Special Feature

Luxury living in the new heart of Bukit Timah

March 28, 2024 11:00 AM SGT

The Reserve Residences, the integrated development in the Beauty World neighbourhood of Bukit Timah, marks a new turning point in luxury living (Picture: Far East Organization; Sino Group)

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In Singapore, Bukit Timah has long been the residential area of choice for the well-heeled. For decades, the estate has been a sought-after address among the wealthy, be it locals born and raised in the city or expatriates who adopted Singapore as their home.

One reason for this is the area’s location. Situated in the west of Singapore’s Central region, Bukit Timah is prominently positioned close to key places including the CBD and Orchard Road. Bukit Timah Road, a 25 km-long thoroughfare that runs through the area, serves as a major route in Singapore. This accessibility has played a large role in shaping Bukit Timah’s development over the years, which in turn has enhanced the value and desirability of its homes.

Perhaps what truly sets Bukit Timah apart is the lifestyle it offers residents. Besides having all the conveniences of city living, Bukit Timah exudes an inimitable charm and serenity that cements its preference among the affluent.

As a result, residences in Bukit Timah – predominantly comprising landed houses, Good Class Bungalows and high-end condominiums – continue to experience overwhelming demand. A recent testament to this was the launch of The Reserve Residences, a landmark integrated development in the Beauty World neighbourhood of Bukit Timah. Following its launch in May 2023, the development became the top seller among all residential projects launched in Singapore last year.

A key feature of Bukit Timah is the area’s lush greenery (Picture: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore)

Rare access to greenery

Bukit Timah’s distinct appeal stems in large part from its greenery. While much of Singapore has long transformed into an urban metropolis, Bukit Timah remains carpeted in lush landscapes. The area features several parks and green spaces, one of them being the sprawling 163ha Bukit Timah Nature Reserve – Singapore’s first nature reserve and home to Bukit Timah Hill, the nation’s highest natural peak.

Adjacent to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is the 66ha Rifle Range Nature Park, while a major section of the Rail Corridor (a 24km green passage converted from a former railway line) passes through Bukit Timah, including the conserved Bukit Timah Railway Station. More parks lie nearby, such as Bukit Batok Nature Park, Hindhede Nature Park and the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Surrounded by these green lungs, residents of Bukit Timah are afforded a luxury that not many Singaporeans can claim: a tranquil, verdant environment that provides a sanctuary from the fast-paced, hustle and bustle of urban living.

A trail along the Rail Corridor. Bukit Timah residents have access to a multitude of outdoor and recreational spaces within the area’s various parks and nature reserves (Picture: Albert Chua/The Edge Singapore)

In addition, these green spaces offer unbeatable recreation for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. From mountain biking, hiking and running trails to bird-watching spots and majestic 50m-tall rainforest trees, Bukit Timah residents have enviable access to the outdoors, supporting an active lifestyle amid the abundant fresh air and sunlight. The parks are also great for families, providing a variety of spaces where they can spend time together in nature.

Exclusive lifestyle

Bukit Timah’s natural attractions are complemented by its infrastructure and amenities. Owing to its significance as a commercial and residential settlement dating back to the turn of the 20th century, the mature area has well-established transport, retail and F&B offerings. In addition, Bukit Timah’s large expatriate community has contributed a strong cosmopolitan flair – the area has an abundance of eclectic stores and upscale cafes and restaurants. Neighbourhood favourites include French bistro Choupinette, Italian eatery Acqua e Farina and brunch spot Atlas Coffeehouse.

Bukit Timah’s rich history has resulted in another uniquely desirable trait. The area has one of the biggest clusters of distinguished schools in Singapore. These illustrious institutions are among the most reputable schools islandwide and are a significant advantage for families living in the area.

The schools include Hwa Chong Institution, Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School, Methodist Girls’ School, St Margaret’s Secondary School, Raffles Girls’ Primary School, Nanyang Girls’ High School, Nanyang Primary School and Singapore Chinese Girls’ School. Several international schools also operate in Bukit Timah, such as the Swiss School and the Hollandse School.

At the heart of everything

Bukit Timah has seen significant growth over the past few decades, driven by Singapore's expanding economy, which propelled the extensive development of this prized estate. Today, it continues to be a dynamic area, continuously evolving with the times.

