\nExpected TOP<\/td>\n 2029<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\nGiven the number of new condos which have launched for sale at Lentor in recent years, the qualities and attributes of this location have been extensively covered. But the location of Lentor Gardens Residences within this built-up estate is worth taking note.<\/p>\n
The development is located at the end of the cul-de-sac of Lentor Gardens, and this positions it marginally away from the cluster of condos next to Lentor MRT station. Frankly, there are other new Lentor condos that are more conveniently located closer to the MRT station.<\/p>\n
However, I don\u2019t think this is necessarily a big drawback for buyers considering Lentor Gardens Residences.<\/p>\n
From my perspective, the Lentor Hills estate is characterised into two different locales. The first is the area closest to Lentor MRT station, as well as the retail and amenities at Lentor Modern, the neighbourhood\u2019s only integrated development. Homeowners who usually pick the condos in this cluster tend to prioritise immediate convenience, daily amenities, and accessibility.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, there is another side of the condo estate where residents can still experience the so-called \u2018old charm\u2019 of Lentor Hills before the high-rise condos came in. This is characterised by the views overlooking the landed houses in Teacher\u2019s Estate as well as the greenery that once carpeted the area.<\/p>\nFor now, Lentor Gardens Residences is the only development at the end of this cul-de-sac.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFor now, this is the part of the Lentor Hills estate that feels less densely built-up compared to the cluster of condos that surround Hillock Park, the central green space in this private residential neighbourhood.<\/p>\n
Lentor Gardens Residences benefits from this more subdued part of the neighbourhood. There\u2019s a strong chance that it will resonate among homeowners who don\u2019t<\/em> want a noisy mall or MRT station at their doorstep.<\/p>\nThere\u2019s another reason why Lentor Gardens Residences\u2019 location is not too much of a drawback. When this article was being written, the developer was awaiting approval for a new proposed side gate to Hillock Park. If approved, this can shorten the walking distance to Lentor MRT station (TEL).<\/p>\nThe proposed side gate would face the neighbouring Hillock Green Park, and shorten the walking distance to the MRT station.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWith the completion of Lentor Modern and its integrated shopping mall at the start of this year, the neighbourhood of new condos will very quickly take shape. Moreover, the area is still within the mature Ang Mo Kio planning area and surrounded by established housing estates.<\/p>\n
Residents have reasonably quick access to Thomson Plaza, AMK Hub, and the wider plethora of amenities in Ang Mo Kio. There\u2019s significantly less uncertainty and inconvenience in Lentor, compared to many non-mature towns.<\/p>\n
Overall, Lentor Gardens Residences broadly reflects this market positioning. It is<\/em> part of a new area, but one that\u2019s still connected to mature neighbourhoods around it. The condo is also in a corner of the estate that reflects some of Lentor\u2019s original tranquil, lower density environment.<\/p>\nLentor has proven itself as a strong locale for many buyers, with previous take-up rates in other new projects reasonably strong.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThis balance of first-mover potential, coupled with the area\u2019s proximity to neighbourhood hubs, may be the condo\u2019s greatest strength and overall appeal for prospective buyers.<\/p>\n
The Site Plan Of Lentor Gardens Residences\u00a0<\/h2>\n The site plan of Lentor Gardens Residences is certainly quite distinct compared to other new projects that have launched in this area over the past few years. In many ways, it is a hallmark of the design approach that Kingsford has executed at several of its previous projects.<\/p>\n
Conventionally, we\u2019re used to seeing the residential towers clustered around a clubhouse and series of swimming pools. But Lentor Gardens Residences prominently centres on its approximately 200m swimming pool which nearly stretches from one end of the condo to the other.<\/p>\n
Although one large body of water, the developer describes it as a series of connected pools including a Serenity Lagoon, a Massage Pool, a 50m Lap Pool, a 75m stretch, and a Floating Lounger Pool.<\/p>\nIn our view, the large swimming pool is a good showcase of a created waterfront effect.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBased on what we can see from the scale model, it is also the visual centrepiece of the entire development. In addition to its function as a swimming pool, it creates separation between the residential blocks, highlights the landscaping (note the islands of greenery amid the pool), and provides pool-facing views for multiple stacks.<\/p>\n
In my opinion, I would describe the overall effect as a created<\/em> waterfront. The residential blocks are arranged around the pool in a way that is reminiscent of how most waterfront projects are planned around a bay or riverfront.<\/p>\nThe edge of the pool which faces the main entrance of the condo incorporates an infinity-edge design, which ends with a vista of the neighbouring landed homes and greenery.<\/p>\n
