Eerrmmm ...

Think of Merchant Court hotel ... imagine those hotel rooms opp the Central ...

View all gone ... gone ...

YFG ... ...

yah...I think the new hotels at Robertson Quay will have a better view in future

It would have been interesting to have another snapshot AFTER... ^ ^

:rofl:

23rd March 2007
CENTRAL Tower Block

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/3875/dsc0001lh4.jpg

Pity the guests at Merchant Court who have rooms facing the small block of Central. Like imagine opening your window, with a building overshadowing you only less than 10m away. :(

http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/4198/image591ov4.th.jpg (http://img487.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image591ov4.jpg)

I was just @ Central today. Though not much shops to look out to, the feel is quite good around the clarke quay. Restaurants and pubs are making clarke quay more lively and vibrant then ever.

Hmmm, I really can't bring myself to like this development.
I don't hate it but I'm really not sure it's the right design for the site.

I guess its not so bad when you're inside and need some aircon shelter on a hot sweltering or rainy day!

I like the large glass panels used for the shop podium

So far, I haven't found any shop interesting in this place.

So far, I haven't found any shop interesting in this place.

Pepper Lunch! And there's a food court, which is a rarity in the area :-) The Bamboo rice stall is cheap and good, btw :-)

Pepper Lunch! And there's a food court, which is a rarity in the area :-) The Bamboo rice stall is cheap and good, btw :-)

Oh yes...love pepper lunch too...:happy: I also love the "gong fu cha" (ice milk tea) in a nearby outlet.....fabulous.....:okay:

Although this is supposed to be Far East's flagship...I still prefer the feel of Far East Plaza...maybe this one in time will find its niche

one of the goofiest uses of window/river view space. for some reason, escalators and air con fans get prime views! weird. they could have put some cafe on the corner near coleman bridge on the riverfront inside of their fans.:ohno:

I guess its not so bad when you're inside and need some aircon shelter on a hot sweltering or rainy day!

LOL yeah but then you could use the same logic to say that this ugly brute of a building is good:
http://images.worldres.com/property/a24000/24227/hotel.jpg

LOL yeah but then you could use the same logic to say that this ugly brute of a building is good:img]http://images.worldres.com/property/a24000/24227/hotel.jpg[/img]


LOL....but its true...the Clarke Quay area has been in dire need of such a complex...or maybe we just take malls for granted and expect them at every corner....anyway I agree that the Peninsula Hotel is really ugly :D

But based on the comments here, it does seem like CENTRAL could have been better designed.

LOL....but its true...the Clarke Quay area has been in dire need of such a complex...or maybe we just take malls for granted and expect them at every corner....anyway I agree that the Peninsula Hotel is really ugly :D

But based on the comments here, it does seem like CENTRAL could have been better designed.

I think Central could be a catalyst for the other development to redevelop....:happy:

^^

I think it has catalysed that small commercial plot opposite the road that was recently sold...developments like these along the NE line, and future MRT stations will definitely bring more opportunity for development :yes:

clarke quay already had two malls before central: liang court and riverside point.

unfortunately both are fairly underutilized as malls, but the land is there and no one seems to be in a rush to make it work.

neither riverside point or liang court is fully occupied. and so far central isn't either. i hope that at least one of these malls will be able to be full.

Riverside Point and that whole stretch around it seem to have this lacklustre feel....it isnt helped by some earlier developments that simply killed the streetscape and pedestrian flow.

^^ i wonder why far east doesn't do something about riverside point? they could make a seamless river experience on that side.

and capitaland could do something to include liang court into the river front area (though they sold it off to someone else- which is probably why plans to give liang court a river entrance have gone away).

at least central (even though it is still fairly empty and under construction) seems to bring life to the area. there are many more people walking around. and the number of people sitting along the river seems to be up.

