Issue 327

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 CONTENTS FROM THE

p2 Shoebox Condos - Can You Live in Them?

EDITOR
Welcome to the 327th edition of the
Singapore Property Weekly.
p8 Resale Property Transactions
Hope you like it!
(August 21 August 25) Mr. Propwise

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 SINGAPORE PROPERTY WEEKLY Issue 327

Shoebox Condos - Can You Live in Them?

By KK Tong (guest contributor)

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit a

shoebox unit in The Inflora, a recently-
completed condominium in Pasir Ris. Having
heard plenty about shoebox units and how
terribly small they are, I was looking forward
to seeing an actual unit for myself. Although I
had visited many such units before at new
condo launches, those were engineered
units designed to make them seem much
bigger than they actually were, usually
through the disproportionate use of mirrors,
the removal of doors, and the replacement of
concrete walls with glass ones.

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 SINGAPORE PROPERTY WEEKLY Issue 327

There is no defined size for shoebox units, Inside the Unit

but they are usually below 500 square feet. In
So, the key question is - how liveable are
the past, such units were confined to the city
shoebox units? Lets take a look at the actual
and city fringe areas, but nowadays you can
unit I saw, which was a ground floor unit of
find them in all corners of Singapore, from
463 sf.
Hougang to Sengkang to Pasir Ris. Given the
huge numbers of shoebox apartments taken
up by buyers today, I am assuming that some
are bought for self-stay, rather than for
investment.

Fig 1: The Inflora Fig 2: Floor Plan Type 1(a)

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 SINGAPORE PROPERTY WEEKLY Issue 327

As you enter the unit, there is a small foyer

where you can place a sideboard or some
sort of cabinet as the space is quite wide.
These will create some storage as the
amount of storage provided in the unit is very
little.

As an alternative, you can also choose to

build a row of cabinets along the length of the
wall in the living area. However, the width of
the cabinets may have to be a little narrower
to minimise intrusion into the living area. With
this option, you may need to do away with a
dining area as the sofa needs to be set back
a little. A possible solution is to move the
dining area into the balcony as it is spacious Figure 3: Living /Dining Area
enough to accommodate a proper dining set.

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 SINGAPORE PROPERTY WEEKLY Issue 327

The kitchen is adequate enough as it comes

equipped with a washer/dryer (housed within
the lower cabinet), an induction hob, an oven,
as well as a fridge. The only downside I see is
that the kitchen does not have sufficient
storage and counter space. The inadequate
counter space may make it difficult for
someone who loves to cook complicated
meals, but it is sufficient for those who only
do minimal or simple cooking. Aspiring chefs
can always fix an additional pull-out counter
without encroaching into liveable space.

Figure 4: Kitchen

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 SINGAPORE PROPERTY WEEKLY Issue 327

Figure 5: Bedroom

The bedroom is spacious enough to place a

queen sized bed and a side table. The two-
door wardrobe provides sufficient space for
your clothes. Although there is not much
space to create additional storage in the
bedroom, you can build shelves on the wall
facing the bed to put your books and other
knick knacks.
Figure 6: Bathroom
The bathroom is a pretty comfortable size and
comes with ready shelving which should be
sufficient for toiletries. With proper lighting
installed, it can also suffice as a vanity area.

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 SINGAPORE PROPERTY WEEKLY Issue 327

Shoebox Units Liveable? between 2014 and 2016, and are located in
different parts of Singapore. For a fair
Personally, I think that this particular unit is
comparison, all of them are 99-year leasehold
pretty liveable for a single, as the layout has
projects.
little wasted space. For hoarders however,
shoebox units may not be suitable as storage
is minimal. With a balcony included, it does
make a cosy enough home for one. For a
couple, it will be a bit of a squeeze, but
perhaps acceptable for some. However, Id
draw the line at that because anything more
than two persons will be crowded.

A Look at Shoebox Units for Sale Happy house hunting if you think that you will
be happy living in a shoebox unit!
For those who are considering getting a
shoebox unit, the following are some options
for your consideration. These are
condominiums which were completed

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 SINGAPORE PROPERTY WEEKLY Issue 327

Non-Landed Residential Resale Property Transactions for the Week of Aug 21 Aug 25

