It’s been a hot minute since we had a new condo launch that’s seen so much buzz. After One Marina Gardens in early April, and Aurelle of Tampines in March, the latest to hit the market is Arina East Residences━a freehold condo that opened its doors for public preview just this past weekend.
Notably, Arina East Residences is only the second freehold development that’s launched so far in 2025 after Bagnall Haus. The rest so far have been 99-year leaseholds.
Set to TOP in Q4 2028, this is the first new launch condo that the area has seen in 13 years. With its freehold status, it’s a somewhat rare and exclusive launch that we think many will have their eyes on.
Boutique luxury condo with only 107 units
Image credit: Arina East Residences
Developed by ZACD LV Development Private Limited, Arina East Residences sits within the Marina East precinct. Located at the cul-de-sac along Tanjong Rhu Road, the entire development sits on 47,013sqft of site space, next to an older condo called Emerald East.
Those who are familiar with the area might recognise this site as housing the former 40-unit boutique condo La Ville. Back in 2021, ZACD Group acquired the development, and revamped it into Arina East Residences.
Comprising just 107 units, spread across 2 twenty-storey towers linked together by a sky bridge, the project can almost be considered a boutique condo. It is certainly a much smaller and quaint luxury condo compared to other condo developments that launched earlier this year, such as One Marina Gardens (790 units), Parktown Residence (1,193 units), and Aurelle of Tampines (760 units).
The size of its units are fairly typical of new condos nowadays, starting from 495sqft for the smallest-sized 1-bedder units, 678sqft for a 2-bedder, 969sqft for a 3-bedder, and 1,324sqft for a 4-bedder unit.
Interestingly, there are a small handful of units with private lift access, meaning you are the only unit on that floor. Each tower also features a penthouse on the top floor. These 2 units sport 4.5m-tall ceilings, and floor areas of 1,615sqft and 1,679sqft each.
Image credit: NewLaunch.SG
As mentioned earlier, this is actually the first new condo launch in the Tanjong Rhu precinct in 13 years, which makes it quite an exciting prospect, especially if you’re looking to live in this part of the island and prefer to live in a newer development. The last condo launch here was The Line @ Tanjong Rhu, which was launched in August 2012, and Fulcrum in April of the same year━both are freehold and similarly sized, with around 130 units each.
How much will units at Arina East Residences cost?
Being the first new condo launch in the area in 13 years, it is understandably difficult to pinpoint how starting prices will look like, because there aren’t that many suitable reference points to go with. The developer is also yet to release the official starting prices for units, so it’s really a guessing game at this stage.
The closest benchmarks are recent transactions of similar-type condos in the area; according to information online, an 893sqft unit at The Line was sold for $2.05M ($2,295psf) in December 2024, and a 474sqft unit at Fulcrum sold in October 2024 for $1.08M ($2,280psf).
Just across the road, the last recorded transaction for Emerald East was back in August 2024, involving a 1,195sqft, 3-bedder unit that sold for $2.189M ($1,832psf). We also spotted a 980sqft, 3-bedder unit currently being listed for $2.1M ($2,143psf).
Image credit: Arina East Residences
That said, there are some speculations by property agents on what prices might look like. Amongst the many condo preview websites that have been set up by agents for Arina East Residences━commonplace for new condo launches━some are pegging 1-bedders to start in the $1.4M region, going all the way to $4.6M for a 4-bedroom premium unit. This translates to a range of around high $2,9xx to even mid-$3,xxx psf, which is certainly on the higher side as far as new condo launches in 2025 are concerned.
Luxury living with unblocked views all around
According to developers ZACD Group, the two towers of Arina East Residences are oriented at an angle so that all units are corner-facing, and can enjoy 270-degree unblocked views of the surroundings.
Source: Arina East Residences
One interesting aspect of its design is that the development is actually raised from the ground floor━the first floor houses parking and mechanical spaces like the transformer room and cable chamber, and residents’ facilities on the second floor. You have the usual facilities such as swimming pools and a club house, though it is worth noting that it does not have a tennis court.
Image credit: Arina East Residences
What differentiates Arina East Residences from other condos are the range of resident amenities on its 19th and 20th floors. Apart from simply having a sky pool, there will also be a gym, lounging areas, and BBQ pits, perfect for hosting parties and wowing your guests with skyline views of Singapore.