With suitable planning, Clarke Quay area could be another retail heaven with plenty of shopping space (right now, it has about 800,000 sq ft of retail and F&B space which is an addition of Clarke Quay, Liang Court, Riverpoint and Central)

Riverside Point is so ugly.... :ohno:

^^ agreed! i had a friend who worked on the landscape architecture for riverside point and it was hard to give her straight feedback about it. :ohno:

Like you want a midrise building, and you're forcing it to look "classical" without undertanding aesthetics. :lol:

From the picture of excelsior hotel , the development reminds me a lot of intercontinental in bugis junction.

From the picture of excelsior hotel , the development reminds me a lot of intercontinental in bugis junction.

Intercontinental is far better maintained and a lot more pedestrian-friendly than Excelsior/Peninsula Hotel. This old thing really looks out of place now.

21st April

Fashion show in the atrium
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/07/070421_central01.jpg

A model of the building hidden in an "undeveloped" corridor plot
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/07/070421_central02.jpg

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/07/070421_central03.jpg
(many parts of the mall, including the secondary atrium, are still mostly vacant)

Progress of the main tower
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/07/070421_central04.jpg
20 out of 25 floors built.

Its going to make an interesting complement to the shophouses.

Many of the waterfront outdoor refreshment areas have opened. I like the spacious pedestrian promenade.

Considering that the tower blocks are still in construction stage, is it unusual that the mall is already operational?

I'm just comparing this to the Icon (same developer) where the mall is still not operational but the tower blocks are almost TOP. I presume that the mall and apartments would TOP around the same time (give or take a couple of months).

thats why we have ..... partial TOP huehuehuehue ^^

I would say ICON is residential with a retail mix whilst this Central is Mixed Development where the residential(SOHO) is not the only one.

Considering that the tower blocks are still in construction stage, is it unusual that the mall is already operational?

I'm just comparing this to the Icon (same developer) where the mall is still not operational but the tower blocks are almost TOP. I presume that the mall and apartments would TOP around the same time (give or take a couple of months).

Just a matter of project scheduling. And of course, of having an alternative way to ship construction materials once some parts of the building are opened. There's a number of other examples in Singapore that I can think of.
Hong Kong ICC is even more extreme: lower half of the tower will open for office occupancy while the upper half will still be under construction.

Plesae, to solicit advice.

Does one need to pay GST for a SoHo apartment? Is it treated like a commerical property?

Thinking of a SoHo unit at Central

Thanks

Plesae, to solicit advice.

Does one need to pay GST for a SoHo apartment? Is it treated like a commerical property?

Thinking of a SoHo unit at Central

Thanks

Are all the units there SOHO type? Actually, what is the difference between a SOHO unit and a studio loft (eg, Icon lofts, 2RVG lofts, etc) apart from being able to conduct business in the SOHO unit?

Overhead walkway is under construction still. Has anyone else noticed this: looks like there's going to be an escalator to the overpass. Saw lots of metal bits that I don't normally see with a staircase....

Wonder if it will stop the jaywalkers.. :ohno:

And wonder why they don't put up an overpass or an underpass at Bugis. That crosswalk is very, very crowded unlike the one in front of Central.

Overhead walkway is under construction still. Has anyone else noticed this: looks like there's going to be an escalator to the overpass. Saw lots of metal bits that I don't normally see with a staircase....

Wonder if it will stop the jaywalkers.. :ohno:



It might be effective if they provide escalators up and down. Would have been aesthetically better (and more costly) had they constructed an underpass though...

There already is an underpass at the river. It's probably too far away for people to go to. And there is a pedestrian cross walk there already too. Now, once the overpass is completed there will be three ways to cross over to Central.

Can't tell if it's an up and down escalator. Will take a better look next time.

And boy, does the white bars of the overpass and the stair/escalator look awful next to the conservation buildings on New Bridge Road.

there is only one escalator there. so only 1 way traffic, up or down.

There already is an underpass at the river. It's probably too far away for people to go to. And there is a pedestrian cross walk there already too. Now, once the overpass is completed there will be three ways to cross over to Central.

The underpass has been there a long time I believe (even before Central), and is meant to allow pedestrians to walk comfortably along the entire stretch of the riverbank.

