The Hill @ One-North New Launch Review

PLB Editorial Team

April 16, 2023

Table of content

One-north is a vibrant and modern district located in the western region of Singapore. Known for its thriving research and development industry, it is home to a variety of world-renowned universities, research institutes, and technology companies. The area features numerous state-of-the-art buildings, high-tech facilities, and green spaces, providing a unique blend of urban and natural environments. It is also a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, with various incubators and start-up accelerators in the area. In addition to its dynamic business environment, there is a wide range of lifestyle amenities, including trendy cafes, restaurants, and shopping centres. For these reasons, one-north is a highly sought-after destination for professionals, students, and investors alike. Our objective in this editorial is to present readers with a comprehensive examination of The Hill @ One-North, one of the latest real estate developments to hit the market. We will provide an in-depth analysis of the project’s features, location benefits, and amenities, while also highlighting any potential investment risks. Our team has conducted an exhaustive analysis of the development’s MOAT profile, and compared it to similar projects in the market to assess its long-term growth and profitability potential. Through our research, we aim to offer valuable insights that will enable readers to make informed investment decisions. We will keep a close eye on the project’s progress and provide timely updates to our readers in our upcoming articles. So, stay tuned for the latest developments.

The Hill @ One-North

The Hill @ One-North is a new launch condominium that will be located along Slim Barracks Rise near Buona Vista (D5, under Queenstown) under the One North subzone. It has a 99-year leasehold tenure and spans a Land Area of 63,901 square feet (sqft). The Master Plan Gross Floor Area (GFA) for this project is around a total of 134,194 sqft. There will be commercial units on the first floor of this development, which will provide residents living here with more amenities. The Hill @ One-North is situated in the Rest Central Region (RCR), nestled in the Silicon Valley of Singapore. Conveniently located within a mere 500m away from Buona Vista MRT station on the East-West Line and Circle, and less than 500m away from one-north MRT on the Circle Line, The Hill is a very connected new development. The surrounding area is a diverse mix of workplaces, green spaces, educational institutions, shopping malls, and diverse housing estates. This makes the neighbourhood lively, with many mixed-use developments in the area. With an expected completion date of around 2026, The Hill @ One-North boasts a relatively short timeline for a new launch. This makes it an appealing option for investors, professionals, couples, or families seeking a property that is move-in ready in the near future. With a modest estimate of 142 units (at the time of writing), the development offers an exclusive number of units to the area, creating an intimate and secluded living environment. The limited number of units also ensures that future residents can enjoy a more personalised living experience, while still being conveniently located in the heart of the bustling One-North district. An analysis of the private housing unit distribution in the immediate area reveals that there is a strong concentration of 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units, which account for a significant majority of the available units. However, there is a relative shortage of larger units, such as 3-bedroom and above, in this area. This is a noteworthy factor to consider for potential buyers or renters who require more spacious accommodation. Furthermore, this distribution pattern indicates a potential gap in the market for larger units, which could present an opportunity for property developers to cater to the growing demand for more spacious private housing options in the area. Although the unit distribution for The Hill @ One-North has yet to be publicly confirmed by the developer, it’s worth noting that larger apartments are in high demand and have limited supply in the immediate vicinity. This trend has been observed in the existing unit distribution of private properties in the surrounding area (excluding HDBs), highlighting the potential appeal of more spacious living quarters to potential buyers. The availability of larger units at The Hill @ One-North would thus present a unique opportunity for buyers seeking more expansive living spaces. It’s crucial to consider the pricing of these larger units, as this will likely be a crucial factor for most buyers when weighing their options. By providing a wider range of unit sizes, The Hill @ One-North can cater to a broader demographic of potential buyers, enhancing the development’s overall market appeal. It is important to note that the availability of residential units in this well-connected area is rather low, when compared to other RCR and OCR hotspots. The estimated 142 units that The Hill will bring to one-north will increase the existing supply of the area by around 6.3%. The new launches in this area will be highly anticipated by investors and homebuyers alike.  Taking into account the present state of the new launch market, along with the estimated land expenses and other associated costs, it is estimated that the price range for The Hill @ One-North is between $2,400 to $2,600 psf. Nevertheless, it’s essential to note that these figures are speculative and will be updated in our forthcoming article as new information becomes available. It’s worth noting that the launch price may differ significantly from our current estimates, depending on market sentiments and other external factors. As such, potential buyers should stay informed and up-to-date with the latest market developments before making any investment decisions. The Hill @ One-North benefits from its close proximity to renowned educational institutions, rendering it an appealing choice for families with school-going children. Situated in the vicinity are Fairfield Methodist Primary and Secondary Schools, Anglo-Chinese Junior College, and Anglo-Chinese (Independent) School, providing a broad range of educational options for residents. Furthermore, the area is home to several reputable tertiary education institutions such as the National University of Singapore, Singapore Polytechnic, Singapore University of Social Sciences, INSEAD, and ESSEC. The presence of such a robust educational ecosystem in the locality creates a strong rental base for this development, enhancing its long-term investment potential for astute homebuyers and investors. This location provides an ideal harmony between urban living and natural surroundings. The Buona Vista area (Ghim Moh exit) provides easy access to the Rail Corridor, a popular outdoor trail that is perfect for walking, jogging, and cycling, making it an excellent option for those with an active lifestyle. The Rail Corridor, which spans across numerous neighbourhoods and parks, provides an excellent opportunity to explore and stay active. With the proximity to both One-North Park and the Rail Corridor, The Hill provides great options for those who appreciate green spaces and an active lifestyle.

