Check Out These Unicorn Duplex Apartments With Lift Access To Both Floors
We show you these five popular unicorn apartments that provide lift access to both floors of the apartments
Many people like the idea of a duplex apartment (just like an HDB Maisonette). You often get separate living spaces so it’s more private, and sometimes you might even get a high ceiling in the living/dining area – which is always a unique feature to have in a home.
A duplex apartment can be an ideal solution for a multi-generational family. Provided there are bedrooms on both floors (some duplexes have 100% outside space on the second floor), the different family units can have their own personal spaces (and independence) yet still live close enough to make having meals together very convenient. However, older people, may not quite agree. After all, as people age, climbing the stairs becomes increasingly difficult, and older people may lose access to the upper floor resulting in them feeling like their living space has been effectively halved. Worse still if the bedrooms are only on the second floor, so it wouldn’t be very future proof if you are getting on in age.
Enter duplex apartments with lift access to both floors – the perfect solution, in my opinion!
There are 2 types of duplex apartments with lift access to both floors: those with internal private lifts and those with external lift lobbies. My preference (and the topic of this article) is the latter as duplexes with internal lifts are often super expensive. I had a property agent suggest Wallich Residence – I’m not sure about you, but that’s not quite within my budget! For those flush with cash (we’re talking about in excess of $13 million here), other luxury residences that have duplexes/triplexes with lift access on all floors include Park Nova (the largest penthouse), South Beach Residences (penthouse), Meyer House (penthouse) and 15 Holland Hill (for once, a garden maisonette instead of a penthouse!), Cluny Park Residence, and Leedon Residence (5 bedroom unit and penthouse). So yes, certainly at the high end this is an easy enough find.
Moreover, duplex apartments with external lift lobbies on both floors can be converted into 2 dual-key units with 1 unit rented out in the future, if you find that you no longer need so much space. Unfortunately, such units are pretty much Property Unicorns: they are super rare. I messaged over 10 property agents and none could suggest a single development with such a unit. Instead, they all tried to push me towards cluster houses, despite my non-interest. After trawling through hundreds of property listings, I was only able to find the following 5 developments which have duplex units with external lift lobbies on both floors:
Windermere is an Executive Condominium in Choa Chu Kang. In the taller tower blocks, there are 2 types of penthouse units, 1 of which has lift access to both floors. (The penthouse units are staggered in each block so, 1 unit occupies the 23rd and 24th floors, whilst the other occupies the 22nd and 23rd, giving the penthouse on the 22nd/23rd floors lift access to both levels.)
However, do note that Windermere is quite a few years into its 99-year lease, so proceed with caution if reselling or leaving a legacy for future generations is amongst your priorities.
The Luxurie is a 622-unit condo in Sengkang which has duplex penthouse lofts with lift access to both floors. Developed by Keppel Land and completed in 2015, the lease of The Luxurie starts from 2011, so you have a better buffer before lease decay sets in. Moreover, it is less than 5 minutes from Sengkang MRT and the mall Compass One, making it 1 of only 3 private projects under 300m from the MRT. (The other 2 are Compass Heights and La Fiesta.)
There are only 8 penthouses in this condo, 3 of which are larger in size (over 2,700 sq ft). Each floor of the larger penthouse has outside space, bedrooms, and a family/living room, so they can almost be described as 2 separate condo units connected by a staircase – perfect for multi-generational families. The ceiling is also wonderfully high (almost 8m) making the units feel even more expansive than they already are.
Note: the main entrance on the upper floor opens into the roof terrace which then leads to the family/living room, so you will be exposed to the elements if you enter from the 2nd floor on a rainy day. It may be a bit slippery for the elderly, although you could always ask the MCST for permission to build a roof cover over the area.
We’ve now come to what used to be our top choice for a new home: Pepys Hill. Firstly, it’s a freehold condo in Pasir Panjang, and West Singapore is our home turf. (I have to admit I was also thinking “Great Southern Waterfront.”)
Secondly, it has only 32 units, making it extremely private (only 2 units per floor in the taller block!) Despite its small size, you still get facilities such as a pool and gym (but no security guard). Moreover, the PSF was quite affordable then so we wouldn’t have to compromise on space (under $1,000 psf – note that some units have large outside spaces, which not everyone is a fan of. Sadly, the only unit for sale at the time of writing is asking for $1,400+ psf, showing how high property prices have risen in just a year!)
There is also a back gate that leads to Pasir Panjang MRT and Food Centre (which is across the road and linked by an overhead bridge for easy access) and you’re only a 10-minute walk from the beautiful Hort Park.
Built in 1983, Village Towers is a freehold 46-unit freehold development located along Mount Sinai Rise (near Holland Village). Despite the few units, it has a swimming pool, tennis court, squash court, and 24-hour security. (I shudder to think of the maintenance fees!) It’s also within walking distance to Ulu Pandan Park Connector which takes you to Dover MRT (15 minutes walk).
On the flip side, it is opposite Dover Forest, which will be developed into HDB flats, so the next few years may be pretty noisy and dusty. (The exact section of Dover Forest that is directly opposite Village Towers will be preserved so hopefully, that provides some sort of buffer.)
Last but not least is the smallest development on this list, Jade Mansion, which is situated on 10 Leedon Road and very close to Holland Village MRT, and of course, very walkable to Holland Village itself. Consisting of only 27 maisonettes of over 2,600 sq ft, this freehold condo was built in 1982 and has a tennis court and swimming pool. I love the double volume ceilings in the balcony, which can be accessed by both floors. It’s a very unique layout, and very flexible too for multi-generation living.
However, prices have surged in the last few years. The 2nd last transaction (for a similarly sized unit) was for $2.9 million in 2018, making that an almost 50% increase in a mere 3 years! Moreover, the condo borders Holland Road which gets quite busy, so some units may suffer from traffic noise.
Note: Jade Residences is another favourite of the “most likely to en-bloc” lists but 1 property agent told me that the plot ratio has already been maximised (I have not confirmed this myself as there are currently no units for sale.)
Text: TJ/Stacked Homes
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