And boy, does the white bars of the overpass and the stair/escalator look awful next to the conservation buildings on New Bridge Road.

My exact sentiment. Such aspects should be considered more thoroughly, after all the pains at gazetting the area across a conservation district.

there is only one escalator there. so only 1 way traffic, up or down.

If the escalator is 1 way, and since the bridge is built by Far East, it only make sense to be UP ! People taking the escalator are then forced to walk into Central:)

If the escalator is 1 way, and since the bridge is built by Far East, it only make sense to be UP ! People taking the escalator are then forced to walk into Central:)

common tactic. :cheers:

even the escalators from Orchard pedestrian level at Wisma to the food court go one way - IN. To get out you have to navigate through the shopping centre.

The mall still quite unexciting......the other section of the mall still largely unopen.....:no:

Far East should be more efficient and do more marketing......:yes:

Aiyo:

The layout is so confusing, the shop directory almost requires magnifying glasses and some training to read a site plan.

Some escalators take u a floor above or below where you hope to go, then you have to find your way to another escalator to get to the correct floor!

I spent abt 15 minutes and lots of walking in and out to and fro to hunt for 2 shops , only to find out they are yet to open! Why did they list them on the shop directiory?

2 June 2007

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/central0206.jpg

^^ taking ages...........:nuts:

but still great updates....where u take it from rafflescity?

looks like it's from high street centre.

Those low floor SOHO with river facing is block by the shopping center itself.

Look like some owners Kena Con.

yes it is taken from High Street Centre :-)

btw- looked again at the overhead bridge - the escalators are 2-way on new bridge road. however, you still have to climb up about 10 stairs before you get to the escalators.

btw- looked again at the overhead bridge - the escalators are 2-way on new bridge road. however, you still have to climb up about 10 stairs before you get to the escalators.

this is to prevent electrical damage in case of heavy rain or flooding.

btw- looked again at the overhead bridge - the escalators are 2-way on new bridge road. however, you still have to climb up about 10 stairs before you get to the escalators.

A budget bridge....may be last minute budget shortage, ordered a shorter escalator, cost saving as well ... or you know lah, it's our famous Far East......some leg exercise to warm up shopper ......but not handicap friendly as well.

actually, escalators ain't handicapped friendly, but elderly-friendly. :)

A budget bridge....may be last minute budget shortage, ordered a shorter escalator, cost saving as well ... or you know lah, it's our famous Far East......some leg exercise to warm up shopper ......but not handicap friendly as well.
i think the 10 steps are to give the little green men some space to zap the escalator steps when they disappear into the floor..

24th floor of Central Office tower had been sold at $2850psf.

FEO is now quoting $3200psf for it's highest floor, 25th floor.

Good news to any owners of the Central SOHO block.



========================

Published June 8, 2007

Office space prices rise to new heights
One floor of Central fetches record $2,850 psf; 1 Finlayson Green overtakes 1996 high

(SINGAPORE) New record prices have been set for the Singapore office market. Far East Organization is believed to have sold a floor at the 99-year leasehold Central project above Clarke Quay MRT Station for $2,850 per square foot (psf) of net lettable area to a Singapore fashion trading company.

1 Finlayson Green: price in region of $2,650 psf, or $2,470 psf based on one tenant per floor
And over in the prime Raffles Place office belt, Hong Leong Group has sold 1 Finlayson Green for just under $231 million, or around $2,650 psf based on the freehold office building's existing net lettable area of about 86,500 square feet.

If the buyer, a unit of UK-based property fund group Develica, leases out the 19-storey building on the basis of one tenant per floor, the lettable area can be raised to about 93,500 sq ft, translating to a unit price of $2,470 psf.

Whichever per square foot price is used for 1 Finlayson Green, as well as the price achieved for the floor at Central, they have all surpassed the previous record of $2,200 psf for office space set in early 1996.

That was when Straits Steamship Land, now Keppel Land, sold seven floors of what is now known as Prudential Tower in the China Square area to Prudential Assurance Company Singapore.

Industry observers expect even higher benchmarks to be achieved soon.