Postal Area Transacted Price Postal Area Transacted Price

Project Name Tenure Project Name Tenure
District (sqft) Price ($) ($ psf) District (sqft) Price ($) ($ psf)
1 THE SAIL @ MARINA BAY 936 2,131,888 2,277 99 9 VISIONCREST 840 1,670,000 1,989 FH
1 MARINA BAY RESIDENCES 1,076 2,180,000 2,025 99 9 VISIONCREST 915 1,780,000 1,945 FH
1 THE CLIFT 549 1,069,999 1,949 99 9 SCOTTS 28 1,658 3,188,000 1,923 FH
1 PEOPLE'S PARK COMPLEX 409 420,000 1,027 99 9 ESTILO 495 835,560 1,688 FH
2 SKYSUITES@ANSON 366 933,000 2,549 99 9 WATERMARK ROBERTSON QUAY 1,324 2,180,000 1,647 FH
2 SPOTTISWOODE 18 388 762,000 1,966 FH 9 CAIRNHILL CREST 1,206 1,980,000 1,642 FH
2 SPOTTISWOODE PARK 850 760,000 894 99 9 PARC SOPHIA 667 1,035,000 1,551 FH
3 PEARL BANK APARTMENT 1,755 1,600,000 912 99 9 SUITES AT ORCHARD 2,002 2,900,000 1,448 99
4 CORALS AT KEPPEL BAY 915 1,765,000 1,929 99 9 8 @ MOUNT SOPHIA 1,442 1,980,000 1,373 103
4 HARBOURLIGHTS 732 1,068,000 1,459 FH 10 LE NOUVEL ARDMORE 4,004 16,018,000 4,000 FH
5 PARC IMPERIAL 409 665,500 1,627 FH 10 GRAMERCY PARK 2,691 7,348,800 2,731 FH
5 ONE-NORTH RESIDENCES 980 1,390,000 1,419 99 10 LEEDON RESIDENCE 2,508 5,970,000 2,380 FH
5 THE PARC CONDOMINIUM 667 860,000 1,289 FH 10 CLUNY PARK RESIDENCE 883 2,100,000 2,379 FH
5 THE PARC CONDOMINIUM 980 1,200,000 1,225 FH 10 CLUNY PARK RESIDENCE 1,421 3,290,000 2,316 FH
5 LUXE VILLE 1,281 1,368,888 1,069 FH 10 RV RESIDENCES 850 1,751,700 2,060 999
5 DOVER PARKVIEW 936 968,888 1,035 99 10 RV RESIDENCES 678 1,341,880 1,979 999
5 PARK WEST 1,249 970,000 777 99 10 RV RESIDENCES 700 1,364,020 1,950 999
7 CONCOURSE SKYLINE 1,152 2,337,000 2,029 99 10 CUSCADEN RESIDENCES 1,485 2,850,000 1,919 FH
8 CITYLIGHTS 872 1,390,000 1,594 99 10 RV RESIDENCES 1,119 2,084,980 1,862 999
8 CITYSCAPE @FARRER PARK 1,076 1,580,000 1,468 FH 10 RV RESIDENCES 861 1,573,640 1,827 999
8 KERRISDALE 1,270 1,380,000 1,086 99 10 RV RESIDENCES 904 1,645,800 1,820 999
9 THE LAURELS 549 1,510,000 2,751 FH 10 D'LEEDON 635 1,143,000 1,800 99
9 OUE TWIN PEAKS 1,604 4,131,000 2,576 99 10 GALLOP GABLES 1,744 2,900,000 1,663 FH
9 ESPADA 377 853,000 2,264 FH 10 THE ASTON 657 1,000,000 1,523 FH
9 MARTIN PLACE RESIDENCES 646 1,345,000 2,083 FH 10 YGK GARDEN 2,067 3,100,000 1,500 FH

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 SINGAPORE PROPERTY WEEKLY Issue 327

