Creating niche living spaces in desirable locales

Boutique property developer TEE Land has always focused on quality, niche developments. And it is confident both its upcoming freehold projects - Lattice One and 35 Gilstead - will live up to its promise of homes that are "Designed for Living".

Key to that keeping the needs of the homes' eventual owners in mind. "We put a lot of thought into what makes our development our buyers' dream home," says Jonathan Phua, CEO of TEE Land, which now has more than 30 completed real estate developments in Singapore and the region.

"We aim to be recognised as a quality Singapore developer, with a strategic focus on developing sites that have fewer than 100 units," says Fanny Cheng, Assistant General Manager of the Singapore Exchange mainboard-listed TEE Land, which is also the real estate arm of TEE International.

TEE Land is fastidious about its choice of sites, Mr Phua says. Both Lattice One and 35 Gilstead will be built on well-situated freehold sites within landed housing enclaves that were purchased in collective sales last year.

"We place a lot of emphasis on finding land in good locations. Our development projects are mainly freehold and in locations that have easy access to amenities and transport systems," he says.

But they are aimed at different groups of buyers. "Each development is tailored to suit the targeted buyer profile. For instance, buyers who are looking for properties with good investment potential might consider 35 Gilstead, which is located in District 11," Mr Phua says.

A quick turnaround is what TEE Land strives for, with the aim of developing high quality homes in great locations that make for plush living, says Ms Cheng.

And, the nimbleness of TEE Land's team also enables it to stay on top of home trends, particularly the demands of younger buyers. "We make it a point to keep up with fast-moving trends, and incorporate the use of smart technologies," says Mr Phua.

Ms Cheng elaborates: "For example, guests coming into the development could register with just a QR code, eliminating the lengthy and tiresome process of physical sign-in checks. Or residents who want to book a barbecue pit could do so with a seamless app, versus an in-person booking.

"The idea is to have a paperless system, where residents can execute tasks anytime at their convenience. That's what smart technology makes possible: heightened convenience and environmentally friendly solutions - at a friendlier cost."

Attention to detail is what ensures that each project incorporates elements that residents will find useful. "For example, deciding against a water feature to bring down maintenance costs, or ensuring that the grounds are still green, but choosing plants that are easier to maintain. All this enables us to ensure that our homes are wallet-friendly and offer great value," she says.

For both Lattice One and 35 Gilstead, the architects' design brief also emphasizes efficient utilisation of space. With the residents of these homes in mind, TEE Land requires, for instance, that all bedrooms in the two projects can accommodate a queen-sized bed, and all master bedrooms, a king-sized one. It is also assumed that the master bedroom will have space for a TV console.

Being meticulous about the details serves its larger goal of creating homes that cater to modern lifestyles. Mr Phua says, "We design our projects with our residents in mind - how they might come home after a long day out, kick off their shoes, and wind down their day with a good swim or workout. Which is why we also include pockets of spaces within the development where residents may relax and spend a quiet moment."

Recent projects in TEE Land's stable of 25 Singapore developments include the fully sold-out 24One Residences and 183 LONGHAUS. The 25 include 19 completed projects.

Lattice One and 35 Gilstead are among 6 ongoing projects that TEE Land believes will further cement its reputation as an established Singapore-based property developer with a strong track record.

"TEE Land will continue to deliver quality and well-designed living and working spaces that harmonise societies, businesses and people," says Mr Phua.

Lattice One

Named for the lattice that will adorn the facade of both its blocks, Lattice One at 1 Seraya Crescent will rest between the serenity of nature and the buzz of F&B options.

With Lower Peirce Reservoir in its backyard, Lattice One will offer dwellers easy access to a 900-metre boardwalk trail that meanders through the lush foliage of the forest and along the edge of the reservoir's calm waters. Other parks nearby include Leban Park and the upcoming Thomson Nature Park.

Proximity to nature does not come at the cost of accessibility. Sembawang Hills Food Centre with its spread of hawker fare is a couple of minutes' walk away, while the evergreen favourite Casuarina Curry is down the road.

Within easy reach too, are shopping malls such as Thomson Plaza and Junction 8 with an array of dining, banking, grocery and retail options, as well as the Upper Thomson cluster of hip cafes, bars and restaurants.

Well-regarded schools in the area include CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School, Ang Mo Kio Primary School, Mayflower Primary and Secondary School, Anderson Junior College and Raffles Institution.

The condominium will also be served by two major roads - Upper Thomson Road and Ang Mo Kio Avenue - and will be close to the Mayflower MRT station when it opens in 2020.

As terrace houses dot the neighbourhood in which it sits, Lattice One's two 5-storey blocks will have unblocked views from the third storey up. All residents will also be able to enjoy a 25-metre pool with a garden terrace and other communal facilities.

The 48 units span a range from 2-bedroom to 4-bedroom homes that are between 540 and 1200 square feet (sqft). Most of the units will be three-bedders with floor area of between 834 and 1054 sqft.

35 Gilstead

Relatively large as TEE Land's projects come, 35 Gilstead's three 5-storey blocks will house 70 units and a variety of facilities including a swimming pool, a gym, an outdoor pavilion, and even an outdoor cinema.

But, in keeping with its boutique nature, the development will offer residents a good measure of privacy and exclusivity - each unit comes with a private lift.

As it sits on elevated ground, all units will also enjoy unblocked views of the largely landed residential neighbourhood.

The 70 units will range in size from one-bedroom (plus a study) units that start at 491 sqft to penthouses that are 1504 sqft on average. The bulk of the units will be fairly spacious two and three-bedroom ones, ranging from 548 sqft to 1224 sqft.

Nestled in the heart of the coveted District 11 residential area, 35 Gilstead is served by Dunearn Road and Clemenceau Avenue North, and will also be walking distance from both the Newton and Novena MRT stations.

Dining options in the vicinity are plentiful and varied, from eateries at Velocity, United Square and Balmoral Plaza to the famed Newton Food Centre hawker fare. The malls offer easy access to grocery, banking and other amenities, while Orchard Road shopping is but a few minutes' drive away.

Any medical needs can certainly be met at one of Novena's growing cluster of public and private healthcare institutions.

And dwellers with school-going children would have in close range a cluster of excellent schools, including Anglo-Chinese School (Junior), Anglo-Chinese School (Barker), Singapore Chinese Girls' School, the Chinese International School and Catholic Junior College.

TEE Land also expects scarcity to drive demand for 35 Gilstead. It is the only new project launch in the area at the moment, a prime area in which homes are highly sought after.