2 condos side by side - Amarylis Ville and Newton 18, at the same time. I discovered that Wing Tai actually bought the plot of land for these 2 condos from the church next to it.

What is strange is that Amarylis is 99 yrs while Newton 18 is freehold. I wonder how they did the zoning. And why would the previous occupier of the estate - a church - be situated on land comprising of both the leasehold and freehold type?

How does this zoning work out for the rest of Newton Rd? I know for sure Newton Suites, Newton 18, Gloucester Mansions, and Elmira Heights are freehold. But what about Newton GEMS? Is Hotel Royal freehold? Lincoln Lodge? Newton Euro-Asia? Zoning seems very messy to me.

And why would the previous occupier of the estate - a church - be situated on land comprising of both the leasehold and freehold type?

How does this zoning work out for the rest of Newton Rd? I know for sure Newton Suites, Newton 18, Gloucester Mansions, and Elmira Heights are freehold. But what about Newton GEMS? Is Hotel Royal freehold? Lincoln Lodge? Newton Euro-Asia? Zoning seems very messy to me.

not sure on that

hmmm..I believe the church is still there (although they had a renovation)...there used to be a boy's school there if I recall.

Also nearby is a huge Chinese club

not sure on that

hmmm..I believe the church is still there (although they had a renovation)...there used to be a boy's school there if I recall.

Also nearby is a huge Chinese club


Yup the church is still there on its own land - but the land now occupied by Newton 18 and AMaryllis ville used to belong to the church as well. They sold it to Wing Tai.

Boys school - maybe you're thinking of Catholic High School? I was from the primary school and I remember one year I had to attend classes at its Gentle Road premises. Or was it Norfolk road. Hmmm, I think I went to both. I forget, but I do remember that it was very near United Square (which used to be called Goldhill Square), there was McDonald's and a Times Bookshop there. Catholic High had a few campuses over the years, and it seemed like every other year I had to go to school at different premises.

oh..the school I remembered was next to the Newton Life Church, so it must have been a different one then. I think the old Catholic High School was sited on the Revenue House site if I recall.

oh yes..the old MacDonalds's at the basement of United Square..used to be a quiet spot..now so many new food outlets there and a much nicer (if busier) ambience :cool:

9 July 2005

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7756/p10005987fe.jpg

13 July 2005

http://tinypic.com/90y6hk.jpg

18th September 2005

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050918_meraprime01.jpg
Making its place in the skyline

nice pic...I like the view with Raffles Quay in the background...

but not 27 Sep possibly?!

Huh... No idea how it became 27th... Should have been 18th ^ ^

29 October 2005

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/2430/mp29105mt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the grounds

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/6331/mp2910a4pr.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

progress since July seems quite fast.

Indeed :-)

As seen from Redhill (One Raffles Quay can be seen at the background too) today:
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/051031_skyline.jpg

Mera Prime has surely got to have one of the *worst* locations! Apart from the HDBs, there is that horrible downmarket Tiong Bahru Plaza. What happened to that place? It used to be pretty upmarket when it opened. Now look at it......

What's wrong with Tiong Bahru Plaza ? It's certainly not very upmarket but it's still very decent I think... Got a lot of nice shops. Also it's right on the MRT station, quite convenient.
Anyway the development itself is nothing great.

Oh, you may also want to know that Tiong Bahru Plaza is pending an extension.

And, huh, welcome ;-)

What's wrong with Tiong Bahru Plaza ? It's certainly not very upmarket but it's still very decent I think... Got a lot of nice shops.

Well, I visited there a couple of days ago after not having done so for a long time....the replacement of cold storage by a very dreary NTUC was the first shock....the disappearance of coffee places and their replacement by handphone stores with the classic lian salesgirls was another...the illegal hawkers in the MRT....and the junk being hawked in the atrium was the final straw!

Also it's right on the MRT station, quite convenient.

Exactly why I was surprised! Somebody should buy up the whole place and start all over. Really off-putting if you were thinking of buying one of the many new developments in that area, which is so close to town --- it should be a lot more upmarket.....

Oh, you may also want to know that Tiong Bahru Plaza is pending an extension.

Oh great, 5 floors of geomancy I bet. :-)

And, huh, welcome ;-)

Thanks.

You can use the (quote) (quote) tag (replace parenthesis with brackets) when quoting ;-) Otherwise it makes your post very difficult to read.

Where will the extension of Tiong Bahru Plaza be located?

If I recall, it first opened in 1997...back then the population density in the area was far lower than what it is now (and what it is becoming), hence that may have made it lose its peaceful image previously.

Where will the extension of Tiong Bahru Plaza be located?

Good question, I don't know. Either they'll open up some space in the existing building or build on the patch of land where the power substation is right now. Or even cross the road to build where the old HDBs were.

If I recall, it first opened in 1997...back then the population density in the area was far lower than what it is now (and what it is becoming), hence that may have made it lose its peaceful image previously.

I suppose it's not a very good idea to be upmarket right in the middle of a HDB estate, anyway :-)

8 Nov 2005

As tall as Tiong Bahru Plaza :D

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/6383/dscn15692ld.jpg

looks kinda cute :cool:

25 Nov 2005

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4272/dscn20189tb.jpg

3 January 2006

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/mp0301.jpg

When is the expected TOP, and idea?

I'm guessing end of this year

The building looks tilted with you look carefully from this angle.

11 Jan 2006

Meraprime is the shorter one next to Tiong Bahru Plaza.
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/1324/dscn25086in.jpg

6 Feb 2006
Meraprime is still growing.

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9204/dscn27447vq.jpg

Here's a pic I took on the 2nd of February:
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/06/060202_meraprime01.jpg

It's well over two third of its final height now.

