{"id":49333,"date":"2017-03-24T07:30:53","date_gmt":"2017-03-24T00:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/property-news\/eye-on-somerset-from-rural-to-urban\/"},"modified":"2017-03-24T07:51:24","modified_gmt":"2017-03-24T00:51:24","slug":"eye-on-somerset-from-rural-to-urban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/property-news\/eye-on-somerset-from-rural-to-urban\/","title":{"rendered":"Eye on Somerset: From rural to urban"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nOpened in 2014, Orchard Gateway towers above surrounding buildings.
\nSomerset is the place to be, at least according to the legions of shoppers and diners who flock to the area every evening\u00a0and on weekends.
\nBy Joanne Poh
\nThe Somerset area, which makes up the eastern half of the Orchard Road shopping belt, no longer plays second fiddle to the western end around Orchard MRT station. In the last decade, Somerset has been rejuvenated with spanking new malls that have turned it into the liveliest and hippest section on the shopping belt.
\nThe making of a giant<\/p>\n

Orchard Road, the Somerset area\u2019s main thoroughfare, was formerly a rural road surrounded by a cluster of fruit, pepper and nutmeg orchards in the 19th century. Some of these plantations are now commemorated in tiles on the sidewalks.
\nThe transformation of Orchard Road from rural to urban began in the middle of the 19th century. The first developments to supplant the plantations were residential, and shortly after, amenities such as markets, hawker centres, temples and cemeteries began to emerge.
\nBut it was only in the early 20th century when Orchard Road began undergoing a transformation to become the retail hub it is today.
\nIn 1903, the first Cold Storage outlet was built on the land where present day mall The Centrepoint stands. Then, in 1958, C. K. Tang, the very first department store on Orchard Road, was established.
\nBy the 1970s, Orchard Road\u2019s transformation into Singapore\u2019s most popular shopping district was complete, complemented by entertainment options such as bowling alleys and cinemas.
\nSingapore\u2019s favourite playground
\nToday, when Singaporeans mention they are heading \u201cto town\u201d, they are really referring to a trip to Orchard Road. The area has come a long way from its early days, and it is hard to believe that Plaza Singapura, the first multi-storey shopping mall within the area, was once the nation\u2019s biggest.
\nOrchard Road has become an eye-opening parade of glitzy malls and stunning architecture. From the futuristic building housing ION Orchard, with its dizzying media wall, to the imposing Ngee Ann City, a walk down Orchard Road is a sensory smorgasbord. More than 5,000 shops, eateries and entertainment providers attract throngs of people on weekdays and weekends alike.
\nThe Somerset area has undergone a transformation in the past few years, and many say it has all but stolen the show on the shopping belt. The 2010s have seen new malls being built at lightning speed, each more dazzling than the last.
\nSomerset MRT station opens up into 313@Somerset, a bustling mall with a huge selection of high street fashion retailers including Zara, Cotton On and a multi-storey Forever 21 outlet. The mall also contains an outdoor area where patrons knock down after-work beers at JiBiru Japanese Craft Beer Bar and Brozeit German Bier Bar & Restaurant.
\nFurther down the road, the former Specialists\u2019 Shopping Centre and Phoenix Hotel have made way for Orchard Gateway, which opened in 2014 and features an overhead bridge which takes on the form of a glass tube. The units above the shopping mall are home to Hotel Jen, with a stunning rooftop bar and infinity pool.
\nOrchard Central, just next door, possesses a gorgeously-landscaped roof garden with stunning views and artwork by local artist Victor Tan and Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.
\nAnother major landmark in the area is TripleOne Somerset. The shopping mall doubles as an office building, which houses Singapore Power\u2019s corporate headquarters and the Swedish Embassy. Incidentally, PropertyGuru just moved to its new headquarters at TripleOne Somerset at the end of March 2017.
\nThe Somerset area is a tourist hotspot and home to many hotels at various price points. Accommodation options range from five-star hotels such as Mandarin Orchard and Grand Park Orchard to boutique options such as Hangout@Mt Emily and Lloyd\u2019s Inn.
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0
\nWong Xian Yang, Head of Research and Consultancy at OrangeTee, is confident that Somerset will continue to be a popular residential and commercial location for a long time to come.
\nHe said: \u201cSomerset has strong locational attributes given its location along the Orchard shopping belt. As such, the area commands premium prices and the supply in the vicinity is scarce.
\n\u201cMedical tourists will also find this area attractive due to its proximity to Mount Elizabeth Hospital and Paragon Medical Centre. Furthermore, the area is served by Somerset MRT station which makes transportation a breeze.\u201d
\nTay Huey Ying, Head of Research at JLL Singapore, maintains that Somerset\u2019s enduring appeal as a residential area lies in its strategic location straddling Orchard Road and the CBD.
\n\u201cOne gets to enjoy the convenience of easy accessibility to a diverse range of shopping, entertainment and leisure options along Orchard Road while at the same time benefitting from the convenience of being close to work, be it in Orchard Road, City Hall and Marina Centre, or Marina Bay and Raffles Place.
\n\u201cYet the Somerset area is not far from nature as Fort Canning Park, an iconic hilltop landmark boasting an expansive sprawling lawn, is just nearby for residents looking for a tranquil place to unwind after a hard day\u2019s work.\u201d
\nThose who are lucky enough to live in the Somerset area are not unaware of the advantages they enjoy as residents of the city\u2019s core.
\nApril Lim, a 34-year-old legal counsel and Somerset resident, echoes the benefits raised by Tay.
\n\u201cI can walk to Fort Canning and Robertson Quay in under half an hour, or choose to go for a walk in nature or next to the river. I am also not far from the CBD,\u201d she said.
\nFor Lim, having many food and shopping options close to home is a big draw. Some of her favourite nearby haunts include the Killiney area, with its local eateries, the basement of Liang Court, where she goes for affordable sushi, and UE Square, where she recommends a cafe called Epicurious.
\n\u00a0
\nSales have been brisk at Cairnhill Nine, a new luxury condominium. (Photo: CapitaLand)
\n\u00a0
\nThe future looks bright
\nAs demand for housing in Somerset continues to dramatically outstrip supply, new developments in the area have been generating considerable interest.
\nCairnhill Nine, a luxury condominium by CapitaLand on Cairnhill Road, is one of the most hotly-anticipated developments in the area. It has seen brisk sales and, according to Wong, is expected to be popular with expatriates with school-going children who wish to be close to international schools in the area.
\nAnother noteworthy development is Lloyd SixtyFive by TG Developments,\u00a0located a stone\u2019s throw away in the River Valley district, just a short walk from Somerset MRT station. The freehold condominium pioneered a rent-then-buy scheme which has enabled prospective buyers to first commit to a two-year lease before deciding to purchase a unit.
\nWhat is more, according to Tay, City Developments Limited has announced that the sales launch for the 124-unit freehold New Futura condominium could happen as early as the second half of 2017.
\nExisting building TripleOne Somerset is also undergoing a facelift slated for completion in late 2018 or early 2019. The works aim to enhance the existing retail space, convert some office space into strata units for sale, and introduce medical suites into the complex.
\nThese enhancement works have thus far proved successful. Tay said: \u201cStrata sales of the medical suites and office units in the Somerset Tower commenced in Q3 2016 and reportedly, a few office units were transacted at an average price of above $2,680 psf.\u201d
\nPark Mall is another existing building that will be given a facelift. It will be redeveloped into a mixed-use development comprising office and retail space, as well as bicycle parking facilities, shower rooms and lockers.
\nWith a slew of initiatives to keep the area buzzing, Somerset\u2019s star will continue shining for a long time to come.
\nDid you know?
\n\u2013 A house on Orchard Road was once bought by King Chulalongkorn, who was at the time King of Siam.
\n\u2013\u00a0The distance between Somerset MRT and Dhoby Ghaut MRT stations, when measured in terms of track length, is the shortest of any two stations on the North South line, and it takes only one minute for an MRT train to make the trip from one station to the other.
\n\u2013\u00a0Emerald Hill, located across the road from Somerset MRT station, is home to a row of historic residences with Chinese Baroque architecture that formerly served as homes of wealthy Peranakan families.<\/p>\n

