Haus on Handy
Setting itself up as a fascinating investment opportunity with strong rental demand, Haus on Handy is easily one of the best buys in 2019.
Back in 2018, the Haus on Handy site drew a strong interest that saw 10 developers vying for this premium land parcel in District 9 of Singapore.
It was City Developments Ltd (CDL) that emerged as the top bidder and the group is no stranger to the high-end residential segment in Singapore.
It has developed countless luxury homes within the prime districts over decades. Hence, you can be assured that CDL certainly knows what appeals to homebuyers with deep pockets.
On paper, Haus on Handy condo looks alluring. It has everything a home buyer or investor could ask for in a residential property.
However, by the end of November 2019, only 30 out of 188 units have been sold since it was launched back in June 2019. That’s equivalent to a mere 16 percent take-up rate in 5 months.
Compared to some of the similar new launch projects in the prime districts, sales aren’t really impressive at this new launch condo near Dhoby Ghaut MRT station.
The interests showed by property developers and the market just doesn’t tally. So what actually went wrong?
Let us dive deeper into the details to see if Haus on Handy is a good buy.
Haus on Handy Project Information
As always, let’s take a quick look at the Haus on Handy project information before we go into the details.
| Project Name | Haus on Handy |
| Address | 28/30 Handy Road, Singapore 229240 (Residential) 18 Mount Sophia, Singapore 228482 (Club Haus) |
| Developer | City Developments Ltd |
| Architect | Architects 61 pte Ltd |
| Tenure | 99-year leasehold from 07 May 2018 |
| Site area | 51,626 sq ft |
| Total number of units | 188 |
| Number of blocks | 2 |
| Number of storeys | 9-storey and 12-storey |
| Expected TOP date | Est. end July 2022 |
Haus on Handy Developer
The developer of Haus on Handy is City Developments Ltd (CDL), a member of Singapore’s Hong Leong Group. It is one of the largest real estate and hotel developer in Singapore.
It is listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) and has one of the highest market capitalizations.
With 55 years of experience in the real estate industry, CDL has developed more than 43,000 residential homes. It includes the likes of high-end luxury condos in Singapore such as New Futura, Gramercy Park, Boulevard 88, and Nouvel 18.
Being a leading global real estate organization, it has a network that spreads across 103 international locations in a total of 29 countries/regions.
Other than real estate and hotel, it also has business ventures in the hospitality, commercial, and retail segments.
CDL is a well-established leader in the real estate industry and has consistently been conferred with various prestigious awards. For instance, it was presented with the Built Environment Leadership Platinum Star Award by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) during 2018,
The award serves as recognition for the organization’s excellence and leadership in developing high quality, sustainable, and safe built environment locally.
In addition, CDL has been categorized as a top developer for its ability to provide quality housing under the BCA website.
Haus on Handy Location
Haus on Handy is located at 28 Handy Road, Singapore 229240. Hence, it is within the Orchard precinct and District 9 of Singapore.
It is right next to the Suites at Orchard condo and just diagonally opposite Plaza Singapura and The Atrium at Orchard shopping malls.
You seriously can’t ask for a better location for Haus on Handy. Not only it is located within a high-end residential district, but it is also literally situated along Singapore’s well-known Orchard shopping belt.
Walking distance to Dhoby Ghaut MRT Interchange station
One of the key highlights of Haus on Handy condo’s location would be its close proximity to Dhoby Ghaut MRT station.
If we were to plot the distance from Haus on Handy to Dhoby Ghaut MRT station (either Exit F or G), it will approximately 200 meters away. In other words, it should require you only a 2-minute walk.
Most importantly, the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station is an interchange station that connects to a total of 3 MRT lines. They are the North-South, North-East and Circle MRT lines.
Therefore, it would be an absolute joy for commuters who travel frequently to the downtown city center and various business or financial districts of Singapore. Commuting time on the train could be as short as just 4 minutes.
Let us take areas such as Raffles Place, Marina Bay, Buona Vista, Paya Lebar, and Harbourfront for example.
Here’s a table showing the duration of the train rides to these commercial and financial hubs in Singapore from Dhoby Ghaut MRT station (plotted using Google Maps).
| Destination | MRT Line | Duration from Dhoby Ghaut |
| Raffles Place | North-South | 4 minutes |
| Marina Bay | North-South | 6 minutes |
| Buona Vista | Circle | 23 minutes |
| Paya Lebar | Circle | 16 minutes |
| Harbourfront | North-East | 9 minutes |
Literally next to Plaza Singapura and The Atrium at Orchard
At Haus on Handy, you are practically living within Singapore’s biggest shopping district. In other words, it is practically a shopping paradise for both the locals and tourists.