Looks like its trying desperately to catch up with Twin Regency! :lol:

4 March 2006

On the left.

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/9232/tiongbahruupdate04033ik.jpg

Nice.

Tiong Bahru Plaza looks so short...

^^
Thanks

yah...it used to dominate the area....its tacky IMO anyway :puke:

That tower is Central Plaza. :D

Lots of agents already contacted me on my MeraPrime unit, wonder how they got my contact. Actually when is the TOP of MeraPrime?

Heard the TOP will be end 2006.

Did the agent contact you to sell your unit? Only my agent contacted me to sell my unit.

it's quite common to be contacted by agents to sell/rent your unit even though you have yet received your keys.

Any update of the construction progress?

it looks about the same as what RafflesCity has posted earlier on 4 March.

9 May 2006

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8201/dscn32967pe.jpg

hyacintus,

huh.... really not much diff leh..... :bash:

anyway, thanks for the picture. :)

Wonder how much are they offering as compared to what we have paid .....

I noticed that they have done some work on the top, some structures on top of the building have appeared for the last 2 weeks, maybe not obvious from the photo but I can see the progress from where I'm living.

unajunk,

my agent quoted me an indicative price of +60K to +80K profit. I didnt follow up with him. I wont rule out that they are just testing the market response.

btal,

any range quoted by those agent thal called you?

Blur2,

The only thing on the agent's mind is to grab your unit for exclusive.
Dont fall for that. The best agents I work with so far produce far better results without the exclusive.

The more competition there are, the better price you get ... The estimate psf for Mera Prime should be no less than $650 psf for a mid to high floor good-facing unit.

Agents will always quote you higher to get you hooked on the price first ... then they will come back many times to you to tell you they are getting near but have not reached ... after hearing from them 10-20-30 times that your profit is only $20K, they will pressure you to sell, saying that there are more units coming on board already ... that prices are likely to remain at the rate for the forseeable future ... etc ..

*sigh ... been there ... done that ...

wow.... what an enlightening advice. thou i dont plan to sell my unit in the near future, it sure serves good when i do need to sell it.

thanks, dk.

While nobody's approached me yet, but I'm sure I'll not be tempted.
Been looking forward for the completion.

Thanks for DKSG for sharing his experiences.

19 May 2006

Ready for TOP? :D
http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/4496/dsc04725gn.jpg

its starting to get unwrapped...looks off-white

Managed to pass by it just now and some floors from the top are already painted in the final colors as what you see in the latest pic.

Appears to me that they are now ahead of Twin Regency in terms of progress.

unajunk,

u hv a unit there? which type? my is 3br facing bukit timah....

Closer look at the colours.

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5362/15ks.jpg

unajunk,

u hv a unit there? which type? my is 3br facing bukit timah....

Hi Blur2,

Yeah, mine's a 3A that's facing the pool, mid floors.
Looks like I have found myself a neighbour already. :)

Hyacinthus,

I have read lots in this forum and I have to say that I am really amazed by you guys ability to somehow find a corner around the vicinity of a builiding to take great shots...... :applause:

how's your stay in kerrisdale?

unajunk,

wow, 3A...... like it but too expensive for me liao!!! :tongue2:
where do you stay currently?

I see that they are now working on the 'crown' of the building...which has some subtle art-deco touch

Suppose to be some kinda garden cum BBQ area on the top... think the view's gonna be nice up there.

Kudos to Hyacinthus for the great shots, bet the most recent one taken from office block at Tiong Bahru plaza ?

Blur2,

Yeah, the 3A 's a bit on the high side, but I was thinking since it's probably the biggest investment I'm gonna make for a long long time, might as well make it a pleasant one. :cheers:

BTW, staying along kim tian rd now.

The garden cum BBQ area on top is facing the bukit timah side. It would be perfect if it faces the CBD so can see fireworks from there.

Did you consider Twin Regency or Regency Suite since it's freehold and nearer to Kim Tian Rd?

In my opinion,

- they are priced high despite freehold
- the 3 bedroom of regency suites didnt even equipped with bathtub
- they are relatively further to the MRT

Most important of all, they do not have balcony which fell short of my wife's primary requirement.

Nevertheless, it's my personal opinion and it does vary accordingly to individual view.

Now that you mentioned, I do agree with you that the BBQ can be better placed. Maybe they reserved the prime view area free from the oily stains of BBQ.

Talk about balcony, mine is abit smaller. Everything also abit smaller. My wife also loves balcony. No choice :( cause can't afford 3A.

BTW, m worry about the school (now vacant) behind MeraPrime and the empty plot of land in front. Supposingly the school should become PSB Academy campus but till now no sound no picture..... When it does, hopefully it wont be too noisy. Skali some companies buy over and develop another highrise....*faint* I think some units of Twin Regency may be affected by Regency Suite development. Any infor?

It took us quite a while to decide on taking 3A due to the cost too. It's a tough decision but we took the option of tightening our belt in exchange for the slightly bigger units.

The old school building looks like it needs a total rejuvenation and the age of it certainly doesnt match the surrounding buildings. I dont know the plans for it but I'm sure that this rumoured-no-sound-no-picture-after-so-long campus wont be that tall as to block your view unless you are of the first few storeys. Since it's a PSB campus, shouldnt be that noisy as compared to Primary school bells. :)

Regency suites does block up quite a significant bit of view for the Twin Regency(TR) to-be-residents, especially those facing south. Which led me thinking would the takeup rate for TR be as good if they announce or launch Twin Regency after Regency Suites.
Some one mentioned in one of the post here that some TR units are up for sale at reasonable price after Regency Suites launch. Sigh....

