Business Times - 20 Dec 2004

Hong Leong unveils boutique development at Robertson Quay

SINGAPORE - Hong Leong Holdings has plans for a new waterfront residential development at the edge of the Singapore River.

The Watermark will be a boutique-style development offering more than 200 units with two-bedroom lofts, three-bedroom and larger four-bedroom units with private lift lobby.

The freehold 10-storey project is easily accessible by foot to Singapore's entertainment districts, Mohammed Sulta,Clarke Quay, CBD and Orchard Road.

The target group of buyers will be working professionals who have made their mark in life and desire a lifestyle that is as individualized as they are, younger families or extended families.

The other projects in the pipeline for Hong Leong Holdings include the six-star luxury condominium of St Regis Singapore jointly developed with TID and City Developments Limited at Tomlinson Road and high-end condominium projects in the Draycott and Nassim vicinity.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

sounds very exclusive!

i guess that area cant have really tall developments

So where's the S'pore River project be gonna built? :?

The Watermark, Saiboo Street
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/rv9.jpg
A new condo project by Hong Leong along the Singapore River, incorporating a row of preserved godowns.

There's a rendering in Straits Times.

Rendering from Lianhe Zaobao:

http://img153.exs.cx/img153/7631/dscn374512dw.jpg

wow quite interesting

i like how theyve retained the structure of the old warehouses fronting the river

Business Times - 21 Dec 2004

Hong Leong to launch Watermark in 2005

(SINGAPORE) KWEK Leng Beng's Hong Leong Holdings has unveiled plans to launch its freehold Watermark condominium at Robertson Quay in the first quarter of 2005.

The 200-unit Watermark will join other new developments in the area. CapitaLand, with joint-venture partner Hwa Hong Corporation, will construct RiverGate on the former Trademart warehouse site in Martin Road. Hong Leong unit City Developments is building The Pier along the Singapore River. And MCL Land has Robertson 100 in the area.

Hong Leong said yesterday Watermark will be 'competitively priced' - but it gave no details. There are two-bedroom lofts and three-bedroom and four-bedroom units ranging from 800 sq ft to 1,800 sq ft.

Property watchers reckon Hong Leong's announcement is aimed at creating awareness of its project in an area where there is plenty of competition. Hong Leong could price Watermark at similar levels to The Pier, where units are on sale at $1,000 per square foot.

According to Hong Leong, the 10-storey Watermark is a 'lifestyle development that integrates a unique 19th century warehouse facade into its overall contemporary design'.

Other projects in the pipeline for Hong Leong include the luxury condominium of St Regis at Tomlinson, and developments in Draycott and Nassim.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Well, the condo is nice but the name is rather silly...

If we could take a picture of it being framed by the flying arch of Robertson Bridge, the photo would be absolutely stunning! :cool:

The Watermark?? Who in hell came up with that name???

I hate that name...
But LOVE that design! :D
Compliments Gallery Hotel very well! :okay: :cool:

20 December 2004
Hong Leong Press Release

Hong Leong Holdings unveils boutique development at Robertson Quay. There will be a new waterfront residential development soon at the edge of the Singapore River.

The Watermark – for that is its name - is a boutique-style development offering just over 200 units with two-bedroom lofts, three-bedroom and larger four-bedroom units with private lift lobby.

Modern, classy with a touch of Singapore’s history, Watermark is designed to stand out from the rest.

The freehold 10-storey project by Hong Leong Holdings Ltd offers a lifestyle development that integrates the unique 19th century warehouse façade into its overall contemporary design.

Sited in the area that is easily accessible by foot to Singapore’s entertainment districts, Mohammed Sultan and Clarke Quay, Watermark offers city living lifestyle that is close to CBD and Orchard Road but maintains the serenity of residential living.

“Two of the unique features of this development are the boutique-style hotel lobby and the recreational environmental deck (e-deck) located on the third level. The e-deck creates a unique haven offering serenity and quietness to residents. It also houses communal activities like a lap pool, golf putting green, reading veranda and gymnasium. We worked very closely with the architect to achieve an intimate experience that is unlike other massive developments,” said Ms Betsy Chng, Marketing Manager of Hong Leong Holdings Ltd.

With its prime location, the target group of buyers will be working professionals who have made their mark in life and desire a lifestyle that is as individualized as they are, younger families or extended families.

“With younger families in mind, we have created ideal living spaces of a two-bedroom plus a study ranging from 900 sq ft to 1,000sq ft,” Ms Chng said. Apart from this area range, the Watermark also offers apartments ranging from 800 sq ft to 1,800 sq ft, it will be competitively priced when launched in the first quarter of 2005, she added.

