8m Residences

D15 (OCR)

Uploaded from file

District 15 ·Completed 2017
~$2,232 Avg PSF (12-month)
2.7% Rental yield
68 Total units
Category Ratings
Facilities
6.5
Unit size & layout
7.5
Value for money
7.0
Neighbourhood
8.0
MRT accessibility
7.5
Lease remaining
8.5

Overview & Key Facts

8M Residences is a 68-unit boutique condominium at 8 Margate Road in District 15 (Rest of Central Region), developed by GCAP Properties Pte Ltd and completed in 2017 on a 99-year lease. With approximately 90 years remaining on the lease, this compact development occupies a quiet residential pocket within walking distance of the vibrant Katong–Marine Parade lifestyle belt. Standing at 20 storeys, 8M Residences punches above its weight for a sub-70-unit project, offering a curated mix of 1-bedroom+study through to 3-bedroom and penthouse configurations ranging from 527 sq ft to 1,841 sq ft across 12 distinct floor plans.

Compact Boutique in Prime District 15
With just 68 units across 20 storeys, 8M Residences offers a level of exclusivity and low-density living that is increasingly rare in District 15. The elevated plot provides unblocked views from mid-floors upward — a significant advantage given the predominantly low-rise landed housing in the immediate Margate Road neighbourhood. Residents benefit from the intimacy of a small community while being minutes away from one of Singapore’s most established lifestyle corridors.

Transaction data shows an average PSF of approximately $2,217 with a gross yield of around 2.68%. The development trades at a meaningful discount to nearby mega-launches like Grand Dunman ($2,537 PSF) and Emerald of Katong ($2,640 PSF), which suggests a reasonable value proposition for buyers seeking established District 15 living without new-launch premiums. The walkability score of 55/100 reflects its residential-pocket location — quiet but requiring a short walk to reach the main East Coast Road amenity strip and nearby MRT connectivity.

Developer
GCAP PROPERTIES PTE LTD
Tenure
Total units
68
TOP year
2017
District
15 — RCR
Street
MARGATE ROAD
Lease remaining
~90 years (of 99)

Location & Connectivity

8M Residences sits in a quiet residential enclave along Margate Road, a low-traffic street lined with landed homes and small condominiums in the heart of Marine Parade. District 15 is one of Singapore’s most sought-after residential districts, prized for its blend of heritage charm, coastal proximity, and comprehensive amenities. The immediate neighbourhood is predominantly landed housing, which means residents enjoy an unusually serene environment for a development so close to East Coast Road’s bustling food and retail scene.

Katong Park MRT — 470m Walk
The nearest MRT station is Katong Park (TE24) on the Thomson-East Coast Line, approximately 0.47 km away — a comfortable 6-minute walk. The TEL provides direct access to Marina Bay (5 stops), Orchard (7 stops), and Woodlands (15 stops). For Circle Line access, residents can connect at Gardens by the Bay interchange. The development is also served by multiple bus routes along Mountbatten Road and Marine Parade Road, with SBS Bus 10, 12, 14, 32, and 40 providing direct routes to the CBD, Orchard, and Toa Payoh.

The lifestyle offering is what truly defines this location. East Coast Road — one of Singapore’s great food streets — is a 5-minute walk south, with its legendary Peranakan restaurants, independent cafes, and the entire Katong–Joo Chiat heritage belt. i12 Katong mall (0.6 km) provides everyday retail including Cold Storage supermarket, while Parkway Parade (1.2 km) serves as the area’s full-service shopping anchor. East Coast Park is reachable in under 10 minutes on foot, offering 15 km of beachfront cycling, jogging, and dining. For families, the Katong area is well served by reputable schools including Tanjong Katong Primary (1.2 km), Tao Nan School (1.3 km), and CHIJ Katong Primary, though none falls within the coveted 1 km primary school radius.