3rd June

In the skyline:
http://membres.lycos.fr/pengssc/img/060603_meraprime01.jpg

Close-up:
http://membres.lycos.fr/pengssc/img/060603_meraprime02.jpg

Great to see it getting unwrapped...but it doesnt look very tall in those pics cos of the background ;-)

OH!!!!!!

I thought this was Icon when I saw it on the train! :lol:

LOL, the Icon is quite far away from there... you won't be able to see it from the MRT.

@RC, it's not that tall in fact ;-) I don't think it reaches 100m. Twin Regency might.

twin regency and meraprime are both 36 storey but somehow twin regency seems taller. anyone has any idea the actual height of these development? if it's the fact, i hope it wont be at the expense of ceiling height.

Well from the photos of both developments, I gather that the ceiling height is similar with your standard HDB flat's ceiling height. Except maybe for the last few floors of Twin Regency that are looking a bit taller than the rest. I've got the brochure for Meraprime but they don't mention the ceiling height :-/
I think the height difference between the two buildings is because of the elevated first floor and the skygarden of Twin Regency. It may also look taller because it's built a bit more uphill I think :-)

Yes twin regency is situated on higher ground level than Meraprime.

huh.... i have the impression that condo ceiling's height is slightly higher than standard hdb one. well, that was what the agent told me....

btw, i went to tiong bahru last weekend and notice some work being carried out on the portion of the piece of empty land in front of meraprime (beside tiong bahru plaza). i saw some steel structure being done up. anyone has any idea what is happening there?

is that where the showflat is located?

RC,

no but near....

the showflat is located on the empty land along jalan bukit ho swee (opposite the community centre). the showflat has turned into the working area for the construction co.

the 'happening' is on the empty land along the main tiong bahru rd (where the old flats were).

hmmm...I think it might be the laying of NEWater pipelines.

PUB is in the process of implementing these pipelines starting from the city centre...so if its near the road, it might be it.

Still I wouldn't be surprised if some other developments popped up in the area. There's still a few very nice plots of land around Tiong Bahru Plaza that are crying to be redeveloped in high-rise buildings ^ ^

I've just been to the newly completed Tiong Bahru Market for lunch just now. Taken this latest Meraprime & Twin Regency update from its third storey roof-top carpark.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g318/photobuckettayeh/DSCN1006.jpg

Below is a photo of the new Market. It is very spacious and comfortable, has many stalls & seats. The carpark lots however are never enough. ( Sorry. A bit off-topic from the thread ).
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g318/photobuckettayeh/DSCN1003.jpg

wow! But, too hot to eat outside...

all the stalls are opened?

how about the one that sells "crystal buns"?

Not all the stalls are open. Some of the stalls seemed not taken up yet. I never notice the "Crystal bun".

One thing to note in this food centre is that there are many stalls selling similar stuff eg. many ( about 8 ) stalls selling coffee & tea, several stalls selling "Kway Chap", several stalls selling "fried carrot cake" etc.. In a way, although it has many stalls, it lacks varieties.

I meant 水晶包, in case u don't understand.

is the food centre not as good as before?

"is the food centre not as good as before?"

Is *any* food centre as good after being renovated as before? Well, I guess it does happen, but I know of only one example -- Changi. Look at the disastrous decline of the East Coast hawker centre after renovation, to name but one example....and don't get me started on airconditioned food courts, they are a disgrace to Singapore's name....:-)

Thats a pretty cool pic...with the soaring towers :cool:

I must say that the food-court does look attractive with the landscaping....hehe...

One thing to note in this food centre is that there are many stalls selling similar stuff .. In a way, although it has many stalls, it lacks varieties.

Redhill one has the same flaws... I don't understand why they all open the same kind of stalls >_< Hawker centres owners should not let this happen ! In their own interest !

Anyway, very near to this food court, I recommend Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao restaurant ^ ^ Good and cheap ^ ^ And very nice staff ^ ^

Anyway, very near to this food court, I recommend Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao restaurant ^ ^ Good and cheap ^ ^ And very nice staff ^ ^

I've been to have meal at this "Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao" restaurant but find the food too oily and quite bland. No offence, I am just voicing my own contrary opinion.

Along the same stretch of shops along Seng Poh Rd, there is a Thai food restaurant ( just next to the big entrance with escalators to the Tiong Bahru Market ), I find the food quite good and the set dinner for 4 person at $36/- is really good value for money.

Did you try their steamed buns ? ^ ^

by the way, that tiong bahru market is some what high class... i think its one of the coolest non-airconditioned wet market in Singapore because theres so many ceiling fans...

and updates, anyone want?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v321/shao_ye/meraprime2.jpg

The buyers should receive their keys from Oct 06 onwards.

!!!! Its so advanced???? I still remember its advertisements like last year,lol.

by the way, that tiong bahru market is some what high class... i think its one of the coolest non-airconditioned wet market in Singapore because theres so many ceiling fans...

and updates, anyone want?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v321/shao_ye/meraprime2.jpg


lovely colours :cool:

Oooo....

Good picture Shao Ye... I absolutely love this forum, come here diligently to see the progress of meraprime. Any chance that buyer can collect keys earlier than Oct? Can't wait to move man. The pool looks so small for a 213 unit project...hee...

I am expecting TOP and take key end Q4 and move in condition Feb 07. Any earlier will be bonus...