The latest chapter of Bukit Timah’s evolution is the rejuvenation of the iconic Beauty World neighbourhood. Situated along Upper Bukit Timah Road, just a stone’s throw away from the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the neighbourhood has been a longstanding commercial hub, with landmark shopping centres such as Bukit Timah Plaza and Beauty World Centre opening in the 1970s to 1980s.

In recent years, the opening of the Beauty World MRT Station in late 2015 as part of the Downtown Line expansion has sparked a new spurt of growth for the neighbourhood. Shortly after, URA unveiled its 2019 Master Plan, which outlined exciting redevelopment plans for Beauty World, including a site at Upper Bukit Timah Road and Jalan Anak Bukit earmarked for a residential development to be integrated with the Beauty World MRT Station and a new air-conditioned bus interchange. That site would later become a reality with The Reserve Residences.

The Reserve Residences will be integrated with a transport hub comprising a bus interchange and a link to the Beauty World MRT Station (Picture: Far East Organization; Sino Group)

Additionally, plans were announced for the construction of a new Bukit Timah Integrated Development close to Beauty World MRT Station. Envisioned as Bukit Timah’s community node, it will house a Community Club, a Market and Food Centre, and other shared amenities.

Altogether, these plans signal a shift for Bukit Timah, with Beauty World serving as a new nucleus for the area. Upon its completion, The Reserve Residences will be the crowning jewel at this new heart of Bukit Timah. Featuring residences, serviced apartments and a brand-new retail mall (Bukit V), the development offers the best in integrated luxury living and is poised to leverage Bukit Timah’s long-term growth.

The Reserve Residences includes a retail podium with over 20,000 sqm of retail space and will be linked to the future Bukit Timah Integrated Development (Picture: Far East Organization; Sino Group)

A new definition of luxury

In today’s environment, luxury living has evolved to take on more nuance. Beyond seeking lavish homes, a growing proportion of the wealthy are seeking out residences that take the extra step to improve the quality of their life.

This is achieved through innovative design and excellent craftsmanship that take into consideration their daily needs, such as biophilic elements to promote well-being, convenient access to facilities and amenities, and smart solutions that make life easier. Space is also becoming an increasingly precious commodity, especially in land-scarce Singapore where capacious new homes are getting harder to find.

Living area of a four-bedroom unit in the Creekside collection at The Reserve Residences (Picture: Far East Organization; Sino Group)

In this regard, developments such as The Reserve Residences truly shine. Chan Ee Mun, a director at award-winning architectural firm WOHA, designed The Reserve Residences to allow for a natural flow of sunlight and fresh air. He hoped that residents would take advantage of the large open windows in each home that frame expansive views across the nature reserves while allowing natural daylight to illuminate its interiors. The floor-to-ceiling windows also enable cool breezes to cross-ventilate the residences.

Creekside units come with balconies that overlook the pool or lush landscaping (Picture: Far East Organization; Sino Group)

Three- to five-bedroom apartments at the development have extensive living areas and high ceilings that accentuate volume and space. This sense of openness is further amplified by panoramic views, especially for the premium Treetops collection where select units have unobstructed views overlooking Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Bukit Batok Nature Park.

The penthouse balcony in the Treetops collection enjoys unobstructed panoramic views (Picture: Far East Organization; Sino Group)

The Reserve Residences also stands out for its meticulous design. From functional layouts and top-of-the-line fittings to its seamless integration with a mall and transport facilities, it provides the best of contemporary living at the heart of one of Singapore’s most coveted areas.

At its core, The Reserve Residences is underpinned by a genuine understanding of what it means to live luxuriously in today’s context. And much like the appeal of the Bukit Timah area, it is little wonder that it is sought-after.

Luxury living at the Treetops penthouse living room (Picture: Far East Organization; Sino Group)

There are currently a limited number of units still available at the development. Visit The Reserve Residences Sales Gallery at 100A Upper Bukit Timah Road S589680.

Open daily from 9am to 6pm.

Call 6534 8000 or WhatsApp 9712 2344

www.thereserveresidences.com.sg

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