Chantilly Rise
Overview & Key Facts
Chantilly Rise is a freehold condominium of 120 units at Hillview Avenue in District 23, developed by City Developments Limited (CDL) and completed in 1999. Small, quiet, and discreetly tucked within one of Singapore’s most nature-rich residential corridors, it occupies a niche that is genuinely rare in the OCR market: freehold tenure, CDL developer quality, and a sub-$1,500 psf price — all in a green enclave that is increasingly attractive to buyers who have had enough of dense, amenity-saturated urbanity.
At just 120 units across what is understood to be a low-rise site configuration, Chantilly Rise has an intimate, estate-like feel that contrasts sharply with the large-scale condominium projects that now dominate the Hillview corridor. It sits within the Dairy Farm and Bukit Timah green belt, placing it inside one of Singapore’s most privileged nature-adjacent residential addresses. The absence of high-density commercial sprawl in the immediate surroundings is, to its residents, a core part of the appeal.
CDL is widely regarded as one of Singapore’s most accomplished and reliable developers. The company has delivered over 46,000 homes in Singapore since 1963, and its reputation for construction quality, design integrity, and site finishing is consistently strong. For buyers who equate the developer’s name with long-term confidence in build quality, Chantilly Rise carries a meaningful pedigree advantage over many OCR competitors developed by less established names.
The ShiokNest score of 38/100 is an honest composite that reflects the development’s genuine limitations — walkability of 32/100 and a thin rental market with just 88 recorded transactions for 120 units. Buyers who require urban convenience, MRT independence, or strong yield income will find this development misaligned with their priorities. Buyers who prize freehold CDL quality, the Bukit Timah nature corridor, long-term wealth preservation, and a quiet residential environment will find that almost no competitor at this price point offers the same combination.
Location & Connectivity
Chantilly Rise is situated on Hillview Avenue in the upper Bukit Timah corridor — a stretch of District 23 that borders the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Dairy Farm Nature Park, and the Rail Corridor. The setting is unmistakably green. Forested ridgelines are visible from the development, the air is noticeably cleaner than the city centre, and weekend trails are accessible without a car. For Singapore residents who have lived in or near Bukit Timah, this corridor has a specific and loyal following.
The nearest MRT is Hillview station on the Downtown Line, approximately 620 metres away — a walk that is manageable in dry weather but discouraging in rain or midday heat. A second DTL station, Hume MRT, is approximately 700 metres in the other direction. Cashew MRT is at 1.14 km, and Bukit Gombak MRT on the North-South Line is 1.26 km away. In total, three Downtown Line stations fall within 1.15 km of the development — which provides meaningful route flexibility once you get to any of them. The DTL connects directly to the CBD via Newton, Bugis, and City Hall interchanges.
The walkability score of 32/100 is one of the development’s most significant characteristics. Daily conveniences — grocery shopping, food courts, pharmacies, banks — are not within comfortable walking distance for most residents. HillV2 mall is accessible by a short drive, and The Rail Mall at the bottom of Upper Bukit Timah Road offers a boutique selection of eateries and specialty shops. Bukit Panjang Plaza and Hillion Mall (one DTL stop from Hillview) carry larger format retail. Beauty World Plaza and Beauty World Centre at the Beauty World MRT area are roughly 10 minutes by car and offer more comprehensive daily amenities.
With a walkability score of 32/100, Chantilly Rise is not a development where residents can manage daily life without a vehicle. There are no wet markets, large supermarkets, or food courts within easy walking distance. Residents consistently describe a car as essential for grocery runs, school drop-offs, and most daily errands. Prospective buyers who are car-free or planning to go car-free should treat this as a firm constraint, not a minor inconvenience.
For drivers, the location is considerably more functional. The BKE and PIE are quickly accessible, providing efficient routes to both the city centre and the western towns. Orchard Road is typically 15–20 minutes by car in off-peak conditions. Jurong East and Woodlands are under 20 minutes on the expressway. The Hillview corridor’s separation from the urban grid is, in this sense, a double-edged attribute: tranquillity and greenery come at the cost of pedestrian connectivity.
