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

The freehold property of 14,175 sq ft at 3 Melrose Drive in Braddell Heights Estate will be put up for sale by expression of interest from Oct 18. It has a price tag of $16.8 million and is home to two houses: a single-storey bungalow that was built in the mid-1980s, and a 2½-storey detached house built by husband and wife Paul and Stephanie Masefield in 2013.The couple and their two children moved to the Braddell Heights Estate nearly 35 years ago. Stephanie, who is a Singaporean, remembers a time when even her grandmother had lived in the single-storey bungalow, making four generations of her family that have passed through that home. With a built up area of 3000 sq ft, it is packed with the old furniture and interiors. Step back in time to the Singapore of yesteryear.Meanwhile, the newer 2½-storey house with a built-up area of 6,000 sq ft, which was connected to the original bungalow via a staircase, has five bedrooms and an en suite guest room at the first level. On the second level, it features three en suite bedrooms, including the master suite, and a family room. The attic, which has been converted into a lounge and gym room, comprises of an en suite bathroom and can be turned into a fifth bedroom.Martin Goh, principal consultant at Realstar Premier Group and the exclusive marketing agent for the property, notes that the bungalow site at 3 Melrose Drive offers the largest freehold site in the Braddell Heights Estate today, with a 40m wide frontage.Hence, it is highly desirable and is a timeless investment opportunity for many Singaporeans. Goh believes that the new owner of the property may opt to retain the 2½-storey detached house and redevelop the older bungalow; or potentially redevelop both into a single large detached house at a cost between $8 million – $10 million. Alternatively, it may appeal to boutique developers who may be interested to redevelop the 14,175 sq ft site into three smaller detached houses.With amenities like Lorong Chuan MRT Station, the Serangoon Interchange Station, Nex Shopping Mall, the newly opened Woodleigh Mall, and convenient access to schools like CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel, Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School, St Gabriel’s Primary School, St Gabriel’s Secondary School, Zhonghua Secondary School and Nanyang Junior College nearby, it is no surprise that the Braddell Heights and Serangoon Gardens estates are popular with expatriate families.At the end of the day, the close-knit family is ready for a change. Stephanie’s father decided it is time to sell the property after having lived there for nearly 35 years so that they can start preparing for their golden years. Stephanie and Paul also anticipate that, as they get older, they would not need such a big home when their adult children eventually move out.As prices of landed homes in Singapore are expected to continue rising, the family looks forward to the new owner making full use of what 3 Melrose Drive has to offer. The freehold, 14,175 sq ft plot with two houses at 3 Melrose Drive in Braddell Heights Estate will be put up for sale by expression of interest from Oct 18. Its $16.8 million price tag translates to a unit price of $1,185 psf based on the land area.The three-generation family property at 3 Melrose Drive, Braddell Heights Estate will be available for sale from Oct 18, by expression of interest. A price tag of $16.8 million accompanies the freehold site of 14,175 sq ft and its two houses. The single-storey bungalow, built in the mid-1980s, is where Stephanie’s parents have resided since they purchased the property in 1988. Connected via a staircase to the 2½-storey house built in 2013 by husband and wife Paul and Stephanie Masefield, four generations of the family have shared this property.

Stephanie and Paul’s decision to build their new home in the garden behind her parents house when the two children were born has allowed them all to live together on the same grounds, albeit in separate houses. The newer 2½-storey house has five bedrooms and a built-up area of 6,000 sq ft. With the $16.8 million price tag, potential buyers have a few options for the property.

Residents can easily access Bukit Panjang Plaza and the abundance of food and shopping outlets located nearby. There are also a few notable schools within the area, such as West Spring Primary School and Bukit Panjang Government High School. With its well-connected location and deluxe facilities, Senja Close EC Bukit Panjang is set to be an ideal residential choice for discerning homebuyers.

For homeowners wanting to move in sooner, retaining the 2½-storey detached house and redeveloping the older bungalow could be a more attractive option as it would not cost them as much as redeveloping both properties. For those who want to build their dream home on the site, demolishing both houses and redeveloping them into a single large detached house comes at a cost between $8 million and $10 million. It also has potential to attract boutique developers, who may be interested in redeveloping the 14,175 sq ft site into three new smaller detached houses with URA’s requirement of a minimum land area of 400 sq m (4,306 sq ft) for detached houses.

Amenities around the property remain plentiful. Located in District 13, it has easy access to the Lorong Chuan MRT Station on the Circle Line, the Serangoon Interchange Station on the Circle and North East Lines with Nex Shopping Mall, and most recently, the Woodleigh Mall linked to the Woodleigh MRT Station on the North East Line. With landed housing prices in the prime Districts 9, 10 and 11 having recently seen a surge, prices of landed homes in the area have also been on the rise.

The Braddell Heights and Serangoon Gardens estates, with their proximity to many amenities and transport connections, continue to be popular with expatriate families. Schools like CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel, Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School, St Gabriel’s Primary School, St Gabriel’s Secondary School, Zhonghua Secondary School and Nanyang Junior College are within a 1km range.

Stephanie’s father decided to sell the property after having lived there for nearly 35 years as they start preparing for their golden years and anticipate that they would not need such a big home as they get older, and when their adult children eventually move out. “It’s a lifestyle change for us,” says Stephanie. The couple look forward to the new owner making full use of what 3 Melrose Drive has to offer.