With its blend of conservation and contemporary design, Watermark will be another landmark project by Hong Leong Holdings Ltd.

The other projects in the pipeline for Hong Leong Holdings Ltd include the six-star luxury condominium of St Regis Singapore jointly developed with TID and City Developments Limited at Tomlinson Road and high-end condominium projects in the Draycott and Nassim vicinity.

The Watermark – for that is its name - is a....

And they dare to highlight that fact? Atrocious. Whoever came up with that name must've been high on drugs at the time....

Hong Leong project gels the old and the new

13 Jan 05

By ANDREA TAN

THE River Valley area holds many nostalgic memories for Hong Leong Group chairman Kwek Leng Beng. And this is where the group will develop Watermark, a condominium that will breathe new life into 19th century warehouses.

http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2005-01-13/twater13-215525.jpg
Romantic steamliner: Previews for Watermark are expected to begin around April

Mr Kwek's first hotel King's at Havelock Road in the vicinity was opened 34 years ago. King's is now known as Copthorne King's Hotel, following a $15 million revamp.

In the neighbourhood, the Hong Leong group also owns the King's Centre site next to River View Hotel, the King's Hotel and several commercial properties. Listed arm City Developments is behind The Pier at Robertson Quay.

Watermark is being developed by Hong Leong Holdings and will have 200 homes, some fronting the Singapore River.

'Hong Leong has the vision and foresight that the Robertson area would be the next lifestyle area,' Hong Leong spokeswoman Kenice Tay said.

Previews for Watermark are expected to begin around April, Hong Leong Holdings marketing manager Betsy Chng said. Ms Chng said the pricing has not been fixed but added it would be 'competitively priced'.

There are several new developments sprouting up in the area including The Pier, MCL Land's Robertson 100 and Ong Beng Seng's Robertson Blue.

Most of the Watermark homes will be built atop the warehouses and the main challenge of the architects from Archurban Design and Management Services was how to gel the new and the old. Hong Leong said conserving existing buildings typically add about 15-20 per cent to costs.

'One of the challenges was how to conserve the warehouses and yet keep the essence of the space,' Archurban design director Ivan Ho said. 'We didn't want to hollow it out.'

There will however be four 'snuggy' apartments built in the warehouses and measuring 1,100-1,200 sq ft. Mr Ho said 'snuggy' apartments, which originated in London, are units in conservation sites but are not as big as lofts.

Landscape architect Mark Mahan said Watermark's design was conceived as a 'journey of life'. And to marry the river that runs along the project and the theme, the architects decided on a 'romantic steamliner' design.

The warehouses, which sit on a 90,000 sq ft site, were believed to have been built in the late 1800s by the Danish trading firm, the East Asiatic Company.

It sold them to TradeMart Singapore, a joint venture of Hwa Hong Corporation and Parkway Holdings, in 1990. TradeMart sold the warehouses to Hong Leong in 1993 for $42.5 million.

'If you stay here, you'll definitely have a story to tell about the warehouses and the nation,' Mr Ho said.

It looks huge on that rendering !
Considering the location and the fact that it's freehold, it will probably be one of the most expensive locations around.

uh its so messy..

actually a recent article showed that 99 year projects may retain their value better than freehold over the short term.

Conserving warehouses might sound shocking to foreigners...
Do other cities preserve warehouses on a large scale?:?

no i don tthink its shoscking singapore probably picked up the trend from other cities. i've been reading about warehouses being converted into trendy apartments and hotels and even concert halls in other cities for quite a while.

hey, we have one project called Watermark here too ... good to see it is not only in my country that people crazy about the name

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=116333

http://img56.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/watermarkchaopraya.jpg

Yours look different but interesting... a bit messy

@Zimoune, the Watermark in Bangkok looks strikingly like the Amaryllis Ville condo in Singapore

you mean that one??? eheh, ours in on the river... but not built yet :(

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103DSCN2233.jpg

what is the price for the 2-bed 1,000sq.f in tThe Watermark project?

There nice buildings.

what is the price for the 2-bed 1,000sq.f in tThe Watermark project?

