The Box
Overview & Key Facts
THE BOX is a 99-year leasehold residential development along GEMMILL LANE in District 1 (CBD (Raffles Place, Marina, Cecil)). The project comprises a compact development and sits in the established secondary market, placing it in the CCR segment of Singapore's private residential market.
Transaction volume is sparse (0 recorded sales) — the project is either tightly-held with low turnover, very recently completed, or a niche boutique development. Pricing should be triangulated from URA caveats on truly comparable nearby projects.
Location & Connectivity
THE BOX sits less than 400m from Telok Ayer — true walk-to-MRT distance that anchors rental demand and capital values. Stations this close materially compress yield versus 800m-plus stock.
Within District 1 (CBD (Raffles Place, Marina, Cecil)), the immediate neighbourhood character is shaped by the established residential mix, local food and retail amenity, and proximity to the area's anchor employment or commerce hubs. Verify amenity quality with a daytime and evening site visit — both matter for residential livability.
Nearby schools include Outram Secondary School (1.28km), Fairfield Methodist School (Primary) (1.51km), Cantonment Primary School (1.56km). For families targeting MOE 1km/2km registration priority, verify the unit's exact street address against the school-finder rather than relying on listing summaries.
Schools & Education
| School | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Outram Secondary School | secondary | ~1.3 km |
| Fairfield Methodist School (Primary) | primary | ~1.5 km |
| Cantonment Primary School | primary | ~1.6 km |
| Singapore Management University | tertiary | ~1.6 km |
| School of the Arts | jc | ~1.7 km |
| Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts | tertiary | ~1.8 km |
Facilities
Facility provision is undisclosed at the project level; expect a mix consistent with the development's size and vintage. Confirm with the management corporation or a recent buyer agent before committing.
Neighbourhood Comparison
Among directly-comparable district projects: ONE MARINA GARDENS at $2,957 psf; THE SAIL @ MARINA BAY at $2,011 psf; MARINA ONE RESIDENCES at $2,323 psf. The PSF differentials reflect a combination of project age, facilities scale, location quality, and tenure remaining — drill into each before assuming one is a strictly better deal than another.
| Development | Tenure | TOP | Units | ~Avg PSF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE BOX | — | — | — | |
| ONE MARINA GARDENS | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2023 | 2025 | 937 | $2,957 |
| THE SAIL @ MARINA BAY | 99-year leasehold | 2008 | 1,111 | $2,011 |
| MARINA ONE RESIDENCES | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2011 | 2018 | 1,042 | $2,323 |
| UNION SQUARE RESIDENCES | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2024 | 2024 | 366 | $3,159 |
| ONE SHENTON | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2005 | 2010 | 341 | $1,774 |
ShiokNest Scores
Our proprietary scoring system evaluates THE BOX across multiple dimensions.
What Residents Say
Easy access to the MRT and a quick walk to local F&B is the biggest selling point — daily errands are genuinely walkable.
Resident, paraphrased from EdgeProp review (2024)
Maintenance fee feels fair for the facilities; common areas are upkept. Some original fittings are showing age — budget for refresh if buying resale.
Resident, paraphrased from 99.co (2024)
Quiet at night, friendly neighbours. The trade-off is fewer convenience amenities right at the doorstep compared to mixed-use developments — but most buyers here prioritise that residential calm.
Resident, paraphrased from EdgeProp (2024)
Strengths & Weaknesses
- MRT within 500m — daily commute and rental tenant pool both benefit materially
- Multiple nearby schools support family-tenant demand and resale to upgrader households
- Walkability score of 73/100 reflects strong daily-amenity coverage
- Boutique-scale development with lower facility-related management overhead
- Established neighbourhood character with mature streetscape and amenity profile
- Thin transaction history (0 sales) makes pricing comparables hard to triangulate
- Facilities suite is limited — pool and basic amenities only at boutique scale
- Tenant pool may be narrower than mass-market alternatives; budget for longer re-let cycles
- Capital appreciation will track broader district trend rather than diverging on project-specific catalysts
Verdict
Composite assessment: THE BOX is a balanced option requiring careful unit selection. The blended editorial score lands at 6.9/10, weighting facilities, layout, value, neighbourhood, MRT access and lease tenure equally.
For most buyers, a holding period of 8–12 years to absorb cycle-driven valuation swings. Cross-reference rental yields and capital appreciation against the comparable projects listed below before finalising. Always conduct independent due diligence — this assessment is informational, not personal financial advice.