The Inspira

Location: Arnasalam Chetty Road

Tenure: Freehold

Completion: 2009

Developer: Meadows Bright Development

District: 9

Total units: 120 units, 4 of which are penthouses

No. of floors: 14

Occupying a total space of 2142 sqft over 2 levels, this penthouse unit comes with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Its asking price is $1500psf (or $3.22m) and the unit is currently rented at $9000 per month.

1st level
Entertain your guests in a bright and spacious living and dining room that stretches out into a good sized balcony with fantastic views of the Robertson area.

Living/Dining Area

Living/Dining Area

View

View

View

An L-shaped kitchen with ample worktop space and storage areas comes complete with almost brand new appliances. 

Kitchen

Kitchen

The living area leads into 2 bedrooms on the lower penthouse level, both bright and well-lit with built in wardrobes and both rooms sharing a modern design common bathroom.

2nd level
Head upstairs to your own private enclave, a chic urban style master bedroom with built in wardrobes cleverly designed to lead you directly to your luxury bathroom. 

Step out onto your private roof terrace and be overwhelmed by the outdoor terrace space which beckons. 

A sizeable entertainment space for BBQ parties or your private moments where you lounge in your own outdoor open air Jacuzzi, the outdoor terrace space can be transformed to fit your every need.

• A boutique development with vivid design elements. Its single slab 3-winged architecture reflects style and a visually arresting urban form.
• Tall magnificent columns supporting the structure demand a commanding presence.
• Facilities are built on the 3rd level, away from the parking level and thus creating a peaceful and serene environment.
• With a large space between the 1st and 3rd level and another high void between the 3rd and 4th level, this effectively means your 13th storey penthouse is as good as a 16th storey penthouse.
• Great location: 5 minutes to the CBD area and also 5 minutes to Orchard Road. The development is also easily accessible to expressways and major roads and public transportation where bus stops with direct buses into the CBD are within walking distance.
• Walking distance to grocery stores and Clarke quay where there is a vibrant range of fine dining restaurants or pubs etc to suite your palate.

Pricing - Only $1500psf, last transaction was concluded at $1530psf for a 3 bedroom unit.
Owning a home in the Robertson quay area is suitable for those who want to be at the centre of a trendy area that buzzes with lifestyle, snazzy restaurants and high end clubs, but still with the convenience of everyday necessities such as banks and groceries nearby. You are situated near the main shopping district, but not in the shopping district, so overall the feel of the area is more relaxed.


Our picks on comparable developments:
• Watermark: Directly opposite The Inspira, units at Watermark are already transacted above $1650psf.
• The Wharf: Still under construction, units there have already transacted above $1500psf.
• The Pier: Units are already transacted above $1800psf
• Rivergate: Units are transacted above $2150psf
• Martin 38: Units are transacted above $2300psf.


The aforesaid developments are all just a few minutes’ walk from The Inspira and are already commanding high prices. When compared to Martin 38, also a boutique condominium and sitting literally next to The Inspira, this penthouse unit certainly seems like a plausible option. Launch prices are above $2000psf for Martin 38 which is still under construction. Upon completion, we can anticipate that prices will climb higher and this (upward price trend). The rental yield for The Inspira is already above 3.3%, which is very reasonable by Singapore standards for a penthouse unit.

Domain 21

Location: 21 Delta Road
Tenure: 99-year leasehold
Completion: 2007
Developer: Kheng Leong
District: 3
Total units: 141 units, 4 of which are penthouses
No. of floors: 22

Occupying a total space of 2960 sqft over 2 levels, this penthouse unit comes with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. Its asking price is $1182psf (or $3.5m).

1st level
Enter into a double volume living area with a large balcony that offers panoramic greenery views. 

Living Room

Luxurious Double Volume Ceiling

Dining area is equipped with a bar top counter at the dry kitchen and a spacious wet kitchen allows for generous storage space. 

Dry Kitchen

Dry Kitchen, Staircase

Kitchen

Kitchen

View from Balcony

A single loading apartment allowing through wind, this penthouse definitely provides good ventilation. The second bedroom and common bathroom is also housed on the 1st level.

Corridor

Room

Room

Common Bathroom

2nd level 
The master bedroom occupies the 2nd level and comes with a luxurious ensuite bath that leads to an outdoor shower on an open roof terrace.

Room

Master Bedroom

Master Bedroom

Master Bedroom - Wardrobe

Master Bathroom - Bathtub

Master  Bathroom

Also featuring a Jacuzzi, the roof terrace has enough space to create a comfortable seating area. The 2nd level also houses another bedroom with a common bathroom.

• Development comprises 2 sleek modern looking buildings on a large parcel of land. It also comes with complete facilities (except tennis courts).
• Spacious main entrance with a large pool. The common grounds have many pockets of open spaces and landscaped gardens.
• Full length glass windows that allow for maximum views, even the kitchen has full length glass sliding doors.
• Excellent location: Located just outside District 10 (and next to the Good Class Bungalow area), it is the closest to the prime district you can get, without having to pay an exorbitant price on the apartment.
• Convenient: 5 minutes to Tiong Bahru MRT station and Tiong Bahru complex/Great world city/Valley point where there are plenty of amenities. Also only a 5 minute drive to Orchard Road/ Botanical gardens/Tiong Bahru Park.

Pricing - Only $1182psf, mid floor units are already transacted at above $1300psf
At only $1182psf for a sizable 3000 sq ft (almost), this penthouse unit is extremely attractive in terms of pricing. Situated just outside the prime district, you will not be able to find a penthouse in this area of a similar modern style and size, and most importantly, at this price.


Our picks on comparable developments:
• District 10:
- One Jervois: The only other modern style development that is just a 2 minute walk away from Domain 21. Average transacted prices are already around $1500psf.
- Latitude: Averaging at $2000psf, this development is closer to river valley, is brand new and still under construction.
- The Cosmopolitan: High floor units have prices that are averaging at around $1900psf
• District 3
- The Metropolitan: Located near Redhill MRT, high floor units are transacted above $1200psf.
- Meraprime: Located near Tiong Bahru MRT, high floor units are transacted above $1200psf.
- Twin regency: Located near Tiong Bahru MRT, high floor units are transacted above $1300psf.


As projects in District 3 are normally marketed as mass market projects, there is a noticeable price difference between developments in the nearby District 10 when compared to those in District 3. In spite of this, in effect, the distance and difference between the two districts is only a few minutes’ drive apart.


At the periphery of District 10, Domain 21 is the only modern and high-end condominium that sits much closer to the prime district and is perceived as a high-end development. Priced at less than $1200psf, this penthouse unit is a steal!

For those of you deliberating between a 3 bedroom apartment in District 9 or 10 versus a penthouse in District 3, consider this. While effectively, they may be about the same price, penthouses are a rare commodity and accounts for less than 1% of the total private apartments in the market. When purchasing a penthouse, you are ultimately buying into a luxury living concept.