I have no clue as its not launched yet. I'm guessing close to SGD $1 million

wow... and that is freehold! Is that usually freehold properties in Singapore? An can foreginer buy it and own it without limitation???

wow... and that is freehold! Is that usually freehold properties in Singapore? An can foreginer buy it and own it without limitation???

u can own freehold property that's in the air(meaning the condo/apartments) but not freehold landed property...as far as i know :)

good to know that... thanks

26 Jan 2005
I believe construction has started on this site ;)

The Advert
http://img191.exs.cx/img191/7987/watermark14nc.jpg

The Site (On the right)
http://img168.exs.cx/img168/2559/watermark25bd.jpg

tht WaterMark avert...it's beautiful :naughty:

i'm surprise it's freehold...is the "HDB lookalike" block on the left of the warehouse private? i think the folks in there must be thinking...

"ENDBLOCK" :| !!!!!!!!!!!

The godowns would be partially demolished?
They are very long...

hehehe

they should demolish that pink building..UGLY

and isnt that where the 43-storey Rivergate will be built?!

So THAT'S the thingy called Trademart???!!! :eek:

hehehe

they should demolish that pink building..UGLY

and isnt that where the 43-storey Rivergate will be built?!

izzit? nvm... I'll go find out tomorrow. anyway, I saw people in Rivergate showflat which is ready for launch soon!!! I think probably this weekend or latest end of Feb 2005. ;)

izzit? nvm... I'll go find out tomorrow. anyway, I saw people in Rivergate showflat which is ready for launch soon!!! I think probably this weekend or latest end of Feb 2005. ;)

thanks :D

will they really launch this weekend? I have the feeling that launches for projects will be after Chinese New Year
:cheers:

thanks :D

will they really launch this weekend? I have the feeling that launches for projects will be after Chinese New Year
:cheers:


Think only mah... :colgate:

Here's the pano of the site and the advert... I should have gone over the other side to check... but too lazy :D

http://img193.exs.cx/img193/2930/river0eg.jpg

I tink those pink building is the place where alot of Zouk goers would park their cars...

the commercial building/warehouse in front of the project looks charming... what a nice riverside you have!!!! any other new residential projects by the river?

the commercial building/warehouse in front of the project looks charming... what a nice riverside you have!!!! any other new residential projects by the river?

yes, the riverside has been identified as a place for residential use and there are already various apartments there.

Here are some projects under development:

RiverGate (43 floors)
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=156775

SOHO@Central (25 floors)
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=140841

The Pier at Robertson

more riverside pics
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/rv.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/rv7.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/rv8.jpg

27 Jan 2005

http://img193.exs.cx/img193/8298/dscn00530dd.jpg

foundation looks quite advanced, where did u take the pic from?

Watermark should be on the right, where 2 blocks of godowns now stand, you can see the poster ad...

What are they doing on the left?:?

@RC
Copthorne King's

@Redstone
I think you were all correct based on this image... They only bought one side of Rodyk St...

http://www.myhome.com.sg/robertson/images/robertson.gif

I don't know what they are constructing on the leftcos there was no signboard about it... initially, I thought was the construction of showflat for The Watermark... :(

I don't know what they are constructing on the leftcos there was no signboard about it... initially, I thought was the construction of showflat for The Watermark... :(

do you think that could be part of RiverGate construction?

Because RiverGate consists of 3 towers, so not all will be on the Trademart site..hmmm....

Hya, I saw from the rendering, the condo incorporates godowns running in two directions... the two sides facing the streets and the River. ;)

Called Hong Leong... they were evading my question about the construction site... But, he did reveal there will be no showflat for The Watermark... but a sales gallery... which is on that construction site. What's the diff? No further info released... :(

why so secretive ah?

did they hint when it will be launched?

anyway a walk to that construction area might give a clue to who the developer is

why so secretive ah?

did they hint when it will be launched?

anyway a walk to that construction area might give a clue to who the developer is

Hmmm... dunno...

They say not so soon.

No signboard leh.

Called Hong Leong... they were evading my question about the construction site... But, he did reveal there will be no showflat for The Watermark... but a sales gallery... which is on that construction site. What's the diff? No further info released... :(

Showflats are mock ups of the actual apartments. A gallery could just be a reception area to sell the apartments.

4th March

The stray dogs leave, the businessmen come ;-)
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050304_watermark01.jpg

Some pics of the site taken from Gallery Hotel:
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050304_watermark02.jpg

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050304_watermark03.jpg

This is the kind of view the residents will get looking on Mohd Sultan Rd:
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050304_watermark04.jpg

The mysterious construction site:
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050304_watermark05.jpg
It seems somehow linked to the Watermark, but no sign indeed.

