Major $2 million upgrading in 2000 and 2001.  Big pool, bright gym facing pool, generous sundeck spaces, tennis court, large green field and landscaped garden.

MONTHLY RENTALS
2+1 2800 sq ft  $12,000.
3+1 3800 sq ft $17,000.

Penthouses:

Four floors, is one of the largest penthouses in town.

5+1 penthouse 12,700 sq ft (2-level, all bedroom with attached bathrooms $35,000).

Total:  4 penthouses but the 3 are smaller ones. The biggest rent for $35,000.

A private swimming pool with sun-deck, a sauna and a private lift.  Designed by New York architect Paul Rudolph,

The other three 'mini' penthouses at 7,000 sq. ft each are leased out.
 

Grange Rd. A low density condo. 96 units. Completed: 1987.  One or two levels apartments with spacious outer foyer.

Duplex facing the balcony. 2-levels for the 2-bedroom and study of 2800 sq.ft.

Duplex facing the main entrance door. The kitchen and one bedroom is on level 2.  The master bedroom which has a new walk-in closet and the study which was the old walk-in closet opens to the living area by breaking open the wall of the living area is on level 1.

One-level 3-bedroom unit. A pleasure to live in and dine in this 3-bedroom unit (one-level) with large balcony and high ceilings.

One or 2-storey apartments with very big living and dining areas. Central air conditioning replaced by split units.  All bedrooms have attached bathrooms.

Kitchen is air conditioned. Spacious. Fully equipped.

Large pool, low density condo.

Designed by the New York architect Paul Rudolph, the unique columnar structure is located along Grange Road and features panoramic views of Singapore amidst its four acres of landscaped private gardens. High occupancy rate. It appeals to Caucasian expats who want great location (i.e. Orchard Road in a 8-minute walk), big living areas and balconies.

Other Features:

One block, 27 storeys, 90 units.
 
Big balconies sufficient for table and chairs of six off the living area and the master bedroom.

Huge master bedroom a plus factor for American expats.

Very high ceilings (probably 30 feet high) unlike any seen in Singapore Condos.

Light brown marble flooring even in the bathroom unlike ordinary older condos which use ceramic tiles.  Some expat wives love the marble flooring believing that there is less fungal growth at the grouts.

Dual basin on light brown marble counter top, light yellow long bath, shower stall in spacious master bathroom.

Low density living.   

Corporate Landlord of sound reputation. On-site maintenance teams available.

Kitchen is air-conditioned. Maid's room. Powder room. 2 long baths in 2 bedrooms. One bedroom has shower stall. Master bedroom has long bath and shower stall and dual basin.   

Large maid's room.

Modern high quality new kitchen.
 

Disadvantages:

A hum of traffic noises from Grange Road noise may upset some sensitive expats on low floors below 6th, but sound proofing is good.

INFO FROM THE LANDLORD

The Colonnade
Defining modern city-living in Singapore, each apartment at The Colonnade creates a sense of unparalleled spaciousness and calm.

Update in 2007: The Colonnade now has a new pool deck, gymnasium, and lobby foyer designed by Kerry Hill and Architects, the design team behind many of the Aman resorts. 
 

FOR RENT IN JUN 2007

2+1 2800sq. ft  2-level maisonette (duplex). 

3+1 3600sq. ft  1-level.

3+study+1 3900sq. ft  2-level (duplex).  The study may be converted to a 4th bedroom if there is a door, but it has no windows.

#14-01. 3+1, 3900 sq. ft excluding balconies.
Maisonette. 2 bedrooms upstairs. One downstairs.

#06-01. One-level.  Faces Grange Road.

#09-03. One-level. One bedroom on the left, two on the right. All have attached bath. The master bedroom with its big balcony is wider than that in the maisonette and looks bigger and brighter.  3980 sq. ft but if you include the 2 balconies, it will be 4100 sq. ft

Two new bungalows 5+1, over 4,000 sq. ft built-in, spacious bedrooms, family room, a study room or guest room downstairs, big bright kitchens, new curtains and lighting, garden for barbecue for S$5,500 and $6,000 partially furnished did not appeal to the American wife although the husband and teen-aged daughter were keen.

The rent offered was too low as the bungalows were not located in expat enclaves in district 9, 10 and 11. However, Serangoon Gardens are a 10-minute taxi drive or 20-minute by bus to Orchard Road.

After staying four years in a high rise 4+1 of 2200 sq. ft at Manhattan Mansions (white brown building in the middle of the picture), so near downtown, the husband and daughter appreciated the spaciousness and the large closet storage space as well as the newness of the bathrooms and the kitchen cabinets.   As the rental budget was $6,000, it was impossible to get a detached houses in the prime districts of 9, 10 and 11 even as at Oct 2002.

"I don't like the worn-out blinds from the neighbour's backyard facing the back bedroom...My friend told me that her vet in Ang Mo Kio is too far away from Orchard Rd....and she would not visit me....No Starbucks but there's Coffee Beans which is OK with me.... You are the one earning......" said the wife. 

It was a lost cause for the Asia USA Realtor, the husband and the daughter who didn't mind staying in the back bedroom facing worn out blinds of the neighbour.

Few Caucasian expat wives want to discover the joys of living away from the Orchard Road area and outside the expat enclave areas of prime districts of 9, 10 and 11.

Lower rentals and cost of living are advantages. Getting the children to know the local multi-cultural activities of Singaporeans may be an advantage for growing up children.

Singapore has a very high percentage of English-speaking people and there is no communication problem with local shop keepers or cafe operators in suburban areas.

Any surfer interested in the above mentioned bungalows in the Serangoon Gardens/Lorong Chuan areas, suitable and previously inhabited by Americans, call +65 9668 6468 or email judy@asiahomes.com

NOTE: The Australian School will be relocated to this Lorong Chuan Area and there will be more interest in these houses in 2003.

See: House-Hunting Rentals

*New housing  developments

*American School: houses, condos

*Houses near the American School - Elson's listings

*Asiahomes.com Straits Times adverts

*Australian/French School: houses, condos

*Bungalows

*Bungalows -  Sharon's listings

*Cluster houses
share a pool

*Condos over 2500 sq. ft

*Expats' Houses

*HDB apartment
rental system

*House-Hunting Rental Records

*Penthouses 

*Upscale Houses

*Semi-detached houses

*Serviced apartments

*Subdivisions
(condo & house details) 

*Townhouses & maisonettes

*Services - HDB, condo & house management for absentee/overseas owners