This article was first published in the print version PropertyGuru News & Views. Download PDFs of full print issues or read more stories now!<\/p>\n


\n
\nSource : proppertyguru.com.sg\/Property Market
\nRead more…Eye on Somerset: From rural to urban<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Opened in 2014, Orchard Gateway towers above surrounding buildings. 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A freehold residential redevelopment site along St Thomas Walk in prime District 9 has been put up for sale at $68 million, revealed marketing agent Edmund Tie & Company (ET&Co) on Monday\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Property News"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":8196,"url":"https:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/property-news\/ascott-to-open-serviced-apartment-in-one-north\/","url_meta":{"origin":49333,"position":1},"title":"Ascott to open serviced apartment in one-north","date":"March 7, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"\r Citadines Fusionopolis Singapore. (Photo: JTC) Serviced residence owner-operator The Ascott Limited has secured a serviced apartment at one-north business park through a lease awarded by JTC Corporation. The 50-unit property is currently operating and will be rebranded to Citadines Fusionopolis Singapore from 1 April 2016. \u201cWith its choice location\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Property News"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":123732,"url":"https:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/property-news\/the-beaumont-up-for-en-bloc-sale-for-478mil\/","url_meta":{"origin":49333,"position":2},"title":"The Beaumont up for en bloc sale for $478mil","date":"December 10, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"\r Located at 145 and 147 Devonshire Road, The Beaumont occupies a 74,739 sq ft site just minutes away from the Orchard Road shopping belt. Source: Savills The Beaumont, a cul-de-sac residential development opposite TripleOne Somerset within the Orchard Road residential area, has been launched for collective sale with a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Property News"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Savills-The-Beaumont.jpg?fit=820%2C410&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":118658,"url":"https:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/property-news\/freehold-site-near-somerset-mrt-station-up-for-tender\/","url_meta":{"origin":49333,"position":3},"title":"Freehold site near somerset MRT station up for tender","date":"September 17, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"\r The 56,481 sq ft site will be up for tender for $376 million. Photo: CBRE A 56,481 sq ft freehold development site in District 9, which currently accommodates the two-block condominium The Bayron, has been launched for public tender with a guide price of $376 million, revealed exclusive marketing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Property News"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/The-Bayron_PhotoCredit_CBRE.jpg?fit=600%2C872&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":49372,"url":"https:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/property-news\/propertyguru-news-and-views-issue-111\/","url_meta":{"origin":49333,"position":4},"title":"PropertyGuru News and Views Issue 111","date":"March 24, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"\r Download Issue 111 Now! The government has finally listened to the growing calls for the tough property cooling measures to be eased. Although the changes were described as slight tweaks, the move is expected to raise optimism among property developers and consumers. It also shows that the government is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Property News"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":96856,"url":"https:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/property-news\/orchard-road-condo-sells-20-units-for-over-3000-psf\/","url_meta":{"origin":49333,"position":5},"title":"Orchard Road condo sells 20 units for over $3,000 psf","date":"August 29, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"\r 8 St Thomas, a newly completed freehold condominium in the heart of Orchard Road, has sold more than 20 units at average price of over $3,000 psf during an exclusive private preview last weekend, according to the project\u2019s marketing agent CBRE. \u201cWe are heartened by the positive response of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Property News"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49333"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49333"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49333\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49333"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49333"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49333"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}