The Antares

Overview & Key Facts

The Antares is a 265-unit condominium developed by FSKH Development — a joint venture of Keong Hong Holdings (35%), Hock Lian Seng Holdings (45%), and TA Corporation (20%) — located at 19 Mattar Road in District 14. Completed in 2022 on a 99-year lease from 2018, the development comprises two 5-storey blocks and two taller towers (17 and 18 storeys), designed by Consortium 168 Architects on a 67,061-square-foot site. The Antares holds the distinction of being the first new-launch condominium next to Mattar MRT station on the Downtown Line.

At a current average of $2,067 psf with a gross rental yield of 3.94% and median rent of $4,400, The Antares delivers a compelling combination: doorstep MRT access and near-4% yield in the city fringe. The development’s compact 265-unit scale means an intimate community, while the premium fittings from Bosch, Grohe, Electrolux, and Duravit reflect a finishing standard above what the JV developers’ EC-tier track record might suggest.

The Mattar Road location places The Antares in a transitional neighbourhood between the Macpherson residential enclave and the Geylang commercial corridor — an area with excellent hawker food, strong rental demand from the nearby Paya Lebar commercial hub, and a gritty urban character that will not appeal to every buyer but rewards those who prioritise connectivity and yield.

Location & Connectivity

The Antares’ location is defined by one exceptional feature: Mattar MRT on the Downtown Line is just 160 m from the development — with a sheltered linkway provided by LTA connecting the condo directly to the station entrance. This is among the closest MRT connections in Singapore’s private residential stock, placing residents one stop from MacPherson interchange (DTL/CCL), two stops from Paya Lebar (EWL/CCL), and six stops from Bugis in the heart of the city.

The neighbourhood’s strength is its hawker food scene. Three food centres operate within close proximity: Circuit Road Hawker Centre, Haig Road Market, and the Macpherson Market & Food Centre, providing affordable and varied meals that are among the best in Singapore’s east. The Geylang corridor, just south of Mattar Road, adds a layer of late-night dining and commercial activity. Macpherson Primary School is just 380 m away, within the 1 km priority-enrolment band.

For broader retail, Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ) is just two MRT stops away, offering a modern shopping, dining, and co-working precinct. The KPE and PIE expressways are accessible within a 5-minute drive, placing the CBD 15 minutes away by car off-peak. The neighbourhood character is urban and mixed-use — not the manicured suburban feel of a Sengkang or Tampines, but an authentic, well-connected city-fringe location.

Schools & Education

1 primary school within the 1 km Priority Phase balloting radius.

Facilities

The Antares packs a comprehensive facility set into its compact 265-unit footprint. The centrepiece is a 50-metre lap pool, a generous aquatic feature for a development of this scale, complemented by a spa pool and a pool deck for lounging. The 24-hour gymnasium is well-equipped, and a CrossFit circuit provides an outdoor fitness option for residents who prefer functional training over machine-based workouts.

Family-oriented amenities include a children’s rock climbing zone, playground, and a kids’ pool. The BBQ pavilions and spa/massage pavilions provide social and wellness spaces, while a function room with high ceilings serves as an elegant venue for private events. The tennis court is a notable inclusion for a boutique development — many developments with twice the unit count lack this amenity.

“For 265 units, the facility offering is really solid. The 50-metre pool rarely feels crowded, the tennis court is easy to book, and the CrossFit circuit is a nice addition that you don’t see in most condos. The function room with its high ceiling is beautiful for parties. The sheltered walkway to Mattar MRT is the real killer feature though — rain or shine, I’m on the platform in 3 minutes flat.”

— Owner-occupier, two-bedroom, since 2023 (PropertyGuru)

At 265 units, the facility-to-resident ratio is excellent. Pool lanes are available even on weekends, the gym is never overcrowded, and BBQ bookings are straightforward. Maintenance standards are good, reflecting the relatively new 2022 completion. The compact site means less sprawling landscaped grounds than larger developments, but every amenity is within a minute’s walk of any block.

Unit Sizes & Layout

The Antares offers a diverse unit mix from one-bedroom to four-bedroom configurations across its 265 units, catering to singles, couples, and families. The development’s mixed-height design (two 5-storey blocks and two 17–18 storey towers) creates pricing flexibility: low-rise units in the 5-storey blocks offer more affordable entry points, while high-rise units in the towers command a premium for elevated views across the Macpherson and Geylang roofscape.

Unit layouts are efficient with minimal wasted space. The high ceilings in selected units add vertical spaciousness. Two-bedroom units (from ~650 sqft) are the sweet spot for investors targeting the Paya Lebar professional tenant pool, while three-bedroom units suit families drawn to the Macpherson Primary school proximity. Four-bedroom configurations at the top of the towers offer the most expansive layouts with unobstructed views.

