Rare Forest Edge Luxury Apartment Botanika Prime District 10 Market 8 Mil

Botanika, a 34-unit boutique condominium in prime District 10, is one of the rare developments in Singapore that overlooks a lush greenery. The apartment that is currently on sale boasts a bespoke renovation with premium fittings, and is exclusively marketed by Sotheby’s International Realty. Located in the highly coveted neighbourhood, buyers get to enjoy the convenience, exclusivity and prestige that come with living in Botanika.

Botanika, a 34-unit luxury condominium located along Holland Road, is a highly sought-after development in Singapore due to its unique feature of overlooking a forested area adjacent to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, shares Sueann Lye, senior associate vice president of List Sotheby’s International Realty.

Lye has been involved in the sale of a 2,196 sq ft, two-bedroom duplex at Botanika to its current owners a decade ago. “They were on a mission to find an apartment with unobstructed views of greenery but had difficulty finding one,” she recalls. “Once they stepped into this unit, they knew it was the one.”

The exterior of Botanika, developed by Tuan Sing Holdings and designed by SCDA Architects, is just as impressive as its interior.

According to a lodged caveat, the owners purchased the duplex for $4.725 million ($2,152 psf) in 2015. They acquired it from the previous owner who bought it for $5.05 million ($2,300 psf) in November 2010.

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Botanika is a freehold luxury condominium located in the prime District 10. Developed by Tuan Sing Holdings and designed by Chan Soo Khian, founding principal and design director of SCDA Architects, Botanika was launched in June 2006 and completed in 2008.

After acquiring the unit, the owners engaged Antonio Eraso, founder of the multi-disciplinary design firm WeCraft, to oversee a complete transformation of the duplex into a bespoke home. Eraso shares that the owners spared no expense in creating their dream home, estimating that $1.5 million was spent on the renovation alone.

The kitchen has been customised with Italian handcrafted cabinetry and marble to create a timeless and luxurious space.

Bespoke redesign

Eraso completely gutted the apartment and replaced the flooring with European oak. He also upgraded the windows to frame the breathtaking forest views. “Some people prefer low-rise developments where they can see trees rather than live in high-rise towers,” he explains.

To enhance the view from the living room, the original glass windows were replaced with custom timber-framed windows, which were brought in by a crane and weatherproofed for durability.

The wall separating the kitchen and living room was also removed to create an open-concept kitchen with an unobstructed view. Custom oak wood panelling and cabinetry, handcrafted in Italy, were installed. The kitchen also features seamlessly integrated Gaggenau appliances, including a fridge drawer, to maintain a sleek and seamless look. The household shelter was repurposed into a pantry and an additional refrigerator.

The kitchen also features a stunning Italian book-matched marble countertop, giving it a touch of elegance. Eraso also incorporated a Barrisol ceiling lighting system to create a skylight effect. Wood panelling conceals the metal lift door, maintaining design continuity. The space behind the kitchen was redesigned as a service area, incorporating a laundry room. The entire home was fitted with a Lutron lighting and home automation system to make living more convenient and comfortable.

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The guest bedroom on the first level of the apartment also boasts custom features, such as a wooden panelled door that can be concealed. The spiral staircase in the dining area is original to the apartment and was refinished with a copper base and fitted with oak steps and railing.

The spiral staircase with a copper base, with steps and railings made of oak wood, adds a touch of elegance to the home.

Upstairs, two bedrooms were combined into an expansive master suite that comprises a bedroom, study, and his-and-hers walk-in wardrobes. The owners custom-made the Italian wardrobes, which are also equipped with dehumidifiers, to ensure their clothes are always in pristine condition, while the master bedroom opens onto a terrace that offers a stunning view of the greenery. “It’s an ideal spot for morning yoga,” notes Lye. Furthermore, the master bathroom features luxurious Italian book-matched marble, a standalone Axor bathtub, and premium fittings to provide a spa-like experience. It also has a balcony that can be landscaped for privacy.

The balcony outside the master bedroom is a tranquil spot that offers an unblocked view of the lush greenery.

Investment in timeless quality

The owners spared no expense in creating their dream home, says Eraso.