As for the pool, I think the ratio is not that bad: a 30m pool for 213 units compared some development with 50m pool and much more units.

it looks like those high rise HDB flats in Strathmore Ave... another HDB look-a-like condo again...

"As for the pool, I think the ratio is not that bad: a 30m pool for 213 units compared some development with 50m pool and much more units."

It's funny how people think about this. A friend of mine moved to a new apartment where the pool is about 1/3 the size of the one in his old place, a source of constant lament. No use pointing out to him that his new place has 80 apartments and the old place had over 600. You do the maths. :-) I think that most people regard the pool as landscaping, a sort of glorified fountain....most people can't be bothered to swim [thank God!]. Executive summary: location is a lot more important than facilities.

That's true, the very reason why I got meraprime, location. I currently live in full facilities condo, and hardly use the pool. I was hoping to be able to move in before xmas, think that's too ambitious.

I must agree that Meraprime wins hands down with its location... being on the city fringe and mere steps from the bus stops and MRT.

You would be lucky to move in before Xmas. It may take another six months to complete all the finishes and landscaping and another month for statutory testings/approvals before TOP is given. So you are talking about Jan 07 to take keys and Mar 07 to move in (2 months for renovations).

As the date approaches to getting our keys, I thought it would be useful to setup a online community for the Meraprime to-be-residents.

Here it is -> Meraprime virtual coffeeshop (http://meraprime.forumer.com)

If you are lost in that site, click the word "Register" near the top right hand corner to register for a userid, it's free.

For those who have registered before 01 July, I'm afraid that you might need to register again as the old forum site was extermely slow to access.

Meraprime has a very cool top!!

Anyone knows what is UOL building over here ?
It has a signboard that reads "Another project by UOL"

Seems like a potential view blocker for Meraprime, another condo brewing in this small plot of land ?

The green square on the map is where it is.
http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/8364/blocker0mg.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8890/uol2ub.jpg
Pardon for the quality of pic, that's the best my phone can do.

Is it a showflat? Maybe its for UOL's new development at Chay Yan Street (former Bobo Tan Gardens)

A project show flat for the Bo Bo Tan Garden plot ? What a distance away to confuse buyers. Why didn't UOL use the same showflat site for Twin Regency & Regency Suite along Kim Tian Road. That site is just next to the Bo Bo Tan Garden plot.

I dont know if that is really going to be the showflat for the Bobo Tan site, but thats their only other new project in the area I can think of, apart from Regency Suites...

A project show flat for the Bo Bo Tan Garden plot ? What a distance away to confuse buyers. Why didn't UOL use the same showflat site for Twin Regency & Regency Suite along Kim Tian Road. That site is just next to the Bo Bo Tan Garden plot.

Oh, they have recently demolished the showflat for Twin Regency & Regency Suite.
I'm staying so close to it that it have traumatized my recent weekend with the loud early morning trashing noise.

I called UOL and confirmed that it is a showflat for a new 36-storey condo in Chay Yan street. Meraprime's value will drop if a block of 36 storey condo is built at the site. Twin regency will have some views blocked by Regency suite and further blocked by this new UOL project, will this trigger price erosion for speculator to sell it off?

Chay Yan street would be Bo Bo Tan Garden.
Dont think the view will be significantly affected for Meraprime, see map.


http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/1752/testa4pm.jpg
My freehand placing of Meraprime site is not that accurate.

The two site is about 600-800 metres away and some 30 degree off the main view angle.

Twin Regency 's view is directly blocked by Regency Suite and it's less than 100m away from each other.

Meraprime should be more worried of the view blocked by Regency Suite, IMHO.

Yes, ... that's what I meant. Twin Regency will be blocked by Regency Suite and now the new UOL project, buyers of Twin Regency may sell off their projects at "unreasonable" price... this will spur on price erosion, affecting the value of Meraprime... do you agree? Twin is freehold while Mera is 99 years leasehold. One common factor of Twin, Regency and this new project.....same developer!

don't get too worried. once you move in, you will be too busy to be bothered of the views.

Huhu, don't buy in Singapore if you're worried of something getting built in front of your window ^ ^

There is going to be just 1 or the most 2 blocks of 36-storey buildings at the Bo Bo Tan Gdn site and the site is quite a distance away from Twin Regency and much further from Meraprime. The view angle being blocked is thus small.

Further, the adjacent Moh Guan and Seng Poh rd walk-up apartments/shops have been zoned as Conservation area and thus will be low-rise for a long time to come.

The planned future high rise condos at the Shenton way/ Tanjong Pagar areas are the ones that will be having severe blocked views issue as the buildings there are not only taller but closer to each other. On second thoughts, such apartment are so-called having the "Manhatan" style of city living that some people especially appreciates and Who cares about view blockage in this case ?

As long as you're in singapore, there's always very high potential risk of being blocked in some ways or others. When I purchased meraprime, the top factor is of course location, and the convenience of all the amenities nearby. Think all the TB market food!!! Told my husband we can eat dinner there everynite. Even if there's serious blockage, think it wont affect our decision to get it anyway. Think Hyacinthus is right, you'll be too busy and happy with the apt, the view won't be an issue. The only minor complains I have are

1. 2 elevators shared by 5 units each floor for a 36 floor building.
2. limited parking lots (guess few car owners, but during CNY, holidays, hmm, may pose a problem)
3. master room bathroom very small - my husband says can take a dump and brush teeth at sink at the same time...sigh

Anyhow, I still can't wait to move in...

2 elevators only ?!? Gosh, even the 30 floors HDB blocks are now built with three >_<

I believe it's 3 elevator to be shared by 6 units per floor.
See the cross box on the image.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/9545/a0ob2.jpg

I remember checking in the documents that it will have 216 parking lots. That will mean one parking lot per unit.

yes. It's 3 elevators.

