Keppel Land is using cutting-edge virtual reality to help buyers get a better view of new apartments it is planning to release this weekend at its 500-unit Highline Residences along Kim Tian Road. It is planning to release its 32 three-bedroom units located in the low-rise blocks, which is made up of 24 three-bedders and eight four-bedroom units, as well as some four-bedroom units in one its two high-rise towers.

According to Keppel, the average price for the three-bedroom units at the low-rise block range from $1,700 to $1,800 psf for the three-bedroom units sized from 1,130 sq ft to 1,206 sq ft, and $1,800 to $1,900 psf for the four-bedroom units sized at 1,227 sq ft. However, Keppel did not reveal how many units of each type it plans to release for sale this weekend. 

Buyers who are visiting its sales gallery from this weekend will be able to visit two new virtual show suites alongside the existing physical show suites which showcases one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Potential buyers will be able to experience 360-degree view of what it is like to live in Tiong Bahru as well as the immersive virtual reality of the new three- and four-bedroom units, created by Keppel and technology partner VMW Group using the state-of-the-art Oculus Rift virtual reality system.

The new units to be released are the ones fronting a courtyard garden, and have different layout from the existing three bedroom show suites, explains Albert Foo, general manager of marketing at Keppel Land. "Our agents have been telling us that without a show suite, prospective buyers are not able to visualize the layout of the new units. That’s why we created the virtual show suites.

"We took about two months to work on the virtual show suites at the cost of about $250,000, including the hardware and software," says Lee Hon Kit executive director with VMW.

The collaboration between Keppel and VMW dates back a decade, and they have worked on the Keppel's earlier project, Caribbean at Keppel Bay.

Highline Residences, is a 99-year leasehold project, was launched for sale in May. As at the end of last month, 88% or 283 units of the 320 units launched had been sold, fetching at an average price of $1,900 psf.