Boasting one of the longest major roads in Singapore, as well as an enviable location that combines homeliness and a close proximity to the city, Thomson has long been a popular area. We look at everything else that makes it so well-liked, and what’s in store for this mature estate.
by Cheryl Marie Tay
Determining exactly where the Thomson area lies is not a straightforward task. After all, it took its name from Thomson Road, a major trunk road that runs all the way from a junction comprising Cavanagh Road, Kampong Java Road, Keng Lee Road and Norfolk Road, to Sembawang Road.
Thomson itself is connected to the Orchard area, CBD, Balestier, Novena, Newton, Toa Payoh, Braddell, Bishan and Ang Mo Kio, making it a part of Districts 11 and 20 at the same time. As such, you can see why the aforementioned geographical activity might be slightly tricky.
Still, thanks to its unique location, Thomson is a highly sought-after estate in which to live. With a good variety of housing, amenities and convenient connectivity to many other areas in Singapore, Thomson has remained in demand for years.
Ken Low, Project In-charge for Thomson Impressions, says: “Thomson is a mature estate with ample amenities, famous eateries, and many renowned schools. Geographically, it is centrally located, making it easy to travel to various parts of Singapore. There is a very good balance of landed, private and HDB properties, making Thomson a prestigious part of District 20.”
Home advantage
Thomson possesses the coveted quality of being easily accessible from the CBD and Orchard area, yet far enough from them that it enjoys much smaller crowds and therefore, more relative peace and quiet. Furthermore, Thomson has its fair share of shopping, F&B and entertainment options, so residents do not necessarily have to even travel to town for such purposes.
It’s no surprise, then, that residential developments in Thomson have proven rather popular. One such project is Thomson Impressions, a 99-year leasehold condominium located near Sin Ming Avenue that features one- to five-bedroom units. Another is Thomson Grand along Upper Thomson Road, also a 99-year leasehold condo, this one with 339 units within 20 storeys.
Low says of Thomson Impressions and Thomson Grand: “Both developments boast fantastic views of the lush nature located to the west, with unblocked views of the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Upper and Lower Peirce Reservoir, Windsor Nature Park and MacRitchie Reservoir.
“Being located within 1 km to one of the most popular primary schools in Singapore, Ai Tong, will also increase the demand for properties in these developments.”
Additionally, Thomson is anticipating two MRT stations, Bright Hill and Upper Thomson, both on the upcoming Thomson MRT line.
Everything in one place
Residents of Thomson generally want for nothing, with retail options aplenty in the form of Thomson Plaza, Shaw Plaza, Velocity @ Novena Square, Square 2 and United Square, not to mention the endless shopping choices along the nearby Orchard Road shopping belt.
Needless to say, it also has its fair share of eateries offering a wide variety of food, such as Casuarina Curry Restaurant, E-Sarn Thai Corner, Habitat Coffee, Hwa Nam Restaurant, The Roti Prata House, and Yi Jia Bakery House Café, among many others.
But beyond shopping and eating, parents of school-going children can be at ease in Thomson. The many schools in the area include EtonHouse International Pre-School, St Joseph’s Institution International, Anglo-Chinese School, Singapore Chinese Girls’ School, Balestier Hill Secondary School, and San Yu Adventist School.
Much like its neighbour Novena, Thomson also has no shortage of healthcare facilities: Thomson Medical Centre, Women’s Wellness Clinic Singapore, Horizon Medical Centre and Singapore Specialist Centre are but some examples. Nearby in Balestier, a branch of the Singapore National Eye Centre.
Nature calls
As modern as Thomson may have become, nature is still an integral part of the area. As Thomson is located in the central catchment area of the country, it is close to the Upper and Lower Peirce Reservoirs, MacRitchie Reservoir, and Windsor Nature Park. Residents can easily take a relaxing stroll through these places, or even keep fit and active by cycling or jogging here.
Moving to greener pastures
It is clear that Thomson is an attractive place to live in, but what do potential homeowners in the area have to look out for when considering a move to the estate?
Low advises: “New launches in Thomson have shown very good track record in sales, due to the low supply of private properties and the constant high demand. For example, Thomson Three and Thomson Grand, both previously marketed by Huttons Asia Pte Ltd, have fully sold their typical units in a short span of time.
“Since there are upcoming MRT stations in Thomson area, it will be good to look out for properties that are within 500 m of these stations, to fully enjoy the convenience (they provide). It will also be an added advantage if your property is within 1 km of renowned schools in the area.”
Solid past, strong future
Indeed, Thomson has its old-school, mature charm, and has managed to develop quite nicely over the years. More importantly, its prospects look promising as well.
As Low says, “The upcoming Bright Hill and Upper Thomson MRT stations, along the Thomson Line, will improve the connectivity in this area, and bring about possible future appreciation in property prices, and rental demand in the area. Residents will also stand to benefit when the North-South Expressway is completed in a few years time.”
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