Schools & Education
| School | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bukit View Primary School | primary | ~1.0 km |
| Princess Elizabeth Primary School | primary | ~1.4 km |
| Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School | primary | ~1.9 km |
Facilities
As a 120-unit freehold development completed in 1999, Chantilly Rise offers facilities that were standard for its era but modest by today’s new-launch benchmarks. Residents can expect a swimming pool, a gymnasium, and landscaped grounds that integrate with the development’s green surroundings — but not the resort-style amenity stacks found at larger contemporary developments. The site is thoughtfully maintained, and CDL’s finishing standards ensure that common areas have aged more gracefully than many contemporaries from the same vintage.
At 120 units, the development is small enough that shared facilities rarely feel crowded — a contrast to the weekend queues that characterise poolside use at 500–1,000 unit developments. For families and retirees who value a calm, uncrowded environment over an exhaustive amenity checklist, this trade-off is often a preference rather than a compromise.
“It is a quiet development, CDL quality is evident in the build, and the greenery around you gives a sense of being in a private estate rather than a condo.”
— Resident sentiment, Hillview Avenue corridor, compiled from buyer forums
The absence of a gym of the scale found at newer developments may push fitness-oriented residents toward external gym memberships. However, for buyers drawn to the Hillview corridor specifically, the nature-based recreational infrastructure immediately adjacent — Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Dairy Farm Nature Park, and the Rail Corridor — provides a level of outdoor exercise access that a condominium gym simply cannot replicate. Morning jogs through a forest reserve and weekend hikes through Dairy Farm Quarry are, for many residents, the primary recreational draw of the location.
For buyers weighing Chantilly Rise against newer developments with larger facility lists, it is worth reframing what “amenities” means here. The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Dairy Farm Nature Park, Hindhede Quarry, and the Rail Corridor trail network are accessible on foot or by very short drive. These are permanent green spaces that no future development can obstruct. For outdoor-oriented residents, this is a richer long-term amenity than a fourth tennis court.
Unit Sizes & Layout
As a 1999 CDL development, Chantilly Rise benefits from the layout philosophy of an era before Singapore’s condominium market compressed floor areas to maximise saleable unit counts. Units are generally more generously proportioned than contemporary launches at equivalent price points, and CDL’s attention to ceiling heights and spatial flow is evident in the design. Buyers inspecting resale units at Chantilly Rise often comment on the sense of roominess relative to newer developments offering more facilities but tighter internal dimensions.
The development’s low unit count of 120 units across a freehold site also means that land tenure is distributed among a small number of owners — a meaningful factor in any future collective sale scenario, and a source of ongoing per-unit land value that is difficult to quantify but genuinely valuable. Each owner holds a larger slice of freehold Singapore land than they would in a 600-unit development on a comparable site.
The development’s orientation toward the surrounding greenery means that many units benefit from forested views — particularly those on higher floors with sightlines into the tree canopy. Units facing the nature reserve or adjacent landed housing enjoy a visual buffer from urban density that is rare at the $1,490 psf price point. Stack selection is worth investigating: units facing east and south tend to offer better natural light, while those oriented toward the hill benefit from cooler afternoon temperatures and improved air circulation.
Chantilly Rise was completed in 1999. Buyers of resale units should budget for kitchen and bathroom renovation to bring fittings to contemporary standards. CDL’s structural quality means the bones of the unit are sound, but a 25-plus year old unit will typically have dated cabinetry, sanitary ware, and electrical fittings. Budget accordingly — a full renovation of a resale unit in this development would typically run $60,000–$120,000 depending on scope and specifications.
| Bedrooms | Transactions | Avg PSF | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 BR | 1 | $1,315 | $835,000 |
| 2 BR | 4 | $1,327 | $1,257,000 |
| 3 BR | 5 | $1,328 | $1,636,800 |
| 4 BR | 11 | $1,362 | $2,108,743 |
Pricing & Market Position
Based on 21 recorded transactions, sale prices range from $835,000 to $2,700,000, averaging $1,773,484 (~$1,490 psf).
Rents range from $1,900 to $6,700 per month across 89 rental transactions. Current rental yield sits at approximately 2.2%.
Price Appreciation
From 2021 to 2025, the average PSF has appreciated by 20.8% (from $1,234 to $1,490 psf).