Schools & Education

Nearby Schools
SchoolTypeDistance
Tanjong Katong Primary Schoolprimary~1.2 km
One World International School (Mountbatten)international~1.3 km
Tao Nan Schoolprimary~1.4 km
Haig Girls' Schoolprimary~1.4 km
Geylang Methodist School (Secondary)secondary~1.5 km
Geylang Methodist School (Primary)primary~1.5 km
CHIJ (Katong) Primaryprimary~1.5 km
Broadrick Secondary Schoolsecondary~1.6 km

Facilities

For a 68-unit boutique development, 8M Residences provides a focused but functional suite of facilities. The centrepiece is a swimming pool flanked by a pool deck — not an Olympic lap pool by any stretch, but adequate for leisure swimming and a pleasant retreat on hot afternoons. The BBQ area serves as the primary social gathering space, suitable for small group entertaining. A gym is equipped with standard cardio and resistance machines, sufficient for daily workouts though serious fitness enthusiasts may want a supplementary gym membership.

Facilities: Functional but Limited
With 68 units, residents should set expectations accordingly. There is no tennis court, no function room, and no children’s playground — amenities that larger developments take for granted. However, the upside of a small facility deck is significantly lower maintenance fees compared to resort-style mega-condos, and you will rarely find the pool or gym crowded. 24-hour security with guardhouse provides peace of mind, and the low resident count means the security team is genuinely familiar with every household.

The development provides basement parking, which is a practical advantage given the narrow streets in the Margate Road vicinity. Lift access is efficient with short wait times owing to the low unit count. The common areas are maintained to a good standard, and the intimate scale means facilities are rarely congested — a tangible quality-of-life benefit that residents of 500-unit mega-developments never experience. Maintenance fees remain competitive precisely because the facility load is modest, making this an efficient proposition for cost-conscious buyers who prioritise location over resort-style amenities.


Unit Sizes & Layout

8M Residences offers 12 floor plan types across its 68 units, ranging from 527 sq ft 1-bedroom+study units to 1,841 sq ft penthouses. The unit mix is weighted toward smaller configurations — 1-bedroom+study and 2-bedroom units make up the bulk of inventory — reflecting the development’s appeal to investors and young professionals. The 2-bedroom+study layouts (approximately 700–800 sq ft) represent the sweet spot for own-stay tenants, while 3-bedroom units cater to small families willing to trade space for District 15 prestige.

Unit Layout Highlights
The 20-storey tower design means many units enjoy unblocked views from the 4th storey upward, thanks to the surrounding low-rise landed housing. Higher-floor units facing south-east capture partial sea views toward East Coast Park. The developer has specified quality finishes including engineered timber flooring in bedrooms, marble-finish bathroom tiles, and branded kitchen appliances. Ceiling heights are standard at 2.8m but feel more generous in the smaller units due to efficient spatial planning.

Penthouse units (1,841 sq ft) span dual levels and represent the development’s prestige offering, with private roof terraces and panoramic views. For the broader unit mix, layouts are generally efficient with minimal wasted corridor space — a hallmark of boutique developments where the architect can fine-tune each plan without repeating cookie-cutter stacks across hundreds of units. Kitchens in the 2-bedroom and above come enclosed, which is a practical advantage for Asian cooking. Natural ventilation is good across most stacks, with the development’s slim tower footprint allowing cross-ventilation in corner and end-stack units.

Unit Mix (from transaction data)
BedroomsTransactionsAvg PSFAvg Price
1 BR14$2,229$1,342,357
2 BR9$2,138$1,794,876
3 BR1$1,480$1,975,000
4 BR1$1,323$1,880,000

Pricing & Market Position

Based on 25 recorded transactions, sale prices range from $1,100,000 to $2,000,000, averaging $1,552,076 (~$2,232 psf).

Rents range from $2,100 to $7,700 per month across 101 rental transactions. Current rental yield sits at approximately 2.7%.


Price Appreciation

From 2021 to 2026, the average PSF has appreciated by 8.9% (from $2,133 to $2,323 psf).

2024
+8.8%
$2,232 psf
2025
+0.4%
$2,241 psf
2026
+3.7%
$2,323 psf

Neighbourhood Comparison

8M Residences ($2,217 PSF) vs Grand Dunman ($2,537 PSF): Grand Dunman is the 1,008-unit mega-development on Dunman Road by SingHeng Land, launched in 2023 with resort-style facilities including 50m pool, tennis courts, and function rooms. At $320 PSF more, Grand Dunman offers substantially better facilities, newer finishes, and a 99-year lease from 2022. However, 8M Residences counters with boutique exclusivity (68 vs 1,008 units), a proven rental track record, and no new-launch premium risk. Buyers choosing Grand Dunman are paying for scale, facilities, and newness; those choosing 8M Residences prioritise value, intimacy, and immediate rental income.

