AMO Residence
What comes to your mind as you think of home? Perhaps home is the heart, where love resides, which is why this new development at Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 has been named AMO, the Spanish word for ‘love’.
AMO Residence, jointly developed by UOL, Singapore Land Group and Kheng Leong, is widely anticipated, as it is the first major new launch in District 20 in 8 years, with the last being The Panorama in 2014. Within 1-km to popular primary schools such as Ai Tong and St Nicholas Girls’, and a 5-minute walk to Mayflower MRT on the Thomson-East Coast line (TEL), the 2-blocks of 24- and 25-storey towers of 372 units on slightly elevated ground with a desired North-South orientation positioned to maximise views are expected to be as popular as Piccadilly Grand and Liv@MB (both of which were nearly 80% sold on launch day), if not more.
It’s not hard to see why, besides the reasons stated above. Firstly, Ang Mo Kio is a mature housing estate with good amenities such as numerous wet markets, hawker centres and coffeeshops. It is rather centrally located, and hence, convenient to get around with well-linked public transportation networks such as numerous buses and MRT stations to serve its residents. Furthermore, AMO can really sell itself as near to nature and greenery, since it is located just opposite the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park as well as within walking distance to numerous parks and water-bodies such as the Lower and Upper Peirce Reservoirs, always a selling point for a very built-up Singapore with high population density.
Within the Masterplan, Ang Mo Kio is also slated to have the longest cycling network spanning 20km in any residential town, great for people who prefer to cycle for leisure and as a lifestyle. In addition, Mayflower MRT Station is one stop away from Bright Hill MRT, which will be the new interchange station connecting the upcoming Cross Island line with the TEL. The TEL is also progressively built to connect to Orchard Road, Great World City and Gardens by the Bay by the third-quarter of 2022. On the macro scale, looking at the supply end of new launch properties, there simply aren’t that many in the pipeline. This factor, combined with real demand for new private housing, with savvy Singaporeans focussed on the capital upside, and AMO Residence, expected to be priced lower than the upcoming Lentor Modern mixed development, has led to a palpable sense of excitement for its launch, as can be seen from the high take-up rates for its preview appointments.
Although the land size for this development is not huge, the developers have put quite some thought into the design of its facilities and landscaping. The drop-off lobby looks warm and inviting, with greenery and wooden elements to simulate the forest woods, and Function Room 1(there are 3 Function Rooms in total) and the Gym and Social Space with their glass facade look like pretty glass crystals. There are 6 other pools besides a 50-m lap pool in the development, including a Kids’ Splash pool that has water play elements for children to enjoy. There’s a Recreational Pool with a waterfall feature, and a Lounge Pool with tent-like pool cabanas that will surely be popular with the residents. There’s a Swing Garden and also a playground for kids, as well as a tennis court, which is not often seen in a development of this size. There are 11 lifts in total, with private lifts serving those living in 4- and 5-bedrooms and the 2 penthouses. The bin centre is situated at the basement, so this removes any possible concerns residents may have about their units being located near a rubbish collection point.
In terms of unit mix, nearly 50% of the development has 2-bedroom units. The compact 2-bedroom unit (614/678 sqft) has an efficient dumb-bell layout to maximise space, and the 2-bedroom premium (743 sqft) has a ‘niche’ area that can function as a work-from-home space or for one’s hobbies. The balcony, as pictured above (of the 2-bedroom premium), is not huge, so this ensures more internal space for the apartment.
The 3-bedroom premium plus study showflat (pictured above), at 1141 sqft, can function like a compact 4-bedroom unit, as the study is big enough to accommodate a single bed, and perhaps families with live-in helpers may like that space for their helper’s room.
The kitchen has an efficient longish layout with sufficient counter-top space to prep meals, and the 3-bedroom premium units and above are fitted with premium appliances from the French label De Dietrich, oft used in luxury developments.
As for the 1292 sqft 4-bedroom showflat (pictured above), it has a sizable living and dining area that feels spacious, and a bomb shelter, tucked away at the back of the kitchen, that can function like a storage space for the family.
The bedrooms feel cosy and homely, with floor to ceiling glass windows like these above that capitalise on the views in the estate. WIth only 12% of the development catered to 4-bedroom units, and just 32% to 3-bedroom units, I would imagine that these bigger units would be popular with families with children, and it makes practical sense to purchase these units with a larger floor plate, if possible, to maximise capital appreciation. Perhaps a leaf can be taken out of The Panorama, whose bigger units actually command a higher psf than the 1- and 2-bedroom units, as families after all need a bigger space for liveability.
With its TOP slated in 2026, I believe AMO Residence will sell out way before its completion, and the subsale units will be popular too. It is definitely worth considering as a property for investment and for own stay, especially for families that are targeting the popular primary schools nearby for their children. Investors can also consider purchasing the 2-bedroom units that may be more accessible price-wise, as these will also prove to be popular as rental units, given the limited supply of rental condominium units in the estate. Judging by the keen interest shown in this upcoming new launch, it seems that AMO Residence will live up to its name, as it would be well-loved indeed.