One thing I didn't quite like about such design is: having neighbours that leave their shoes just outside their entrance. It's very unsightly walking past their apartments.

All these discussions about view and value of Meraprime miss one key point => the strategic location of Meraprime at the city fringe, next to the MRT and easy access to the CTE/ECP/AYE. View or otherwise is already factored in the price, e.g. you pay less for low floors and more for pool views.

wait till they leave their bicycles ........outside their house just like the condo now I'm living. It's a pain. Although I'm very eager to live in mera but the thoughts of getting rid of my current condo will be headache, probably gonna loose $$$. We are still in the dilemma to sell off, rent off or to live in mera. We are listing the pro and cons of both sites……or we may end in tossing a coin, “head” or “tail”.

Of all things that you can try to make the new house a better place to live in, you cannot control who gets to be your neighbour.

The Meraprime virtual coffeeshop has moved to a new location -> Meraprime virtual coffeeshop (http://meraprime.forumer.com)

This was due to that the previous site was extremely slow to access.
The new one is so much faster now.

For those who have registered, I'm sorry but you may have to re-register again.

Abt views being blocked ... let me present my junior perspective ...

If at the point of purchase, we pay a premium for the view ... then the view kanna blocked ... then it MATTERS coz .. valuation will drop ... but when u buy that time there is no price difference betw say unit 3 and unit 6 ... but unit 3 got excellent view ... and u buy unit 3 ... u smart lor ... but if later kanna block .... u also dun suffer .. coz U DIN PAY for it ...

One good eg is Bayshore ... the one behind Sol, when the initial buyers buy ... they pay for the sea view ... coz got price diff betw the sea facing ones and city facing ones ... then later kanna blocked ... then it matters lor ... means premium paid but lost lor ...

Hope my amatuer view makes senses ...

Any1 has any idea whether the life lobby is aircondition (first timer)? Supposingly not bcoz we'll b the 1 paying, extra $$$.
Rec'd calls from agents (3 times fm different rep. )asking me how much i willing to let go. I can't wait to move in!!! Can't predict and foresee $$$ once IR is up and running. In my bold prediction, should be more than $1 mil. There will be so many activities in IR, e.g conferences, tourisim, shows etc etc......

Hi Victor !

Welcome to the forum (not as if I am very seasoned here ... haha) !

In my earlier posts, I did mentioned about agents calling owners to sell off ... they are just trying to earn your money ... And you only receive 3 calls har ? Thats below the average liao ... by right U should get 1 call every week ... haha!

Eeerrmmm ... the $1 million dream ... will probably keep u dreaming for a while ... but if the market goes up by say 10% a year ... in 4 years' time ... u shld get that price lor ...

Try this : Ask the agent how much is their offer, then u consider and call them back ... then call up one of those OTHER agents ... tell them u keen to buy ... then ask then roughly how much ... from this exercise ... you will understand the con job ...

Good Luck !

PS : Me also vested interest in the area ... so I am also hoping things will move up quickly ... but sometimes ... must moderate our expectations ...

PS : about the aircon @ lift lobby question ... unlikely aircon ... some condos like Queens ... which is open lobby ... no aircon ... but some more upmarket ones ... like Amaryllis View ... got aircon ... if I remember correctly ... Mera projects all dont have aircon lift lobby

To all Meraprime owners:

Unajunk is doing a good job to set up the Meraprime virtual coffeeshop. I have posted an update there. Want to know what it is? Visit the forum at http://meraprime.forumer.com/ and let me know your views....waiting for you...

Not at home most of the time. Keep pestering me in giving cell no.

I think every1 has rec'd the latest newsletter fm MCL. One of the pic showing the common corridor (taken from the upper completed flr). The passage looks quite narrow as according to the plan. Look like budget hotel. Only have some space outside #05 & #06 for housewarming buffet.

Seriously speaking, no intention to sell at all. Money is not everything.

Ya. Those high-tier project probably or most likely to have aircon @ life lobby.

Meraprime owners, i've 1 suggestion to have a pool table in the function rm. What is your take?

Victor, I suppose you would meant this picture.
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/829/mp0qw.jpg

The corridor picture is probably taken from this angle,
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/7574/a0ob26ob.jpg
I thought this is the normal standard these days ?

As for the pool table, I think probably it would be more appropriate to discuss it in Meraprime virtual coffeeshop (http://meraprime.17.forumer.com/)

That is where the residents can discuss about such details as this forum is more dedicated to the architecture aspect of skyscrapers.

8 July 2006

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/mp0807.jpg

art deco :D

Is the back face back glass planes the balcony ?

Dont understand why they design like that ?

Open balcony ... face neighbour also opening balcony ... alamak !

PS : Oops ... sorry ... I think its ... open balcony ... see neighbour's aircon unit ... Alamak still !

Nah, you will not get to face your neighbour's balcony.
But, the #xx-04/01 's balcony will only get to see a 120 degree view. with the rest blocked by #xx-03/02's aircon unit area.

strictly, #xx-05/06 and #xx-02/03 have only 90 degree view with the center divider. however, i still prefer the balcony view from these units as they are located at the "outwards" of the building.

art deco :D

sarcasm :D

It does seem to resemble a style that was popular in Singapore though:

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/8798/ard36dq.jpg

Agree with blur2 ... only 90 degrees view la~~ ...you tilt your body or chair to achieve 120 degrees ... like that not counted ... only agents talk like that ...

