Union Square Residences: Luxury homes in landmark mixed-use development
Union Square Residences (right) is the 366-unit residential component of Union Square, a landmark mixed development on Havelock Road (All pictures: City Developments)
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In December 2021, City Developments (CDL) announced an ambitious new project in the Singapore River precinct. The developer had just entered into a put and call option agreement to acquire Central Square, a 99-year leasehold commercial and residential development on Havelock Road, from Far East Hospitality Reit for $315 million.
Central Square was located next to a site already owned by CDL, Central Mall. Comprising a freehold seven-storey office tower and a cluster of 99-year leasehold conservation shophouses, the site spanned 81,660 sq ft. CDL intended to redevelop the combined Central Mall and Central Square sites into a new landmark mixed-use development under URA’s Strategic Development Incentive (SDI) Scheme. The SDI Scheme encourages the redevelopment of older buildings in strategic areas through incentives, including increased gross floor area (GFA) and adjustments to land use and building height.
Upon completion, Union Square will be a new landmark in the Singapore River precinct
Just under three years later, the developer unveiled Union Square, its new project on the site. The large-scale mixed-use development marked the first redevelopment project in the Singapore River planning area under the SDI Scheme. The project has a GFA of about 735,500 sq ft, representing a 67% uplift from Central Mall and Central Square’s combined GFA of 441,650 sq ft.
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Union Square comprises Union Square Central, a 20-storey office block; Union Square Residences, a 40-storey residential block with commercial space at the first two storeys; a three-storey block with co-living and commercial space; and the existing conservation buildings, which are being repurposed for retail and co-living use. The project is targeted for completion in 2029.
The 99-year leasehold Union Square Residences, consisting of 366 luxury apartments, launched for sale in November 2024. URA caveats as of Oct 16 show that 135 units have been taken up at an average price of $3,197 psf.
The residences are housed in a 40-storey tower (All pictures: City Developments)
Upon completion, Union Square will serve as a new node for the Singapore River precinct. It is within walking distance of three MRT Stations (Clarke Quay, Chinatown and Fort Canning) and close to retail and lifestyle offerings at Clarke Quay. Its location also places it minutes away from Chinatown, the CBD, the Civic District, Orchard Road, Marina Bay and other areas of interest.
Recreating a kampong-like atmosphere in the city
Union Square was designed by global architecture firm Aedas, in collaboration with ADDP Architects, who led the design for Union Square Residences. In its project submission to judges of this year’s EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards (EPEA) 2025, CDL noted that Union Square’s design philosophy pulled from the site’s historical context, while also embracing its evolution, to create a space that balances the old and the new.
Union Square is nestled in a historic area that once bustled with commercial activity driven by its proximity to the Singapore River. It was also home to the former Kampong Melaka settlement, centred around the Omar Kampong Malacca Mosque, which was built in 1820. At the same time, the area had a sizeable Chinese community and became known for cultural landmarks such as the Tan Si Chong Su temple that was later gazetted as a national monument.
Honouring this rich past, Aedas and ADDP set out to create a development that evokes the community spirit of a kampong within an urban context. The office and residential towers, positioned at opposite ends of the site, feature step-down profiles that sweep down to the centre, where a central plaza serves as a nucleus, surrounded by the retail units.
Union Square will include retail and F&B units, along with public spaces
The project will also involve improvements to the wider neighbourhood, including refurbishment of an existing overhead bridge across Upper Cross Street, the partial pedestrianisation of Solomon Street and Merchant Road and enhancement of connectivity from Fort Canning Park to Pearl’s Hill City Park. Sheltered walkways will also be added to neighbouring sites, improving accessibility.
“A lot of consideration was paid to heritage, and how to reflect it in the development’s design, especially in the common areas,” observes Lim Koon Park, principal architect at Park + Associates and judge for the EPEA. “The design is mindful of engaging the community, with a lot of public spaces that will give life to the place.”
Modern homes with character
For Lim, the residences at Union Square play an important role in the wider rejuvenation of the precinct. “Oftentimes, a commercial development alone isn’t enough to sustain life in an area,” he notes. “Having that mix of residential alongside office and commercial is very important.”
Thus, it is fitting that Union Square Residences was conceived as a focal point for the project. At 40 storeys, the residential tower stands out among developments in the immediate vicinity. The facade features elements inspired by the iconic roofs of traditional shophouses, combined with contemporary elements such as large glass windows and elegant metal detailing.
The sky pool on level 34
Units at the development start from the third floor and range from one-bedroom apartments of 463 sq ft to four-bedroom premium units of 1,518 sq ft. There are also two Sky Suites of 2,476 sq ft located on the 38th and 39th floors, along with a sole penthouse that occupies the entire 40th floor, spanning 4,833 sq ft.
The interiors of the homes, crafted by 2nd Edition, have thoughtful inclusions, such as engineered stone countertops in the kitchen integrated with invisible induction hubs. The units also come with premium appliances from Liebherr, De Dietrich and V-Zug, along with bathroom fittings from Hansgrohe and Geberit. Meanwhile, four-bedroom premium apartments, the Sky Suites and the penthouse come with walkin wardobes in the master bedroom by Italian brand Rimadesio.
Each unit comes with the latest smart features, including a smart home gateway system with a digital lockset and video doorbell, voice control for home devices and smart air conditioning and lighting controls. Residents also have access to a concierge service.
The four-bedroom premium show unit
The condo’s facilities are predominantly spread across levels three and 34. The main deck on level three includes a 30m lap pool, an aqua gym, a wellness pool and a clubhouse with a function room and a co-working studio. On level 34, a second clubhouse offers a function area equipped with a kitchen, a gym and a sky pool overlooking the Singapore River and Fort Canning Hill. Additionally, a series of “recreational pods” is allocated on seven floors, featuring landscaped spaces with more amenities, ranging from wellness and fitness-focused zones to quiet areas of retreat.
Beyond the curated facilities at the residential tower, residents have access to the wider Union Square amenities at their doorstep. The mixed-use development will offer about 65 retail shops and restaurants, while the central plaza will play host to placemaking initiatives that promote an active and vibrant community, from pop-up markets and fitness classes to performances and food truck events.
Green design
The community-focused initiatives form part of the development’s broader commitment to sustainability. Union Square Residences has been certified Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy by the Building Construction Authority, the highest rating under the framework, with the same certification targeted for Union Square’s commercial component.
The rating is testament to the development’s sustainable features, such as passive architecture design to reduce solar heat gain and promote ventilation, the use of solar photovoltaic panels and the inclusion of a district cooling satellite plant connected to SP Group’s district cooling network. Other green features include lighting with occupancy sensors in common areas, automated irrigation systems for the landscaping and the provision of bicycle parking lots and electric vehicle charging lots.
The barbecue and alfresco dining pavilion on level 3
The development’s greenery also factors into its sustainability, with a landscape replacement area of 72%. Lush landscaping at the podium helps create a cooler environment, while also beautifying the public spaces in and around the site. More biophilic elements were integrated throughout the project, including vertical greenwalls, water features, sky terraces and the recreational pods.
The development’s emphasis on sustainability was recognised at the EPEA this year, with Union Square Residences clinching the Sustainability Excellence title. Overall, the project’s mindful design, combined with its thoughtful integration into its surroundings, earned it top marks from EPEA judges, who also crowned the project wins for Design Excellence and Marketing Excellence.
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