There’s more to Orchard Road than retail therapy and tourism, as Muneerah Bee explores.
While Orchard is known as the shopping mecca of Singapore, housing areas are also nestled in the area.
In fact, as early as the 1860s, Orchard Road had a great number of private houses and bungalows on hills.
While Orchard Road itself reportedly runs 2.5 km from Tanglin Road/Orange Grove Road to Dhoby Ghaut, it supposedly got its name from the orchards and plantations that existed there until the turn of the 20th century.
Undoubtedly, living in the Orchard area now presents great access to amenities. Its central and highly accessible location brings a myriad of advantages for residents, such as living at the heart of the city’s hustle and bustle. Orchard Road’s plethora of shopping malls are also conveniently right at the doorstep, and a huge variety of restaurants, hotels, cinemas, and health and beauty services ensure that residents are never out of options.
Besides being a vibrant and exciting shopping street, URA’s Orchard Road Planning Area includes a number of residential and mixed development that “inject a live-in population to the area to ensure round-the-clock vibrancy”.
Additionally, Orchard’s Urban Design guidelines focus on ensuring good connectivity with the MRT station, accessibility between developments, a vibrant streetscape and high quality design. This is supplemented by a generous tree-lined pedestrian mall which runs through the district, connecting major developments, public open spaces and MRT stations.
Amenities Aplenty
Besides Orchard MRT station on the North-South Line, there will also be a new Orchard Boulevard station on the upcoming Thomson Line in time to come, which will serve residents in private homes primarily around Cuscaden Road and Grange Road.
Drivers also enjoy Orchard’s good public transportation links and proximity to the Central Island Expressway (CTE), making it easy for employees who work in the Central Business District (CBD) and Downtown Core areas.
Orchard is also home to several embassies such as the Royal Thai Embassy at 370 Orchard Road, the Japanese Embassy at Nassim Road, and Embassy of Ireland at 541 Orchard Road.
With several international schools such as Overseas Family School, ISS International School (elementary and middle school) and Chatsworth International School in the area, it is not a surprise that Orchard is a popular choice among the expat population in Singapore. Additionally, the American Club and Tanglin Club are also within the vicinity.
Other conveniences include healthcare amenities include Mount Elizabeth Hospital and the Paragon Medical Centre.
The Orchard district generally stretches out to areas such as Orchard Boulevard, Cairnhill and Nassim Road, encompassing residential precincts around Killiney, Patterson, and Grange Road. There are also plenty of residential options on the fringe of the district in Somerset and Lornie Hill.
Orchard Road is a walkable and pedestrian-friendly district.
Prime Residence
Given its locale, home prices and rents are naturally at a higher premium.
For example, Scotts Square by Wheelock Properties is among the prime condominiums there and in March 2011, media reports stated units at the development were sold at an average price of around $3,710 psf.
The freehold development features 338 high-end apartments in two 35- and 43-storey towers situated atop an 80,000 sq ft retail podium, with apartment sizes ranging from 624 sq ft to 1,249 sq ft, with one-, two- and three bedroom units.
Meanwhile, the 158-unit freehold Vermont on Cairnhill is reportedly priced at an average of $2,500 psf in June 2014. The luxury condominium by Bukit Sembawang Estates received TOP in May 2014.
Some of the older condominiums near Orchard MRT station include The Paterson Edge and Four Seasons Park. Surprisingly, despite Orchard Road’s reputation as a premium shopping street, many of the surrounding residential neighbourhoods are generally quiet and with greenery and nature.
Orchard will also see some new residential projects in the years to come such as Skyline @ Orchard Boulevard by Far East Organization. Located at 23 Angullia Park, the 40-unit freehold condominium is expected to be completed in 2015.
Another a freehold development by the same developer is also expected to be ready in 2015. Located at 8 Cairnhill Rise, Alba will comprise 50 units.
Interestingly, URA states the overall building height is generally higher around Orchard MRT station, marking the gateway to Orchard Road, and the building heights step down towards the Somerset and Tanglin Road areas. “For residential developments within Orchard Planning area, an equivalent building height to the maximum allowable height for a commercial building can be considered to give greater design flexibility.”
Besides high-rise condominium developments, several landed homes are also found in Orchard, notably around One Tree Hill and Nutmeg Road.
Although Orchard Road is predominantly a retail belt with a mix of shops, offices and hotels, Singapore’s key tourist destinations, will be home to many.
It not surprising that even celebrities want a piece of the Orchard offerings, Superstar Jackie Chan and singer-songwriter Wakin Chau have acquired several apartments in Overseas Union Enterprise’s (OUE) Twin Peaks condominium at Leonie Hill Road, according to media reports in June 2011.
Featured image source: Wikimedia Commons/User: gabbe