Competitive Landscape: D15 Is Crowded
District 15 has seen an influx of new mega-launches (Grand Dunman, Emerald of Katong, The Continuum) that have reset pricing expectations above $2,500 PSF. 8M Residences benefits from this repricing as a relative value play — but it also means the competition for tenants has intensified, with newer developments offering superior finishes and facilities to attract the same expatriate demographic.

8M Residences ($2,217 PSF) vs Emerald of Katong ($2,640 PSF): Emerald of Katong is a 847-unit development by Sim Lian Group, located along Jalan Tembusu with direct access to the upcoming Tanjong Katong MRT station. At a $423 PSF premium, Emerald of Katong offers newer design, larger facility deck, and potentially stronger TEL connectivity. 8M Residences offers a lower entry price, immediate move-in (vs waiting for TOP), and established community character. For investors, the critical question is whether the new-launch premium will be justified by rental premiums — historically, District 15 new launches take 2–3 years post-TOP to match resale yield levels.

District 15 Comparables
DevelopmentTenureTOPUnits~Avg PSF
8M RESIDENCES201768$2,232
GRAND DUNMAN99 yrs lease commencing from 202220231,008$2,537
EMERALD OF KATONG99 yrs lease commencing from 20232024846$2,640
THE CONTINUUMFreehold2023816$2,790
TEMBUSU GRAND99 yrs lease commencing from 20222023638$2,462
AMBER PARKFreehold2021592$2,544

Lease Decay Analysis

The 99-year lease runs from 2017, meaning approximately 9 years have already been consumed. Roughly 90 years remain — still comfortably within the range where most banks will offer full financing without restrictions.

Lease Milestones
YearLease remainingImplication
2026 (now)~90 yearsFull bank financing available
2047~69 yearsCPF usage still unrestricted for most buyers
2056~59 yearsApproaching 60-year threshold — CPF limits begin for some
2076~39 yearsSignificant financing restrictions for next buyer
2116ExpiryLease reverts to state

For a buyer purchasing today with a 10-year horizon (exit around 2036), the lease situation is essentially a non-issue — you’d be selling a property with ~80 years remaining, which is still very bankable. The risk profile changes for longer holds.


ShiokNest Scores

Our proprietary scoring system evaluates 8M RESIDENCES across multiple dimensions.

Walkability
55/100
MRT: 25/25, School: 12/20, Hawker: 10/15, Mall: 8/15, Park: 0/10, Supermarket: 0/10, Clinic: 0/5
Investment
54/100
+4.5% YoY ·3.1% yield ·6 txns/yr ·Unknown tenure ·0.47 km to MRT ·-8.8% district YoY ·En-bloc 39/100
Profitability
64/100
Win rate: 100 — 4 transaction pairs, 100% profitable, avg +$150,472
En-Bloc Potential
39/100
Verdict: Low
Overall ShiokNest Score
58/100 — composite of walkability, investment, profitability, en-bloc, and market trend factors.

What Residents Say

The resident profile at 8M Residences skews toward a mix of young professionals, couples, and expatriate tenants. The unit mix — heavily weighted toward 1-bedroom+study and 2-bedroom configurations — naturally attracts a younger demographic and investors renting to the District 15 expat market. The Katong–Marine Parade area has long been popular with Western expatriates who appreciate the heritage neighbourhood character, independent dining scene, and proximity to East Coast Park’s recreational offerings.

Owner-occupiers tend to be Singaporean couples or small families drawn by the freehold-equivalent lease length (90 years remaining) and the boutique community feel. The 68-unit scale means residents genuinely know their neighbours — a rarity in modern Singapore condominium living. The management committee is active and responsive given the small estate size, and common areas are kept to a high standard. For families with young children, the area offers a safe, walkable neighbourhood, though the lack of on-site playground means nearby parks (including the upcoming East Coast Park enhancements) fill that gap.

The tenant mix reflects the broader Marine Parade rental market: a combination of expatriate professionals on 2–3 year corporate leases and young Singaporean professionals who value the East Coast lifestyle. Rental demand remains steady, particularly for the 2-bedroom units which hit the sweet spot of price-to-space ratio for singles and couples in the $3,500–$4,500 monthly range.


Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths
  • Boutique 68-unit development with genuine community feel and low congestion
  • District 15 address in the heart of the Katong-Marine Parade lifestyle belt
  • Katong Park MRT (TEL) just 470m away transforms connectivity profile
  • Unblocked views from mid-floors thanks to surrounding low-rise landed housing
  • 12-16% PSF discount to nearby new launches (Grand Dunman, Emerald of Katong)
  • 90 years remaining lease — no CPF or financing restrictions
  • Steady rental demand from expatriate tenants in the East Coast corridor
  • Low maintenance fees relative to mega-developments with resort facilities
  • Quality finishes including engineered timber and branded appliances
  • East Coast Park and Katong food scene within walking distance
Weaknesses
  • Limited facilities — no tennis court, function room, or children's playground
  • Small pool adequate for leisure only, not lap swimming
  • Walkability score of 55/100 reflects residential-pocket location away from main roads
  • No primary school within 1km radius — Tanjong Katong Primary is 1.2km
  • Limited capital upside compared to larger developments with stronger market presence
  • Narrow Margate Road can be challenging for larger vehicles
  • Small unit count means lower resale liquidity compared to mega-developments
  • No direct bus services on Margate Road — must walk to Mountbatten Road
Best for — Boutique living District 15 lifestyle Investor-friendly Young professionals Expatriate rental market East Coast Park proximity

Verdict

8M Residences occupies a sensible middle ground in District 15’s crowded condominium market. At an average PSF of $2,217, it trades at a 12–16% discount to new launches like Grand Dunman and Emerald of Katong, while offering 90 years of remaining lease — more than sufficient for long-term holding or CPF usage without restriction. The boutique scale (68 units) delivers tangible lifestyle benefits: no fighting for pool space, short lift waits, and a genuine community feel that mega-developments simply cannot replicate.

The Verdict: Solid D15 Value with Boutique Appeal
8M Residences is best suited for buyers who prioritise location and liveability over facilities and scale. The Katong Park MRT (470m) transforms the accessibility profile, the Katong–Joo Chiat lifestyle corridor is unmatched in Singapore, and the price-to-location ratio is compelling relative to nearby new launches. It is not for buyers who want resort-style facilities, a swimming lagoon, or a tennis court. It is for buyers who understand that in real estate, address and convenience are the assets that hold their value across market cycles.

The 2.68% gross yield is respectable for District 15 and will appeal to investors targeting the Marine Parade rental market, which draws a steady stream of expatriates attracted to the East Coast lifestyle. The main risk is limited upside compared to larger, newer developments with stronger brand recognition and marketing machinery. For own-stay buyers, particularly couples and small families, 8M Residences delivers a quiet, well-located home in one of Singapore’s most desirable postcodes at a price that doesn’t require new-launch financing gymnastics.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is 8M Residences from the nearest MRT station?
Katong Park MRT (TE24) on the Thomson-East Coast Line is approximately 470m away, about a 6-minute walk. This provides direct access to Marina Bay, Orchard, and the wider TEL network.
What is the lease situation at 8M Residences?
8M Residences is on a 99-year lease with approximately 90 years remaining. This is well above the 60-year threshold for full CPF usage and bank financing, so there are no restrictions on purchase financing.
What unit types are available at 8M Residences?
The development offers 12 floor plan types across 68 units: 1-bedroom+study (from 527 sq ft), 2-bedroom, 2-bedroom+study, 3-bedroom, and penthouse units (up to 1,841 sq ft).
Is 8M Residences good for investment?
With a gross yield of approximately 2.68% and steady expatriate rental demand in the Marine Parade corridor, 8M Residences offers reasonable investment returns. The PSF discount to new launches provides a buffer against market corrections.
Which schools are near 8M Residences?
Tanjong Katong Primary School is 1.2km away, and Tao Nan School is approximately 1.3km. Unfortunately, no primary school falls within the 1km priority enrollment radius. Secondary schools nearby include Dunman High and Tanjong Katong Girls' School.
How does 8M Residences compare to Grand Dunman?
Grand Dunman trades at approximately $2,537 PSF vs 8M Residences at $2,217 PSF. Grand Dunman offers larger facilities (50m pool, tennis courts) and newer finishes across 1,008 units, while 8M Residences offers boutique exclusivity (68 units), proven rental income, and no new-launch premium.