The Collective At One Sophia
Overview & Key Facts
The Collective at One Sophia is the 367-unit residential component of One Sophia, a mixed-use development on the site of the former Peace Centre and Peace Mansion along Sophia Road in District 9. Jointly developed by SingHaiyi Group and Ultra Infinity, the project comprises two 19-storey residential towers sitting atop a two-storey retail podium, alongside a 13-storey commercial tower with 122 strata office units and 127 retail shops.
The architectural vision comes from French architect Jean Francois Milou of studioMilou, in collaboration with ADDP Architects. The design concept interprets Singapore’s “City in a Garden” philosophy through a suspended garden at the development’s core — a floating tapestry of greenery that attempts to soften the urban density of the Sophia Road-Selegie corridor.
As a 99-year leasehold from 2023, The Collective at One Sophia offers a near-full lease of 96 years remaining. The District 9 address places it within the Core Central Region, and the mixed-use format — with integrated retail and office space — creates a self-contained ecosystem that differentiates it from purely residential neighbours. The walkability score of 88/100 reflects the exceptional density of amenities, transit options, and institutions within immediate reach.
Location & Connectivity
The Mount Emily and Mount Sophia enclave is one of Singapore’s most walkable neighbourhoods, and The Collective at One Sophia capitalises on this fully. Six MRT stations are accessible within walking distance: Bencoolen MRT (DTL) at 350 metres, Dhoby Ghaut MRT (NSL/NEL/CCL interchange) at 490 metres, Bras Basah MRT, Little India MRT, Rochor MRT, and Bugis MRT. The Dhoby Ghaut interchange gives residents access to three MRT lines, making this one of the best-connected residential addresses in Singapore.
Plaza Singapura is the primary retail anchor, just a few minutes’ walk away, and the Orchard Road shopping belt is one MRT stop distant. The surrounding streets house a mix of cafes, local eateries, and the cultural institutions that define the Bras Basah-Bugis precinct. For groceries, multiple options exist at Plaza Singapura and the nearby GR.iD mall.
The education cluster is a defining feature. Singapore Management University, the School of the Arts (SOTA), Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), LASALLE College of the Arts, and the University of the Arts Singapore are all within walking distance. This concentration of tertiary institutions creates a vibrant, youthful neighbourhood character — and a significant pool of potential tenants.
Schools & Education
1 primary school within the 1 km Priority Phase balloting radius.
| School | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts | tertiary | Within 1 km |
| Singapore Management University | tertiary | Within 1 km |
| LASALLE College of the Arts | tertiary | Within 1 km |
| School of the Arts | jc | Within 1 km |
| ACS (Junior) | primary | Within 1 km |
| St. Andrew's Junior School | primary | ~1.4 km |
| St. Andrew's Secondary School | secondary | ~1.4 km |
| St. Margaret's Secondary School | secondary | ~1.4 km |
Facilities
The Collective at One Sophia offers a curated facility set across its 19-storey twin towers: the SOcial Club function room, games room, Azure Pool, Azure Spa, gymnasium, lounge deck, the Patio, Sky Alcove Gardens, and the One SOcial Outdoor Lounge on Level 19. The rooftop amenities take advantage of the central Singapore vantage point, offering city views that reward the relatively modest building height.
“The common areas are well-designed with a modern aesthetic. The pool area is intimate rather than grand, which suits the scale of the development. The Level 19 lounge is the standout — great for hosting friends.”
— Early resident feedback via PropertyGuru
The mixed-use format means residents benefit from the integrated retail podium below — convenience stores, cafes, and services are literally downstairs. This is a practical lifestyle advantage that purely residential condos cannot replicate. The trade-off is that facility scale is more modest compared to larger standalone developments, and the shared infrastructure with commercial tenants may create occasional friction around lobby access and loading areas.
Unit Sizes & Layout
The 367 units range from studios at 431 sqft to three-bedroom configurations at 1,249 sqft. The unit mix is weighted toward smaller formats — studios and one-bedrooms constitute a significant portion of inventory, reflecting the development’s target demographic of young professionals, couples, and investors seeking rental income from the nearby education and CBD tenant pools.
The interior design by the development team favours clean lines and a contemporary palette that appeals to the younger demographic. Ceiling heights and natural light are reasonable for a 19-storey urban development, though the compact layouts require efficient furniture choices, particularly in the studio and one-bedroom categories.
| Bedrooms | Transactions | Avg PSF | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 BR | 66 | $2,756 | $1,229,561 |
| 1 BR | 16 | $2,704 | $1,736,625 |
| 2 BR | 12 | $2,827 | $2,160,667 |
| 3 BR | 2 | $2,839 | $2,903,000 |
Pricing & Market Position
Based on 96 recorded transactions, sale prices range from $1,141,000 to $2,914,000, averaging $1,465,323 (~$2,809 psf).
