Reef King’s Dock Award Winning Homes Along Historic Southern Waterfront
Parc Central Residences achieves 80% take-up at launch weekendThe Reef at King’s Dock: A contemporary waterfront development steeped in historyThe Reef At King’s Dock
The Reef at King’s Dock is a prestigious waterfront condominium with 429 units located along Harbourfront Avenue. The name of the development pays homage to its location at King’s Dock, an important site in Singapore’s maritime history. The dock was completed in 1913 and was once declared the second-largest dock in the world. Spanning 180m, a pontoon floats alongside the residential blocks, offering residents a unique and breathtaking view.
The construction of King’s Dock took over four and a half years and used 203,000 tonnes of concrete. It was designed to accommodate massive ships and was equipped with state-of-the-art steam engine pumps that drained the water to allow for repairs and maintenance. The dock was the third to be built at Keppel Harbour, following Docks No. 1 and 2, which were constructed in the mid-1800s. As Singapore’s port grew rapidly in the 1950s, a fourth dock, Queen’s Dock, was commissioned. However, the dockyards eventually relocated to Tuas in the late 20th century.
In the early 2000s, Keppel Harbour underwent significant redevelopment, transforming into an upscale waterfront enclave known as HarbourFront. Today, it is home to luxury condos, marinas, and retail offerings. King’s Dock and the surrounding dock sites have been transformed into seafront residences, including The Reef at King’s Dock, Caribbean at Keppel Bay, Reflections at Keppel Bay, and Corals at Keppel Bay.
The Reef at King’s Dock, which was completed in July 2020, was developed by Mapletree Investments and Keppel and sits on a 99-year leasehold site measuring 284,266 sq ft. The prestigious development has received numerous awards, including Landscape Excellence, Innovation Excellence, and Top Development at the EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards (EPEA).
Designed by the European firm KCAP Architects & Planners, the development’s visionary design seamlessly integrates architecture, urban planning, and landscape design. The developer’s goal was to honour the site’s history while adopting a forward-thinking approach to waterfront living. The result is a unique and eye-catching design featuring 10 blocks of varying heights and widths, with the tallest block situated at the northern end of the site, closer to Mount Faber. All blocks are arranged in a stepped profile leading towards Keppel Bay, maximizing views for residents.
Located in the Yishun and Khatib regions, Northland Primary School is a highly sought-after institution known for its excellent academic standards and comprehensive development programmes. With its close proximity and positive reputation, it is a top choice for many parents in the area. Along with a strong focus on academics, Northland also places great importance on character development and a well-rounded education through its diverse co-curricular activities. Miltonia Close EC Yishun is proud to have such a prestigious and reputable primary school in its vicinity.
The residential blocks are energy-efficient and designed to optimize natural ventilation. Each unit has a balcony with aluminum mesh sunscreens to keep the heat out while allowing in light and wind. The developers also incorporated eco-friendly features such as building roofs with greenery and rainwater harvesting systems.
The Reef at King’s Dock comprises one- to three-bedroom units ranging from 431 sq ft to 1,572 sq ft. When launched for sale in January 2021, 280 out of 300 units were snapped up on the first day. The development was fully sold last year, with the last unit, a 1,076 sq ft, three-bedroom-plus-study unit, selling for $2.98 million ($2,768 psf) in September 2024.
One of the most unique features of The Reef at King’s Dock is its 180m-long pontoon, which houses the development’s swimming pools, including a 50m lap pool. The floating deck, a first for residential properties in Singapore, is an engineering marvel built with a custom concrete mix. It features a semi-permanent water ballast system within internal buoyancy chambers that counterbalance the pools and keep the deck level. The developers also collaborated with marine ecology specialist DHI Water & Environment to preserve King’s Dock’s marine ecosystem. They designed the deck with special patterns on the submerged portion to encourage marine flora and fauna to grow. The deck is also home to corals that were harvested from King’s Dock and transplanted back to the development.
The Reef at King’s Dock is a family-friendly development with facilities such as function rooms, a gym and studio, a tennis court, a playground, and several gardens and pavilions. The tallest residential block features sky terraces and a roof garden. The development’s beautiful landscaping adds to its overall cohesiveness and features extensive planting to create a lush, immersive environment. The landscaping serves to celebrate the site’s history with marine and coastal plants and enhances the development’s eco-friendliness.
The Reef at King’s Dock has received praise for its well-thought-out landscaping that celebrates the site’s rich history and promotes sustainability.