News of these fresh benchmarks will also lead to further upward revisions in sellers' asking prices for other office transactions under negotiations, market watchers reckon.

There could also be further upward revaluations of major Singapore office landlords like CapitaCommercial Trust, Keppel Land, City Developments, Singapore Land and Suntec Reit.

Market watchers are nevertheless unsurprised by the fresh record prices achieved, as they come at a time of strong rent escalation fuelled by a shortage of office space.

CB Richard Ellis data show that the average prime Grade A office rental value of $10.60 psf per month in the first quarter of the year is up 76.7 per cent from the same period last year and more than double the $4.48 psf at the bottom of the current cycle plumbed in the third quarter of 2003.

A DTZ Asia-Pacific office update issued yesterday showed that a 29.6 per cent increase in Grade A office occupancy costs in Singapore between the fourth quarter last year and the first quarter this year was the second highest rate of escalation in 19 markets surveyed. Only New Delhi posted a bigger gain - 36.33 per cent.

The latest annual occupancy cost of US$86.21 psf for Singapore was the fourth highest of the 19 markets. Only Hong Kong (US$167.56 psf), Tokyo (US$119.70 psf) and New Delhi (US$87.29 psf) surpassed Singapore.

The acquisition of 1 Finlayson Green will be the seed investment for Develica's Asia-Pacific fund.

'We view Singapore as a strong growth market and we are getting a lot of interest from (investors in) Europe, US and the Middle East,' Develica Asia-Pacific chief executive officer Chris Brown said when contacted by BT yesterday.

Mr Brown, who was formerly Jones Lang LaSalle's Asia-Pacific chairman, said that while 1 Finlayson Green's current rental income would translate to a 3.5 per cent net yield based on Develica's acquisition price, 'the reality is we have leases expiring this year and next year and it won't take too long to raise the yield to 5-plus per cent'.

Mr Brown said that four floors in the building had been deliberately left vacant by the vendors to offer the new investor the chance of yield appreciation.

One floor at 1 Finlayson Green was leased in February this year at a monthly rental of $10.50 psf, considerably higher than the average $6.50 psf contracted rent in the building. Market talk is that a unit at Republic Plaza nearby was recently leased at around $15 psf.

DTZ Debenham Tie Leung brokered the 1 Finlayson Green deal.

As for Central in the Clarke Quay area, the record $2,850 psf achieved for an office floor was for a high floor - believed to be above the 20th level of the development's 25-storey office tower.

The floor has a strata area of around 13,300 sq ft. Far East is now understood to be left with about eight more floors of offices to sell at Central with sizes of around 9,000 sq ft to 13,000 sq ft, mostly on the top floors.

Far East began selling offices at Central last year at prices starting from $1,300 psf.

Besides offices, Central also includes a mall, which has opened, and another block with small office, home office (Soho) units. The office and Soho towers are slated for completion by early next year.

17 June 2007

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h204/hyapic01/A_DSC_7035.jpg

Looks high from this pic. Where did you take this from?

17 June 2007

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h204/hyapic01/A_DSC_7035.jpg

From 60th floor restaurant at UOB Plaza One.

From 60th floor restaurant at UOB Plaza One.

Thanks. I thought you were in a helicopter ..... :lol:

getting taller and taller. how many more stories going up? i can't count to 25 ! :)

http://www.pbase.com/gomus/image/82249515/original.jpg

I find the shop mix here very heartlandish. And the layout is quite messy. Moreover, it won't feel welcoming to come home to your condo at Soho as there doesn't seem to be an entrance for residents.

Guess it explains why 'high end' Far East properties doesn't sell.

From this link http://spring.ura.gov.sg/lad/ore/real_estate/takeup.cfm ,

Orchard Scotts : UNITS RELEASED - 180, SOLD - 28
Vida : UNITS RELEASED - 137, SOLD - 53
Icon : UNITS RELEASED - 646, SOLD - 600

If Icon was another development released in the same area, it would have been sold out already.

The rich knows their stuff and where to put the money.

