Zhang ShiHua 张世华: BelleRive

BelleRive along Keng Chin Road is being launched yet again, by its developer SING Holdings. A quick analysis of the location shows that on signing the Option to Purchase, buyers will immediately join the club of those who stay at a prestigious address in the Balmoral neighborhood.

Balmoral has traditionally been considered the snazzier part of the Bukit Timah estate, with prices tapering off as one goes north west towards Upper Bukit Timah. With prices being launched between $1,325 and $1,464 according to Business Times, this will add immense pressure to some high profile projects further away such as The Floridian, The Cascadia and The Jardin. We suspect that prices can be so attractive due to the land being acquired before the peak of the 2007 property bull run.

According to some agents we spoke to, the BelleRive should be compared with condominiums along Upper Bukit Timah road with a large pinch of salt as the BelleRive's status is one that of a Boutique Condo development, and not in the same class as the larger projects earlier mentioned. Some admitted though, that a smaller project has its own advantages too. The BelleRive offers a swimming pool, spa, BBQ area, gym, function room and playground among other minor features.

According to the floorplans we acquired, the bulk of 3 bedroom variants offer good sizes of approximately 1539sqf and 1679sqf - a rarity in today's trend of shoe box apartments.

A check with caveats lodged, did not show any units from BelleRive and thus earlier prices could not be reflected upon. Perhaps the units sold in the earlier private preview has yet to be represented in the system due to a typical time lag.

Renowned schools such as Anglo-Chinese School, Singapore Chinese Girls, and Saint Joseph's Institution that are just across the road adds to the attractiveness of this condominium.