Largest bungalow plot on Melrose Drive for sale at $16.8 mil

Stephanie and Paul Masefield’s three-generation family property, located at 3 Melrose Drive in Braddell Heights Estate, will be put up for sale on Oct 18th. Sitting on a freehold site of 14,175 sq ft, the two houses occupying the property—a single-storey bungalow built in the mid-1980s and a 2½-storey detached house built in 2013—are estimated to be valued at $16.8 million.

The area around Melrose Drive in Braddell Heights Estate has seen tremendous development over the years since the Masefield family first moved in 34 years ago. At the time, the neighbourhood around Lorong Chuan and Serangoon was just beginning to develop, while the estate itself had relatively few houses. According to Stephanie, it has been a wonderful experience getting to watch the area mature with convenience and amenities.

The original single-storey bungalow has a 3,000 sq ft built-up area and three bedrooms, and has remained largely unchanged for four generations. Her parents had purchased the property in 1988, and when her children were born, they completed a 2½-storey detached house on the site in 2013.

With Tengah Plantation Close EC’s imaginative amenities and a comprehensive smart home package, you can stay connected, entertained, and refreshed in the comfort of your home.

Residents of Tengah Plantation Close EC can take advantage of the latest smart home technology. Through the hiLife app, they have access to booking services, paying fees, giving feedback, receiving community news and notices, and observing their home from a distance. Tengah Plantation Close EC has pre-installed smart doorbell, digital lockset and A/C module in each unit. To guarantee energy saving, the units are furnished with efficient aircon systems and a dishwasher that uses ultrasonic frequencies to remove pesticide. Moreover, Residents are also able to command appliances through voice control and keep track of their sleep and health data. With all these innovative features in place, everyone can be assured of comfort, convenience, and connectivity in the pleasant ambience of Tengah Plantation Close EC.

The 6,000 sq ft house on the site includes a spacious living and dining area that opens to a patio, and three en suite bedrooms on the second level, including the master suite and a family room. The attic is equipped with a lounge and a gym with an en suite bathroom, and the new owner could turn it into a fifth bedroom if desired. Meanwhile, the older bungalow provides a nostalgic view of Singapore in the past.

Martin Goh, principal consultant from Realstar Premier Group and the exclusive marketing agent for the property, estimates that while a new 5,000 sq ft home would cost around $2.5 million – $3 million, reconstructing both properties into a single large detached house would cost between $8 million to $10 million. Alternatively, redeveloping the property into three smaller detached houses with 400sqm land area is an option for boutique developers.

The proximity of 3 Melrose Drive to amenities and transport connections provides an excellent appeal to potential buyers, in addition to its location in a low-density, private estate with a two-storey bungalow zoning. Popular primary schools within a 1km range include CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel, Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School and St Gabriel’s Primary School. Secondary, tertiary and international school near the property are also plenty.

Transaction prices on the rise in the area includes a 4,315 sqft house sold for $6.8 million in November 2022, while a 10,199 sqft house went for $18.98 million in June 2022. Goh believes landed homes in Singapore are a timeless investment, and prices of these properties are expected to continue rising due to the strong demand and limited supply.

The freehold 14,175 sq ft plot at 3 Melrose Drive is now on sale at $16.8 million, by expression of interest, and is expected to greatly benefit potential buyers and investors alike.