Here is the signboard for the main part of the project:
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050304_watermark06.jpg

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050304_watermark08.jpg

Close up of the render:
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050304_watermark07.jpg

Looks much better there than on the newspaper, isn't it ? ^ ^ I like it a lot :-)

So now we now it will be 3x 10 storeys, due 2009 ;-)

sure looks exciting!

really wonder what the mysterious project is

Is the condo suspended over the godowns?

looks like it! :eek:

Wow that looks fascinating. So avant garde...

The website is up

www.watermark.com.sg

Showroom at 16th floor of Hong Leong Building

Does the 'mysterious site' ( :lol: ) incorporate any godowns?

An update from the 28th of June... Sorry for the delay, no time to take care of it ^ ^

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050628_watermark01.jpg
I'm shocked !! Almost all the godowns that you can see on the previous pics are gone ! I didn't expect this... So I guess what the Watermark will have is just some fake ones rebuilt (more or less) like the demolished ones... It seems a bit weird to me, as a strategy to preserve architectural heritage :-/

Well, here are some photos of the few last ones... Maybe they are in too poor a state to be saved ?

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050628_watermark02.jpg

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050628_watermark03.jpg

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050628_watermark04.jpg
(this last one only has the facade left, actually).

The "mystery site" next to the Watermark now has some boards up... So it's not part of the Watermark... nor Rivergate... It's Robertson Blue ^ ^

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050628_robertson_blue01.jpg

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050628_robertson_blue02.jpg
(no render of the full building on the boards).

Here is a view of the building in its actual state... Almost topped up.
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050628_robertson_blue03.jpg

Finally, a general view of the godowns and Robertson Blue from another side of the river:
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/050628_watermark05.jpg

The building in the middle is a condo, now sandwiched between the Watermark, Robertson Blue, the Trademart's demolition and upcoming Rivergate construction, Martin Edge and the Pier construction site. You'd better not mind dust and techno music if you're living there at the moment ^^

Thanks Pengui! :)

It's a good update. So, Robertson Blue is actually a small condo? hmmm... if the price is reasonable, I supposed it would be alright for budget-tight but brand-conscious home-buyers.

I don't know about the price, but I certainly wouldn't recommend buying there... Or as an investment ^^ It's going to be surrounded by two big construction site for the next three years or so...

http://img193.exs.cx/img193/8298/dscn00530dd.jpg
Which one are gone? :eek:

You'd better not mind dust and techno music if you're living there at the moment ^^

:lol:

pity about the warehouses though

12 July 2005

http://img351.imageshack.us/img351/2073/srg12a1nz.jpg

http://img313.imageshack.us/img313/9831/srg140bn.jpg
:cry:

demolished!

but they left the sides intact? Maybe they will keep the front part like what they are doing with Cathay Building.

9 Sep 2005

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6404/p10201832ew.jpg

woot!

That looks tasty :happy:

looks like they cleaned out the insides and left the facade of the old warehouses.

Kind of like what they're doing with Cathay Building.

ya. the extent of preservation is almost zero.

very disappointing..

ya. the extent of preservation is almost zero.

Like cheating!!! :bash::bash::bash:
I thought they're going to build the condo ABOVE the warehouses!

Like cut small holes in the roof to build the columns, and the condo above it.

maybe its just not cost-effective for the developer...and I dont think they really care.

Of course, having a bit of facade can help them make their project stand out.

Cheating..... And they call this conservation....

25 November 2005

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/4369/watermk25113qf.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

There's no showflat for watermark isn't it... can't find it. :(

http://img193.exs.cx/img193/8298/dscn00530dd.jpg
The condo on the left is near completion, I think. But wonder what would happen to the godowns.... the 3 very very rundown godowns.

There's no showflat for watermark isn't it... can't find it. :(

I think its at Hong Leong Building...hmmm

@Redstone

you meant Robertson Blue? your pic is not very recent right? looks confusing...

I think its at Hong Leong Building...hmmm

I see... which floor?

I see... which floor?

I think 15 or 16, but not too sure...cos that's where the developer's office is if I recall reading.

24th December 2005

One storey out of the ground
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/051224_watermark01.jpg

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/051224_watermark02.jpg

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/05/051224_watermark03.jpg

The onli few prices they gave me are the 3+ 1 bdrooms and 4 bdrooms. namely 1.26++ and 1.6 ++ mill. CAA 30 Dec 2005.

WOW ok one small update after ages, the render seems beautiful


@redstone
dont worry they preserved the facade ;)


1ST SEPT 2006

http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/3748/img6065sv9.jpg

12 Jan 2007

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h204/hyapic01/DSCF0488.jpg

Watermark is the one that is under construction ?

What is the orange one ? Looks nice ...

YFG ... ...