I dont like the idea my balcony face other people's aircon ... u know la ... Singaporeans ... and upgraders ... they hang lotsa of things at the aircon area to "maximise" their aircon area ... smart thinking ...

:runaway: :runaway:
:runaway: :runaway:

Dun stand too near to the dividing wall in the balcony. If you stand further away, you might still get 160 degree of view. Including the small little window in the master bedroom bathrm, you get more than 200.

:lol: like that also can ar......

Any idea future development for the vacated school "behind" meraprime? Also some building are going to tear down at Zion Rd. So many activities and developments in Tiong Bahru area.

Next belt of highrise condo will be along Tiong Bahru rd (from Redhill mrt to Kim seng Rd at zouk)

Indeed...I think not too far away from Meraprime...at Indus Rd, they are going to build 40-storey HDB flats. So technically it seems possible for more vacant plots to get these.

Nah, you will not get to face your neighbour's balcony.
But, the #xx-04/01 's balcony will only get to see a 120 degree view. with the rest blocked by #xx-03/02's aircon unit area.

Like that also can ah?

You want to admire view, but see aircon unit. Not to mention the warm air. It's not near you but not very far either.

RC:

WOW, any renders on the new towers? :eek:

oh I think teh had posted some pics of them in the 40-storey HDB thread

the vacated school "behind" meraprime will be the future campus of psb academy (think it's going to be the campus for commerce related degree) and shall be ready by end of 2006. In fact, there has been some reno work going on now...

the plot of land "in front" of meraprime is owned by hdb and is reserved for high rise development in the future, probably in 3 - 4 years time.

how true is this information that the plot of land infront of meraprime is reserved for high rise HDB? We will be living in a congested jungle, probably can swing from meraprime to HDB......hoa ...e ....hoa


And anyone knows whether the nearby examination centre is there for long term? Kind of out of the place here?

Blur 2, tks for the update.

Any plot of land in & around that area will be high. It's too pricey to build something which is low. The return is not there, be it private or government. I can only think of is school which i personally felt, not enough. Since more and more peoples are getting into this area, esp the young ones.

So, in the very near future, expect more of those 40 storey HDB flats to be built (from Queenstown in the west to Toa Payoh in the north) - scarcity of land.

The flats are taller than Meraprime?

i have the impression that it's going to be 24 storey. forget where i heard it. anyway, it wouldnt be surprise at all to see a 40 storey building there.

that is why I chose the unit facing the "vacated school". hopefully, it will remains as it is and also minimise the noise from happening in tb plaza. that's the price to pay for living near a mall. :(

sites nearer to MRT stations usually tend to go taller or have bigger plot ratios I guess as they can support more dwelling units

Some pictures I have taken over the weekend.
More can be found at Meraprime Virtual Coffeeshop (http://meraprime.17.forumer.com/login.php)

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/6607/p7230008en3.jpg

http://img423.imageshack.us/img423/4205/p7230009yf4.jpg

Development status of the facilities - note the proximity of Tiong Bahru Plaza
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3552/p7230011je1.jpg

The view from Meraprime residents - Front
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/9714/p7230012ti9.jpg

Surprisingly green....perhaps there is something to be said for getting an apartment that is not too high up, where you can see the greenery as opposed to the concrete-jungle effect that is all too common on higher floors.

36 floors is cool but its design is just too plain.

i have just given a short update on the BMSM Act at the Meraprime Coffeeshop. This regards the management corporation. Check it out.

agreed with mosaic..... meraprime design is really nothing to shout about.

if MCL were to design something 'in', it would probably be reflected in the selling price, then maybe more expensive.

however, i think it suits people who prefer something 'low-profile' like me. :okay:

I would think that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
It very much depends on what you look for when buy a new house.

Some people like the view from the higher floors while others prefer the economics and convenience of the lower floors.
Some people like the mango orange architecture look while others prefer the cool blue twin tower concept.

Nevertheless, they must have liked it so much by buying it.

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/6498/p7230007wx2.jpg

i totally agree with unajunk.

MCL designs till now are more of "conservative" type. You can't have best of both worlds. "in" & "cheap".

I think all of us here like meraprime or we wouldn't be here discussing.

Probably Oldmaster can do something abt it to make meraprime a more "in" place to live in. :nocrook:

It looks very neat!!

can't wait to move in....

I must have recieved 3 of these real estate agent letters, here's 2 of them.

One of them indicated that URA provided them the information.

If it is true as claimed, it's rather disturbing that URA actually supplies the particulars of the buyers to these agents. I feel they should realise a need to protect the privacy of the public.

Their contacts were censored to avoid the unwanted advertising here.

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/3518/untitled1av0.jpg

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/6956/untitledhk8.jpg

It is perfectly legal to pay a fee to do a search with SLA on caveats lodged for any property in Singapore.

My guess is these housing agents are no more than fishing for opportunities to list Meraprime on their portfolio. They do not normally have ready buyers or ready tenants.

Overall I find the quality of writing to be poor. Akward sentence structure and grammatical mistakes can be found throughout the letters. They even confuse SLA with URA. So much for the claimed professionalism.

Contact them if you must. Don't say you have not been warned.

hi, need some advice and hope someone can help.

I'm thinking of buying a 2-rm unit but I'm concerned that it will get the afternoon sun.
Any 2-rm owner can advise?

TIA!

i own a 3 bd unit with the same facing also.... think no one can tell exactly how its going to be like at this stage. but for your consideration, the sun comes in from approx 45 degree and finger-cross, the low-e window glass can really work to reduce the heat.

anyway, sometimes, you may be able to catch a glimpse of beatiful sunset from this facing....

good luck.

