A two-storey bungalow within the prestigious Fifth Avenue Good Class Bungalow (GCB) neighbourhood is available for sale at a palatable asking price of $18.8 million. The property is being sold by a serious seller who is keen to see the next owner revitalise the site.
Meilinda Soetedjo, group division director at ERA Realty, is the marketing agent. The bungalow for sale is a rare chance for the new homeowner to enjoy the benefits of living in an exclusive residential neighbourhood, and to design their dream home from the ground up, all without breaking the bank. Prime Bukit Timah location The bungalow for sale is in a prime central location within the Bukit Timah area. It takes less than five minutes to walk to the nearby Guthrie House, a landmark commercial development with a variety of F&B, retail shops, and a supermarket that is the mainstay for the residents in the vicinity. In addition, there is a popular local food court and kopitiam along the nearby Sixth Avenue, with a wide variety of cuisines including tasty local and hawker food. Residents in this area also rely heavily on the Downtown Line (DTL), which extends their public transport connectivity to key areas around Singapore such as Newton, Bugis, Fort Canning, Chinatown, Downtown and Bayfront. The Sixth Avenue MRT Station on the DTL is about an eight-minute walk from the bungalow for sale at Fifth Avenue. Sixth Avenue Station is one stop away from Tan Kah Kee Station, which is next to Hwa Chong Institution. Families with school-going children will find the bungalow particularly attractive because Nanyang Girls’ High School, National Junior College (Secondary) and National Junior College are within 1km. Other popular schools in the area include Methodist Girls’ School, Henry Park Primary School, Nanyang Primary School and Raffles Girls’ Primary School. Space to design a dream home Situated on a hillock along Fifth Avenue, the bungalow sits on a regular-shaped 10,068 sq ft plot. An approximately 30m-long driveway distances the house and forecourt garden from the street, which is perfect for a homeowner who values privacy. The bungalow was built during the 1970s, and elements of its original charm are still visible. Nevertheless, this opens up a variety of architectural and design choices for the new owner to maximise the shape and attributes of the site. For example, a spacious forecourt garden links the driveway and front porch of the house. This open-air green space can be redesigned into a bespoke garden and landscaped with a variety of flora. Topped off with a summer house or gazebo, it will become another private space to host guests. Another key element of the site is the view from one side of the house that overlooks all of the low-rise terraced houses on neighbouring Lotus Avenue, Lasia Avenue, Lemon Avenue and Lily Avenue. According to the master plan, this estate is a two-storey, mixed landed enclave, which helps to protect future views. If the new owner chooses to redevelop the bungalow on Fifth Avenue into a new higher-floored house, they would be able to enjoy this unblocked view from the higher floors, or a potential rooftop terrace. Reasonable price for prime landed plot According to Soetedjo, this bungalow is a rare chance for a buyer to acquire a prime landed plot within a GCB area, but at a reasonable entry-level price point. “Considering the size of the site and the seller’s reasonable price of $18.8 million, we are offering this prime plot at a land rate of $1,867 psf,” she says. She adds that landed homes along Fifth Avenue are rarely on the market, since most owners are reluctant to part with such trophy homes. According to URA caveats, only two houses along Fifth Avenue have changed hands in the past decade. The most recent transaction was for 15 Fifth Avenue, a 13,508 sq ft bungalow plot that fetched $22 million ($1,629 psf) in August 2021. It was preceded by the sale of a GCB at 32 Fifth Avenue, which sits on a 15,070 sq ft plot, for $24.5 million ($1,626 psf) back in March 2016. “Over the past three years, the prices of GCBs and bungalows situated in GCB areas have climbed significantly, and most owners have reacted accordingly by raising their price expectations,” says Soetedjo. The prime landed homes market still experiences a persistently high demand, coupled with a lack of reasonably priced homes that meet the budget of some buyers, she says. Soetedjo expects the bungalow at Fifth Avenue to quickly catch the eye of eager landed home buyers due to its prime location, and proximity to the amenities and schools in the Bukit Timah area. The palatable asking price also puts it well within the budget of many Singaporeans aspiring to realise their dream of living in a prime landed home, she says.
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Gross rental income growth and lower operating expenses drove the uptick.
CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT) saw its net property income (NPI) increase 6.3% YoY to $293.7m in 1Q24, driven by gross rental income growth and lower operating expenses. The REIT also posted a 2.6% YoY higher gross revenue in 1Q24 of $398.6m. Gross revenue and NPI across its retail and office assets, and integrated developments also rose. The REIT’s retail assets recorded an NPI of $107.3m (vs $101.2m in 1Q23) and a gross revenue of $148.1m (vs $144.8m). Its office assets, meanwhile, saw its gross revenue and NPI rise to $130.7m and $100.0m, respectively. For CICT’s integrated development segment, gross revenue increased to $119.8m, whilst NPI improved to $86.4m. All across the globe, concerns are continuously growing when it comes to air pollution and the impact it has on the environment and people’s health. Especially in densely populated areas such as cities and urban spaces, the quality of the air is incredibly poor, and this can have a devastating impact on your physical health. This article will look at air pollution in-depth and some of the medical conditions that are associated with exposure to high levels of air pollutants.
Understanding Air Pollution The air we breathe can become contaminated by a number of different chemicals, toxins and agents that change the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. The most common sources of air pollutants come from things like burning fossil fuels, carbon emissions from motorised vehicles and industrial facilities. The pollutants that are of the main concern when it comes to the health of the planet and the people living on it are carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone and nitrogen dioxide. Such pollutants in the air can have a serious impact on your health and can cause respiratory diseases and other medical conditions which can sometimes prove to be fatal. The impact of climate change, which is driven by the burning of fossil fuels and increasing air pollution, is widespread and now many nations are outlining policies and coming up with solutions to tackle air pollution in an effort to try and reverse the damage that is being done to the planet. How Does Air Pollution Impact Your Health? Breathing in harmful chemicals from the air, particularly over a long period of time, can have a significant impact on your physical health. Pollutants in the air travel into your airways and can cause a number of symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, feeling short of breath, asthma attacks and chest pain. In extreme cases, significant exposure to harmful pollutants in the air can put you at risk of serious respiratory diseases, such as lung cancer, heart attacks, strokes and in some rare cases, even death. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is also linked to being exposed to harmful chemicals in the air. Some people may be more at risk when it comes to exposure to air pollution and harmful chemicals. Children are more at risk than adults as their lungs have yet to fully develop, which means that they are more susceptible to the impact of poor air quality. Furthermore, ingesting such harmful toxins at a young age can lead to respiratory conditions in the future, such as asthma. Older people are also more at risk, especially if they already have long-term medical conditions which affect their lungs. Nowadays, in the shiny world of cosmetics in which so many different products are on offer, looking pretty without any makeup might seem quite difficult. However, going makeup free and still feeling good about yourself is completely achievable.
Each of us has a unique face glow that simply needs to be taken care of. Wearing makeup on a daily basis can be pretty tiring and could harm your skin. In addition, many women don’t feel confident enough to step out of their home without the protective mask of mascara or powder. Trusting in your own inner beauty is the first step to achieving good looks. The second is to follow a few simple lifestyle tips incorporating a couple of tricks into your daily routine. Enjoy taking care of yourself and you’ll instantly feel like a goddess. The Key Steps of Your Morning Routine Make time for yourself and follow the same routine every morning when you first get up. After washing your face with a face wash and cleanser, remember to exfoliate both your lips and your skin, to make them clean, fresh and renewed. Start by slapping your face and pinching your cheeks; this sort of massage helps bring colour to the surface of your skin. Follow this up by apply a good quality moisturiser. You could finish with 15 minutes of exercise, as this is a great way to get the blood pumping to your skin by raising your heartbeat, driving blood to your skin surface and making it look better and