There’s just something about high ceiling loft units that immediately evoke a sense of grandness to a space. While you could say it is a bit of a niche product (not everyone is willing to pay the premium for one), it does increasingly make more sense in today’s pandemic WFH market.
As more people are spending time at home, they have started to realise the importance of having a space that is truly fit for their lifestyle. Whether it be a larger home or one that just makes them feel good at home – people are increasingly more willing to pay more for it.
Frankly, Singapore doesn’t have loft units in a traditional sense (if industrial buildings could be converted to condos, commercial real estate would overheat immediately). That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t find loft units that provide precious extra space.
The problem is that many of these developments are hard to find; especially if you’re considering newer condos. For your convenience, we’ve highlighted recent projects with loft-unit offerings:
1. Sloane Residences
Location: Balmoral Road (District 10)
Developer: TSky Balmoral Pte. Ltd.
Lease: Freehold
TOP: 2022
Number of units: 52
Recent prices indicates a median developer price of $2,771 psf, with a high of $2,771 psf, and a low of $2,677 psf.
Key highlights:
We have a full review of Sloane Residences on Stacked.
The loft units in Sloane Residences average 3.2 metres, while units on the second and third floor reach up to 6 metres (there are shorter ones of 4.65m and 5m high as well). The private lift access and lavish interiors, coupled with a small unit count of 52, mark this out as a true boutique luxury project.
It is quite an interesting mix of units, as you’d normally find the high ceiling loft units at the top or ground floor of the development. So to have these on the 2nd and 3rd floors is certainly a different approach.
2. The Hyde
Location: Balmoral Road (District 10)
Developer: Aurum Land
Lease: Freehold
TOP: 2022
Number of units: 117
Recent prices indicates a median developer price of $2,757 psf, with a high of $2,769 psf, and a low of $2,744 psf.
Key highlights:
We have a full review of The Hyde on Stacked (or if you’d prefer to watch the review).
The Hyde is what you’d expect of a boutique development in District 10: It’s freehold, only a four-minute drive to Orchard Road, and has an emphasis on exclusivity.
In our review (link above), we covered the loft units with a five-metre floor-to-ceiling height. In the one-bedder units, a furniture deck is included in the layout.
Note that the high floored units are all located on the top floor (unlike Sloane Residences), and so there will be loft units for all unit types at The Hyde (1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom).
3. Nyon
Location: Amber Road (District 15)
Developer: Aurum Land
Lease: Freehold
TOP: 2022
Number of units: 92
Recent prices indicates a median developer price of $2,411 psf, with a high of $2,519 psf, and a low of $2,080 psf.
Key Highlights:
If you haven’t heard of Nyon, it’s because District 15 has been crazily competitive for luxury projects of late. Meyer House and Meyer Mansion have hogged the limelight for most of the past year, so Nyon may have slipped under the radar.
4. Amber Park
Location: Amber Gardens (District 15)
Developer: CDL
Lease: Freehold
TOP: 2023
Number of units: 592
Square Foot Research indicates a median developer price of $2,235 psf, with a high of $2,482 psf, and a low of $2,659 psf.
Key highlights:
Like we said above, District 15 has been crazily competitive for luxury condos of late. Case in point, Amber Park condo, which provides an alternative to Nyon (some might say an alternative to Meyer House and Meyer Mansion as well).
ALSO READ: Midwood condominium review: Small but efficient units amidst nature
In terms of location, the advantages are most similar to Nyon, as the two developments are a mere six-minutes apart. However, Amber Park is a medium sized development at 592 units, which some investors consider to be the “sweet spot”.
(This unit count creates sufficient transactions for price support and lower maintenance costs, without creating too much competition or loss of privacy).
The high-ceiling units are the (2,142 sq. ft, 2,336 sq. ft) units; these are five-bedders with a ceiling height of six metres, over the living and dining rooms.
While price points are out of reach of most buyers (it is a freehold property in District 15 after all). That’s not to say it doesn’t have unique selling points.
It is designed by the renowned SCDA Architects, and on the 22nd floor is a special recreation deck that has a gym (faces the sea), outdoor fitness corner, lounge, open deck, and a special 600m jogging track.
Last transactions
| Date | Unit Size | Price PSF | Price |
| April 26, 2021 | 2,142 sq. ft. | $2,573 | $5,510,400 |
| Feb 15, 2021 | 2,142 sq. ft. | $2,551 | $5,464,260 |
| Feb 21, 2021 | 2.336 sq. ft. | $2,406 | $5,620,000 |
5. Parksuites
Location: Holland Grove Road (District 10)
Developer: Far East Organization
Lease: 110-years
TOP: 2023
Number of units: 119
Recent prices indicates a median developer price of $2,018 psf.
Key highlights
If you want the feel of living in a landed property near Holland V, without the sky-high quantum, this is your next best alternative. Parksuites is unusual in being just a four-storey development; and for every unit having an average ceiling height of 3.4 metres; some units reach six metres.
6. Forett at Bukit Timah
Location: Toh Tuck Road (District 21)
Developer: Qingjian Group
Lease: Freehold
TOP: 2024
Number of units: 633
Recent prices indicates a median developer price of $1,982 psf, with a high of $2,202 psf, and a low of $1,709 psf.
Key highlights:
We have a full review of Forett at Bukit Timah on Stacked.
Forett at Bukit Timah has had extensive press, but surprisingly few people realise its ground unit and top floor units are high-ceilinged. At an average of 4.6 metres, it’s a good reason to opt for the lower floors; even if you trade off the view.
7. Cairnhill 16
Location: 16 Cairnhill Rise (District 09)
Developer: TSky Cairnhill Pte. Ltd.
Lease: Freehold
TOP: 2025
Number of units: 39
There are no recorded transactions yet, but asking prices have ranged between $3,156 to $3,300 psf.
Key Highlights:
Cairnhill 16 has units that average 3.2 metres in ceiling height, with the top floor units reaching 4.275 metres. As you might expect, it is freehold, and with only 39 units total it is just about as exclusive as you can get for the area (yes, it comes with private lift access)
Cairnhill 16 is priced as one would reasonably presume, for a new launch luxury District 9 condo. To date, we’ve spotted three bedders below $4 million, and two bedders at around $2.4 million (all typical asking prices for this area). We doubt the eventual transaction prices will be much lower, as the high-end market is moving right now.
Location: Jalan Loyang Besar (District 17)
Developer: Sustain Land
Lease: Freehold
TOP: 2022
Number of units: 49
Recent prices indicates a median developer price of $1,540 psf.
Key highlights:
Here’s an interesting idea: take the exclusivity of a boutique freehold development, of the sort you usually expect in the CCR; but locate it in Pasir Ris, at an actual affordable price. The result would be Casa Al Mare.
