Trendale Tower at 79 Cairnhill Road has re-entered the market with a guide price of $168 million. The freehold site occupies a land parcel of 21,709 sq ft and contains a gross floor area of roughly 72,691 sq ft, which works out to about $2,248 per sq ft after a 7% balcony bonus is applied. The location sits near the southern edge of the Newton district, offering convenient access to the nearby MRT station, several schools, and a mix of retail and dining options that make the plot attractive to a range of investors.
New collective sale launched with fresh pricing
The latest collective sale gives buyers the chance to acquire the entire block in a single transaction. Marketing is handled by Knight Frank Singapore, which says the Urban Redevelopment Authority will support an Outline Planning Permission for a Serviced Apartment 2 (SA2) use, pending the usual approvals. This approach allows a single purchaser to take control of the whole development rather than piecemeal ownership.
Authorities may also remit Additional Buyer Stamp Duty for the SA2 scheme, as noted by Knight Frank.
History of failed en bloc attempts
Owners have tried to sell the property four times. The first attempt in 2018 listed the site at $163.5 million, followed by a 2022 effort at $178 million. Both rounds concluded without a buyer, as market conditions at the time were not conducive to such a large transaction.
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A 2023 attempt returned to the same level as the current guide price but also failed. Those sales coincided with cooling measures introduced in 2018 and 2021, which widened the gap between seller expectations and developer budgets.
Serviced Apartment 2 option adds appeal
The SA2 concept, introduced by the URA in December 2023, targets long-stay guests who must remain at least three months. It sits between traditional rentals and short-term hospitality, allowing owners to keep an entire block for recurring revenue while complying with zoning rules.
Royal Group recently applied the model to its redevelopment of 11 Claymore Road, purchasing the former bungalow site for $75 million and planning about 100 long-stay units.
Dayna Ang, senior manager at Knight Frank Singapore, notes that a luxury condominium built on the site would compete in District 9’s tight pipeline. She adds that the URA’s support for SA2 “allows the entire block to be retained for recurring income,” which could attract buyers focused on long-term wealth preservation.
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Market context and developer interest
Melvin Chay, senior director at the same agency, points to the government’s Newton master plan, which envisions roughly 5,000 new homes over ten years, with just over 650 already committed. Roads slated for redevelopment include Monks Hill, Newton Circus and Scotts Road, and the plan emphasizes improved connectivity and public amenities.
Recent land sales nearby highlight the area’s momentum. A Bukit Timah Road parcel adjacent to Newton MRT fetched $566.292 million ($1,820 psf), while a Peck Hay Road site sold for $542.4 million ($1,865 psf) to City Developments Ltd. Those transactions demonstrate strong investor appetite for large-scale sites in the vicinity.
The collective sale tender closes on October 23.
