CDL, Hong Leong unit snap up Amber Park for $906.7m, setting new record for freehold property sold en bloc

The Amber Park collective sale smashed the record amount garnered in a freehold collective sale in Singapore. PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - Amber Park, a 200-unit development in Amber Gardens, has been sold in Singapore's latest collective sale to two companies within the privately-held Hong Leong Group for S$906.7 million.

The units involved in the sale are listed City Developments' wholly-owned subsidiary Cityzens Development and Hong Realty. Hong Realty is the private real estate arm of the Hong Leong Group and holds a 20 per cent stake in the project.

Under the 2014 Master Plan, the 213,670 sq ft Amber Park site is zoned for residential use, with a gross plot ratio of 2.8. It may be redeveloped to accommodate a high-rise apartment development of around 24 to 26 storeys, depending on the technical height controls imposed by the relevant authorities.

Mr Tan Hong Boon, regional director at JLL, said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 4) that the tender was "keenly contested" and attracted eight bids.

The successful sale price of S$906.7 million reflects a land rate of about S$1,515 per sq ft per plot ratio, based on the allowable gross plot ratio of 2.8. Development charges are not payable for the proposed redevelopment.

This is the fourth time that the property was offered for sale collectively.

"There are not many sites of similar size that are available for redevelopment in the Amber Road location, as most of the larger projects have been sold en bloc and redeveloped over the years. Amber Park could possibly be one of the last collective sale sites with a land area above 200,000 sqft in this precinct," noted Mr Tan.

"At this sale price, the owners would expect to receive gross sale proceeds of between S$4.3 million and S$8.3 million each."

Separately, CDL said it is very familiar with the District 15 locale, having developed the existing 200-unit Amber Park itself, which was completed in 1986.

CDL and Hong Realty plan to redevelop the site into a luxury condominium development comprising four 25-storey blocks with close to 800 units and a basement carpark, subject to approval. Most apartments will have a North-South facing orientation, with many units commanding sea views.

CDL chief executive-designate Sherman Kwek noted that the Amber Park tender win marks one of the group's "most significant investment deals in the Singapore residential market in recent years"

"CDL was the original developer for Amber Park in the 1980s and we are honoured to be able to redevelop the site into yet another iconic landmark. In addition to its strong locational attributes, a distinct advantage of this site is its freehold status, something that is increasingly rare in Singapore," said Mr Kwek.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.