Thank you for your report, “Butterfly House escapes wrecker’s ball” (June 19). To me, this is an important issue concerning the way Singaporeans think about our material history. This issue is not something that merely concerns “architecture buffs”; it should worry all Singaporeans. There is important historical value in this house not only because of its designer, age or even its unique...

A petition by a group of heritage enthusiasts to save the distinctive “Butterfly House” at 23 Amber Road from being demolished has met with some measure of success. Instead of razing the 95-year-old crescent-shaped two-storey bungalow, its developer, Goodland Group, has agreed to conserve the entrance porch and stair hall and integrate them into the facade of the new 18-storey condo. This came after...

The increase in land prices across the property market has resulted in a spate of collective sales that range beyond the high-demand prime districts. Old condominium developments in the prime areas are not the only ones that find themselves under the auctioneer’s hammer. “We are witnessing a spill over in the acquisition of residential development sites from prime districts to the suburban areas,”...

Ten years after its return to Chinese rule, Hong Kong ranks again among the world’s most expensive cities to live in, after a traumatic, rollercoaster ride that has left many homeowners still feeling the pain. Ms Rebecca Leung’s tiny 500-sq-ft flat in the busy but grimy North Point area of Hong Kong island cost her HK$2 million ($394,000) at the height of the property boom in 1996. Today, it is worth...

Leonie Parc View. Located within the verdant enclave of the prime Leonie Hill, the statuesque 29-storey Leonie Parc View stands like a beacon in an urban oasis. Its sleek façade exudes modern elegance and its lush landscaped spaces offer you the perfect private retreat. Rising above through your own private lift, you can admire the breathtaking views of the city from atop the Sky Terrace and bask in...

Helios Residences, boast a one-of-its-kind luxurious living comprising 140 freehold apartments. Cradled amongst lush vines in the development, complimenting the greenery in the prime and established Cairnhill enclave, you’ll find a sanctuary of bliss relaxing in the very 1st and unique Tree Top Recreation Deck that soars 4 levels above ground, hosting a series of amenities in the Entertainment Wing,...

Will offer of slashed rentals lure airlines rooted in Changi’s other terminals? The bait would tempt any business: Move over, and you will not have to pay rent for six months. This is the proposition the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has laid before airlines, in a bid to lure them to the new Changi Airport Terminal 3 (T3) ahead of its first flights on Jan 9. Built at a cost of...

The price tag on luxury residences is expected to hit a new high as a site for Singapore’s only beachfront condominium is launched at Sentosa Cove today. The site, Beachfront Collection, is perched on Sentosa Cove’s southern-most corner, offering an unblocked view of the Southern Islands and Tanjong Golf Course. A four-storey condominium offering up to a maximum of 88 luxury apartments is expected to...

It's easy to assume that negotiating is adversarial. You, the buyer, are on one side -- the side that wants to buy a property for the lowest price possible. The opposition on the other side is the seller who wants to sell for the highest price possible. You're locked in a tug of war to see which side will win. It's more productive to look at a negotiation as a problem-solving process. You and the seller...

More American companies are feeling the heat from rising rentals for homes and offices here. About 61 per cent say their housing expenses have swelled over the past six to 12 months, according to a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Singapore, which polled 95 senior managers from US firms. The proportion is up significantly from the 42 per cent that felt so in the same poll last year,...