Noticed their damage control advertisements on Channel News Asia lately? :lol:

I thought I saw in the ST Classified some units are asking for $3000psf.:nuts:

luciferyang - why do you see their ads as damaged control? has there been a scandal which i had missed? why do you not see it as an quality assurance thing...

hyacinthus - i like those photos u've shared in this forum... and many other contributors' too... may i know if you are m or f.... really conscientious and resourceful to be doing this all the time... haha

luciferyang - why do you see their ads as damaged control? has there been a scandal which i had missed? why do you not see it as an quality assurance thing...

There is no quality to assure people of to begin with.

all my friends, some high net worth individuals, will never bother with a Far East project! :lol:

4 August 2007

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/central0408.jpg

Just 25 storey for the office block, but take like donkey years to build.

Lovely reflection of the shophouses! :)

Thanks hya

Yes the office block is taking a really unusually long time to be cladded up. Maybe it is deliberate?

Aiyoh, they say complete in 2007, I think 2008 then complete!

It will be the only major office block completing anytime soon then.

Meanwhile, so many old office blocks are under stages of demolition.

15 Sep 2007

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/6438/img0008qo4.th.jpg

Thanks for the picture nolimit! From your photo, the building looks like it is being wrapped in cloth for demolition :lol:

How long does it take to build an overhead walkway? The one for Central is still under wraps! It's been like 6 months....

FEO what, it's expected lah.

TOP SoHo expected end of the year.

The Offices wil be early next year


http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd79/paicb/PB080006.jpg

^^ its ugly when the windows are opened.:ohno:

^^ its ugly when the windows are opened.:ohno:

Actually I quite like the effect of it :D

TOP SoHo expected end of the year.

The Offices wil be early next year


http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd79/paicb/PB080006.jpg

Nice updates, asciano. I think this is a beautiful development if not for the long time they took (or will take) to complete this building!

The estimated completion date was 2007.

25th January 2008

Cladding is complete.
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/08/080125_central01.jpg

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/08/080125_central02.jpg

The alimak and boarding on river side has been removed.

lookin neat :cool:!

Cladding is not yet complete... Interiors cladding is still visible..... The brut, concrete stuffss..

Cladding is not yet complete... Interiors cladding is still visible..... The brut, concrete stuffss..

That part won't be clad. The resolution of the pic is a bit low but actually there's metal railing and stuff, it's not bare concrete :-)

Is the pedestrian bridge operational?

Is the pedestrian bridge operational?

It looks more or less completed, with the escalator in, but it's still closed.

It looks more or less completed, with the escalator in, but it's still closed.

Well it looked ready the last time I saw it which was a few months ago. Surprised its still not opened. :bash:

Looks so boxy, so normal and your-stereotypical-modern-corporate-office-tower look. :(

Looks so boxy, so normal and your-stereotypical-modern-corporate-office-tower look. :(

soho style what. supposed to have high ceilings. i have been to manhattan's soho unit b4. the ceilings are twice higher if not more

I'm not sure but it seems that many of these new developments built on top of MRT stations have chunky proportions. Like the Atrium at Dhoby Ghaut or Square 2 at Novena.

Took these last week..

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2169/2345198280_e8d04d1ceb_b.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/singapor3causal/2345198280/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2132/2344370005_aeb890dd86_b.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/singapor3causal/2344370005/)

thanks man...but i seriously think the central could be better. it is actually a dissapointment

should have converted the land into those shop houses to expand the hip of the core of clarke quay. the area looks so disjointed now.

thanks man...but i seriously think the central could be better. it is actually a dissapointment

should have converted the land into those shop houses to expand the hip of the core of clarke quay. the area looks so disjointed now.

Not a fan of those conversation thingy or shophouse conversion but I feel CENTRAL is a little too quite for the time being, I mean, there are so few shoppers in CENTRAL now. Was expecting something like cineleisure or something since it's one of the major shopping centres in the area.

