Botanika, a 34-unit luxury condominium located at Holland Road, is one of the rare developments in Singapore that offers stunning views of a lush green forest and is adjacent to the Singapore Botanic Gardens. According to Sueann Lye, senior associate vice president of List Sotheby’s International Realty, Botanika was developed by Tuan Sing Holdings and designed by Chan Soo Khian, founding principal and design director of SCDA Architects. The property was launched in June 2006 and completed in 2008.
Lye assisted the current owners of a 2,196 sq ft, two-bedroom duplex in securing their home at Botanika a decade ago. She recalls how they were searching extensively for an apartment with uninterrupted views of greenery, and how they immediately fell in love with the unit the moment they stepped into it.
The duplex was purchased by the owners for $4.725 million ($2,152 psf) in 2015, according to a lodged caveat. They bought it from the previous owner, who acquired it in November 2010 for $5.05 million ($2,300 psf).
Botanika is a freehold luxury condominium located in prime District 10. It offers bespoke design elements and was developed by Tuan Sing Holdings and designed by SCDA Architects. The property, which was launched in 2006, was completed in 2008.
The current owners of the duplex transformed the apartment into their dream home, sparing no expense. They hired Antonio Eraso, founder of the multi-disciplinary design firm WeCraft, to oversee the renovation. Eraso completely gutted the apartment, replacing the flooring with European oak and upgrading the windows to frame the stunning forest views. The windows were specially customised to ensure that the view was unobstructed. The wall separating the kitchen and living room was removed to create an open-concept kitchen with an uninterrupted view. The kitchen was customised with Italian handcrafted cabinetry and marble. The original marble countertop was replaced with high-quality Bianco Statuario Venato, a white Italian marble. The household shelter was repurposed into a pantry and an additional refrigerator. The entire home was fitted with a Lutron lighting and home automation system.
The kitchen has been customised with Italian handcrafted cabinetry and marble.The guest bedroom on the first level of the apartment
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The first level also includes a guest bedroom with an en suite bathroom, which also doubles as a guest powder room when entertaining. The room is separated by a wooden panelled door that can be disguised. The apartment features a spiral staircase in the dining area, which was originally part of the unit. The staircase was refinished with a copper base and fitted with oak steps and railing.
The second level of the apartment comprises two bedrooms. One bedroom is a guest bedroom with an en suite bathroom, while the other is an expansive master suite comprising a bedroom, study, and his-and-hers walk-in wardrobes. “Masterfully designed in Italy, the wardrobes are equipped with dehumidifiers,” says Eraso. The master bedroom opens on to a terrace overlooking the greenery, which Lye feels is an ideal spot for morning yoga. The master bathroom features a small balcony that can be landscaped for privacy, and it includes Italian book-matched marble, a standalone Axor bathtub, and premium fittings.
The upper level also includes a lounge, and the entire apartment is staged with hand-picked furniture that reflects artisanal craftsmanship. The interiors feature tables and lamps by Christian Liaigre, pieces from Poltrona Frau, Cassina, and B&B Italia, and handcrafted items by Maison WeCraft. The duplex is listed at $8 million ($3,643 psf), inclusive of the designer furnishings.
The apartment, fully staged with designer furniture, is now listed and marketed by List Sotheby’s Lye.
According to Eraso, the owners spared no expense in creating their dream home, and it is a timeless piece of work. A total of $1.5 million was spent on the renovation alone. High-quality materials and meticulous upkeep have preserved the apartment’s condition, and recent updates include replacing the air-conditioning ducting and polishing the wooden floors. The living, dining, and family areas, as well as the master bedroom, are fitted with Boffi ceiling fans.
“The owners invested in quality, which ensures that their home will remain in excellent shape over time,” says Eraso. He adds that “it is timeless and will continue to impress in years to come.”
Eraso first came to Singapore in 1991 as a senior associate with Tsao & McKown Architects to oversee the development of Suntec City. He now runs WeCraft, which specialises in architecture, interior, and product design, and includes bespoke furniture under the Maison WeCraft label. Apart from the Botanika project, Eraso has designed the interiors of a private penthouse at Aman Tower in Bangkok, a superyacht, and a villa in Bali.
Lye notes that Botanika’s rarity in the competitive District 10 market is reflected in its asking price, which stands at $8 million ($3,643 psf). She adds that the property is one of the few developments that offers large-format two-bedroom units, which are scarce in the market. She also highlights that according to data from EdgeProp Research, Singaporeans make up 40% of Botanika’s buyers, while permanent residents account for 21.8%, and foreigners make up 32.7%. Around 68% of the units are owner-occupied, and 28% are rented out.
In comparison, the recently completed One Holland Village Residences, a 296-unit 99-year leasehold project, saw a record psf price in February this year when a 1,238 sq ft, three-bedroom unit changed hands in a sub-sale for $4.68 million or $3,781 psf. In District 10, a 3,197 sq ft, two-bedroom unit at 21 Anderson changed hands in May for $9.5 million or, $2,972 psf, and in terms of their psf price, Botanika’s asking price is the highest in the market.
The owners of the Botanika duplex decided to put the property up for sale and have since moved out. As a result, Eraso was hired to stage the apartment with hand-picked furniture that reflects European artisanal craftsmanship. According to Lye, the apartment would suit a discerning buyer who values privacy, quality, greenery, and an unparalleled view, and is ideal for those who want to move in immediately with just their luggage.