from the ground Up

by Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, June 8 2009
Tiong Bahru residents worry that Hotel 81’s presence might give area a sleazy image
AN ALMOST completed, nondescript building in one corner of Singapore’s bustling Tiong Bahru estate is raising eyebrows within the community.
Several residents are concerned about the latest addition to their estate – a new hotel [...]

by Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, June 2 2009
SOME landlords in the heritage-rich Tiong Bahru estate are cashing in on the demand for cheap housing by converting conserved pre-war flats into dormitory-style housing for foreign workers.
Residents are becoming increasingly concerned about the impact on their estate and have complained of noise, littering and overcrowding.
A Straits [...]

by Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, May 28 2009
SINGAPORE’S construction sector, the only bright spot in the economy, is not just growing amid the recession but is also improving its quality and standards.
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) last night handed out a record 151 awards at its annual event held at Suntec City.
This was [...]

by Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, May 27 2009
MAS all for it to boost governance; rule may be effective from Jan 1
REAL estate investment trusts (Reits) may soon be required by law to hold annual general meetings (AGMs) in a move aimed at boosting corporate governance.
The proposal comes in a consultation paper released by the [...]

Gillman Heights en-bloc deal is on, The Straits Times, May 18 2009
GILLMAN Heights owners can heave a sigh of relief now that the estate’s buyers Ankerite have confirmed that the group will go ahead with the purchase of the development.
Property giant CapitaLand, majority shareholder of Ankerite, told The Straits Times in a statement last [...]

by Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, May 21 2009
TWO key goals will dominate the work of the Ministry of National Development (MND) over the next few years – supporting Singaporeans through the recession and pressing on with efforts to make the Republic an attractive city to live in.
National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan outlined these [...]

by Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, May 16 2009
Buyers raised issues relating to condo’s management fund
THE troubled $548 million Gillman Heights collective sale that was due to be settled yesterday was stalled by a last-minute hitch.
The sale, which has dragged on for two controversy-wracked years, was supposed to have been signed off by last night [...]

More than a year in the making, the new blueprint for a sustainable Singapore sets out three key areas for a cleaner, greener environment
GREEN buildings make up a paltry 1 per cent of buildings in Singapore today, but come 2030, that number will grow to cover 80 per cent of all buildings.
This is one of [...]

by Jessica Cheam, The Sunday Times, April 26 2009
[overseas properties]
Falling prices and appreciation of Sing $ put that coveted address within reach
London property may be among the most coveted in the world, but it has still not been immune to the global economic fallout.
But while falling prices are giving home owners sleepless nights, they spell [...]

by Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, April 17 2009
PROPERTY developer City Developments (CDL) said yesterday that it expects increasing numbers of homebuyers to enter the market in the next three to 12 months.
Its optimism stems from the sale of more than 80 per cent – or 150 units – of its newly-launched development, The Arte [...]