Image credit: NewLaunch.SG
Speaking of luxury living, developers ZACD Group have put in plenty of thought and consideration into the interiors. For instance, the kitchen areas feature sintered stone countertops and Miele appliances, which are top-of-the-range premium fittings. The living and dining areas are laid with large-slab travertine floor tiles, enhancing its aesthetics as a luxurious finish. In addition, the units, which feature full-height windows, comprise treated glass which helps to reduce solar glare and keep the temperature of the unit low.
Good public transport connectivity with plenty of schools nearby
One of the key highlights of Arina East Residences’ location is its accessibility to nearby public transport options such as Katong Park MRT Station. The condo is supposedly only 200m away from the station, which gives you access to the Thomson-East Coast Line that connects Katong to the likes of the CBD, Orchard, and all the way to Woodlands.
You also have bus services 30 and 158; the former connects Katong to places like Mountbatten, Pasir Panjang and even Jurong, while the latter connects Katong to Serangoon, Paya Lebar and Bartley.
Otherwise, if you drive, then major roads such as Tanjong Rhu Road and Fort Road will afford you short connections to highways like the ECP, KPE, MCE, and PIE, which will bring you to many parts of Singapore.
Image credit: Google Maps
Of course, many would be interested in the schools that are within close proximity, especially primary schools. One drawback is that there aren’t any primary schools in the immediate 1km radius, which might turn away some buyers. However, within the 2km radius, there are a few primary schools that families can benefit from, such as Kong Hwa School, Tanjong Katong Primary, and Geylang Methodist School (Primary).
However, there are quite a few reputable secondary schools in the area. The closest would be Dunman High School, which is just a short walk away. Further afoot, you have the likes of Tanjong Katong Girls’ School, Tanjong Katong Secondary School, and Chung Cheng High (Main), all of which are less than 2km away.
The area is actually home to a landed property enclave, so don’t expect to have too many amenities like mamak shops and coffeeshops, which are more commonplace in residential estates with public housing. As such, residents will likely turn to the closest shopping malls, i12 Katong or Parkway Parade, within easy reach of a 10-minute commute. There is also Kallang Wave Mall and PLQ which are slightly further away, but still generally easy to travel to.
At the forefront of Tanjong Rhu’s transformation
Image credit: Archinect
Any conversation about Tanjong Rhu would also naturally have to include the Kallang Alive Master Plan, which is a monumental effort by the government to transform the Kallang precinct and its surrounding districts, such as Tanjong Rhu, into a world-class sports, leisure, and entertainment destination.
As such, residents at Arina East Residences would benefit from the range of sports facilities, entertainment centres and amenities that the future Kallang Alive Sporting District will bring. This includes the likes of the Singapore Sports School, which is relocating here in the near future. This would potentially catch the eye of some parents as well.
Is Arina East Residences worth it?
Image credit: NewLaunches.SG
Well, that really depends on what your priorities are. If you are buying with the intention for it to be an investment vehicle, then there are promising signs that it will net a decent rate of return. With over half of its 107 units being the smaller 1- and 2-bedder variants, it seems that the developers have rental potential in mind.
Given that the surrounding areas of Tanjong Rhu, Katong and even Marine Parade have a strong expatriate rental market, renters shouldn’t be too difficult to find. Thanks to initiatives like the Kallang Alive Master Plan and the eventual Long Island Project, you can also probably expect a healthy amount of value appreciation in the area as it undergoes its transformation.
It’s probably also worth pointing out that, in tandem with the area’s development, there will be a significant number of HDB projects being introduced to the area. Overall, an estimated 2,875 BTO units━and their accompanying amenities━will be built in Tanjong Rhu area over the next 5 years, injecting vibrancy into the precinct. While this may be good news for some, others might be dissuaded by the increased hustle and bustle of the estate, preferring the current quieter atmosphere.
It’s also possible that with the injection of public housing options to the estate, it will cause an overall depression on the prices of private properties in the area, given that these public housing options are seen as a more affordable gateway into living in this area.
On the flip side, there are some characteristics of Arina East Residences which makes it a compelling buy. For starters, it is a freehold development, which is getting increasingly hard to come by these days as far as new condos go. It might also be a good option in terms of legacy planning for families.
Located in the Rest of Central Region (RCR), its status as a small boutique development will also attract a certain demographic, especially those who prefer more quiet and quaint living, as compared to living in large developments.
Arina East Residences is the latest condo development in Tanjong Rhu
If you’re interested in Arina East Residences, you can make an appointment to view the showflat, as it’s already open for public viewing. With its location and freehold status, and the upcoming rejuvenation of the larger estate, this might be one condo to consider copping.
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Cover image adapted from: Arina East Residences
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