“Don Don Don, Donki, Don Don Donki~” Singaporeans are all too familiar with this catchy song played in our favourite Japanese supermarket Don Don Donki. Known as Don Quijote in its native land of Japan, the chain store now has outlets in almost every corner of SG, leading us to the conclusion that the founder must be well, rolling in the dough.
And going by his home purchases, we’re not far off the mark. Don Don Donki’s founder Takao Yasuda is actually a proud resident of a Sentosa Cove villa that costs a whopping $21.25 million. That’s definitely more than a few truckloads of premium Takami melons and wagyu beef that you can snag at DDDK.
Here’s what we know about this purchase in paradise.
Villa in Sentosa Cove
The villa in question is nestled in the billionaire haven of Sentosa Cove, which boasts top-notch security and the sweet smell of money in the air (I kid).
Just 29 private villas on the secluded street.
Image credit: Google Maps
Though the exact unit remains unknown, what we do know is that the villa is along Lakeshore View, and is right in front of the Serapong Golf Course, serving up panoramic views of the lake and the sea.
Imagine having an award-winning golf course at your doorstep.
Image credit: Google Maps
No amount of Google Maps stalking or trying to pass off as a resident would suffice, as Lakeshore View even has an additional security gantry to ward us plebians off.
Image credit: Google Maps
It was bought back in 2017, after Yasuda’s retirement and his move to Singapore. The villa is also bought under his wife’s name. The Zen-looking villa is said to be around 11,268sqft, which means a crazy high psf of about $1,886. It was also designed by Ernesto Bedmar Architects alongside PADA Architects, and has also garnered awards for its architectural design.
Rumour has it that the space goes towards four bedrooms, a study, pool as well as attic and basement, that altogether spans four levels.
The villa reportedly has a built-up area of 8,500sqft.
Image credit: BCDGlobal
Currently, the man’s net worth is estimated to be around 2.6 billion USD, so we can imagine that the whopping $21.25 million price tag is but a drop in the ocean for him. To give you a benchmark, a private villa on the market today goes for around $18.5 million (smaller size of 7,500sqft), so it’s not totally unreasonable – at least by billionaire standards.
FYI, it was still the priciest bungalow sold that year, though, and we’re wondering if the Sentosa Cove neighbours are giving him the side-eye like how we give queue-cutters at Don Don Donki.
Probably the only price-topper on Sentosa Cove is “The Copper House” on Cove Drive, which was flipped at $43.67 million last year.
Image credit: Mansion Global
Check out these other amazing homes in Sentosa Cove if you’d like a peek into the lives of the rich and famous.
Don Don Donki in Singapore
Don Don Donki has come a long way indeed – first opening at Orchard Central in 2017, and now boasting 13 outlets spread across the island, such as Clarke Quay, JCube and Tampines outlets. We could even expect two outlets opening later this year at Jurong West and Yishun.
Way back when Yasuda arrived, Singapore was framed as a regional hub for the Don Quijote brand to expand across South East Asia. And it seems like that goal has been achieved today, with over 25 branches in the region, including cities like Malaysia and Bangkok. Of course, SG still holds the record for the most number of outlets outside of Japan.
The man himself, Takao Yasuda, who is now in his 60s.
Image Credit: Shuji Umetani
Today, Yasuda is retired, having passed down the mantle to successor Koji Ooohara, and is adopting a more advisory role in the company. The man has worked hard enough and is now enjoying the fruits of his labour in the tranquil enclave of Sentosa Cove, with nary the sound of the DDDK jingle ringing in his ear.
@uchify.sg After spending all that money at Don Don Donki, we have funded a S$21.25M villa…? #sgproperty #sgnews #sghome #luxuryhomes #sghomes #realestate #tiktoksg #fyp #DidYouKnow #dondondonki #fypシ
For more homes of the ultra-rich, check out:
- Sheng Siong co-founder’s ‘hidden’ $50M GCB
- Hai Di Lao’s family has two GCBs on Gallop Road
- GCBs owned by famous bosses and CEOs
Cover image adapted from: Shuji Umetani, Google Maps
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