I saw an advertisement today in the ST Classified selling Meraprime units. If the asking price is reflective of the valuation for the development, all of us would be glad to know we have about 10% paper gain.

Presently, there is a recovery of property prices that are filtering down from the luxury sector to the city fringe sector. Don't short-change yourself. Hold if you can, but sell if you can't.

Think Compass Point? That is in Sengkang.

Think Kovan Melody? That is not quite city fringe.

Think Central Green? It is on the wrong side of the road.

Think Meraprime? It is the only project next to an MRT and in the city fringe.


Think of selling? Think again.

There is not another condominium in the city fringe that is just 1 min walk to the MRT.

Not now at least. In two years' time, perhaps. At Redhill MRT. And it does not even have a shopping centre next to it.

Totally agree with oldmaster. Finally I decided to give up my current condo for meraprime and for sure, loss. The only comment of meraprime it is 99 years lease hold but think of the price I paid considered reasonable for its location.

Merafans need not be disappointed with the 99 years leasehold @ Meraprime. Is it a problem?

Let me explain that this is the norm for all land sitting on or adjacent to MRT station. When the government first designed the MRT and NE Line, it made sure that land sitting on or adjacent to MRT stations were acquired. They were subsequently released as 99-year leasehold land.

If you want freehold land, buy it somewhere else. No way it is going be sitting on or adjacent to MRT stations.

All the projects that I've mentioned above - Compass Point, Kovan Melody - they are all 99-year leasehold properties.

So take heart. Meraprime is about the best you can get in Singapore at the present moment.

Dear Fans,

Glad to see all these enthusiasm ... the market is recovering ... and sure ... prices will go up ...

Agents play both sides of the buy and sell game ... they tell buyers to hurry up buy ... cost prices going up ... they tell sellers quickly sell there will be a glut in the Tiong Bahru area with at least 2 more coming up ... and those are freehold somemore ... the 10% paper gain the agent quote you ... is to create a market ... hook you with the paper gain and get u to commit a unit to them to sell ... then try to get someone to pay that price ... failing which ... convince you to sell lower ... citing that is an indication of falling prices with so many units coming on board ... never trust those random agents throwing fliers at you ... U r probably better off trusting me ... wohaahaaa!

Next to MRT is of course convenient ... but you will have to put up with the TB Plaza crowd ... which is ... errmm ... not the Millenia Walk kinda profile ... dont u see Ah Bengs shouting near the TB Plaza ?

All said ... always remember if you buy a piece of property to stay ... treat that as your home ... dont little bit only want to sell and make money ... in the long run ... you will find that u can never own a place you can really call HOME ...

If you want freehold land, buy it somewhere else. No way it is going be sitting on or adjacent to MRT stations.


Exceptions are City Square, Leicester One...

I really want to thank hyacinthus for pointing out my silly omission of City Square Residences and One Leicester condominium projects, both of which are freehhold development and under construction presently.

Allow me to offer my humble opinions as follows:

Both these two projects are indeed near to the Farrer Park and the Potong Pasir MRT stations respectively (on the NE Line).

At the Farrer Park MRT Station, one of the station exit will indeed discharge commuters at the now U/C City Square Shopping Centre. This exit (G) is quite a distance from the station, somewhat like walking through the Dohby Ghaut Station to the NE Line. Or try to imagine what it is like to be underneath the Outram Park Station?? Got the drift?

One Leicester is near but not adjacent to the Potong Pasir Station. The distance is - well - similar to Twin Regency (a freehold development) to Tiong Bharu MRT station.

With due respect, I think we do have a winner on our hand. At least for now.

yeah, i have walked from the city sq entrance to the mrt station.... frankly, quite a distance away....

well, i think we win some and we lose some. as dksg correctly pointed out, we will have to put up with the tb plaza crowd.

well, the purpose of moving near to a mall is for convenience. If TB plaza is a ghost town mall like 10 mile junction, I don't think you will like it, right?

i love the convenience of the mall nearby...... in fact, the mrt and the mall is the sole reasons i chose meraprime.... :)

what i mean for losing "something" is more of the noise that comes with it. there will be events, happenings and performances at the space (btw uob bank and coffee bean). well, i guess just close all windows will do.....

Latest pics anyone? Dun know what the progress like.

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7640/snap0013jt1.jpg

Pardon for the quality of picture.
That's the best my phone can do.

The perimeter walls have been covered with the natural brick color and grills.
The swimming pool have taken shape and things seem to be much neater as compared to 2 mths ago.

More pics available at Meraprime virtual coffeeshop (http://meraprime.17.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=17)

Caveats lodged with SLA showed two August 06's transactions in Meraprime xx-05 units (1119 sq ft) for $750,000 and $788,000.

If what MCL Land said in Feb 06 that the project has been fully sold is true, then these two transactions must be sales in the secondary market.

To all sceptics out there, we really do have a winner on our hand.