This has the effect of a very unique waterfront view, which I personally haven\u2019t seen in any other condo to date. So major credit to the developer for doing something really novel and different here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That said, I can see a few potential issues cropping up here in the future.<\/p>\nThe infinity edge of the pool, and its nearly 200m length, is certainly a novel design that we haven\u2019t seen among the new condos in Lentor.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe first is maintenance, since from a practical point of view I can\u2019t quite see how fixing one part of the pool (as it consists of multiple interconnected pools) would work. However, the developer says there are provisions for issues like this, such as multiple separate pumps and it won\u2019t significantly impact maintenance costs.<\/p>\n
Another observation I made was the fact that you can\u2019t cut directly across the pool by traversing pathways or bridges. It may sound like a small detail, but consider what it might be like if your friends end up at the wrong block while visiting, or your children wander off, which means a long walk around this expansive pool.<\/p>\nThe Splash Cove and Play Cove for children is next to one of the BBQ pavilions.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile there is a separate play pool for children, older children who get in the main pool can travel quite a distance \u2013 so you may be walking the length of the pool to keep an eye on them.<\/p>\n
But on the whole, I admit this is a fairly minor consideration, and is outweighed by the unique aesthetic that Kingsford have been able to deliver at this latest project.<\/p>\n
Beyond the main pool deck, the facilities are spread across multiple levels.<\/strong><\/p>\nMost blocks house around eight to nine units per floor and are served by two lifts. Block 74, which has 12 units per floor, is served by three lifts instead. This keeps the lift-to-unit ratio broadly consistent across the project.<\/p>\n
Part of the land tender conditions also means that Kingsford has to provide a space for a childcare facility, as well as three shop spaces within the development.<\/p>\nNo operator has been decided for the childcare facility at this time. We will likely see this announced closer to the condo\u2019s completion.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMeanwhile, there are three sky terraces located across Blocks 74, 76, and 78; they add another layer of communal spaces above the main facility deck. These include various lounges, pavilions, dining areas, and viewing decks. The blocks are positioned to take advantage of the greenery of Hillock Park, or the landed enclave in Teachers Estate.<\/p>\nThe development also features a gym, clubhouse, function rooms, tennis court, playground, BBQ areas, and various social spaces distributed throughout the site. In general, we\u2019ve heard that this style of facilities layout is preferred by some buyers, since clustering all the facilities in one central area (the more traditional approach) can create noise and congestion.<\/p>\nWe would make a note on the BBQ stations: these are above ground* so they\u2019re not charcoal pits, they\u2019re induction-based. Traditionalists may miss the full BBQ experience, although induction systems are generally cleaner and safer (read: easier for the MCST to maintain over the long term).<\/p>\n
*For above-ground BBQ pits, using charcoal may cause the smoke and smell to affect the units just above the facility.<\/em><\/p>\nThere is one tennis court for the project, which I feel is sufficient for a mid-sized project like this. It is set lower into the landscape, which is a minor detail but it can help a lot with sound reduction \u2013 particularly the notorious sound of Pickleball.<\/p>\n
In terms of parking space, Lentor Gardens Residences has an 80% car park provision, which is typical for a project of this size. The car park lots are on two basement levels.<\/p>\nThe tennis court and the three strata terrace houses at Lentor Gardens Residences.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe Unit Mix<\/h2>\n Lentor Gardens Residences offers a fairly broad unit mix that ranges from two- to four-bedroom premium units, as well as three strata-titled terrace houses. This is currently the only project in Lentor which offers strata-titled landed homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nUnit Size<\/td>\n Number of Units<\/td>\n Size<\/td>\n % of total<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nTwo-bedroom<\/td>\n 252<\/td>\n 646 \u2013 732 sq ft<\/td>\n Approx. 50%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nThree-bedroom<\/td>\n 139<\/td>\n 872 \u2013 1,012 sq ft<\/td>\n Approx. 27.7%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nFour-bedroom<\/td>\n 105<\/td>\n 1,184 \u2013 1,356 sq ft<\/td>\n Approx. 20.9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nStrata Titled Terrace<\/td>\n 3<\/td>\n 1,496 sq ft<\/td>\n Approx. 0.6%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n