Straits At Joo Chiat New Launch Review – An Oasis of Contemporary Living in a Historic Locale

By Jee Sheong

May 3, 2024

Table of content

Introducing Straits At Joo Chiat, an upcoming gem in the heart of the vibrant Joo Chiat neighbourhood. This distinctive development harmoniously blends contemporary aesthetics with timeless Peranakan charm. Set on freehold land, Straits At Joo Chiat offers a collection of 16 meticulously crafted residences, ranging from cosy 3-bedroom to expansive 5-bedroom layouts.

Nestled within a private landed district, Straits At Joo Chiat provides residents with a peaceful retreat amidst its low-density environment. Surrounded by a diverse array of lively eateries and entertainment options, residents can enjoy a vibrant lifestyle right at their doorstep. From charming cafes to enticing restaurants and bars, there’s something for everyone just a short stroll away from this development. With its unique combination of serene living and proximity to amenities, new developments like Straits At Joo Chiat are a rare find in Singapore’s land-scarce environment. Offering residents both tranquillity and easy access to a plethora of conveniences, it stands out as a coveted option in the bustling urban landscape.

This review delves deep into the standout features of Straits At Joo Chiat, shedding light on why it’s an ideal choice for those seeking refined living in a boutique development in the vibrant Joo Chiat neighbourhood.

Project Details

Location Analysis

The closest MRT station to Straits At Joo Chiat is Eunos MRT station, reachable within a 12-minute walk. Slightly further is Kembangan MRT station, which is a 15-minute walk away. Both stations are on the East-West line, providing convenient transportation options. For drivers, the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) and East Coast Parkway (ECP) are just a 6-minute drive away, with the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) reachable within a 9-minute drive.

Strategically positioned between two bustling business hubs—the Central Business District (CBD) and Paya Lebar Central Commercial Hub—Straits At Joo Chiat offers seamless connectivity to a variety of amenities, work nodes, and entertainment options, making it an ideal location for future residents seeking convenience and accessibility throughout Singapore.

The vibrant dining scenes along Joo Chiat Road, Katong, and Dunman Food Centre are all reachable within a 15-minute walk. Additionally, a variety of shopping destinations including Katong V, 112 Katong, Parkway Parade, and PLQ Mall are conveniently located just a quick 4 to 5-minute drive away.

Families with school-going children will appreciate the convenience of having Haig Girls’ School and CHIJ Girls’ School located within a 1km radius of the development. Both schools are just a short 3 to 4-minute drive away. Additionally, there are several other schooling options nearby, including Tao Nan, Ngee Ann Primary School, and Tanjong Katong Secondary School, all reachable within a quick 5-minute drive.

In addition, East Coast Park is just a 5-minute drive away, providing residents with opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. The strategic positioning of Straits At Joo Chiat makes it a practical choice, especially for families, with its close proximity to a variety of nearby amenities and conveniences.

Site Plan Analysis

The units at Straits At Joo Chiat will be spread across 5 storeys within a single block. Housing 16 units in total, residents will have access to the facilities without being faced with overcrowding. These facilities can be found on two levels: the first level and the rooftop terrace. On the first level, residents can enjoy a children’s playground, a cosy garden nook, and two communal gardens.

At the rooftop terrace, residents can utilise the swimming pool and engage in daily workouts at the multi-fitness station. Additionally, they can host gatherings and enjoy barbecues with guests at the barbecue pavilion, which comfortably accommodates up to 15 people.

Investment & Growth Potential 

In this section, we will analyse the price growth of three other boutique freehold developments located near Straits At Joo Chiat. Our goal is to showcase the potential for capital appreciation in a freehold boutique development within this area.

The developments selected for comparison are Parc Bleu, Envio, and The Glacier. Parc Bleu, completed in 2013 with 55 units, is just a 1-minute walk away. The Glacier, adjacent to Parc Bleu, was completed in 2005 and comprises 40 units. Envio, completed in 2012 with 24 units, is also located just a 1-minute walk away from Straits At Joo Chiat.

Analysing the graph above, Envio showed a 27.9% increase in average transacted PSF price from 2018 to 2023, while The Glacier saw a 26% increase from 2017 to 2022. Conversely, Parc Bleu experienced a 9.5% decrease in average transacted PSF price from 2019 to 2024.