healthier. Sunscreen is Your Best Friend Many women, especially young ones, don’t understand how harmful the sun can be if you expose your skin to it for several hours. With time, your skin loses the freshness and if it was exposed to the sun rays too much, it quickly becomes rough, damaged and really ages a person. Sunscreen should be applied regularly every day, no matter what time of year it is, as sun rays damage our skin during the winter months too. Keep Your Hair Healthy Looking pretty without makeup also includes taking good care of your hair. The hair colour you use should be close to natural as possible, because strong accent colours, like pink, green and red only emphasise the imperfections on your face. Use hair products of high quality that are suitable for your hair type and always do a sample patch test first. Remember also to treat your hair to oil treatments from time to time, to ensure your hair stays silky and shiny. Make Your Lips Look Beautiful Here’s how to make your lips look gentle and soft. First, you should gently massage them with your toothbrush every morning or evening. Do this for 5 minutes and rinse them when you finish. Then, apply natural moisturiser, like Shea butter, for instance. You’ll immediately notice how soft your lips feel. Lemon and Water – the Key Ingredients One of the best pieces of advice I can give is to drink a cup of hot water with lemon in the morning. Make this your daily routine and after a while, your skin will look much better. Lemon helps your body deal with all the toxins by flushing them away. In addition, it awakens the senses and makes the skin less sensitive. Apart from this, make sure you drink lots of water, more than you think is enough and you’ll soon notice the changes on your facial skin, too. What Products You Can Use Being beautiful without any makeup doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t use any cosmetics. Many products can help you emphasise your natural beauty. For instance, there are transparent mascaras for eyelashes, eyebrow gel, various lip balms and glosses that not only nourish your lips but also give them a bit of colour and freshness. Apart from that, you should pick cleansers, lotions, face masks and moisturisers suitable for your skin type. Going for good quality Thalgo products or something similar is always a good idea. Just make sure to be consistent and remember to apply them. Having the same routine every day is the most important tip you should follow. To sum up, leading a healthy lifestyle that includes sleeping well, drinking plenty of water, doing exercise and eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables is the best way to feel and look beautiful. Beauty comes from the inside, so be in love with yourself and enjoy what you do. The choices you make are your own. Choose wisely and be happy about them! Malaysian pork noodle stalls are super rare in Singapore; there used to be Old Village at Tanglin Halt, but they’ve been closed for over a year now. Thankfully, there’s another new spot to consider: Legacy Pork Noodles, a hidden hawker stall in Potong Pasir. Despite being new to the scene—the stall only opened in March 2024—Legacy Pork Noodles has been drawing long lines since launching. If you’re visiting during the peak lunch or dinner hour, be prepared to queue for around 30 minutes just to place your order. Nonetheless, patrons return to the stall for their legit Malaysian-style pork noodles, which feature a secret dark sauce mix, fried shallots, minced meat, and crispy lard. If you’re good with spice, request their prawn paste chilli for extra oomph! Purists can also rejoice, as no vinegar is used here, though there’s also the option to request some. The cheapest option is the Plain Dry Noodles Without Soup ($4), but for the full experience, we recommend getting their Signature Pork Noodles ($6.50) instead. The latter lets you choose between dry or soup, with or without pig organ. Their signature soup is said to be robust and flavourful, generously topped with ingredients such as pork slices, intestines, liver, and minced meat chunks.
Noodle options are aplenty, too. The most popular pick is Mee Kia, but you can also get Hor Fun, Mee Tai Mak, Ee Mee, Mee Sua, or Koka Noodles if you prefer. Do note that the stall tends to sell out early, so make sure you avoid peak timings or check their Instagram page for updates before heading down. Address: 31 Tai Thong Crescent, Singapore 347859 Opening hours: Wed-Mon 10am to 2pm, 5:30pm to 8pm Tel: 8945 3889 Website Legacy Pork Noodles is not a halal-certified eatery. URA has launched the tender for a site at Canberra Crescent and another site at De Souza Avenue. Both plots have been released under the Confirmed List of the 1H2024 government land sales (GLS) programme.
