New Launch Condos in District 15: Should You Buy One?
15 May 2024
District 15 possesses a unique blend of heritage, convenience and quietness, and is lauded by Easties as one of the best places to live in Singapore. Being a location well loved by both locals and expats alike, District 15 has always been a popular district among homebuyers due to the allure of the seafront living and the unique lifestyle experiences it provides.
If you have always dreamed of living along the East Coast, your prayers have been answered. There are several District 15 New Launch condos available on the market right now – which could very well be your dream home!
Table 1: Current and Upcoming New projects in District 15
Where is District 15?
When someone says they live in a property with a sea view, areas such as “East Coast”, “along Siglap” or “the Marine Parade area” often come to mind. These areas all fall under District 15, where residents staying in high floor units often get to enjoy an immaculate view of Singapore’s South-Eastern coastline and East Coast park, as well as a magnificent sunrise view and a cooling sea breeze.
Map of District 15
While people often associate East Coast Park with District 15, it does not include the entire 18km of reclaimed coastline. Located in both the Outside Central Region (OCR) and the Rest of Central Region (RCR), its locale includes Amber Road, East Coast, Joo Chiat, Katong, Marine Parade, Meyer, and Tanjong Rhu.
There is also a large landed enclave and many small developments scattered across the district, creating a quiet and exclusive atmosphere. In addition, much of the land at Meyer Road and Amber Road has a 999-year or freehold lease, a legacy from the 1800s. At the same time, these areas are within walking distance of amenities, making District 15 a highly coveted estate to live in.
While people often associate East Coast Park with District 15, it does not include the entire 18km of reclaimed coastline. Located in both the Outside Central Region (OCR) and the Rest of Central Region (RCR), its locale includes Amber Road, East Coast, Joo Chiat, Katong, Marine Parade, Meyer, and Tanjong Rhu.
There is also a large landed enclave and many small developments scattered across the district, creating a quiet and exclusive atmosphere. In addition, much of the land at Meyer Road and Amber Road has a 999-year or freehold lease, a legacy from the 1800s. At the same time, these areas are within walking distance of amenities, making District 15 a highly coveted estate to live in.
Amenities and Conveniences
So, what does District 15 have to offer? District 15 is home to the famous and history-rich areas of Joo Chiat and Katong. Populated by colonial shophouses, these iconic buildings are now famous for their lifestyle offerings among the local and expat community, with cafes, bars, restaurants, and well-known eateries. There are several popular schools in the district, such as Victoria School and CHIJ Katong Convent.
Great for nature, exercise and pet lovers
District 15 is a fantastic area to stay in if you are a pet lover. Areas such as Joo Chiat and Tanjong Katong are home to a variety of pet stores and vet practices, ensuring that your animal companions’ needs are always cared for. There is also a high density of dog-friendly cafes and restaurants in the area. East Coast Park is another highlight for dog owners, as it is not only a fantastic place to walk your dog, but also houses the largest dog run in Singapore and a dog swimming pool and pet megamart.
The park comes to life on evenings and weekends especially. From cyclists and fitness to anglers catching fish, the vast park space is home to people of all interests. There are also a great variety of food options, notably seafood restaurants, where families in the area often go to for their meals.
District 15 is seeing improved connectivity starting 2024
Previously, the East Coast area used to be ‘neglected’ in terms of connectivity, without access to an MRT line. Partly due to reclaimed land requiring time to settle, there were only bus services to shuttle residents to their workplaces in the city centre or other parts of Singapore. However, the eastern region of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) will soon be ready by June 2024. It will provide seamless connectivity for passengers from Bayshore in the East to Woodlands in the North.
Thomson-East Coast Line
Future plans
Though all neighbourhoods in District 15 have their own rich history, that’s not to say they aren’t seeing change.
Given the Government’s proposed “Long Island” plan to marry coastal protection measures with new homes, coastal parks, and recreational spaces, it is likely that further changes will come to the area in the future.
Along the East Coast Parkway, east of District 15, Bayshore will be developed as a smart and sustainable car-lite estate with amenities and recreational spaces. Homes will have sea views. The East Coast Green Corridor will run through this town, with another 20km of upcoming coastal and waterfront parks potentially added to the existing park.
Price Performance
District 15 has outperformed island-wide, in terms of average price per square foot (psf) of units transacted (see Chart 1). There has historically been a high demand for homes in District 15 due to its unique locality, blending sea front living with fantastic lifestyle amenities. This has led to people flocking to buy properties there, new and old projects alike.
Chart 1: Price performance of non-landed properties
With Phase 4 of the TEL set to be opened in June 2024, we could see further price uplifts from the MRT effect. As District 15 becomes more connected through enhanced transportation infrastructure and improved amenities, both current owners and potential buyers can anticipate a significant increase in property value and quality of life.
For easties, the East is always the best side
Based on ERA’s proprietary data between 2021 and April 2024, 56.8% of buyers of District 15 new launches were previously living in the east. For those who live in the East and proclaim “East side, best side”, many of their reasons to support this claim would be from District 15. After all, once you get used to coming home to the seaside view and breeze, it is hard to imagine living anywhere else.
For those that have always dreamed of living in District 15, now is the perfect time to make it a reality. The current inventory of new launch condominiums available will suit the criteria of any buyer, featuring exclusive boutique developments of as small as 16 units (the Straits at Joo Chiat) to sprawling mega developments that house up to 1,008 units (Grand Dunman). The majority of these new launches are also freehold properties, which are a definite plus for most buyers.
Browse 2024 District 15 New Launch condominiums here.