“The owners spared no expense in creating their dream home,” says Eraso, estimating that $1.5 million was spent on the renovation alone. High-quality materials and meticulous upkeep have preserved the apartment’s condition. Recent updates include replacing the air-conditioning ducting and polishing the wooden floors. Boffi ceiling fans were installed in the living, dining, and family areas, as well as the master bedroom.

Read also: Former minister Mah Bow Tan sells Good Class Bungalow at Holland Rise for $50 mil

“When you invest in quality, your home remains in excellent shape over time,” Eraso adds. “It’s timeless.”

The lounge is on the upper level. The interiors are staged with hand-picked furniture reflecting artisanal craftsmanship.

Staged for sale

The owners have decided to put the property up for sale and have since moved out. Eraso was engaged to stage the apartment with hand-picked furniture reflecting European artisanal craftsmanship. The interiors feature tables and lamps by Christian Liaigre, pieces from Poltrona Frau, Cassina, and B&B Italia, and handcrafted items by Maison WeCraft. The furniture alone is valued at over $500,000.

The duplex is now listed at $8 million ($3,643 psf), inclusive of the designer furnishings. List Sotheby’s Lye is the exclusive marketing agent.

Botanika was the first uncompleted luxury apartment project in Singapore, with units sold via an international auction 18 years ago.

An interesting highlight is that Botanika was the first uncompleted luxury apartment project in Singapore with units sold via an international auction 18 years ago. The auction was jointly conducted by Colliers International and Christie’s Great Estates affiliate, Ken Jacobs, at Goodwood Park Hotel on March 31, 2007. Twelve units were put up for auction at prices ranging from $1,700 to $2,400 psf.

The last transaction at Botanika was in February this year, when a 1,098 sq ft, two-bedroom unit was sold for $2.6 million ($2,368 psf).

EdgeProp Market Research data shows that Singaporeans make up about 40% of Botanika’s buyers, with permanent residents at 21.8% and foreigners at 32.7%. Around 68% of units are owner-occupied, with 28% tenanted.

“This apartment [at Botanika] suits a discerning buyer who values privacy, quality, greenery, and an unparalleled view,” says Lye. “It’s ideal for someone who wants to move in immediately with just their luggage.”

Rewritten:

Northland Primary School, located in the Yishun and Khatib regions, is a highly sought-after primary school known for its exceptional academic foundation and comprehensive development programs. Its reputation for striking a balance between academic excellence, character building, and engaging co-curricular activities has made it a top choice among parents in the area. With its close proximity to Miltonia EC, it is a convenient and desirable option for families living in the surrounding community.

At One Holland Village Residences, Singapore’s new record for the highest psf price for a sub-sale was set in February ($3,781 psf) with the sale of a 1,238 sq ft, three-bedroom unit.

The asking price reflects Botanika’s rarity in a competitive District 10 market, where large-format two-bedroom units are scarce. Across the road, the newly completed One Holland Village Residences, a 296-unit 99-year leasehold project, saw a record psf price in February when a 1,238 sq ft, three-bedroom unit changed hands in a sub-sale for $4.68 million ($3,781 psf).

Elsewhere in District 10, a 3,197 sq ft, two-bedroom unit at 21 Anderson was sold in May for $9.5 million ($2,972 psf). At 2,196 sq ft, the Botanika duplex offers an exceptionally large two-bedroom layout. “Such spacious two-bedroom units are extremely rare,” Lye highlights.

Antonio Eraso: Crafting timeless spaces

Eraso’s projects span across different cities, showcasing his versatility in creating spaces that are unique and timeless.

Originally from Colombia, Antonio Eraso first came to Singapore in 1991 as a senior associate with Tsao & McKown Architects to oversee the development of Suntec City. “We were a team of 25 architects from New York, and the project was so massive we stayed for four years,” he recalls.

After completing the project, Eraso travelled the world before returning to Singapore in 2000. He is now a Singapore citizen and the founder of WeCraft, a multi-disciplinary studio that specialises in architecture, interior, and product design, including bespoke furniture under the Maison WeCraft label.

Eraso has designed numerous luxury residences, hospitality, and commercial spaces, including projects such as Jing Chinese Restaurant, Wild Honey, and a luxury bungalow at Swiss Club Road. He has also designed a boutique condo showflat in Kuala Lumpur, a sustainable resort in Bhutan, and a private villa in Phuket. Most recently, he designed the interiors of a private penthouse at Aman Tower in Bangkok, a superyacht