Neighbourhood Comparison
The most striking comparison is the freehold premium anomaly: Chantilly Rise at S$1,490 psf (freehold) versus all five nearby competitors on 99-year leases at higher PSF. Sol Acres (S$1,380 psf, 99yr/2014, 1,327 units) is the only leasehold competitor currently cheaper on a PSF basis — but Sol Acres is a Choa Chu Kang mega-development with a fundamentally different location and character. Within the Hillview corridor itself, Midwood (S$1,729 psf, 99yr/2018, 564 units) and Dairy Farm Residences (S$1,659 psf, 99yr/2018, 460 units) are the nearest geographic peers, both commanding a S$170–240 psf premium on declining leases that started in 2018.
Lumina Grand (S$1,514 psf, 99yr) is an executive condominium at Bukit Batok West — a different market segment with income and MOP restrictions, and a Jurong Region Line catchment rather than Hillview DTL. Its PSF is S$24 above Chantilly Rise’s freehold level, a comparison that will strike many buyers as a compelling argument for the freehold option.
The Botany at Dairy Farm (S$2,053 psf, 99yr/2022, 386 units) represents the premium contemporary benchmark in the Dairy Farm sub-corridor — at a 38% premium to Chantilly Rise. Buyers considering Botany over Chantilly Rise are making a deliberate choice: they prefer a fresh lease, contemporary finishings, and newer facilities, and are willing to pay a substantial premium to avoid renovation costs and the constraints of a 25-year-old development.
The essential comparison for a value-oriented buyer is Chantilly Rise versus Midwood. Both are within the Hillview corridor, both are served by the same DTL stations, and both appeal to similar demographic profiles — professionals and families with cars, drawn to the nature environment. Midwood offers a fresher lease (2018 vs 1999), newer facilities, and Hong Leong developer quality at a S$240 psf premium. Chantilly Rise offers freehold title and lower absolute entry cost. The long-term holder who plans to stay 15–20 years will likely find the freehold advantage compounds over time; the buyer with a 7–10 year investment horizon may prefer Midwood’s newer lease and superior resale liquidity.
In summary, Chantilly Rise occupies a position of undervalued freehold tenure within its sub-market. Its pricing relative to 99-year competitors is, by most conventional analysis, anomalously favourable for long-term holders. The question for each buyer is whether the lifestyle constraints — walkability 32/100, thin rental market, 25-year-old facilities — are acceptable in exchange for CDL freehold ownership at sub-leasehold PSF. For many buyers, the answer is increasingly yes.
| Development | Tenure | TOP | Units | ~Avg PSF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHANTILLY RISE | Freehold | 1999 | 120 | $1,490 |
| SOL ACRES | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2014 | 2018 | 1,327 | $1,383 |
| MIDWOOD | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2018 | 2021 | 564 | $1,731 |
| LUMINA GRAND | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2022 | 2024 | 512 | $1,515 |
| DAIRY FARM RESIDENCES | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2018 | 2021 | 460 | $1,659 |
| THE BOTANY AT DAIRY FARM | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2022 | 2023 | 386 | $2,053 |
ShiokNest Scores
Our proprietary scoring system evaluates CHANTILLY RISE across multiple dimensions.
What Residents Say
“Living here feels like a private estate. The greenery is everywhere, it is quiet, and CDL has built it to last. I would not swap the Hillview corridor for a more convenient location.”
— Owner sentiment, Hillview Avenue area, compiled from property forum discussions
“If you do not have a car, do not buy here. But if you do, and you love nature, this is as good as it gets in the OCR at this price.”
— Resident review commentary, Hillview corridor buyer forums
“Freehold CDL in the Bukit Timah area below $1,500 psf. That is the story. Everything else is secondary.”
— Investor perspective, compiled from Singapore property discussion platforms
The pattern across buyer feedback is consistent and self-aware: residents know what they signed up for. The car-dependence and limited walkability are not surprises to anyone who inspected the development before purchasing. What residents consistently report as unexpected positives are the quality of the build — CDL’s construction standards have held up well over 25 years — and the psychological effect of living adjacent to genuine green space. Multiple owners cite the proximity to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Dairy Farm as a daily benefit that no amenity checklist can fully capture.
The community is overwhelmingly owner-occupied and quiet. With only 120 units, residents tend to know each other, and the management council is reported as effective and responsive. This intimacy of scale is a feature rather than a bug for buyers seeking a low-drama, well-managed residential environment. The absence of a transient rental population reinforces the estate-like character.
