After nearly two years of house-hunting in the prime Orchard Road districts of 9 and 10, a couple finally settled on a high-floor unit at Cuscaden Reserve.

They purchased one of just six four-bedroom units in the 192-unit luxury condo. At 2,099 sq ft each, these are the largest in the development — created through the amalgamation of a two- and a three-bedroom unit on the same floor — and span levels 21 to 28. The penthouse comes with a private roof terrace and swimming pool, hence it has a larger floor area of 3,757 sq ft.

The couple, who prefer to remain anonymous, bought the unit a year ago. “We visited all the condos in the area — 3 Orchard By-The-Park, Park Nova, The Marq on Paterson Hill and Ardmore Park,” says the wife, a Singaporean.

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Privacy, low-density living

What ultimately drew them to Cuscaden Reserve was its privacy, low density and unit mix. Apart from the six four-bedders, apartments range from one- to three-bedroom configurations (700 to 1,163 sq ft), the majority of which are two-bedroom units sized between 807 and 936 sq ft.

“For us, that meant no large families — and more importantly, the pool is empty most of the time, which is what we want,” she says.

They also appreciated the development’s scale, with just 192 units, as well as its design and upkeep.

“We were impressed by the landscaping, the sculptures, and how well-maintained everything is,” says the wife. “Even within the apartment, the quality of finishes and attention to detail stood out.”

Developed by SC Global Developments in partnership with Hong Kong-listed New World Development and Far East Consortium, the 99-year leasehold project was designed by Chan Soo Khian of SCDA Architects — the architect behind luxury developments such as The Marq on Paterson Hill, Nassim Park Residences and Leedon Residence.

Cuscaden Reserve was completed in 2023 and is managed by Seven Palms Resort Management, SC Global's real estate management arm.

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Designing a home with personality

Although the apartment was new, the couple wanted to put their own stamp on it — without undoing the developer’s original finishes.

“We wanted to enhance it, make it more unique, and tailor it to how we live,” says the wife.

Their realtor recommended interior design firm SuMisura, known for its work on developers’ show units. After also speaking with two other firms, the couple chose SuMisura.

“I built a rapport with Benjamin Tay, the team lead, and they did a great job,” she says.

As the husband is American, the couple spend about six months each year in Boston — typically from May-June to November-December. “Winter in Boston is too cold for me, so we come back to Singapore then,” she says.

During the renovation, all communication with the design team was handled remotely via WhatsApp, as the couple were in Boston. “They were very responsive, even with the time difference,” she adds.

Subtle interventions, layered detailing

The couple retained the original kitchen and utility area, but reworked the rest of the apartment — including rewiring, lighting and spatial planning. Some doors, including the master-bedroom entrance, were repositioned.

“We wanted the entrance to the master bedroom to be seamless with the wall-panelling,” says the wife.

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This was achieved through full-height panelling and a concealed timber door, complemented by a mirror that enhances the sense of space in the dining area.

SuMisura also curated bespoke dining furniture, reinforcing the apartment’s clean yet layered aesthetic.

The design brief was clear: a home that is “both welcoming and refined”, while incorporating the couple’s existing Chinoiserie pieces as integral elements. Most of the furniture and artwork were brought over from their previous home at Oxley Walk.

“I like to mix and match my furniture — it gives the home a distinctive character,” she says.

A vintage red armchair, an Oriental sideboard, an art piece and a customised wall shelf displaying the owner’s collection of Chinese vases serve as focal points within the space. The living room — anchored by an elegant sofa, two armchairs and a coffee table — is complemented by a European rug that ties the composition together.

The owners’ collection of Chinese art is subtly integrated throughout the apartment, creating what the designers describe as “a refined balance of heritage and contemporary sensibility”.

New wallpaper and lighting were introduced. The curtains and blinds are kept open throughout the day. “The idea is to immediately take in the view when you step into the home,” says the wife.

The result is a home that reflects their cross-continental lifestyle and personal design sensibilities.

Enjoying the views

Each of the couple has a favourite spot to enjoy the view.

For the husband, it is the balcony adjoining the living room, which overlooks the Orchard Boulevard enclave, One Tree Hill, Grange Road, and the Good Class Bungalow areas of Bishopsgate and Chatsworth.

He is also intrigued by the construction of the upcoming UpperHouse at Orchard Boulevard across the road.

“I like watching the construction progress — it’s so well-choreographed,” he says. “The trucks come in, remove the soil, and before they leave, they go through a wash.”

The wife, meanwhile, gravitates towards the dining table. “I don’t know why, but I just like sitting there and looking out, even when I’m reading,” she says.

What they value most, however, is convenience: a two-minute walk to Orchard Boulevard MRT Station on the Thomson-East Coast Line, proximity to Tanglin Mall, the Botanic Gardens, and — for the husband — the Manhattan Bar at Conrad Singapore Orchard just across the road.

“We love it here,” she says. “It’s perfect for us.”

A home tailored to lifestyle

The four-bedroom layout supports their lifestyle. One bedroom has been converted into a den and TV room, which serves as her husband’s sanctuary.

Another serves as a workout space for the wife, an avid Ironman triathlete. The room includes storage for her racing and exercise bikes, as well as a display cabinet for her medals.

A third bedroom functions as a guest room, which the cat has adopted as her own. “She’s spoilt — she has seven beds around the apartment,” says the wife.

A touch of feng shui — and fortune

The couple had initially planned to move in on Jan 14, but a friend later told them it was an inauspicious date. “I had no idea — we just chose what was convenient,” says the wife.

They postponed the move to Jan 16 and consulted a feng shui master, who gave them a list of items to prepare — including two pineapples, two pairs of chopsticks, salt, soy sauce and 20 coins.

“We had to roll all 20 coins into the home,” says the husband.

The coins were later boiled, and the water used to wipe surfaces around the house — a ritual believed to bring wealth and good luck.

As it turned out, luck came swiftly.

The day after moving in, the wife returned to their former home at Oxley Walk. When she walked into the lift, someone else stepped in with her — a rare occurrence throughout the time she had lived in the condo. It wasn’t a resident.

“She asked if we were renting out the unit,” the wife recalls. “So I invited her up to take a look.”

The next day, the woman returned with her husband to view the apartment, and they agreed to rent it on the spot.

Looking ahead

Now settled into their new home, the wife is focused on recovering from a foot injury and returning to training. “I just want to get back to racing again,” she says.

Being based in Singapore also makes travel easy. “We travel quite a bit — recently to Cambodia, Thailand and the Maldives,” says the husband.

For a couple constantly on the move, the home offers something increasingly rare: a place to return to.

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