Reviewed: Bartley Ridge

Yes yes yes, I am a true blue Singaporean.  I embrace most national pastimes and icons (other than the dreaded durian) - condominiums, cars, soccer and chope-ing seats in CBD during lunch time.

I often check out properties in Singapore in my free time (to the point where Mummy Cher thinks that I have millions stashed away in secret bank accounts in Bermuda).  Like many readers out there, we dream of the next home that we can own.  I thought, why not share my two cents worth on the many properties in Singapore, from a daddy's point of view?  Few websites offer unbiased reviews of projects in Singapore, and even fewer do so from a family man's perspective.  A gem in the eyes of a property investor could be considered inhabitable in the eyes of daddy and mummy!

So, here's my first review on a popular project in District 13, the Bartley Ridge.

BARTLEY RIDGE

Address: Mount Vernon Road
District:13
Tenure: 99 year leasehold from 16 April 2012
Status: Condominium
Land size: 224,008 sqft
Number of units: 868
Number of carpark lots: 868 + 6 handicap lots (basement carpark)
Number of floors: 8 blocks of 18 floors and 1 block of 19 floors
Estimated TOP: 1-Oct-18
Developer: Hong Leong, CDL and TID  

FACILITIES

Adults
Clubhouse Cluster 1 with Gym, reading room and changing rooms
Clubhouse Cluster 2 with 3 function rooms, toilets
Gourmet Pavilion, incorporating Outdoor dining & lounge with open kitchen, Dip Pool, Hot Tub
Hydrotherapy Oasis, incorporating Hydro spa seat/bed (with massage jet), massage pavilions
Dining Pavilions
Lounge Pavilion
Meditation Pods
Outdoor Fitness Stations

Children
Children’s Fun Area, incorporating Children splash pool, Play agora, BBQ pavilion
Community Garden, incorporating Scented garden, Gardening zones
Ecology Pond
Topiary Garden

Family
50m Lap Pool with Aqua and Sun Pool decks
25m Lap Pool with Hot tub and Sun pool deck
BBQ Pavilions
Putting Green
Tennis court (x1)
Basketball court (half Court)

Others
Entrance cascading water feature
Bioswales  

UNITS

Layouts (3 & 4 beds)
Good: North South facing. No baywindows. Efficient layout. Attached bathrooms concept for bedrooms. Bad: Large balcony. Large AC ledge. Small bedrooms

Views
North partially blocked by Bartley Residences. South partially blocked by Gurhka Contingent Camp.

Mix
1-bed: 189 (22%) / 2-bed: 272 (31%) / 3-bed: 322 (37%) / 4-bed: 34 (4%) / 4-bed-dual: 51 (6%)

Exclusivity
4/6/7/8 units per floor

Buyer profile
HDB 60.5%, Private 39.5% / Singaporeans 82.3%, PR 11.7%, Foreigner 6.0%  

PROXIMITY

Primary schools / childcare
1km: Maris Stella, Cedar / 2km: PLMGS, Yangzheng, Canossa Convent, Macpherson / various childcare centres nearby

Retail malls/Supermarkets
Nex (1 MRT stop / 2.6km / 6mins drive)

Recreation
None

Others
Paya Lebar industrial zone 

CONNECTIVITY

City (Shenton Way) 
Via CTE: 12.2km / 15mins drive

MRT station
Bartley (CCL): 329m

Bus-stop Along Bartley Road

Expressways CTE: 3km / 4mins drive KPE: 3.5km / 7mins drive  

POTENTIAL

Future connectivity None

Future development Investment potential driven by future success of Paya Lebar Commercial Hub. Unknown how Bidadari New Town would increase the value of the project. 

DADDY DARREN SAYS… 

• Key selling points for families are proximity to schools, connectivity and quiet, private enclave. 
• Need to get high floors for good unblocked views. Otherwise, settle for pool views. 
• Large proportion of 1 & 2 bedders and proximity to MRT station are good news for bigger families with more than one car.

• Busy development with large number of units, potentially large number of tenants and limited number of facilities for children/family bonding.
• Limited investment potential unless grand retail/commercial plans are unveiled for Bidadari and Paya Lebar Commercial Hub lives up to the initial hype.

• Score: 45/72

Let me know if you want to know the full breakdown of the score!

Sources: Google Maps, onemap.sg, propertyguru.com.sg, squarefoot.com.sg, streetsine.com, ura.gov.sg/MP2008/.