Recurring concerns across buyer discussions centre on the limited walkability and the absence of nearby daily conveniences — points that are accurately reflected in the walkability score and ShiokNest composite. A small number of owners note that the development’s age requires proactive maintenance investment, and that prospective buyers should inspect plumbing and electrical systems carefully in older resale units.
Strengths & Weaknesses
- Freehold tenure — permanent land ownership, no lease clock ticking toward zero
- CDL developer pedigree — one of Singapore's most respected developers since 1963
- S$1,490 psf — below ALL 99-year leasehold competitors in the Hillview corridor except Sol Acres
- Investment score 65/100 — strong long-term value case despite walkability constraints
- Three Downtown Line stations within 1.15 km — Hillview (620m), Hume (700m), Cashew (1.14km)
- Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Dairy Farm Nature Park accessible on foot or short drive
- Rail Corridor access — kilometres of car-free green walking and cycling trail
- Intimate 120-unit community — uncrowded facilities, estate-like atmosphere
- Low-density living — no mega-development noise, transient tenants, or facility queues
- CDL construction quality has aged well — structural integrity confirmed over 25 years
- Walkability 32/100 — car ownership is effectively mandatory for daily life
- ShiokNest score 38/100 — honest reflection of amenity and convenience limitations
- Profitability score 39/100 — PSF grew $1,234 to $1,490 (+21%) but lags more liquid OCR developments
- Only 88 rental transactions across 120 units — thin rental market, not suitable for yield investors
- Gross yield 2.23% — among the lower yields in D23; not a strong income play
- Facilities are 1999-era standard — no resort amenities, gym limited by size and vintage
- Resale units will require renovation — budget $60,000–$120,000 for kitchen and bathroom refresh
- No major supermarket or food court within walking distance
- Limited en-bloc potential: score 43/100, small 120-unit site complicates collective sale
Verdict
Chantilly Rise is one of those developments that forces buyers to think carefully about what they actually need from a Singapore condominium. Its ShiokNest score of 38/100 captures real limitations: walkability at 32/100 means a car is non-negotiable, the 88 rental transactions across 120 units confirms this is primarily an owner-occupier community, and the profitability score of 39/100 reflects that PSF appreciation from $1,234 to $1,490 (+21%) over four years, while solid in absolute terms, does not outperform the broader OCR market in momentum terms.
But the investment score of 65/100 — the strongest of Chantilly Rise’s scored attributes — points toward why longer-horizon buyers have historically been attracted to this development. Freehold CDL land in a nature-reserve corridor does not reprice quickly, but it also does not depreciate toward zero the way 99-year leasehold assets do. The land value component of a freehold property in the Bukit Timah green belt is a structural long-term asset. And at S$1,490 psf, Chantilly Rise sits below every 99-year leasehold competitor in the immediate area except Sol Acres — a remarkable pricing anomaly for a freehold CDL product.
The comparison to nearby 99-year competitors is arresting. Midwood transacts at S$1,729 psf on a 99-year lease from 2018. Dairy Farm Residences at S$1,659 psf. Lumina Grand at S$1,514 psf. The Botany at Dairy Farm at S$2,053 psf. These are all leasehold developments that will clock toward expiry while Chantilly Rise retains its full freehold title. The pricing gap implies either that the market is systematically mispricing freehold tenure here, or that the walkability and amenity limitations are severe enough to suppress demand below fundamental value. Both interpretations are available — but for buyers with a holding horizon of 15–20 years, the freehold discount is a compelling structural argument.
For yield-focused investors, the picture is less favourable. A gross yield of 2.23% on average rent of $3,564 reflects a thin rental market where demand is concentrated among owner-occupiers and the tenant profile is self-selecting toward those who specifically value the Hillview nature corridor. This is a niche tenant pool, not a broad market. Investors expecting liquid, responsive rental income would be better served elsewhere.
The ideal Chantilly Rise buyer is specific: a car-owning household — possibly a couple or family with school-age children — who values the Bukit Timah nature corridor, is attracted to CDL quality and freehold ownership, and is buying primarily for long-term wealth preservation rather than yield income or short-term appreciation. For that buyer, few alternatives at this price point offer a comparable combination of land tenure, developer pedigree, and green environment.