Not a fan of those conversation thingy or shophouse conversion but I feel CENTRAL is a little too quite for the time being, I mean, there are so few shoppers in CENTRAL now. Was expecting something like cineleisure or something since it's one of the major shopping centres in the area.

The most critical thing about Central is that there are too many vacant shops in the mall.....which is not good for people visiting the mall (I'll think that the mall is not ready for opening or something if i'm a tourist.)

Moreover, the split-into-2 design of the mall also means that some shoppers would have miss the side where food court & restaurants are located.....This would be such a pity as there are many good restaurants there, only to suffer from a lack of marketing and human traffic flow...:yes:

I personally think it is a letdown also...

On my quite frequent Friday evening, weekend visits to Central, I find that people have no problem finding the wonderful restaurants.

I guess CapitaLand is being very strict on tenants. It doesn't want a Square2 fiasco where the much marketed Korean themed mall has nothing very Korean about it. Central is supposed to be a Japanese themed mall, I believe it will be a success in time to come.

Nothing can really guarantee success at Clarke Quay. The MoS side is pretty much dead during weeknights, yes, surprisingly. Only Wednesday nights, Friday and Saturday nights where we see its famous hip and lively nightlife.

On my quite frequent Friday evening, weekend visits to Central, I find that people have no problem finding the wonderful restaurants.

I guess CapitaLand is being very strict on tenants. It doesn't want a Square2 fiasco where the much marketed Korean themed mall has nothing very Korean about it. Central is supposed to be a Japanese themed mall, I believe it will be a success in time to come.

Nothing can really guarantee success at Clarke Quay. The MoS side is pretty much dead during weeknights, yes, surprisingly. Only Wednesday nights, Friday and Saturday nights where we see its famous hip and lively nightlife.

Central is managed by Far East also.....same as Square 2....:yes:

Took this from UOB Plaza 1 Penthouse today

http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/25240/2302013160103362882S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2302013160103362882lzPNiI)

That left hand side soho tower city view will be fully blocked when the hotel site build up across the road.

The right hand side soho tower view is good.....one side river view and the other towards Marina bay view ( but only for high floors )

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2216/2459410242_ec68feb343_o.jpg

^^

Beautiful pic RC!!

^^

Beautiful pic RC!!

Agreed. This shot would look great on postcards!!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2216/2459410242_ec68feb343_o.jpg

wow... very nice!

^^
Thanks :)

The weather was very cooperative for pictures too

I have noticed Soho tower 1 has a lots of units spanning up to the 11th floor (highest) that are owned or rented to "Springfield Venture pte ltd". It seems to me not a lot of individual owners bought the Central Soho, but instead majority bought by company.

it seems like many units are still vacant...guess lots of competition out there such as sail @ marina bay, icon etc...have many owners done up the loft thing?

I have..cost me almost 50K
but increased my floor area by 25 sq m

I have..cost me almost 50K
but increased my floor area by 25 sq m

Can share what have you done to the loft unit? I'm interested in getting a unit and agent was commenting that can convert loft units. Do you mind sharing some floorplans etc?

Thx in advance :-)

Not a fan of those conversation thingy or shophouse conversion but I feel CENTRAL is a little too quite for the time being, I mean, there are so few shoppers in CENTRAL now. Was expecting something like cineleisure or something since it's one of the major shopping centres in the area.

Don't under estimate the power of the ERP. Even though got MRT nearby ERP does curtail driving shoppers to some extent. Besides there is huge competition for human traffic in the ERP area.

Can share what have you done to the loft unit? I'm interested in getting a unit and agent was commenting that can convert loft units. Do you mind sharing some floorplans etc?

Thx in advance :-)

Look at Lumiere also. Better value long term (better location in CBD, can also rent for SOHO office). Also helps that Tanjong Pagar station is a more convenient station compared to Clarke Quay.