The GLS site at De Souza Avenue is located off Jalan Jurong Kechil in District 21. The 207,155.8 sq ft site has a maximum gross floor area (GFA) of 331,453 sq ft and could yield up to 355 residential units. The site is close to the revitalised Beauty World neighbourhood. Rejuvenation plans include the introduction of new amenities at the mixed-use development The Reserve Residences, which will be linked to a new integrated transport hub connecting Beauty World MRT Station and a bus interchange, as well as a three-storey retail mall. Less than 200m from the De Souza Avenue GLS site was a GLS site at Jalan Jurong Kechil that is being developed into the 258-unit Verdale by COLI Singapore and CSC Land Group. The developers won the site after they submitted the winning bid of $215 million, or $1,002 psf per plot ratio (ppr), in September 2018. Lee Sze Teck, senior director of data analytics at Huttons Asia, says that the De Souza Avenue site could attract one to three bidders, with a possible top bid that ranges from $397.74 million ($1,200 psf ppr) to $430.88 million ($1,300 psf ppr). There is keen demand for homes in the Upper Bukit Timah area, says Justin Quek, CEO of OrangeTee & Tie (OTT). He adds that while there has been a steady supply of new homes, the existing residential units in the vicinity have been largely sold. Existing projects such as Verdale, The Linq @ Beauty World and The Hillford are fully sold, while The Reserve Residences only has 58 unsold units out of 732 units, based on the latest developer sales report. Meanwhile, the 219,985 sq ft site at Canberra Crescent is at the junction of Canberra Crescent and Canberra Street in District 27. The residential site has a maximum gross floor area of 351,980 sq ft and could yield up to 375 units. The site is close to Bukit Canberra, an integrated sports and community hub featuring amenities like a hawker centre, a swimming pool and an indoor sports hall. Recently awarded GLS sites in the vicinity include a plot at Canberra Drive which is being developed into The Commodore by JBE Holdings, after the developer submitted a winning bid of $129.2 million ($644 psf ppr) for the site in 2020. Meanwhile, a neighbouring site, also along Canberra Drive, is being developed into The Watergardens at Canberra by UOL Group, after it submitted a top bid of $270.2 million ($650 psf ppr) in 2020. Both projects are fully sold. Huttons’ Lee expects the Canberra Crescent site to attract up to three bids, with the top bid landing between $316.78 million ($900 sf ppr) and $351.98 million ($1,000 psf ppr). “This site is surrounded by a sizeable number of HDB flats that have reached their MOP [minimum occupation period] status in the last five years,” says Marcus Chu, CEO of ERA Singapore. He adds that this provides a critical mass of potential HDB upgraders in the area. The tender for the Canberra Crescent and De Souza Avenue GLS sites will close on July 18. Their net interest margins will ease as a result of their Hong Kong loans.
Singapore’s DBS and OCBC are expected to deliver steady net profits in Q1, although lower than the same quarter in 2023, reports UOB Kay Hian. UOBKH analyst Jonathan Koh expects DBS’ net profit to come at $2.49b in Q1– 10% higher than in Q4 2023, but 3% lower than last year. Singapore’s biggest bank by assets will report a mild pick-up in loan growth in Q1, with a marginal 0.8% growth compared to Q1 2023. “Industry statistics saw corporate loans expand 1.6% month-on-month in February 2024, which suggest that weakness in corporate loans and repayments by customers have eased,” Koh said in a report. However, DBS’ net interest margin (NIM) will ease 4 basis points (bp) to 2.09%, dragged down by lower margins from its Hong Kong dollar-denominated loans, which account for 11% of its total loans. This is a result of the Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate (HIBOR) decreasing 43 basis points (bp) to 4.72% in Q1. Contribution from wealth management is expected to rise 10% from a year ago to $400m, a result of “initial euphoria over potential rate cuts earlier during the quarter,” Koh said. Bad loans are expected to remain “benign” during the quarter, with DBS likely to set aside total provisions of $213m and incur credit cost of 20bp in Q1. OCBC is expected to tread the same path: net profit will rebound compared to Q4 2023 but will be lower than a year ago. OCBC’s net profit is expected to rise 12% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) but drop 3% year-on-year (YoY) to $1.82b for Q1. However, unlike DBS, OCBC is expected to report muted loan growth with a marginal 1.4% YoY rise. This is a result of some companies deleveraging, in response to the higher interest rates, Koh said. OCBC’s NIM will also ease 6bp to 2.23%. Hong Kong dollar-denominated loans account for 13% of its total loans. Net interest income will grow 4% to Q1, whilst fee income will rise 7% YoY to S$487m. OCBC’s NPL ratio will remain stable at 1%, factoring in an expected 22bp credit cost in Q1. Diving into cold water might seem like a shock to the system, and it is—but in ways that can surprisingly benefit your mental and physical health. Cold water therapy, a practice getting a lot of buzz, involves exposing your body to cold temperatures through showers, baths, or even a cold lake for some.
