http://www.straitstimes.com/archive/...rices-20130525

Districts 1, 2 popular despite high prices

Page views on the STProperty website give an instant snapshot of what projects buyers are keen on. This week we look at what's attracting attention in districts 1 and 2.

Published on May 25, 2013


BUYERS have their clear favourites when searching for homes and high prices do not get in their way.

The swanky offices of Raffles Place and the bright lights of Boat Quay and Chinatown give District1 a strong appeal.

The top five projects in District1 (see table) by page views on STProperty in the May 13-19 period were all 99-year leaseholds.

The top ranked by searches was The Sail @ Marina Bay, which has one-, two- and three-bedders with an average asking price of $2,573 per sq ft (psf).

Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) data showed that the average transacted price per unit between Nov 1 and April 30 this year for the project was $2,247 psf.

The Clift and One Shenton, which have been completed, were the next two popular searches, followed by the upcoming Marina Bay Suites and V on Shenton developments.

Marina Bay Suites, which expects its temporary occupation permit (TOP) next year, had the highest average asking price of the top five, with two- and three-bedder units, at about $2,748 psf.

One Shenton had the lowest average asking price among the top five at $2,245 psf.

District 2 covers another part of the Central Business District, spanning Anson Road, Neil Road and Tanjong Pagar.
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Both freehold and 99-year leasehold projects attracted attention with the top five projects all consisting of only one- and two-bedder units.

The Icon led the way with the most searches, yet the project had the lowest average asking price in the top five at $2,017 psf.

Its average transacted price per unit between last November and April 30 was $1,870, according to URA data.

The 68-unit Dorsett Residences, which ranked fourth in page views, had the highest average asking price of $2,446 psf. The smallish complex is near Outram MRT station.

RACHEL SCULLY