I considered SOHO but rejected for the following reason:

- too many units per floor (20+ in some cases); cannot control what type of neighbours you will have
- not enough parking and expensive monthly charge
- Far East construction quality (feel that common areas, gym, etc.) will look terrible in 5 yrs time

I bought Lumiere instead for following reason:

- much better facilities and parking ratio
- only 5 units per floor
- if buying above 20F got Panorama view of sea, Sentosa, etc
- really liked large balconies in each unit
- location better for SOHO office address (closer to Raffles Pl and Marina Bay, but still on quieter street)
- prefer eating in Tg Pagar compared to Clarke Quay (personal preference)
- best case, will be able to get office rents of $8-10.00 psf for small units
- worst case, can still get rents of $6-7.00 psf like Icon

btw, units of Clift and Lumiere selling above $2k PSF direct from developer, so if you can get a high floor at $1.8k now I think it is a good deal long term. If TOP in Q1 2010, should be good timing to benefit from Marina Bay Residence launch price and spillover from Sands and Clifford Pier rejuvenation...

I have..cost me almost 50K
but increased my floor area by 25 sq m

obviously for your own stay, right?
I thought of doing the whole loft thing too, but settled for partial enhancement instead...like you said, very costly. not sure whether i could fetch high enough rent to cover that cost.

my unit rented at close to $8 psf though.

Look at Lumiere also. Better value long term (better location in CBD, can also rent for SOHO office). Also helps that Tanjong Pagar station is a more convenient station compared to Clarke Quay.

I considered SOHO but rejected for the following reason:

- too many units per floor (20+ in some cases); cannot control what type of neighbours you will have
- not enough parking and expensive monthly charge
- Far East construction quality (feel that common areas, gym, etc.) will look terrible in 5 yrs time

I bought Lumiere instead for following reason:

- much better facilities and parking ratio
- only 5 units per floor
- if buying above 20F got Panorama view of sea, Sentosa, etc
- really liked large balconies in each unit
- location better for SOHO office address (closer to Raffles Pl and Marina Bay, but still on quieter street)
- prefer eating in Tg Pagar compared to Clarke Quay (personal preference)
- best case, will be able to get office rents of $8-10.00 psf for small units
- worst case, can still get rents of $6-7.00 psf like Icon

btw, units of Clift and Lumiere selling above $2k PSF direct from developer, so if you can get a high floor at $1.8k now I think it is a good deal long term. If TOP in Q1 2010, should be good timing to benefit from Marina Bay Residence launch price and spillover from Sands and Clifford Pier rejuvenation...


Overlorden,

thx for the insight. Let me go digest them. I share some of your comments like the `dual' role of office or residential stay and also preference for large balconies. The rest, I need some digestion but nevertheless, thx again.

Some comments

Central the Shopping Mall is really quite busy at evenings and weekend
The River Fest and F1 had brought a lot of life and activity here

astonm: hi, I decided to spend on the loft building as 'asset enhancement'. No, it was leased out but if i ever want to live or use this place, it would have been done up the way i wanted.

By the way, is there any way of fixing a 2nd lock to the door? Management said that any drilling would damge the fire proofing of the door and therefore not allowed?

Asciano, i would have done up the loft if i were to stay there as well. What did you get for monthly rent, if you don't mind me asking??

Asciano, i would have done up the loft if i were to stay there as well. What did you get for monthly rent, if you don't mind me asking??

seems like most units asking $4.2-4.7k. seems like decent yields (4.5-5.0%) based on asking prices. how is take-up?

also saw one designer unit with loft area done up (close to 1000 sq.ft. instead of 635 sq.ft. after enhancement). asking $10k but very designer ID (featured in magazine, etc.).

seems like most units asking $4.2-4.7k. seems like decent yields (4.5-5.0%) based on asking prices. how is take-up?

also saw one designer unit with loft area done up (close to 1000 sq.ft. instead of 635 sq.ft. after enhancement). asking $10k but very designer ID (featured in magazine, etc.).

seems like many units are still vacant....$4.2-4.7K is just a wish...

btw, where (listings?) did u see that unit with loft? I won't mind having a look at it....

btw, where (listings?) did u see that unit with loft? I won't mind having a look at it....

i asked my agent for a list of available rentals...think they got it from SISV so should be out there