Interesting Green: Allure of a nearby oasis (Punggol Promenade)

My Paper, Friday, July 19, 2013, Page A14, News, Special features, Property Picks
From http://epaper.mypaper.sg/emnd/fvxen/fvxp/fvxpress.php?param=2013-07-19
Source Website: http://www.mypaper.sg/specials/allure-nearby-oasis-20130719
By JOY FANG, joyfang@sph.com.sg, Published on Jul 19, 2013

PHOTO: CLOSE TO NATURE: Punggol Promenade boasts a riverside walk and a bridge leading to Lorong Halus Wetlands. New developments in Punggol and Sengkang include Lush Acres and La Fiesta.
PHOTO: RAJ NADARAJAN/THE STRAITS TIMES
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WHILE the skyscrapers and sparkling structures that make up the urban jungle of modern Singapore may be beautiful, more prospective home-buyers are setting their sights on homes that bring nature closer to them.

That means lush (luxuriant, plentiful vegetation) greenery, tons of plants, flowers, water features and landscaping.

Property consultants and developers told My Paper that the overall environment a development provides is a hugely important factor, followed by whether it is near an MRT station.

PHOTO: PUNGGOL PROMENADE
Punggol Promenade will soon become the next sea sports and recreational destination, with seaside dining opportunities to further enhance its rustic coastal charm. A 4.9 km promenade will connect two proposed sports and recreational clusters at Punggol Point and Punggol East to capitalise on the unique characteristics and natural beauty of the coastline.

Visitors will be able to enjoy strolls along the promenade and take in the breathtaking view of the sea and Coney Island from an elevated viewing deck and look out points. There will also be fitness stations, fishing points, rest stops and an event plaza.

The Punggol Promenade is part of the North-Eastern Park Connector loop that will allow visitors to enjoy a continuous walk along the Punggol coastline from Sengkang Park to Punggol Park.
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Buyers want to live in a place that offers them tranquillity and privacy, said Mr Lim Yew Soon, managing director of EL Development.

To get around the limited space and still cater to home-buyers, developers try to work in more green spaces and water bodies to reduce the impact of units facing each other, he said.

"Any open space between dwelling blocks will be used as a pool, for landscaping or facilities such as pavilions or playgrounds, to increase the attractiveness of a project," said Mr Lim.

Mr Nicholas Mak, head of research and consultancy at SLP International, said it's human nature to want to be near greenery, so landscaping is part of a development's selling point.

PHOTO: The historically and architecturally significant Matilda House, which is to be conserved and restored as part of the residential development.

Built in 1902, Matilda House is an example of an early-style tropical bungalow. Its distinctive features include entrances on both sides of the main building, raised floors, timber lattice and louvered windows & transoms to allow cross ventilation. It is the only remaining historic bungalow in Punggol Town.

The building can be restored for clubhouse or private residential use within the development.
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"If you look around and everything is grey, like in Hong Kong, it's not mentally healthy...Greenery is also used as a shield, providing exclusivity and to reduce noise, especially when the building is near expressways," he noted.

Apartments in the Draycott area, Anderson Road and Balmoral, for instance, offer "the best of both worlds" because they are close to the city centre and yet serve as a "private green oasis" for residents, he said.

Property developer City Developments Limited said it is committed to investing between 2 per cent and 5 per cent of total construction cost to green innovations.

It is always striving to bring unique and functional green features to home-buyers, said its spokesman.

Its executive condominium Lush Acres, which will be completed in 2016, will have a bloom-filled garden and an Agri-Cube Hydroponic Farm, which allows the growing of herbs - such as Italian parsley, peppermint and sweet basil - without soil.

Mr Li Jun, general manager of Qingjian Realty (South Pacific) Group, noted that buyers have become "more discerning" and look for developments that "bring them a relaxing and quality lifestyle".

PHOTO: Aerial-View-of-Punggol-Point-Park (Punggol Promenade) by LOOK Architects
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So all its developments create "a harmonious space through balancing the infrastructure and greenery", which gives buyers a sense of belonging and ownership of the place that they live in, he said.

A bonus would be if the property is in proximity to spots that still remain rustic and untouched.

That is the reason why more developments are coming up in the Sengkang, Punggol, Kallang and Bukit Timah areas.

Nature lovers with homes in Sengkang and Punggol will have easy access to the Punggol Waterfront Promenade and Punggol Reservoir. There are unhindered views of Sungei Serangoon and wetlands, and the Riverside Walk features exercise stations, cycling and jogging tracks.

PHOTO: Punggol Reservoir
Taken on July 27, 2012, by Wang Guowen (gw.wang)
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One can also enjoy the rich biodiversity there, and spot waterside birds such as the Collared Kingfisher.

Upcoming developments in Punggol and Sengkang include Lush Acres, La Fiesta and Ecopolitan. There's also Jewel @ Buangkok, which will feature a hydrotherapy pool and an adventure corner for kids.

Kallang is paradise to sports enthusiasts, and has unbeatable views of the river. Expected new developments include RiverBay.

Bukit Timah is a charm because of its abundant greenery. With Bukit Timah Hill and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve in the area, it gives residents solitude (seclusion or isolation) and a sense that they are away from the city. New developments include Eco Sanctuary and Hillview Peak.
By JOY FANG, joyfang@sph.com.sg, Published on Jul 19, 2013

HELPDESK
我的字典: Wǒ de zì diǎn

Lush (luxuriant, plentiful vegetation): 葱翠的 cōng cuì de
Pavilions: 凉亭 liáng tíng
Wetland: 沼泽的 zhǎo zé de
Solitude (seclusion or isolation): 幽静 yōu jìng

Reference