Pricing & Market Position

Across 230 recorded transactions (all-time), sale prices range from $885,000 to $2,730,000, averaging $1,467,644.

Over the last 12 months, transactions averaged $2,057 psf.

Rents range from $2,900 to $8,000 per month across 275 rental transactions. Current rental yield sits at approximately 3.8%.

Rental Yield by Bedroom Type

Blended yield hides the spread between unit sizes — smaller units at THE ANTARES typically rent harder per dollar of purchase price. The final column shows monthly rent per $100,000 invested, so unit sizes compare on equal capital:

Price Appreciation

From 2021 to 2026, the average PSF has appreciated by 13.7% (from $1,791 to $2,037 psf).

Neighbourhood Comparison

In the District 14 city-fringe cluster, The Antares ($2,067 psf, 99-year from 2018, ~91 years remaining) competes with two established neighbours. Penrose ($1,927 psf, 99-year from 2019, ~92 years remaining) trades at a 7% discount with CDL developer pedigree and Aljunied MRT access (470 m) — but Aljunied is an EWL station without the DTL’s direct CBD routing that Mattar provides. Parc Esta ($2,180 psf, 99-year from 2018, ~91 years remaining) is the mega-scale option at 1,399 units with extensive facilities, trading at a 5% premium over The Antares but located at Eunos MRT (EWL) — again lacking the DTL’s direct CBD connectivity.

The Antares’ competitive advantage is singular: the best MRT access in the cluster (160 m, sheltered linkway, DTL direct to CBD), combined with the highest yield (3.94%). Penrose offers CDL quality and a lower PSF; Parc Esta offers mega-scale facilities. Buyers choosing The Antares are prioritising connectivity above all else — and at 160 m from the MRT with a sheltered walkway, that priority is handsomely rewarded.

Lease Decay Analysis

The 99-year lease runs from 2018, meaning approximately 8 years have already been consumed. Roughly 91 years remain — still comfortably within the range where most banks will offer full financing without restrictions.

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 ~81 years remaining, which is still very bankable. The risk profile changes for longer holds.

ShiokNest Scores

Our proprietary scoring system evaluates THE ANTARES across multiple dimensions.

What Residents Say

“The MRT connection is the best I’ve experienced in any condo — sheltered walkway, 3 minutes to the platform, Downtown Line direct to the CBD. I work at Marina Bay and my door-to-door commute is 25 minutes. The Bosch and Grohe fittings are a nice touch at this price. The area around Mattar Road is still developing, but the hawker food at Circuit Road is incredible and Paya Lebar Quarter is two stops away for everything else.”

— Owner-occupier, two-bedroom, since 2023 (99.co)

“Bought a one-bedder here for investment. Tenanted at $3,200 within a week of listing — the MRT connection sells itself to tenants. Yield is around 4% which is excellent for a 2022 development. The tenant loves the smart-home features and the proximity to Paya Lebar. My only concern is the Geylang reputation, but honestly the area around Mattar MRT feels perfectly safe and residential.”

— Investor-owner, one-bedroom, since 2023 (EdgeProp)

“We moved here for Macpherson Primary — it’s a 5-minute walk, and our son starts P1 next year. The condo itself is great for a young family: the pool is generous, the kids’ playground and rock climbing zone keep them busy, and the CrossFit area is a bonus. The Mattar Road area isn’t pretty, but it’s functional and well-connected. Three hawker centres within walking distance means we hardly cook on weekdays.”

— Owner-occupier, three-bedroom, since 2024 (PropertyGuru)

Strengths & Weaknesses

Verdict

The Antares is a connectivity play executed with above-average fittings and a near-4% yield. The 160 m sheltered walk to Mattar MRT on the Downtown Line is a permanent structural advantage — placing residents within direct reach of the CBD, Paya Lebar, and Bugis without a single interchange. At $2,067 psf, the entry price is competitive for an RCR development with this level of MRT access, and the 3.94% gross yield reflects genuine rental demand from the Paya Lebar – Macpherson – Geylang employment catchment.

The neighbourhood is the wildcard. Mattar Road sits at the edge of the Geylang corridor — an area with outstanding food, excellent connectivity, and strong rental demand, but also a gritty urban character that some buyers find off-putting. The MacPherson Industrial Estate to the north and the Geylang commercial strip to the south give the area a mixed-use feel that is distinctly different from polished suburban estates. Buyers who embrace this character will find genuine value; those who prefer manicured greenery and quiet residential streets should look elsewhere.

For investors and owner-occupiers who prioritise doorstep MRT access, strong yield, and authentic urban living, The Antares is one of the strongest propositions in the city fringe. The 91-year remaining lease provides excellent runway, and the premium fittings deliver daily enjoyment above the price point. The sheltered MRT linkway alone is worth the premium over less connected alternatives.