1. WHAT CAUCASIANS LOOK FOR IN A
CONSERVATION SHOPHOME?
Usually young and
looking to experience a unique home, the Caucasian expats want a
conservation shophome with a garden, courtyard, bright rooms, air
conditioning, clean new bathrooms and kitchen and large living and dining
areas.
In many shophomes, there is a problem of accommodating the washing machine
and the dryer. The maid's room plus small utility area are used to accommodate the washing machine and dryer
and there is little backyard or courtyard. Some owners put the
washing machine under the kitchen counter and the dryer in the maid's
room. Some put them on the second floor at the back if the shophome is
longer.
 The
conservation or heritage shophomes are
intermediate
terrace ("townhouses") and corner terrace houses. The main complaint of
the intermediate units is that the rooms are dark and there are no balconies.
However, with good design like a balcony, skylights and high glass windows facing the airwell, natural daylight brightens the
interior of the room.
The airwell in some shophomes may be closed up by a clear glass pane skylight at the roof
level. These window panes can be opened electrically. However, there's a lot
of costly maintenance of the motors required. It may be best to have a manual
operation for the skylight or no skylight.
An airwell with vertical window panes on the roof acting as a skylight.
This permits ventilation and natural daylight to enter the house.
Rain does come in too. This structure is much easier to maintain. Plants
can then be kept in the airwell.
The 6 window panes in the loft or attic room which is above the master bedroom bring in
bright daylight and may be too much for tenants who sleep late. An electrically
operated power blind has been proposed.
The open-concept kitchen is brighter than the conventional closed door kitchen. This
kitchen is located at the back of the house although there is one unit in which the
kitchen is just behind the main door.
The Barbecue area is small, at the back next to the maid's room.
The Japanese ornamental carp or koi is believed by local Chinese businessmen to bring
prosperity. Good kois cost as much as S$30,000 to $100,000. This unit has
incorporated a fish pond in its air well.
This 2.5 storey 3+1 conservation, The Loft condos, shophome is well designed to attract the romantic single
expatriate tenants. It is around 3,500 sq. ft and not too big as bigger ones have
built-in areas of 5,000 sq. ft.
The master bedroom is in front and therefore quiet compared to bedroom 2 which is near a
car park of a shopping mall. Up the loft, the star light of the tropical night
sparkles through. This unit is extremely
comfortable as it is fully air conditioned. The one complaint was the leaking of the
rainwater into bedroom 2 and 3. It was said that the workmen forgot to close the
windows. On another visit, after a heavy rainfall, there were no spot of rain water
seen.
Romancing the history of the Peranakan with your beloved
one in the heritage shophomes is a once in a life time unique experience for the hot
blooded Caucasian expats who love the diversity of Asian cultures and living life to the
fullest.
As at 2002, the rentals of a well renovated 4-bedroom conservation, The Loft condos,
shophomes range from $10,000 - $15,000. 3-bedrooms may rent for around $8,000 if
well renovated. 2-bedrooms of 1600 sq. ft in Kim Yam Road rent around
$5,000.
A renovated Cairnhill shophome with two private car parking lots is asking
$12,000.
For rental appointments, contact +65 9668 6468, 6254 3326, 6254 2728 or email judy@asiahomes.com letting us know what you have seen
with other realtors to avoid duplication of viewing.
References:
1. October
2000 report on $5,000 conservation, The Loft condos, shophomes.
2. Judy's Property
webpage
3. Singapore's unique homes
PICTURES OF A
SHOPHOME |
expats direct, may save you over $5,000 in agency or co-broking fees.
Email your ad to: judy@asiahomes.com, visit Asiahomes Internet