Although Parc Bleu’s PSF price declined by 9.5% during this period, a closer look reveals that the average transacted quantum increased from $1,295,000 in 2019 to $1,435,000 in 2024. This suggests that the 2024 transaction likely involved a larger unit, as larger units often have lower PSF prices.

The consistent PSF price growth observed in Envio and The Glacier over five years highlights the potential for capital appreciation in boutique freehold developments in this area. Despite fluctuations, Parc Bleu’s PSF price peaked in 2023, marking an 8.05% increase over 2019 before declining in 2024.

These trends underscore the potential for capital appreciation in boutique developments within this locale. However, it’s important to note that each development and each property appeals to different audiences based on unique selling points and features.

Unit Distribution

All unit types available at Straits At Joo Chiat consist of 4 units each, ranging from 3-Bedroom to 5-Bedroom layouts. This distribution reflects the developer’s emphasis on targeting families as the primary audience. The cosy 3-Bedroom + Study units are well-suited for small families, while the 3-Bedroom + Guest, 4-Bedroom and 5-bedroom options are ideal for larger and multigenerational families.

Floor Plan Analysis

In this section, we will highlight each type on offer at Straits At Joo Chiat. If you are interested in any of the layouts featured,  please contact our sales team directly or through our social media platforms.

3-Bedroom + Study 

Upon entering the unit, you will find a straight-line layout with the dining and living areas seamlessly aligned, leading to a spacious balcony. The common bathroom is positioned conveniently to the side upon entry, an ideal layout for hosting guests. 

The enclosed kitchen behind the living room and next to the dining area minimises the spread of cooking odours throughout the house, and allows for easy meal preps. Tucked beside the kitchen, the study area offers a peaceful workspace away from the living area. Bedrooms are located opposite the kitchen, creating an efficient dumbbell layout that maximises space optimisation.

3-Bedroom + Guest

With its size of 1,044 sqft and inclusion of a guest room, Type AG is ideal for families that occasionally hosts guests or relatives from abroad. Multigenerational families might consider this layout if they can come to a compromise with the smaller guest room, although it might be more worth it to go for the 4-bedroom option instead. Hybrid investors looking to adopt a part-stay part-rental strategy have the perk of renting out the guest room for additional rental income to offset the monthly mortgage.

Upon entering the unit, you will find the dining and living areas on one side, and the kitchen and spacious balcony on the other side. The developers have thoughtfully designed the balcony beside the kitchen with direct access, allowing for seamless al fresco dining experiences. Bedrooms are tucked away from the main living areas, and with a common bathroom adjacent to the living area, this layout is perfect for hosting guests while maintaining bedroom privacy.

4-Bedroom

With a size of 1,227 sqft, this configuration features a rectangular-shaped layout for the living and dining areas, making it ideal for space optimization and storage solutions. Additionally, the long entrance foyer also provides ample storage space. The placement of the common bathroom beside the entrance foyer is perfect for hosting guests without disturbing the privacy of the bedrooms. The spacious balcony offers enough room to serve as an extended living area or for al fresco dining. This layout is well-suited for large and multigenerational families, providing ample space for family bonding and daily activities.

5-Bedroom

The 5-bedroom Type C configuration offers a spacious size of 1,453 sqft and includes both dry and wet kitchens. The dining and living areas feature an expansive rectangular layout, providing ample space for family activities and hosting guests. This efficient layout maximises space usage and allows for effective storage solutions. Similar to Type AG, the spacious balcony is conveniently located adjacent to the wet kitchen, offering direct access for seamless al fresco dining experiences. With 5 bedrooms and an efficient layout, this configuration is ideal for larger families, including multigenerational households.

The Verdict

Joo Chiat continues to be an attractive location for discerning homebuyers, whether they are owner-occupiers or investors. Situated in a neighbourhood brimming with conveniences such as eateries, entertainment options, and close proximity to MRT stations and major expressways, Straits At Joo Chiat is a wise choice for families looking for a home in Singapore’s East region. With unit configurations ranging from 3 to 5-bedroom layouts, this development caters to different family needs. Additionally, the freehold tenure of this property presents an opportunity for homebuyers to build generational wealth and pass down the property as a legacy asset to future generations.

If you are in the market for a new launch project, feel free to reach out to us here. We will be glad to guide you through the process and offer a tailored consultation to help you reach an informed decision.

Thank you for reading and following PLB. Do stay tuned as we bring you more reviews of upcoming new launch projects around Singapore.

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