Price Appreciation
From 2024 to 2026, the average PSF has appreciated by 4.1% (from $2,737 to $2,849 psf).
Neighbourhood Comparison
The District 9 competitive set includes several heavyweight names. Irwell Hill Residences at $2,726 psf offers a quieter River Valley setting with a fresh 99-year lease, but lacks the mixed-use convenience and education-district tenant pool. The Avenir at $3,190 psf is a premium freehold option on River Valley Road with larger units and a more established address, but at a 14% premium over One Sophia.
The Collective at One Sophia’s differentiator is the mixed-use format and unmatched walkability. No competitor in this price range offers integrated retail, six MRT stations within walking distance, and an education-precinct tenant pool simultaneously. The trade-off is compact units and an urban-intensity environment. For buyers who view their property as a live-work hub rather than a sanctuary, the proposition is distinctive.
| Development | Tenure | TOP | Units | ~Avg PSF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE COLLECTIVE AT ONE SOPHIA | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2023 | 2024 | 367 | $2,809 |
| IRWELL HILL RESIDENCES | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2020 | 2021 | 540 | $2,728 |
| RIVER GREEN | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2024 | 2025 | 524 | $3,138 |
| RIVER MODERN | 99 years leasehold | — | — | $3,239 |
| THE AVENIR | Freehold | 2021 | 376 | $3,190 |
| KOPAR AT NEWTON | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2019 | 2021 | 378 | $2,511 |
Lease Decay Analysis
The 99-year lease runs from 2023, meaning approximately 3 years have already been consumed. Roughly 96 years remain — still comfortably within the range where most banks will offer full financing without restrictions.
| Year | Lease remaining | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (now) | ~96 years | Full bank financing available |
| 2053 | ~69 years | CPF usage still unrestricted for most buyers |
| 2062 | ~59 years | Approaching 60-year threshold — CPF limits begin for some |
| 2082 | ~39 years | Significant financing restrictions for next buyer |
| 2122 | Expiry | Lease 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 ~86 years remaining, which is still very bankable. The risk profile changes for longer holds.
ShiokNest Scores
Our proprietary scoring system evaluates THE COLLECTIVE AT ONE SOPHIA across multiple dimensions.
What Residents Say
“The convenience is unreal — I can walk to Orchard, Bugis, and Little India. Having shops and cafes in the building itself means I barely need to plan errands anymore.”
— Early resident via 99.co
“Studio units are very compact — you need to be realistic about what fits. But the design is smart and the finishes are decent for the price. Great for a single professional.”
— Owner review via PropertyGuru
“Sophia Road can be noisy, especially on weekends. The area has a lot of foot traffic from the schools and retail. Not the place if you want a quiet retreat.”
— Resident feedback via EdgeProp
Strengths & Weaknesses
- Six MRT stations walkable — including Dhoby Ghaut interchange (3 lines)
- Near-full 99-year lease (96 years remaining from 2023)
- Mixed-use format with integrated retail and office podium
- Walkability score 88/100 — exceptional urban convenience
- Education-precinct tenant pool (SMU, SOTA, NAFA, LASALLE)
- District 9 address at below-premium CCR pricing
- French architect-designed with suspended garden concept
- Plaza Singapura and Orchard Road within walking distance
- Vibrant Bras Basah-Bugis arts and cultural neighbourhood
- Strong rental demand from diversified tenant segments
- Compact unit sizes — studios at 431 sqft are tight
- Urban-intensity neighbourhood — Sophia Road can be noisy
- New completion — community character not yet established
- Modest facility scale vs larger standalone developments
- Shared building infrastructure with commercial tenants
- No landed or low-rise views — dense urban surrounds
- Limited family-sized units (max 3-bedroom at 1,249 sqft)
- SingHaiyi Group less established than tier-1 developers
Verdict
The Collective at One Sophia offers a District 9 address at pricing ($2,802 psf average) that sits below ultra-premium neighbours like The Avenir ($3,190 psf) while offering the advantages of a mixed-use format and near-full 96-year lease. The walkability score of 88/100 is among the highest in the dataset, reflecting a genuine live-work-play proposition that does not require a car.
The investment thesis rests on three pillars: the education-district tenant pool, CBD proximity via Dhoby Ghaut interchange, and the mixed-use convenience premium. For a buyer seeking a unit that can be tenanted to students, young professionals, or corporate relocations with minimal vacancy risk, the location fundamentals are strong. The 99-year lease from 2023 removes the tenure concern that weighs on older competitors.
The reservations are real, however. The Sophia Road corridor is not quiet — this is a dense, urban-intensity neighbourhood that prioritises convenience over serenity. The unit sizes are compact, particularly the studios, and the development will take time to establish its community character as a new completion. Buyers who prioritise space, tranquility, or resort-scale facilities should look elsewhere. Those who want to be at the centre of everything — and are willing to trade square footage for address and accessibility — will find The Collective at One Sophia a compelling proposition.