SearchWith the vast, towering skyscrapers populating the city’s skyline, the Downtown Core has traditionally been the global financial hub of Singapore. However, in recent years, the government has made a conscious effort to cater to the desire for a modern lifestyle by emphasizing the estate as a vibrant place to live and play in.
Tapping on the allure of living downtown with its connectedness and convenience, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) plans to introduce new mixed-used residential areas in the Central Business District’s (CBD) fringe areas to encourage a wider variety of uses.
With the Anson and Cecil precincts enjoying close proximity to a variety of amenities, these areas are being targeted for revamping so that they can support the best of city living. The agency is looking to make streetscape improvements along specific key streets to offer greater maneuverability and greener streets. Various amenities are planned for development along these streets to provide greater convenience to residents.
There are also plans to offer the courtyards and open spaces near the area as event spaces or as a community zone for residents to gather and take a breather from the hustle and bustle of city life. These schemes will be supported by the implementation of various social and community amenities to encourage Singaporeans to embrace these new living areas.
For those looking to experience the best of city living, you can expect to fork out a princely sum due to these properties’ prime location. Before selling your property, it is vital that you do your research and see if this new estate is suitable for you before engaging the services of a property agent. Let us take a look at what you can expect should you relocate to the Downtown Core area.
Food
Given the area’s commercial nature, it is easy to assume that there are not many food options available to you beyond the fast-food chains and expensive restaurants. While these eateries are a common sight, a few renowned hawker centers are situated in the Downtown Core area that offers local cuisine at a relatively modest price.
Lau Pa Sat
With its unique architectural layout, Lau Pa Sat is a popular food joint for locals and tourists alike. This place truly comes alive at night, with its well-lit clock tower a particular striking monument when paired against the pitch-black sky.
The highlight of this food center is its satay street, with the various stalls setting up promptly at 7 PM every night. Once the sun sets, the satay’s irresistible aroma starts filling the air around this hawker center. It is best to come early to “chope” a seat, as this is one of the go-to nightspots for satay in Singapore.
Address: 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun Open 24 Hours
Amoy Street Food Center
Another popular food haunt for the CBD crowd, Amoy Street Food Center offers an affordable alternative to the various high-end eateries commonly found in the surrounding area. This place is packed during lunch hours, and for good reasons, given the variety on offer.
A famous stall we will recommend is A Noodle Story. A fusion of Japanese and Singaporean cuisine, this unique take on wanton mee always leaves us with a satisfied grin on our face after a meal. Remember to head down early to avoid disappointment, as the stall typically serves only two hundred bowls daily.
Address: 7 Maxwell Road, Singapore 069111
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun 6.30AM – 9PM
Recreation
One of the significant advantages of living within the Downtown Core area is the accessibility to the majority of recreational activities and monuments in Singapore. Due to the area’s strategic location, you can visit most of these iconic spots within a single day.
Gardens by the Bay
Image credit: Gardens By The Bay
Nature lovers will love the convenience of visiting the Gardens by the Bay, as one of Singapore’s prime attractions is only a few minutes drive from your new home. There is a diverse mix of flora and fauna housed within the two artificial greenhouses. Its displays are regularly rotated to keep things fresh for visitors, and there are also specific themes showcased on special occasions.
Website: https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en.html
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun 5AM – 2AM
Marina Bay Sands
Image credit: Marina Bay Sands
After a relaxing walk through the gardens, you can head over to Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and indulge in many Singaporeans’ favorite pastime, shopping. MBS is the premium shopping location for branded goods, with many iconic brands such as Armani and Gucci setting up shop in this luxurious mall.
Website: https://www.marinabaysands.com/
Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs 10.30AM – 11PM | Fri – Sat 10.30AM – 11.30PM
ArtScience Museum
Image credit: ArtScience Museum
If shopping does not interest you, you can take a stroll down the river and visit the ArtScience Museum. This infrastructure may look peculiar, but its unique design is what makes it an insta-worthy landmark. Beyond its aesthetic, the museum also showcases a rotating selection of artifacts. Currently, the museum is displaying the movie props, artworks and designs from the iconic sci-fi franchise, Star Wars. Die-hard fans should get their tickets as soon as possible, with the exhibition only lasting until 13 June 2021.
Website: https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum.html
Address: 6 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018974
Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs 10AM – 7PM | Fri – Sat 10AM – 9PM
Singapore Flyer
Image credit: Singapore Flyer
With various activities to keep everyone occupied, the time will fly by without you noticing. As the day nears its end, this is the ideal time to pay a visit to the Singapore Flyer. Located just one MRT station away at Promenade, this 165-meters tall structure is the best way to get a panoramic view of the city. As the sun sets and the various lights are turned on, it is truly a glorious sight to behold.
Website: https://www.singaporeflyer.com/en
Address: 30 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039803
Opening Hours: Thurs – Sun 2PM – 10PM | Closed on Mon – Wed
Amenities
Convenience is the buzzword for many Singaporeans when choosing a property, and no area offers greater accessibility than Downtown Core. As the traditional financial hub of Singapore, various multi-national corporations have set up offices in the surrounding areas. Suppose your workplace is situated within the Downtown Core. In that case, you will no longer have to contend with long travelling hours to get to your office. You can now utilize the travel time you saved elsewhere.
The URA has also announced further development plans to evolve the Downtown Core area and support a more vibrant and diverse lifestyle. Aiming to break away from a Downtown dominated by offices, the agency has plans to better utilize the public spaces around the area for various uses and to maintain its liveliness even after office hours.
As the heart of the CBD area, there are plans to better connect Raffles Place Park to the Singapore River waterfront. Building owners around Raffles are eager to revamp the park into event spaces to encourage active use and give the place a fresh lease of life.
Other exciting changes include the former Golden Shoe car park, which will be transformed into a 51-storey integrated development, CapitalSpring. This building will harness the latest workplace and lifestyle innovations by integrating premium office floors with modern serviced residences. It is also home to the 299-unit Citadines Raffles Place Singapore, which offers various housing options to potential buyers. Between its studio apartments, loft studio, and one or two-bedroom apartments, interested parties are spoilt for choice.
Credits: Urban Redevelopment Authority
With more to see and do, the need for greater accessibility is more important than ever. As such, plans to build more MRT stations are already underway. After the addition of Maxwell and Shenton Way MRT stations on the Thomson-East Coast Line and Prince Edward and Cantonment MRT stations on the Circle Line, the Downtown area will be more connected than ever before. Cycling pathways are also being extended to provide residents with an environmentally-friendly transport option.
Conclusion
This list is by no means exhaustive, and it is just a tiny sampling of what you can expect when you live in the Downtown Core area. If convenience is your number one priority, then there is no better choice. Once your mind is made up, it is best to seek a property agent to help you with your house-hunting.
At Selling Singapore, we listen attentively to your needs and provide guidance to help you build your dream home in one of Downtown Core’s various properties. Of course, buying a new property is just one part of the equation. We understand you will also be looking for buyers for your current home.
Allow us to provide you with peace of mind by assisting you in both areas. You can trust in our ability to sell your condo or home fast. With our dedicated media team’s help, we guarantee you will attract genuine buyers quickly. Contact us at 8157 4855 for a quick coffee session today!
