The Pinnacle@Duxton has long been the poster child for HDBs, and it has also been the site of many million-dollar flat transactions due to its prime location and other attractive features.
For its original owners, securing a unit in the development was like striking the lottery. Not only were they living in one of Singapore’s most premium locations, but they also benefited from significant price appreciation over time, resulting in considerable profits when selling their flats.
In August 2023, a 5-room flat at The Pinnacle@Duxton made headlines when it sold for $1.48M, setting the record for the highest price for 5-room flats in Singapore. Two years later, this record has been matched again, with another 5-room flat selling for a staggering $1.6M.
We dive into the details of this recent sale and explore why The Pinnacle@Duxton continues to break records.
5-room flat sold for $1.6M, most expensive 5-room flat in Central area
Image credit: HDB
Sold for $1.6M just last month, this 1,130sqft 5-room flat is located on the highest floors, between the 49th and 51st storeys. That’s one key factor contributing to its high price; with 7 towers in The Pinnacle@Duxton, most with 50 storeys, and one reaching 51 storeys,this unit is at the top, offering a 360-degree view of Singapore. It also has a healthy remaining lease of over 84 years.
How does this sale compare to past 5-room transactions at The Pinnacle@Duxton?
Image credit: HDB
Over the past six months, there have only been a handful of 5-room flat transactions at The Pinnacle@Duxton. While the units varied in floor level, all still managed to fetch high prices from $1.43M (10th to 12th storey) up to $1.58M (34th to 36th and 43rd to 45th storey).
Since they all have the same remaining lease, the main price differences likely boil down to elevation, unit orientation, and overall condition of the flat.
Back in 2004, 5-room flats were priced between $345,100 and $439,400. Given its prime location, you might have expected overwhelming demand, but it was only about 3 times oversubscribed: 5,171 applications for 1,232 4-room and 616 5-room flats.
At the higher end of its launch price, original owners who sell their 5-room flats today would have earned roughly $1M in profit over 20 years. While it may not be the absolute best rate of return compared to other investments, the fact that owners got to live in a prime district while enjoying all the perks that come with it makes it a very solid deal overall.
Image credit: Heritage Collection
While this sale set a new record for the most expensive 5-room flat in Singapore’s Central Area, it still falls just shy of the national record. That title goes to a 5-room flat in Queenstown, which changed hands for $1.66M in June.
The Queenstown flat edges out Pinnacle@Duxton’s unit slightly in size (1,313sqft versus 1,310sqft) and also comes with a longer remaining lease of over 89 years. These could be factors behind its higher price, though location likely plays the biggest role. Ultimately, how much buyers are willing to pay for one neighbourhood over another is subjective, and the value placed on each area will always differ from person to person.
Not tied to new HDB classification system
While the appreciation of Pinnacle@Duxton flats has held steady in recent years, demand likely got a further boost with the introduction of HDB’s new Standard, Plus, and Prime classification system. Any new BTO project in a central location like Tanjong Pagar would almost certainly be classified as at least Plus, if not Prime, which comes with a hefty 10-year MOP.
Fortunately, this classification doesn’t apply retroactively, meaning Pinnacle@Duxton owners are spared from these tighter sales restrictions. That makes the development even more attractive in today’s market, especially since it’s still considered relatively new by HDB standards.
Available Pinnacle@Duxton units for sale
A quick check of property sites shows a handful of Pinnacle@Duxton flats up for sale. Instead of running through all of them, we’ve highlighted a few 5-room listings that may interest you.
Image credit: PropertyGuru
The top-priced listing that we came across was for $1.62M, advertised as being on a high floor and windy with unblocked views.
Image credit: PropertyGuru
Two other listings for 5-room flats are more or less similarly-priced at $1.58M and $1.61M.
Image credit: PropertyGuru
The most affordable 5-room flat that we saw was for $1.465M, which is certainly on the cheaper side.
Will the Pinnacle@Duxton continue to break records?
It is very likely that The Pinnacle@Duxton will continue to be the poster child for HDBs, and may even punch above its weight compared to some private properties in Singapore. Luxury HDB living often brings to mind DBSS projects, but Pinnacle@Duxton will remain a touchpoint in conversations about how expensive public housing can get.
It may not always hold the record for the most expensive HDB flat in Singapore, as seen from contenders like SkyTerrace@Dawson, but it will undoubtedly continue to rank among the top.
Read our other articles here:
- Bishan vs. Ang Mo Kio: What $700K gets you in these estates
- Buying a resale flat without an agent
- Jalan Bahagia HDB terrace on sale for $988,888
Cover image adapted from: Heritage Collection
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