Comparing Emerald Of Katong vs Grand Dunman: price per square foot, layout efficiency, lease tenure, location attributes, and rental-yield economics. Use this comparison framework to test which project better matches your buyer profile and holding-period assumptions (as of 2026-Q1).
Side-by-side condo comparison is one of the most useful exercises a Singapore property buyer can run before committing to an OTP. Two visually similar developments can differ meaningfully on (a) absolute and per-square-foot transacted prices, (b) lease tenure (freehold vs 999-year vs 99-year), (c) distance to MRT and primary-school catchments, (d) maintenance fee per unit, and (e) historical capital appreciation trajectory.
Both Emerald Of Katong and Grand Dunman are tracked in URA REALIS with transaction-level history. Cross-reference recent caveats by unit type, floor level, and transacted size for the cleanest per-project benchmark. ShiokNest’s comparison tool places multiple projects side-by-side on price, PSF, yield, walkability, and en-bloc scores.
The financing and stamp-duty environment applies equally to both projects: SORA-pegged bank mortgages at ~4% all-in, BSD progressive 1–6%, ABSD by buyer profile (0% SC 1st / 20% SC 2nd / 60% foreigner). Differences in total acquisition cost between two comparable projects therefore reflect the underlying price-per-sqft and unit-size choice, not the tax or financing framework. See the IRAS BSD schedule for the upfront tax structure.
- Lower PSF: GRAND DUNMAN
- GRAND DUNMAN: D15 (RCR) vs EMERALD OF KATONG: D15 (RCR)
This comparison analyses GRAND DUNMAN (District 15) against EMERALD OF KATONG (District 15) across key metrics including price PSF, rental yield, unit mix, and recent transaction trends.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | GRAND DUNMAN | EMERALD OF KATONG |
|---|---|---|
| District | D15 | D15 |
| Segment | RCR | RCR |
| Tenure | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2022 | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2023 |
| Units | 1,008 | 846 |
| TOP Year | 2023 | 2024 |
| Avg PSF | $2,537 psf | $2,640 psf |
| Avg Price | $2,464,736 | $2,328,053 |
| Gross Yield | — | — |
| Total Sales | 909 | 844 |
Unit Mix Comparison
| Bedroom | GRAND DUNMAN Sales | GRAND DUNMAN Avg PSF | EMERALD OF KATONG Sales | EMERALD OF KATONG Avg PSF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 85 | $2,638 psf | 82 | $2,760 psf |
| 1 BR | 171 | $2,570 psf | 288 | $2,698 psf |
| 2 BR | 205 | $2,565 psf | 101 | $2,605 psf |
| 3 BR | 283 | $2,501 psf | 337 | $2,582 psf |
| 4 BR | 133 | $2,501 psf | 36 | $2,550 psf |
| 5+ BR | 32 | $2,365 psf | — | — |
Price Trend (3-Year)
Average PSF by year:
| Year | GRAND DUNMAN | EMERALD OF KATONG |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,584 psf | $2,637 psf |
| 2025 | $2,512 psf | $2,829 psf |
| 2026 | $2,475 psf | $2,958 psf |
Price Comparison
GRAND DUNMAN is 4.1% more affordable by PSF ($2,537 psf vs $2,640 psf).
Rental & Yield
Yield comparison requires both sales and rental data for both condos.
Verdict
- GRAND DUNMAN offers better value by PSF
The best choice depends on your goals. Use the GRAND DUNMAN and EMERALD OF KATONG dashboards for detailed analysis.
Comparison framework for Emerald Of Katong vs Grand Dunman:
- Median transacted PSF — the headline per-square-foot benchmark, segmented by unit type. Cross-reference URA REALIS for the last 12 months of caveats in each project.
- Lease tenure — freehold projects avoid the lease-decay path entirely; 99-year projects face the 30-year financing minimum and 60-year CPF cap. The freehold premium typically runs 15–30% over comparable 99-year units in the same district.
- Distance to MRT — the 500m walking-distance threshold is the most important locational variable. Projects under 500m to MRT command a 5–10% PSF premium over otherwise-equivalent units 1km+ away.
- Distance to top primary schools — the 1km school-catchment zone matters for family-stage buyers. Projects within the 1km zone of a brand-name primary school carry an additional 3–8% PSF premium.
- MCST fees — monthly maintenance varies $0.40–$1.20 per sqft depending on project facilities and density. For a 1,000 sqft unit, the gap between low- and high-MCST projects is $400–$1,200 per month — meaningful over a 10-year holding period.
- Investment-grade attributes — en-bloc potential (older, low-density freehold sites attract en-bloc bids), rental yield (smaller-unit projects in CBD-adjacent districts typically yield higher), and walkability scores.
For Emerald Of Katong vs Grand Dunman specifically, the comparison hinges on which project better matches the buyer’s priority weighting across these dimensions. A pure-yield investor weights gross rental yield, MCST cost, and lease tenure highest. A first-time owner-occupier weights distance to MRT, school catchment, and absolute price highest. A long-horizon capital-appreciation investor weights freehold status, en-bloc potential, and district trajectory highest. The ShiokNest comparison tool lets you weight these dimensions explicitly and produce a composite ranking.
The transacted-pricing comparison requires segmenting by unit type. A direct “median PSF for Emerald Of Katong is $X, for Grand Dunman is $Y” comparison is misleading if the projects have different unit-type mixes. Compare like-for-like: 2-bedroom against 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom against 3-bedroom, on similar floor bands and transacted in similar time periods. Use the URA private residential portal to filter caveats by project and unit type.