Postal Area Transacted Price Postal Area Transacted Price

Project Name Tenure Project Name Tenure
District (sqft) Price ($) ($ psf) District (sqft) Price ($) ($ psf)
10 SOMMERVILLE GRANDEUR 1,841 2,700,000 1,467 FH 14 TORIEVILLE 915 758,000 828 FH
10 SHEARES VILLE 1,475 2,160,000 1,465 FH 14 EUNOS PARK 1,884 1,460,000 775 FH
10 THE TESSARINA 926 1,350,000 1,458 FH 15 GRAND DUCHESS AT ST PATRICK'S 1,356 2,145,000 1,582 FH
10 CASABELLA 1,313 1,892,500 1,441 FH 15 ONE AMBER 570 900,000 1,578 FH
10 MUTIARA VIEW 1,163 1,625,000 1,398 FH 15 LEVILLE ISUITES 646 900,000 1,394 FH
10 DUCHESS CREST 1,367 1,851,000 1,354 99 15 RIVAGE 1,098 1,500,000 1,366 FH
10 RICH MANSIONS 1,765 2,350,000 1,331 FH 15 COTE D'AZUR 1,109 1,492,000 1,346 99
11 SOLEIL @ SINARAN 581 1,190,000 2,047 99 15 WATER PLACE 1,227 1,585,000 1,292 99
11 ADRIA 1,485 2,360,000 1,589 FH 15 MALVERN SPRINGS 1,119 1,400,000 1,251 FH
11 CHANCERY ESQUIRE 1,722 2,300,000 1,335 FH 15 THE MAKENA 1,507 1,870,000 1,241 FH
11 THE ARCADIA 3,757 3,300,000 878 99 15 FORT GARDENS 1,442 1,530,000 1,061 FH
11 HILLCREST ARCADIA 1,711 1,350,000 789 99 15 EVERITT GREEN 1,292 1,288,000 997 FH
12 EIGHT RIVERSUITES 441 720,000 1,631 99 15 NEPTUNE COURT 1,270 955,000 752 99
12 EIGHT RIVERSUITES 441 708,000 1,604 99 16 PARBURY HILL CONDOMINIUM 1,453 1,650,000 1,135 FH
12 DE ROYALE 1,281 1,626,800 1,270 FH 16 CASA MERAH 1,259 1,300,000 1,032 99
12 ONE ST MICHAEL'S 1,259 1,550,000 1,231 FH 16 CHANGI GREEN 1,216 1,100,000 904 FH
12 NOVA 48 936 1,100,000 1,175 FH 16 THE BAYSHORE 969 848,000 875 99
12 PARC HAVEN 1,345 1,368,000 1,017 FH 16 THE BAYSHORE 1,184 1,010,000 853 99
13 SUITES@BRADDELL 398 550,000 1,381 FH 16 AQUARIUS BY THE PARK 2,099 1,610,000 767 99
13 BLOSSOMS @ WOODLEIGH 1,410 1,750,000 1,241 FH 17 AZALEA PARK CONDOMINIUM 1,507 1,160,000 770 999
13 PARC MONDRIAN 1,399 1,710,000 1,222 FH 17 AZALEA PARK CONDOMINIUM 1,335 940,000 704 999
14 SINGA HILLS 807 1,120,000 1,387 FH 18 THE PALETTE 1,173 1,260,000 1,074 99
14 LE CRESCENDO 947 1,145,000 1,209 FH 18 Q BAY RESIDENCES 764 678,999 888 99
14 CASA AERATA 592 665,000 1,123 FH 18 CHANGI RISE CONDOMINIUM 1,130 862,000 763 99
14 CASSIA VIEW 1,152 1,200,000 1,042 FH 18 ELIAS GREEN 1,550 880,000 568 99
14 SIMSVILLE 980 910,000 929 99 19 BLISS@KOVAN 840 1,230,000 1,465 FH

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 SINGAPORE PROPERTY WEEKLY Issue 327

Postal Area Transacted Price Postal Area Transacted Price

Project Name Tenure Project Name Tenure
District (sqft) Price ($) ($ psf) District (sqft) Price ($) ($ psf)
19 BARTLEY RESIDENCES 1,378 1,720,000 1,248 99 26 CASTLE GREEN 947 820,000 866 99
19 THE LUXURIE 1,055 1,180,000 1,119 99 26 SEASONS PARK 1,292 975,000 755 99
19 THE FLORENTINE 947 920,000 971 947 26 SEASONS PARK 1,991 1,450,000 728 99
19 THE MINTON 980 940,000 960 99 27 EUPHONY GARDENS 2,196 1,100,000 501 99
19 REGENTVILLE 1,076 810,000 753 99 28 THE GREENWICH 603 605,000 1,004 99
19 REGENTVILLE 980 730,000 745 99 28 MIMOSA PARK 2,153 1,720,000 799 FH
19 RIVERVALE CREST 990 700,000 707 99 28 SELETAR SPRINGS CONDOMINIUM 1,302 905,000 695 99
20 MARYMOUNT VIEW 1,259 1,438,000 1,142 FH
20 THE WINDSOR 2,411 2,229,999 925 FH
20 BISHAN PARK CONDOMINIUM 1,324 1,180,000 891 99 NOTE: This data only covers non-landed residential resale property
20 BISHAN PARK CONDOMINIUM 1,550 1,350,000 871 99 transactions with caveats lodged with the Singapore Land Authority.
20 BISHAN POINT 2,626 2,280,000 868 99 Typically, caveats are lodged at least 2-3 weeks after a purchaser
signs an OTP, hence the lagged nature of the data.
21 THE NEXUS 1,066 1,530,000 1,436 FH
21 GARDENVISTA 1,163 1,411,000 1,214 99
21 THE HILLSIDE 1,302 1,365,000 1,048 FH
21 CLEMENTI PARK 807 820,000 1,016 FH
21 THE HILLSIDE 1,518 1,500,000 988 FH
21 PANDAN VALLEY 2,174 2,050,000 943 FH
21 THE HILLSIDE 1,313 1,238,000 943 FH
21 SYMPHONY HEIGHTS 1,152 1,085,000 942 FH
21 HIGH OAK CONDOMINIUM 1,184 1,075,000 908 99
23 GLENDALE PARK 1,313 1,420,000 1,081 FH
23 HILLSTA 1,206 1,170,000 970 99
23 THE WARREN 1,238 950,000 767 99
25 WOODHAVEN 850 815,000 958 99
26 SEASONS PARK 1,539 1,360,000 884 99

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