Published March 7, 2009

80 units of Simei condo sold

UOL upbeat on project's future take-up, given 'terrific' response on 1st day of preview

By UMA SHANKARI

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UOL Group and Kheng Leong yesterday sold more than 80 units of their new Simei condominium Double Bay Residences on the first day of its preview, the companies said.

LUSH LIVING Two-thirds of Double Bay Residences are taken up by four swimming pools and landscape features such as a five-storey high waterfall, an elevated jacuzzi and a sports deck

Units at the 646-unit, 99-year leasehold project went for $600-650 per square foot (psf), UOL group chief operating officer Liam Wee Sin told BT.

UOL and Kheng Leong paid some $296 psf per plot ratio for the site in Jan 2008.

Mr Liam is upbeat about future take-up for the project as well. 'The response to the preview has been terrific and if the same momentum is sustained, we expect to sell at least 200 units by this weekend,' he said.

UOL released 250 units during yesterday's soft launch. The project will be officially launched on March 14.

Yesterday's transaction prices were slightly lower than the indicative prices that agents were giving out last week - which were in the range of $650-680 psf.

Mr Liam said that the $600-$650 selling price will be maintained: 'We are happy with the pricing and we have no intention of raising prices.'

One-bedroom apartments were priced at $420,000 to $480,000; two-bedders went for $570,000 to $620,000; three-bedders for $740,000 to $850,000; and four-bedroom units sold for $930,000 to $1.02 million.

Like with other recent launches, UOL is offering an interest absorption scheme to buyers, but this costs about 2 per cent more.

The project is expected to receive its temporary occupation permit in 2013.

Peter Ow, executive director for residential marketing at Knight Frank (which is marketing the project), said that most of the buyers were HDB upgraders. Units on higher floors were also proving to be more popular, he said.

Mr Liam pointed out that the last condo project in Simei was launched a decade ago.

'So we believe there's pent-up interest for condo living in the area,' he said, noting that there is latent demand from owners of HDB five-room and executive flats in Bedok, Pasir Ris, Punggol, Sengkang and Tampines.

UOL and Kheng Leong also said that apartments will be fitted with 'elegant finishings comparable to district 10 condos', which they expect will be a selling point.

Two-thirds of Double Bay Residences are taken up by four swimming pools and landscape features such as a five-storey high waterfall, an elevated jacuzzi and a sports deck.

UOL Group and Kheng Leong also sold six shop units within the project at $1,150 psf to a single buyer.