Contributed by South Beach Consortium.

In a piece originally published in EdgeProp Singapore, two residents shared about why they enjoyed living in their 1,625 square feet (sq ft) two-bedroom unit at South Beach Residences. Completed in April 2018, the luxury development is by South Beach Consortium Pte Ltd, a joint venture between City Developments Limited and IOI Properties Group Berhad. South Beach Residences is a part of the South Beach integrated development which also comprises JW Marriott Singapore South Beach, Grade A office spaces and a host of lifestyle and dining establishments.

Since moving into their two-bedroom unit at South Beach Residences two years ago, homeowners Mr Teoh Teik Kee and his wife Dr Hwang Yee Cheau have enjoyed spending most of their public holidays at home.

Their living room faces the Marina Bay, offering 270-degree panoramic views of Singapore’s iconic skyline from Esplanade to the Central Business District, while their bedroom showcases views of St. Andrew’s Cathedral and Chijmes. “Whether it’s fireworks during New Year’s Eve or the National Day Parade, we have front-row seats,” said Dr Hwang. “Since Padang is in front of us, we are ensured of a completely unobstructed view of all these beautiful historical buildings.”

Mr Teoh said that the apartment is the ideal entertainment pad to showcase Singapore. Apart from the panoramic views of the city from day to night, the integrated development also has world-class restaurants on the basement of South Beach Avenue, including Michelin Plate restaurant Akira Back, and most recently Japanese fine-dining omakase restaurant Sushi Masaaki.

Dr Hwang’s favourite is Madame Fan at The NCO Club, which specialises in modern Cantonese cuisine. “How often can you find a restaurant in a historical building like this? Furthermore, we’re just within walking distance from it,” she added.

“For my birthday celebration later this year, I intended to book rooms for friends at JW Marriott Hotel, which is within the same tower as South Beach Residences. Then, we would go to Madame Fan at The NCO Club for the party together,” Dr Hwang shares. As residents of South Beach Residences, the couple enjoys privilege rates at JW Marriott Singapore South Beach, which occupies the first to 21st storeys of the South Tower.

Designed to impress

Mr Teoh and Dr Hwang were among the first early-bird buyers at South Beach Residences. The development caught their attention as early as 2015, when it was still being built. Mr Teoh said, “We identified that South Beach Residences offered the only residential units in such a unique location.”

Thus, they jumped on the chance to view and purchase their unit as soon as the project was launched in September 2018. They also appreciated that the residential units were already built at their launch, so they could go into the actual units to see which ones they liked before committing.

“I think many disregarded the property when it was launched because it was a 99-year leasehold property. But the million-dollar views are hard to come by. Some of our friends who visited and experienced the views and convenience of living here now regret not buying a unit here,” said Mr Teoh.

The award-winning design of the South Beach integrated development, designed by renowned architectural firm Foster + Partners, was another big draw for the couple. The South Tower – comprising residential units on levels 23 to 45 and the 634 guest rooms of JW Marriott Singapore South Beach – and the North Tower, are connected via South Beach Avenue, covered by its iconic canopy. The canopy also has photovoltaic cells that generate solar energy and the wave-like structure provides natural ventilation that cools the building in Singapore’s hot climate.

The design of South Beach mixed development blends environmentally conscious design and green technologies in an innovative way. It has won two BCA Green Mark Platinum awards (residential and commercial) and the prestigious FIABCI Singapore Awards, topping the Sustainable Development category and also the Singapore Good Design Mark Platinum Award. It also most recently awarded 5-stars in Best Mixed-Use Development (Singapore) at the Asia Pacific Property Awards.

For Mr Teoh and Dr Hwang’s apartment, the interior is designed with an “east meets west” theme. The living room is furnished with modular furniture that makes it easy for entertaining, while there are two balconies that offer sunset and sunrise views. The couple also knocked down the wardrobe in the master bedroom placed a daybed in its stead. They also gave the room sliding doors so it can be used to entertain, as a study, or as a guest bedroom when required.

The couple are also full of praise for the Signature Residential Service in South Beach Residences. A team of well-trained hosts attend to residents’ requests and needs, such as making reservations and sending up deliveries, raising the bar of luxury.

Dr Hwang shared, “When I was entertaining at home for the first time, I didn’t realise that the unit uses an induction cooker. I called the concierge and they helped me to cook my food at the barbecue pit on level 32. They really went the extra mile for us.”

There is also concierge staff stationed at the lobby in Basement Two, who serve welcome drinks and also carry out health protocols. “Our guests are always wowed when they step into the basement lobby from the carpark,” added Dr Hwang.

Connected yet exclusive

Directly connected to Esplanade MRT Station and linked via underground walkways to Raffles City Shopping Centre and City Hall MRT Station, the development offers easy accessibility.

For an integrated development that has residential, hospitality, office, retail and F&B elements, as well as four historical buildings that are gazetted for conservation by URA, Mr Teoh notes that the space planning is very thoughtful, with spacious car parks and well-delineated spaces. “On our level, there are two lifts for four units only. The four-bedroom units have their own private lift, so there is a great sense of exclusivity and peace,” he adds.

Since the Covid-19 outbreak last year, Mr Teoh is currently working from home. “It’s so convenient to hold meetings here with my business associates because of the accessible location,” he noted.

At the same time, given the ongoing worldwide travel restrictions, Teoh says he is taking the time to explore Singapore. He shared, “I take walks to Kampong Glam, Bugs, and around the bay. It’s so well-connected that if I wanted to, I could cycle from here to Gardens by the Bay, and all the way to Changi.”

But Mr Teoh is more of a swimmer and he frequents the infinity pool on level 22 of South Beach Residences, where he exercises while enjoying the views of the Marina Bay area. On the same floor, there are function rooms, an indoor and outdoor gym, as well as outdoor lounge chairs. The sky garden on level 32 is equipped with a kids’ pool, a floor chess area, a reading room and an outdoor dining area.

Units at South Beach Residences range from 940 sq ft two-bedders to 6,400 sq ft five-bedroom penthouses. The four-bedroom units are fully sold, with two-bedroom, three-bedroom and penthouse units still available. In the remaining available two-bedroom units—some of which face a partial sea view towards eastern Singapore—the layout is spacious enough to accommodate a study for working from home. The owner also can choose to have a workstation in the balcony for breezy, good views.