What does The Hill @ One-North’ MOAT Profile look like?

PLB’s MOAT Analysis is a detailed and comprehensive method used to assess the value of a property. This approach involves evaluating various factors that may impact the property’s worth and comparing it with other properties in the market across ten different aspects. The goal of the analysis is to provide an unbiased and objective evaluation of the property’s appeal to the wider Singaporean market. For a more in-depth understanding of how the MOAT Analysis works, readers can refer to our article, where we provide a detailed explanation of the process.  Before we jump into the analysis, we will highlight some of the other condominium projects to which we will use to approximate the MOAT score of The Hill @ One-North. The four condominium properties we will use are One-north Residences (405 units, TOP 2009, 99-year leasehold from 2005), The Rochester Residences (366 units, TOP 2011, 99-year leasehold from 2005), Heritage View (618 units, TOP 2000, 99-year leasehold from 1996), Dover Parkview (686 units, TOP 1997, 99-year leasehold from 1993). After our analysis of the four condominiums, we discovered that The Hill @ One-North scored an average of 62.5%, which is considered a decent score. Our research shows that this score is mainly due to lower scores in the Parents’ Attraction Effect and Exit Audience categories, as well as lower regional and district disparity scores. The Hill @ One-North’s proximity to Buona Vista MRT and the cluster of workplaces in the district contribute to its lower regional and district disparity score due to the premium for the more convenient location. The low score in the Exit Audience category indicates that there is a shortage of public residential units in the immediate vicinity, but it may or may not cater to the demographic this development is trying to appeal to. The Hill @ One-North would have the main strengths of having high rental demand, high quantum effect, and high MRT effect. This combination of strengths together with its convenient and amenity-rich location would mean that this project would be particularly attractive to investors, professionals, and couples who are looking for a good balance between lifestyle and convenience. With an estimated 142 units, we can expect The Hill @ One-North to be a humble but important addition to the private residential supply of the one-north and Buona Vista area. The new launches in this area will provide much needed private residences in this area to stimulate the real estate market in this area.

The Verdict for New Launch 

It’s important to evaluate both the benefits and drawbacks of a residential project before making a purchase decision that best suits your family’s needs. However, it’s crucial to understand that each property has its unique characteristics, and what may work for one family may not be suitable for another. To assist you in making an informed decision, we have outlined the primary advantages and disadvantages of the project. Keep in mind that purchasing a residential property is a substantial commitment that necessitates careful consideration and thorough research of all factors involved. The new launch of The Hill @ One-North is an exciting new project in the RCR. The addition of private residential supply in this convenient location would look to be attractive to investors. With the MOAT scores pointing to high Rental Demand, Quantum Effect, and MRT Effect in this area, The Hill @ One-North looks to be attractive to professionals, couples, and investors looking for a value play in the property market.

Let’s get in touch

If you are interested in The Hill @ One-North or want to explore other new launches that may suit your preferences in 2023, feel free to contact us using the provided link. Thank you for your interest in PLB, and be sure to stay tuned for more updates on noteworthy new property releases in Singapore. Check out our NOTG YouTube channel for an engaging and informative banter on Singapore’s real estate market. You can also read our other editorial pieces here for insights on the latest developments in the property world. The tentative preview of The Hill @ One-North is in April 2023. This might change without advance notice.