The forward-looking comparison: each project has different exposure to district-level forces (CCR / RCR / OCR), upcoming MRT line extensions, GLS-driven new-launch supply in the vicinity, and en-bloc activity in the surrounding area. The URA segment data and the URA GLS schedule are the canonical references for these forward indicators.
[
{
"buyer_type": "First-time SC buyer (owner-occupier)",
"action": "Weight MRT proximity, school catchment (if family-stage), and absolute affordability highest. Use the <a href=\"/compare\">comparison tool</a> to rank projects against these attributes and the BSD-only stamp-duty cost via the <a href=\"/calculator/stamp-duty\">stamp duty calculator</a>."
},
{
"buyer_type": "HDB upgrader",
"action": "Compare the upgrade-cost differential against an HDB equivalent in the same area via the <a href=\"/calculator/landed-vs-condo\">cost comparison calculator</a>. The 6-month ABSD remission window applies if this is your second residential property."
},
{
"buyer_type": "Investor (yield focus)",
"action": "Project gross yield is the key variable. Smaller units (1- and 2-bedroom) typically deliver higher gross yield. Cross-reference URA rental caveats for verified rental-income benchmarks in both projects. Run the <a href=\"/calculator/roi\">ROI calculator</a> for both."
},
{
"buyer_type": "Investor (capital appreciation focus)",
"action": "Freehold tenure and en-bloc potential are the differentiating dimensions. Older low-density freehold projects in prime districts have the strongest en-bloc upside; newer 99-year projects have less optionality. Cross-reference URA caveats for transacted-price trajectory over the past 3–5 years."
},
{
"buyer_type": "Foreign buyer (60% ABSD)",
"action": "The ABSD bite is project-agnostic but the foreign-buyer concentration historically clusters in CCR luxury projects. Verify project-level foreign-buyer share via URA REALIS for some indicator of liquidity in the segment you’re entering."
}
]
- Pull side-by-side data via the ShiokNest comparison tool.
- Verify transacted PSF for both projects via the URA Property Data portal (segment by unit type for cleanest comparison).
- Calculate upfront cost via the BSD/ABSD stamp duty calculator.
- Compare ROI economics via the buy-to-rent ROI calculator.
- Stress-test affordability via the TDSR/MSR affordability calculator.
- Cross-reference district-level pricing context via the price heatmap.
Case for Emerald Of Katong: Emerald Of Katong may offer superior MRT proximity, better school catchment, freehold tenure, or stronger transacted-price trajectory than Grand Dunman. Buyers prioritising long-horizon capital appreciation and resale liquidity favour the project with stronger locational and tenure attributes — even at a moderate PSF premium.
Case for Grand Dunman: Conversely, Grand Dunman may offer better absolute affordability, larger unit sizes, lower MCST fees, or more recent TOP date (newer building, less imminent capital expenditure). Buyers prioritising owner-occupier comfort and lower carrying cost may prefer the project with more favourable monthly economics even if the long-horizon appreciation case is less strong.
FAQ
Which is better: GRAND DUNMAN or EMERALD OF KATONG?
Which condo is better for investment?
How do I compare Emerald Of Katong and Grand Dunman on price?
Segment by unit type for the cleanest comparison. A direct project-level median PSF comparison can mislead if the two projects have different unit-type mixes. Compare 2-bedroom against 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom against 3-bedroom, on similar floor bands and transacted in similar time windows. Use the URA private residential portal to filter caveats.
Which is more important: MRT proximity or freehold tenure?
Both matter, but the weighting depends on holding horizon. For owner-occupiers with 7–15 year horizons, MRT proximity (daily quality-of-life impact) typically matters more. For long-horizon capital-appreciation investors (20+ years), freehold tenure (avoiding lease-decay) matters more. For pure yield investors (5–10 year holds), MRT proximity often dominates because it sustains rental demand.
How do MCST fees affect the total cost comparison?
MCST monthly fees vary $0.40–$1.20 per sqft depending on project facilities and density. For a 1,000 sqft unit, that’s $400–$1,200 per month — or $48,000–$144,000 over a 10-year hold. Project A may have superior facilities (justifying higher MCST) but lower-MCST projects deliver better cash flow over time. Verify the current MCST quantum from the management council directly.
What is the en-bloc potential of each project?
En-bloc potential is highest for older (typically 25+ years from TOP) low-density freehold projects on under-utilised plots in established districts. Newer projects (under 15 years) have minimal near-term en-bloc upside. Cross-reference each project’s land area, plot ratio, and current development intensity against URA Master Plan zoning to assess redevelopment potential. The URA Master Plan is the canonical reference.
Is the foreign-buyer 60% ABSD relevant to this comparison?
It is project-agnostic but historically foreign-buyer concentration clusters in CCR luxury projects. If either Emerald Of Katong or Grand Dunman is a CCR luxury project that historically attracted significant foreign demand, the post-April-2023 60% foreigner ABSD has likely reduced its liquidity and constrained resale price appreciation. Verify via URA REALIS for foreign-buyer share trends.
Should I prioritise rental yield or capital appreciation in the comparison?
The honest answer depends on your tax position, holding horizon, and income volatility. Yield-focused investors typically prefer smaller units in well-connected RCR/OCR (3–3.5% gross yield). Capital-appreciation-focused investors typically prefer larger units in prime CCR/RCR freehold (2.5–3% yield but stronger long-run appreciation). Run both scenarios through the ROI calculator.
Methodology & Sources
This analysis covers All years and refreshes as new data becomes available.
Transaction data sourced from URA REALIS.
- Data: URA REALIS.
Median values used to minimise outlier impact. PSF = price per square foot.