Can any one throw some light on the most likely date for TOP? I can't wait to move in !!!

winner :? what winner :? :?

are there anyone competing one condo with another here?

win, loose or draw ..... as far as properties are concern .... it really depends. it's all relative isn't it. with regards to properties ... depending on what position you are in, my take is as follow:

for investment or as a home (or maybe both)
as investment - either as rental income or financial gain (buy low sell high). there will be winners and there will be loosers. timing into and out of the market, cash flow management, etc. is critical. the property cycle is watched ever so closely much like the stock market everywhere in the world isn't it.

as a home - where one will stay and there's little more to say. for example - you bought at a discount vs what it is worth now ... when you sell it, sure there will be profit in the pocket. but then you'll be without a home. upgrade or downgrade everyone makes a decision depending on his/her position.

time horizon - current vs past, current vs future
simply put, the amount you paid for then vs what the property is worth now. what you paid for vs what will the property be worth in future. likewise the property you paid for vs what it will be worth in future when you want to cash out.

economic condition/situation
all things being equal, economic sentiment plays a very critical role in determining the general perception of the property market. if the market is bullish, i'm sure investors and home-buyers will be out in force hunting for good buys. however if the market is bearish, properties (even prime ones) will be on a bargain (ley-long).

location, location, location - location is everything
everyone knows that the prime districts of 9, 10, 11 will command premium when the bull is charging. when the bear comes, these prime locations are able to withstand the loss impact. Amenities (eg schools, mrt, shops/malls, etc.) also comes to mind

type of property - freehold (or 999 years) vs lease-hold. in general, freehold properties will hold their prices better (apple to apple comparison).

just my 2-cents

i think meraprime is not the best that one can find given all the pro and cons. but is also not the worst one.

just move in and then see whether it worth the price or not.... be the judge yourself....

have been to the site recently and notice the balcony glass is top with metal. i think it would be nicer to have bare glass in the balcony but would be quite scary (i guess) for those in high floor.

pics taken last Sat.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k129/victor74_01/DSCN5850.jpg


http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k129/victor74_01/DSCN5851.jpg


http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k129/victor74_01/DSCN5852.jpg


http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k129/victor74_01/DSCN5848.jpg

Dear Vic, these are great pics. Keep up the good work. Any idea when the moving in can commence?

progress kinda of slowdown. Most likely in Dec for 2 reasons

1) Since developer announced many mths ago that the TOP will be in Dec, likelyhood this will remain or the most, 1 mth earlier but not later (due to point 2 below) orelse, they (developer) will be having hard time in getting another 10% $$$ from those who currently owned a property but couldn't sell it in time for the proceeds to return to the CPF. Not a problem for the rich. Also consider they relocating etc etc...

2) Financial year closing

Are you guys going for the Fengshui & Property Market Talk organize by MCL?

Thanks for the great pics, Victor74.
Gotta admit you got a much better camera than I do.

do you guys noticed that there is this "extended" wall outside unit #01-06 (ie. beside the passage way thru/fro the pool and the "garden"?

not that i know it's part of the original structure..... think not very nice leh cause it somehow seems not in sync with the rest.

I have been getting mutilples calls every week from agents, and market letters almost every other day. It is getting frastrating as these agents normally call you in the evening, while u r resting, anyway to stop them? Sigh

wah... how much they quote you to sell?

i also receive call from my agent and i told her not to call me unless my profit is $100K. Afterthat, i have not heard from her already.... hahahah!!!

Juz tell them to speak to ur 'agent' that u have entrusted it to sell this unit. HAHA


I have been getting mutilples calls every week from agents, and market letters almost every other day. It is getting frastrating as these agents normally call you in the evening, while u r resting, anyway to stop them? Sigh

any update photo available to meraprime?

Pictures taken on 8 Oct 06.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l90/unajunk/PA080138.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l90/unajunk/PA080136.jpg

More updated pictures available at

http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/meraprime.JPG

I can see my HDB from the photo above. Cool.

Does anyone knows when meraprime will officially TOP? Any word from MCL?

There were loads of offer for appartments in meraprime in last weekend's (sat, 7 Oct) ST classified ads. Looks like there many buyers (investors) of this property wants to cash out.

mcl has stated in their qtrly newsletter that buyer can expect to receive key in Qtr 4. so be prepared.

http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/meraprime.JPG

What a stud eh....

The facilities are better in this development, compare to all the UOL's project around the area!! Will be interesting to see what kind of facilites Lippo Group would put in for their development in RedHill.

babydoll,

why do you think the facilities is better here compared to other nearby project?

I noticed that for unit 04 in Meraprime, the balcony is very near to and facing the adjacent unit's air-con compressor. It looks like the balcony will get the blast of hot-air from the compressor and the noise too.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g318/photobuckettayeh/Meraprimeunit.jpg

Likewise for unit 01. The dinning view is blocked by neighbour's air con ledge (free recycle compressor hot air). Worst still, the service balcony is so closed to the neighour's service balcony. One will encounter problem when both parties track out their clothes for drying. Maybe the design is for the Maids to chit-chat! Nothing to shout about the design of the condo. Location is the only consolation.

One more point to add, the kitchen is enclosed, no window for the cooking oily hot air to escape, diffusing back to the hall OR give your clothes hanging in the service balcony the "after cooked" odor.

my opinion.... clothes hanged in the service balcony will 'get it' whatever you do living in condo or flat, unless you service balcony is separated by another door.

however, this problem is easy.... just make sure no clothes hanging when you do cooking only... hehehe

the window for the service balcony for unit 01 and 02 is a bit close... agreed. prob can hear each other voice when cooking....

If you have a window in the cooking area, it will allow hot air to escape, not necessary passing thru your clothes. If you cook and close the sliding glass doors, the only way for the hot air to escape is passing thru your clothes. Of course, take down the drying clothes before you cook. The no choice option.

Probably the designer expects one to dine out at TB Plaza and kitchen is supposed a showflat only.

Example of bad design.... :(

btal claimed in Meraprime Coffeeshop forum (http://meraprime.17.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=8) that during last weekend's fengshui talk, MCL staff told him/her that the residents should get their keys by 15 Nov.

So ... TOP liao is it ?
Or someone already confirmed TOP then move this thread to completed ?

Shed some light can ?