One of the most sophisticated contemporary shopping malls near Haus on Handy condo is Plaza Singapura. It is one of the biggest and most established shopping malls in the entire Orchard precinct.
It was first opened in 1974 and back in 2012, Plaza Singapura underwent extensive Addition & Alteration (A&A) works and revamp which increased its retail space by a massive 25 percent.
Complemented with its neighboring mall/office building, The Atrium at Orchard, you do not have to look too far for retail and dining options.
In short, these 2 shopping malls will take good care of your day-to-day needs. From getting your daily necessities, a hunger fix or some retail therapy, you will find almost everything just within a short 1 – 2 minutes’ walk away.
Within close proximity to renowned schools
The surrounding of Haus on Handy location is not just about shopping and dining experiences. The condo at Dhoby Ghaut is located near several top schools.
One of the top primary schools that are within 1 km to Haus on Handy is St. Margaret’s Primary School.
Being this close to the school, your daughter will have an easier entry into the school as priority will usually be given to those who live within the 1-km radius from the school.
Other than St. Margaret’s Primary School, River Valley Primary School, Stamford Primary School, Anglo-Chinese School (Junior), and Farrer Park Primary School are also within a 2-km radius away from Haus on Handy.
Haus on Handy Condo Facilities and Design
So they say how you live is as imperative as where you live.
For example, you can be living in the prestigious Orchard precinct but your residence is old, rundown, with not many communal facilities for you to enjoy.
The way or quality living somehow takes away a lot of that glamour and shine from that glittering address your condo has.
Therefore, CDL ensures that these do not happen for Haus on Handy. It’s a perfect blend of modern living with rich historical essence.
The entire condominium has been designed to integrate both the scale and the architecture of the exemplary Tower House, and optimized to suit the unique hillside characteristics of the Handy Road residential site.
The architect strived to balance out the form and function of the development. From using color tones that resemble timber to lush landscapes and gardens that link the Club Haus to your residence from to top of Mount Sophia.
Club Haus
Built back in 1892, the “Tower House” has been a prominent historical landmark at the top of Mount Sophia.
In order to conserve and integrate it as part of the Haus on Handy projects, the building will be upgraded and revamped with the latest fittings
It will also add a fine touch of luxury and have this heritage bungalow renamed to “Club Haus”.
As the name speaks for itself, it will be an exclusive clubhouse for the residents and they will be offered with premier residential services. For instance, such services include handling your deliveries, laundries, and dishing out towels for your gym workouts.
And talking about workouts, you’ll find not one but three health and fitness studios on Level 1 of Club Haus – freeform, power, and gym. Hence, you will be able to find the ideal fitness regime that perfectly suits your lifestyle.
Despite the fact that the neighborhood around Haus on Handy already has plenty of offerings for nightlife and other entertainment activities, Club Haus presents itself to its residents as another choice for a club experience.
On Level 2, this is where you can just chill and gather with your friends at either one of the 4 clubs available. These rooms were once used to host some of the palatial parties in the past.
Haus on Handy Floor Plan and Unit Types
Haus on Handy comprises of two residential blocks (9-storey and 12-storey each) with a total number of 188 units.
It sits a land area of 51,626 square feet and is expected to T.O.P by the end of July 2022.
The development consists of a wide variety of unit types, from 1-bedroom (420 sq ft) to 3-bedroom dual-key (980 sq ft) units.
Here is the Haus on Handy floor plans for each unit type.
- 1-Bedroom (420 to 570 sq ft)
- 1-Bedroom + Study (517 to 624 sq ft)
- 2-Bedroom (592 to 764 sq ft)
- 2-Bedroom + Study (678 to 926 sq ft)
- 3-Bedroom (947 to 1,141 sq ft)
- 3-Bedroom Dual-Key (980 sq ft)
Haus on Handy Price Guide
The following Haus on Handy price guide was released and last updated on 26 September 2019. Based on the units sold up till 12 November 2019, the average per square foot (psf) price is $2,871.
| Unit Type | Size | Starting Pricing | PSF Price |
| 1-Bedroom | 420 – 570 sqft | $1,278,400 | $2,828 |
| 1-Bedroom + Study | 517 – 624 sqft | $1,460,800 | $2,826 |
| 2-Bedroom | 592 – 764 sqft | $1,662,400 | $2,808 |
| 2-Bedroom + Study | 678 – 926 sqft | $1,925,600 | $2,795 |
| 3-Bedroom | 947 – 1,141 sqft | $2,694,400 | $2,845 |
| 3-Bedroom Dual-Key | 980 sqft | $2,812,800 | $2,870 |
Please note that the above pricing is subjected to changes and further discounts (if any). So do drop me a note using the form below if you would like to have an update of the latest pricing.
