Botanika, a free-hold boutique development next to the Botanic Gardens, will be auctioned off on March 31 by a leading international real estate marketing agent, Ken Jacobs, an affiliate of Colliers International and Christie’s Great Estates.
Mr Jacobs came into the Singapore spotlight when he famously sold Sentosa Cove to the international market — selling 12 oceanfront, waterway and fairway villa land parcels at an auction in late August last year.
Developed by Tuan Sing Group member Premiera Development Pte Ltd, the 34-unit Botanika is a world away from the offerings of Sentosa Cove, but Colliers International is hoping to get the same response from the market.
Multi-award-winning architect Chan Soo Kian of SCDA Architects designed the project that is located at the junction of Holland Road and Taman Nakhoda.
The prime units up for auction comprise two double-storied 3-bedroom penthouses, six 4-bedroom, three 3-bedroom, and one 2-bedroom apartment. Their floor areas range from 1,442sq ft to 3,294sq ft. Buyers have the option to combine units.
“All 12 units overlook an unobstructed panorama of lush greenery, which seamlessly merges with various waterscape features and are fitted with luxurious fittings from leading world brands,” said Ms Grace Ng, deputy managing director (agency and business services) and auctioneer at Colliers International. “With the recent hype on record prices set by the high-end luxury residential projects, we expect to receive keen interest from investors, particularly given Botanika’s strategic location,” she said.
The other 22 units have been already been sold at a private preview consisting of the developer’s friends and business associates. A transaction last month saw a unit fetching close to $2,000psf.
“We predict international buyers will have a considerable impact in defining the market of the most sought-after properties. In this regard, the intrinsic appeal of Botanika, a development which integrates innovative architectural design features with the unique natural surroundings to create a rare environment, will set rather than follow the market,” said Mr Jacobs.
Like the Sentosa Cove auction before it, live webcasts to bidders overseas is available upon request.
Source: Weekend Today, 03 February 2007