SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) – Five years ago, when Fairhaven was launched for collective sale, Dennis Leong, founder and CEO of DB2, did not bid for it. However, it got his attention in 2020 when Fairhaven re-entered the collective sale market with the neighbouring Sophia Ville. He paid $62 million for both freehold sites on Sophia Road in prime District 9.
The combined sites produced a land area of 23,881.5 sqft. “Buying just one plot wouldn’t be as nice as you would only be able to build a 20-30 unit development,” says Leong. “You need to buy both to achieve a nice squarish plot.”
The combined site area is 23,881.5 sqft and the new five-storey condominium Orchard Sophia will have 78 units. About 15% of the units are one-bedders ranging from 441 sqft to 484 sqft. The majority are two-bedders of 581 sqft to 710 sqft, making up 55 units (71%). Three bedders of 764 sqft account for just three units, while three-bedroom dual-key units of 829 sqft to 840 sqft comprise the remaining five units in the development.
Under the URA Master Plan, the site has a plot ratio of 2.1, which means it could go up to 24 storeys. However, as the site faces Istana Park, for security reasons, the height of the building was restricted to five storeys. This presented an interesting counterpoint to Lai Tien Yong, Ong & Ong studio director–architecture. “There are no taller buildings in the vicinity,” he says. “So it will still be the tallest building in the area, given its perch at the top of the hill. Residents can still enjoy a bird’s eye view of Orchard Road and Istana Park.”
Given the orientation of the units in the two blocks, which are in the northwest-southeast direction, about 75% of the units at Orchard Sophia will enjoy unblocked city views, says Lai. The remaining 25% of the units will have views of the inner courtyard and the 20m lap pool. Moreover, the gap between the two blocks creates a wind tunnel; hence units will enjoy good cross ventilation, he adds.In addition to the conventional balcony, which acts as an extension of the living room, each bedroom will have a “Juliet balcony”, says Lai. “During Covid, we noticed many people wanting to create a little garden at their balconies,” he says. A brass-coloured mesh on the façade serves a dual function beyond aesthetics: as a privacy screen and shading device to cut the sun’s glare, according to Lai.
The interior designers at Creative Mind Design also ensured that the interiors exude the boutique hotel feel. “We wanted to create a warm and hospitable feel from the moment you drive in and even as you walk along the walkway,” says the firm’s design director Alvin Tan. “We integrated our palette and materials to harmonise with the architecture.”In keeping with contemporary interiors, the living room tiles are large porcelain tiles of matte finish. The kitchen cabinets also come with a built-in rack for spices and condiments. A polished backsplash and countertop made of sintered stone were selected for the kitchen for its durability, says Tan, and also “to provide an interesting contrast to the matte finish of the flooring”.
The developer is providing quality brands in terms of appliances and fittings, for instance, Smeg kitchen appliances, Bosh washer cum dryer, and Franke kitchen faucets and mixer. Bathrooms are fitted with Gessi shower sets and faucets, Hansgrohe accessories, Duravit water closets and Geberit flush plates.
The showflats of the two-bedroom unit and the three-bedroom dual-key unit are also designed to give homeowners ideas on how they can create storage spaces and work areas, notes Constance Tew, creative director at Creative Mind Design.
DB2 has been in the property development business since Leong founded the firm in 2006. He has focused mainly on freehold, boutique residential projects. Past projects include the freehold Siglap V with 114 apartments on the upper floors and retail units on the first level. Located in prime District 15 in the Siglap area, it was launched in 2010 and completed in 2013. In the Kovan area, DB2 launched the 164-unit, freehold, mixed-use development Promenade @ Pelikat on Pelikat Road in 2012. The project in District 19 was completed in 2015.
Boutique developments in the prime districts developed by DB2 include the 69-unit 10 Shelford, launched in 2011. The freehold project on Shelford Road in prime District 11 was fully sold and completed in 2014. The 84-unit, freehold Devonshire Residences was launched in 2011 and sold out. Located on Devonshire Road, it sits in prime District 9 and was completed in 2015. According to Leong, absolute prices at Orchard Sophia will start from $1.23 million for a one-bedroom to $2.29 million for a three-bedroom unit. On a psf basis, prices will start from $2,750 psf.