Haus on Handy Showflat Location
The Haus on Handy showflat is located along Clemenceau Avenue, just opposite Singapore Shopping Centre and GE Money House.
The opening hours of the showflat is from 11 am – 7 pm daily, however, it’s subjected to changes.
Therefore, if you would like to view the Haus on Handy showflat, do give me a call at (+65) 6631-8384 or send me a message using the form below.
Haus on Handy Review
As a professional realtor, nothing delights me more than seeing great quality homes being built and helping my friends & clients to get hold of one.
I’ve always been a big fan of CDL, and many other real estate powerhouses such as UOL Group, GuocoLand, WingTai, etc. It is because they all have astounding track records when it comes to developing quality homes.
When CDL acquired the Handy Road GLS site, I was practically rubbing my hands in excitement – wanting to know what a developer of this magnitude can come out with on this relatively small piece of land in District 9.
It is one of the best locations you can ever ask for
The location of Haus on Handy is almost close to flawless. It is located within a prime district; there are mega shopping malls and MRT station just nearby.
In short, all your daily needs in life are simply just a short walk away – from groceries and food, to transport options.
Anything better than this would have to be an integrated mixed residential-commercial development. For instance, the newest Canninghill Piers by CDL as well.
But you can be sure that it won’t be selling at this same price point as Haus on Handy.
Competitively priced against other projects in the prime districts
Looking at just the per square foot (psf) price of Haus on Handy, most homebuyers or investors would just turn away.
Seriously, many would think it’s absolutely bonkers for anyone to buy a unit at this 99-year leasehold new launch at Handy Road for around $2,800 psf.
Well, let us look at what are the projects available in the prime districts (9, 10, and 11) that are near to an MRT station (within 5 minutes’ walk) and their average psf price.
| Project Name | Tenure | Type | District | Nearest MRT Station | Average PSF |
| RV Altitude | Freehold | Apartment | 9 | Great World | $3,003 |
| Fourth Avenue Residences | 99-Year | Apartment | 10 | Sixth Avenue | $2,384 |
| RoyalGreen | Freehold | Condominium | 10 | Sixth Avenue | $2,744 |
| One Holland Village Residences | 99-Year | Condominium | 10 | Holland Village | $2,592 |
| NEU at Novena | Freehold | Apartment | 11 | Novena | $2,606 |
| Pullman Residences Newton | Freehold | Apartment | 11 | Newton | $2,971 |
Haus on Handy doesn’t look that ‘pricey’ now, does it?
In addition, do note that none of these projects are located within 2 to 3 minutes’ walk away to a mega shopping mall – except for NEU at Novena. Thus, I would say the price point for Haus on Handy is more than fair.
So, what’s the ‘deal-breaker’ for Haus on Handy?
Poorly designed layouts
Frankly, my only rant would be the layout of the units.
If you have read a review that I wrote for 8 Hullet, a small apartment project near Somerset, you will know why I am feeling so indifferent about the layouts at Haus on Handy.
The units here have either long hallways from the main door, 2 aircon ledges, or an extra balcony in the master bedroom.
Then again, in order to ensure that the pricing of the units is being kept at an affordable range, I can totally understand why CDL has to develop units of smaller sizes.
However, the layouts are just ludicrous. It may not seem like a big deal to some homebuyers, but personally, I’ve seen tons of private homes over the last 10 years and the unit layouts here simply don’t feel efficient at all.
Just take a look at the floor plans of 8 Hullet and you will get it.
Final word
For Haus on Handy, it is the location that really shines.
It is probably the only new launch project you can find within a prime district that is so close to a mega shopping mall and MRT station in 2019.
I would say the only one that is almost similar within the primes districts of Singapore would be NEU at Novena. But it isn’t really in the same league as Haus on Handy due to certain attributes, such as tenure, precinct, and developer.
Hence, Haus on Handy definitely justifies a premium in terms of per square foot price. On top of that, the overall quantum does look pretty decent and is comparable to some of the other nearby new launch projects.
However, the thing about Haus on Handy is that you really don’t get much out of it other than its location and the perks offered outside your living quarters.
It’s just a shame that CDL couldn’t do more with the size and layout of the units.
The extra aircon ledges, balconies, longish hallways from the main entrance, and small bedrooms just do not scream luxury at all.
Personally, It’s quite ‘painful’ when I looked at the floor plans. It certainly makes one feel that he/she is paying more for less.
At around $2,800 psf on average, you are really just buying or investing in the location, convenience, connectivity, and some of that CDL quality, period.
If you are value-sensitive or psf-sensitive, this may not be the project you will want to look at.
But if the location is key for you, then there is no doubt that Haus on Handy should be among to top few in your list.