Yes Watermark is the one in green construction nets

The orange one is Robertson Blue....looks so cool with the restored warehouses

Why is Robertson BLUE in orange colour ?

Strange ...

YFG ... ...

17 June 2007
The one under construction in green netting

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h204/hyapic01/A_DSC_7036.jpg

WaterMark is too slow. Look at Rivergate, it started much later than WaterMark, but it's already so tall.

Generally, Capitaland's construction has always been super fast.....CDL's slower. Take Citylights and CitySquare as example as well.

Robertson Blue is so cool!!! But the interaction of the new condo and the old godown facades isn't good.

I thought Robertson Blue turned out very well- (a lot better than the renderings, which I find to be a rather rare quality):
http://urbanespaces.com/riverboutique.html
And the context was preserved, I feel- you can still see tongkangs going across the river from your balcony and those sets of graffiti right next to Robertson Blue... just too cool.

Am hesitant about watermark though. I love the old building but the renderings look rather odd- angled pieces of glass adjoined above the old warehouse. Am not a purist nor was i overly alarmed by cathay's alleged 'facade-ism' but hate the trend of plastering odd-looking, uninspiring glass structures above conservation buildings.

Robertson Blue has a nice tower design. But however the podium is very ugly, like a forced addition. The godown facades could had been treated with better respect.

3 Sep 2007

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w304/hyapic02/04-12.jpg

WOW!! Watermark completed already?

cheers

excelsvr

omg wtermark is so ugly! robertson blue looks much better.

Hope that it isn't the final colour scheme

I just noticed, where's the godown facade?

I just noticed, where's the godown facade?
they will rebuild it.

they will rebuild it.

So much for conservation

I thought they will conserve it! Yuan Lai Ru Ci..They are just building a cheap replica.

cheers

excelsvr

3 Sep 2007

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w304/hyapic02/04-12.jpg


The blue ware houses opposite Watermark if allowed to be redeveloped as hotel or residential will block Watermark's view.

You mean the one behind the road sign?

cheers

excelsvr

You mean the one behind the road sign?

cheers

excelsvr

yes, my dear.

not a big problem... as long as the view of the river is not blocked...

not a big problem... as long as the view of the river is not blocked...
yes, same case as The Pier:)

yes, same case as The Pier:)

:lol: yes... :cheers:

I thought The Pier was waterfront?

cheers

excelsvr

I thought The Pier was waterfront?

cheers

excelsvr
same concept as watermark....

Oh :bow:

cheers

excelsvr

8th February 2008

Completed soon...
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/08/080208_watermark01.jpg

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/08/080208_watermark02.jpg

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/08/080208_watermark03.jpg

Rivergate in the background
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/08/080208_rivergate_watermark01.jpg

So fake....

Yes, they should have conserved thos old shophouses at the facade instead of rebuilding it.. Perhaps the walls were too old and the there were structural problems.

Thanks for the pictures Pengui, Watermark looks massive yet elegant. I think it will look nice after they peel off the protective sheets and clean the windows! :happy:

I thought the "old walls" are suppose to go all round the condo?

Preserving the old walls alone are so fake, at least they should retain a significant part of the old warehouses' roofline.

almost there...

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/2508/11052008248dv5.jpg

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/668/11052008249wo9.jpg

OT abit.

8 Rodyk is building next to Robertson Blue, is this allowed?

FAKE!!! :(

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6404/p10201832ew.jpg

Has Watermark TOPed yet?

I think it's supposed to TOP in Sept 2008.

Has Watermark TOPed yet?from bca.gov.sg in june, yes!
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT COMPRISING 3 BLOCKS OF 10-STOREY RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTS (TOTAL:206 UNITS) WITH COMMON FACILITIES AND 2-STOREY CARPARK PODIUM WITH SHOPS AT 1ST STOREY ON LOTS 1232A & 1233K TS21 AT RODYK STREET, SAIBOO STREET

Watermark Robertson Quay done at $1,404 psf on 30th December last year.

saw the rental on propertyguru for a 950sqf asking 5500 to 6000.. is this for real?

saw the rental on propertyguru for a 950sqf asking 5500 to 6000.. is this for real?

Yes. And that is cheap.

Watermark Robertson Quay done at $1,507 psf on 25th January.

Just went to see some units and owners are asking for $1500 - $1600 psf. The view from the top is nice - can see the pools of Gallery Hotel and M hotel (not sure if that's what it's called) and can see the financial district and Marina Bay Sands. Facilities are also very nice and there is an exclusive feel to the whole place.