While all the benefits are not fully understood by science, there is solid research showing that it offers real benefits for your mind. In this guide, we’ll look at a few ways embracing the cold can provide some mental support. 1. Enhances Mental Clarity When you are exposed to cold, your body reacts in several ways that can make your mind sharper and clearer. The cold triggers increased sympathetic activity, which is part of your body’s way of kicking into action during stress or excitement. This activation leads to a higher level of beta-endorphin and noradrenaline in your bloodstream. Beta-endorphin is a kind of natural painkiller that can make you feel good, while noradrenaline is a hormone and neurotransmitter that gets you more alert and focused. At the same time, your brain starts to release more noradrenaline in the synapses, which are the gaps between nerve cells where communication happens. This increase in noradrenaline in the brain helps sharpen your focus, alertness, and attention, making it easier for you to think clearly and quickly. So, in a roundabout way, getting chilly doesn’t just wake up your body; it can also clear the fog in your mind, helping you to think more clearly. 2. Reduces Stress & Anxiety Research indicates that brief immersion in cold water can produce measurable brain connectivity changes that support better mood regulation. This happens because cold water affects how different parts of the brain talk to each other, especially the parts that control how we feel. The study found that feeling good after a cold therapy comes from the brain’s main networks reacting to process more effectively. Cold hydrotherapy has been shown to relieve depressive symptoms quite effectively. Many people report analgesic, or pain relieving, effects when doing regular cold exposure. This could be a result of a temporary increase in dopamine and endorphins that occurs. 3. Builds Mental Resilience Cold therapy is not just about getting used to physical discomfort, or acting tough. It can be a great way to learn about controlling your emotions. That first moment you step into the cold water might make you want to panic, in the same way you might feel stressed or upset in tough situations. Research on resilience theory suggests that enduring moderate stressors enhances resilience. Learning to calm down and breathe through this discomfort teaches you important skills in handling your feelings. Being able to control your emotions is key when you need to stay calm and make smart choices under pressure. In this case, the choice is to stay in or run away from the cold water screaming. How To Start Cold Water Therapy The good thing about cold exposure therapy is that is easy to access and can cost very little. It can be as simple as taking a cold shower, and can be elevated with an at home ice bath, or cold plunge setup. Here are some cold therapy tips for those who want to try:
Remember, it’s important to listen to your body and not push too hard. And if you have any health issues, check with a doctor first to make sure cold hydrotherapy is safe for you. Conclusion Many people swear by the benefits of regular cold water therapy. While it is certainly not for everyone, this practice has gained popularity in recent years for a reason. For those looking for a little clarity, an uptick in mood regulation, and some possible help combating stress, it may be worth trying to brave the icy cold. It’s official! Urban Jungle is poised to conquer global hearts as it makes its international debut in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand this month. Hailing from Australia, the viral beauty brand is renowned for its no-nonsense, straightforward, potent Korean formulas that empower people to embrace their imperfections and face life fearlessly. According to Paul Tsalikis, Founder of Urban Jungle, “We have been preparing for this international expansion for a while now and it is finally here! We are beyond excited to share the success we have had as a small local brand with these new markets.” Urban Jungle stands apart as the new go-to brand for inclusive, accessible, and simple-to-use skincare products that won’t break the bank. The highlight of products from its range includes the best-selling Melt Me Softly Cleansing Balm, Sakè Bomb Gel Cleanser, The GOAT Face Serum, Midas Touch Body Lotion, and Grime Fighter Body Wash.
Urban Jungle is available for purchase online and in-store at Sephora stores starting from April 18th. As a district that houses one of Singapore’s first few housing estates, there’s an abundance of restaurants in Tiong Bahru that have been around for some time now. These include Por Kee Eating House 1996 at Seng Poh Lane. Visitors love this restaurant for consistently serving hearty Cantonese zi char for close to 30 years. The seafood selection in this restaurant is wider than most as there are more than 40 options to choose from. You can also enjoy premium dishes such as the Garlic Bamboo Clams ($12+), which are not found in most zi char places. There’s also the famous Cereal Prawns (from $24+), a must-have in every zi char restaurant. This classic is served with huge, fresh prawns, and the cereal is also said to be super crispy, adding a nice textural contrast to the meaty seafood. If seafood is not your thing, you’ll be glad to know they have delicious meat dishes too! These Champagne Long Ribs ($11+ per piece) are the restaurant’s specialty. Customers love its glossiness—each fried pork rib is glazed in a house-made champagne sauce which is said to have a subtle alcoholic taste. If you’re visiting in a group, we recommend getting the Champagne Short Ribs ($24+) so you can share the dish. The restaurant is next to an unassuming car park. But don’t let its location fool you—this place gets very busy on weekend evenings! We encourage you to make reservations in advance to avoid disappointment.
Address: 69 Seng Poh Lane, #01-02, Singapore 160069 Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 10:45pm Tel: 6221 0582 Website Por Kee Eating House is not a halal-certified eatery. |