Sorry for the delay as I am just back from Indonesia handling my client S&P for a unit at Meyer Road.
Aristo will TOP in Sep or Oct the latest. This is just my guest but as I said i am not developer so I cannot confirm the actual date. In anycase this project needs to TOP latest by December 2013 - thats the final TOP deadline.
Honestly this project is a beautiful project. I am not trying to sell the units there as an agent but based on my honest opinion after seeing a unit there and the clubhouse. The furnishings are quality furnishings - they used Hansgrohe fittings, Raindance shower for the bathrooms, duravit fittings, Italian white/grey marble at living and dining, solid wood long strip flooring etc. The 100 year old conservation house fronting Aristo is Bidwell's one and only residential project in Singapore, with others being commercial like Raffles Hotel, Goodwood Park Hotel and National Theatre.
In addition Aristo selling points are:
(a) Singapore's few freehold sea fronting new condos. There arent many freehold new condos with seaview in Singapore. The only ones left now are Meyerise and the upcoming Amber Skye apart from Aristo. There are practically no more. The rest are 99 year leasehold condos. So this is itself a plus point and a niche market. You can hardly get a freehold condo with such a prime location coupled with sea view fronting.
(b) New projects are asking at $2200psf on average. Aristo is still selling at a 30% discount despite the fact that Aristo has a better facing than units at The Cape, 16@Amber and Amber Skye.
(c) The new ERL mrt line - Amber Station will be just behind Aristo. This will push up Aristo units once the announcement made in the next 6 months from now. This station will have 2 underground opening - one opening will be near the roundabout while the other one will be near parkway/Cote D Azur. Dont ask me how I know this info.
(d) Amber Skye, the new project by China Sonangol Land, will be launched at at an average $2200-2500psf. The developer, which is cash rich has decided to postpone launch while resume with the construction of the condo. They dont need the $$$ to start construction. They rather wait for the ERL line announcement then they will launch/sell their units. What does this tell u ??? If u are smart u will know. And mind u, Amber Skye sea view is not as good as the units at Aristo.
(e) Sea view is a plus plus plus point for sellers. Buyers are willing to pay a premium as much as $500psf more for higher floor units with seaview. Just look at Aalto transactions you will have an idea - the same size unit on the low floor can sell at $1600psf while another similar unit on the high floor at the same stack can sell at $2200psf. So the better your sea view, the more the $$$. The sea means luck and fortune not only better view.
(f) Amber/Meyer will remain a jewel in the east and will soon be elevated as a prime district with the upcoming major plan for east coast - which includes the completion of the Marina Coastal Expressway, the new National Stadium in 2014, the ongoing F1 Grand Prix, the next plan for the 3rd casino/integrated entertainment complex near the Marina East (Fort Road) area being the last unspoilt beach land in Singapore once the new tender for casino/IR will start in 2017. Dont forget, the East coast park itself is undergoing a major transformation with the upcoming Parkland @ East Coast park completing in 2014, the Marine Cove (under renovation now) in 2015. This will make this location one of the best place in Singapore to live and entertain. So dont expect people who own units at Amber/Meyer to sell their units to you at a discount.
(g) Marine Parade/Amber location being closed to all the good amenities - good schools (Tao Nan/Dunman/JCs etc), good shopping (Parkway/I12/Other new upcoming malls), good food (countless restaurants along the stretch of East Coast Road and East Coast beach), good transport (all major bus lines/ new mrt coming up which goes to town and to the airport in one stretch), good sports activities (the beach for cyclist/sea sports/joggers, and the stadium/Chinese swimming club (tennis/gym/pool/other sports activities).
(h) Aristo 100 year old conservation house history is in itself an asset to the property - this project is Bidwell one and only residential project done during his lifetime. He is the renown architect for Raffles Hotel, Goodwood Park Hotel and National Theatre. The Butterfly House gate and main entrance is beautifully conserved to preserve the spirit of Amber Road while retaining the ambience of old blended with modern concept - the 4 units on every floor at the modern building typifies the shape of the butterfly wings/body while the conserve house is the head of the butterfly with the gate being the butterfly antennae spread over 2 sides.
(i) To the Chinese, Aristo building has one of the best fengshui in this area. The open sea behind signifies fortune and unending good luck, the Chinese Swimming Club massive pools in front and the side signify further endless good luck, the greenery view at the side signifies longevity and good health. The design of the gate facing outwards (converging shape) signify the act of absorbing wealth from outside. This confirms the fact that the previous owners of Aristo (conserved house) were renowned businessman from the Jewish Cashin family to the reputable Lee clan. As such, owners of Aristo will also inherit this good fengshui energy.