A Rare Freehold Must Buy: The Arcady@Boon Keng
Written by Seth Tan
The Arcady @ Boon Keng is a freehold condominium set to launch on 6 January 2024, aiming for TOP on 31 Dec 2028.
It’s designed to be a garden home and your very own home garden with lush greenery and spaces to cultivate your veggies and herbs.
In this article, we’re diving into the heart of The Arcady, unraveling its unique features, and uncovering why it will appeal to young professionals and couples working in the Central Business District (CBD) and the Downtown Core.
Quick Summary (TL;DR)
Pros
- Freehold
- 1 to 4 Bedroom wide range
- 5 mins away from Boon Keng MRT
- Great food and amenities
- 1km to good Primary schools
- Unique botanical, farm to table concept
Cons
- Possible traffic congestion for those driving
- More expensive than condos in area
- Mainly urban city living
- Standard condo unit sizes
For home-stayers: Close to MRT, food and amenities, schools
For investment: Likely capital appreciation, 3-4% rental yields, good tenant pool
General Information
The Arcady consists of a single 24-storey block, with a Foliage Garden Zone at the ground floor, and a Mountain Top Zone, a sky terrace and a roof terrace. Amenities wise, The Arcady crams a lot into a small space. It focuses on relaxation such as pools, cabanas, decks and groves. Take a look at the layout below.
There are 173 units ranging from 1 bedroom with study to 4 bedroom units. The unit sizes are standard as other condos. 50% of The Arcady is made up of 1 to 2 bedroom units (which from my experience are snapped up really fast).
Displayed is the tower block layout.
For more details, you can contact me for a FREE E-brochure that contains full-resolution images of the unit distribution, floor plans and sitemap and to keep updated of showflat previews.
Developers
The Arcady is a project brought to life through collaboration between three local developers: KSH Holdings Ltd., SLB Development Ltd., and H10 Holdings Pte. Ltd.
KSH is a seasoned player in construction and real estate development with over 40 years of experience. They hold Grade A1 and A2 ratings under BCA General Building and Civil Engineering respectively. Recently completed projects include Riverfront Residences, Rezi 24, High Park Residences, Affinity @ Serangoon, Park Colonial, Sky Green, Trio, The Boutiq, and NEWest. SLB is a property developer that collaborated with KSH for Riverfront Residences, Affinity @ Serangoon, and Rezi 24. The Arcady is set to be their fourth project together. Its other residential projects include the award-winning Spottiswoode Suites.
H10 Holdings is part of the Ho Lee Group and excels in general building construction, specialized metal works and formwork fabrication.
Location and Accessibility
Situated at 1037 Serangoon Road, The Arcady offers prime convenience, just a brief 5-6 minute stroll from Boon Keng MRT. For those driving, the PIE and CTE are also just a few mins away too.Boon Keng, nestled within the RCR, is strategically close to the city—merely a 15-minute drive or a few MRT stops away from key areas like Newton, Orchard, or Raffles Place.
While this central location makes it an ideal choice for urban professionals, The Arcady’s allure is heightened for those relying on public transport. Notably, the one-way nature of Serangoon Road by The Arcady necessitates drivers heading to Bendemeer Road to loop around, potentially causing delays. A glance at Wed 8.25am traffic data reveals congestion on Bendemeer Road.
For residents prioritizing time efficiency and seamless commuting, the MRT emerges as the preferred mode of transportation, making Boon Keng MRT’s accessibility a significant advantage for those calling The Arcady home.
The Arcady’s allure is heightened for those relying on public transport.
Schools
If you have children entering primary school, let me point out a few noteworthy ones within 1km.
Bendemeer Primary School is located opposite The Arcady and has special programs for Environment Education and Sustainable Living and Music and Performing Arts. Within the primary school is an MOE Kindergarten too.
Hong Wen School is a SAP (Special Assistance Plan) school and this is seen in their Chinese Cultural Programme (CCP) where different aspects of Chinese Culture are infused into Chinese Language, Physical Education, Art and Music lessons.
St Andrew’s Junior School is an Anglican boys’ school whose vision is to develop servant leaders who bring life to the nations.
HDB Price Trends in Boon Keng
An examination of nearby HDB blocks to The Arcady indicates a period of stagnant prices until the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Subsequently, there was a rapid increase, notably in blocks along McNair and Bendemeer Road. Million-dollar transactions in HDB resale flats in Boon Keng, such as City View and Kallang Trivista, further highlight the growing demand for properties in the area.
Condo Price Trends in Boon Keng
After analyzing the four nearest private condos to The Arcady, it’s evident that all of them saw a rise in value, especially the older ones like St. Francis Court and Lodge, which increased by 30-50%. Boon Keng proves to be a prime area for growth if you’re aiming for capital appreciation.
Additionally, rental yields ranging from 3-4% make it a decent choice for landlords in the Rest of Central Region (RCR). There should be little issue getting tenants as The Arcady is centrally located and at the city fringe.
Land Price Sales
Now, let’s tackle the million-dollar question: what might be the price tag for The Arcady?
Taking the estimated breakeven price of $2,246 into account, it’s essential to consider the harmonization rules for Gross Floor Area (GFA) in 2022. With developers factoring in a breakeven price 5% higher due to a decrease in saleable area (i.e., $2,358 psf ppr), it’s reasonable to anticipate a launch price between $2,400 and $2,700 for The Arcady given its advantageous location and freehold status.
Other Information
Nature
For nature lovers, there are trails nearby for walks, runs or cycling. The Kallang Park Connector is an 8 mins walk away from The Arcady. From this connector, cycling enthusiasts can bike to Kallang Riverside Park in 30 mins and the beautiful Marina Bay Sands in 50 mins!
Shopping Malls
- The Venue Shoppes
- The Woodleigh mall
- City Square mall
- The Poiz Center
- NEX
Amenities
- Bendemeer Market & Food Center
- Bendemeer Mall
- Kallang Polyclinic
- Cafes
If you’re a foodie, you will be spoiled for hawker and cafe food choices in Boon Keng!
My Opinion
I firmly believe that The Arcady holds a special appeal for those who prioritize convenience, given its strategic location near the city center. It’s an exceptional choice for working professionals and young couples relying on public transport, given its immediate access to the MRT and the abundance of nearby amenities. Picture this: after a long and demanding work day, wouldn’t it be fantastic to travel home, take away a nice meal and relax – and all within 30 mins?
If you are interested in obtaining detailed information about its facilities, tower and unit floor plans, the latest updates, or securing priority showflat access, don’t hesitate to reach out to me either by phone or filling up the form below.