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Bayshore is one of the most improved areas to date due to the government’s master plan for Bayshore Estate.
Whilst it was formerly inaccessible, the new Bayshore MRT station is now up and running. This location strikes a good balance between laid-back east-side living and an upcoming hub. It’s also near the East Coast beach!
Bayshore has long been home to a trio of condos - Bayshore Park, The Bayshore and Costa Del Sol. The condos here are known for their seafront views, as well as for the mesmerising greenery view of the nearby parks. The exciting upcoming changes have reignited interest of late, and you can expect to hear more about it in the news over the next year or three.
I have just gotten a new listing for sale at Bayshore Park, and we will review this unit in this article:
About Bayshore Park
Bayshore Park is a 99-year leasehold condo completed in 1986. It has 1,083 units. With a gross land area of 44,817 sqm, it is the largest of the three condos in this area (bigger than its neighbours Costa Del Sol and The Bayshore).
Bayshore Park was initially conceptualised as a resort-style living project. It was the first mover in this area, which at the time was seen as the more isolated part of the Lucky Heights landed enclave (this landed enclave is located just outside of Bayshore Road).
Subsequently, other developers saw the advantage of the proximity to East Coast Beach and the waterfront view, and The Bayshore (1996) and Costa Del Sol (2003) followed. Since then, this trio of condos have had the area to themselves.
While inaccessibility was a common criticism of Bayshore Park, this has seen a dramatic shakeup recently. There’s now an MRT station (Bayshore MRT) just next door. I’ll cover this in more detail below.
Overall, Bayshore Park is at a transition point right now, and it may have a notable edge due to its much larger unit sizes.
Surrounding Area Review
This is where it gets tricky because the Bayshore area is experiencing a massive change as I write this.
Formerly, the surroundings were for those who prized a high degree of exclusivity.
There were no retail outlets, MRT stations, bus interchanges, etc. nearby. This was the appeal for the initial batch of buyers: even though it made the area inaccessible (and very scarce on amenities), it was highly exclusive.
With the government's plans to develop the Bayshore area, Bayshore will be turned into an exciting upcoming estate! This is good news in terms of accessibility and amenities!
Bayshore MRT station (on the Thomson East Coast Line) now means you don't even need to drive to Parkway Parade—residents are just a few stops away from the Katong lifestyle area, which includes Parkway, i12 Katong, and the various eateries along the East Coast stretch. This train also provides direct access to the Marina Bay area, although it is a relatively long ride.
An HDB estate requires much more than an MRT station, though.
The URA masterplan for Bayshore includes 10,000 new homes, of which about 70 per cent (around 7,000 units) will be HDB housing. This will bring the attendant coffee shops, markets, retail shops, etc.
And what a massive boom it is for residents of the three existing condos here, who have had to travel out for groceries and food now.
And yes, these HDB flats will be coming soon!
The first HDB Build-To-Order (BTO) launch is slated for a few months from now. These flats will be classified under the Plus flats scheme. Given a four- to five-year construction timeline, Bayshore will be a bustling hub by 2029!
This is a tradeoff, though.
On one hand, some of the area’s exclusivity will be lost, but on the other hand, it will become a tremendously convenient place to live.
As an aside, note an underpass leading to East Coast Beach next to the neighbouring Costa Del Sol. This takes you directly to the beach BBQ pits, where you can access cycling tracks, water sports, food village, etc.
For now, the only other major amenities to mention are a large childcare centre (Alphabet Playhouse) and the famous Hua Yu Wee Chinese restaurant, which is also within walking distance.
But the amenities will undergo a HUGE shift in a very short time..
About this 2-bedroom unit in Bayshore Park
Bayshore Park is a condo from the '80s, much larger than its contemporary counterparts. Even though this unit is designated as a 2-bedroom unit (two bedrooms, two bathrooms), it's 1,076 sqf. In a newer condo today, most 2-bedroom units are only around 750 sqft.
These two-bedroom layouts will please homebuyers who dislike the current "dumbbell" concepts. The main entrance opens into a proper hallway facing the balcony rather than directly into the living room or dining area; this feels more private (and less abrupt) than newer layouts.
The owner has converted the kitchen into an open kitchen, thus making the living and kitchen area more spacious.
Oh, how I love the spacious balcony! It is functional and best for alfresco dining and house parties. And the best thing is that it overlooks the lush greenery of Bayshore Park!
Seaview lovers?
While this unit does not have a panoramic, unblocked million-dollar view of the sea, it does give you a partial sea view. This also means you do not need to tolerate the noise from the highway. So, if you prefer a quiet unit, this will be an ideal one.
A nice plus to this layout is that it predates the ‘00s, so there are no space-wasting planter boxes, big bay windows, oversized air-con ledges, etc.
Check out the video of this unit!
What I like about this unit in Bayshore Park?
Personally, I like this 2-bedroom unit in Bayshore Park. I can visualize myself living in it.
I have compiled five reasons why this is so.
1) Huge balcony
I am a fan of balconies! I love balconies that are functional and of good size. Unfortunately, the newer developments these days have tiny balconies, and I find them not really useful.
This 2-bedroom unit in Bayshore Park has a huge balcony! If I were the buyer, I would place an outdoor dining set in the middle of the balcony. This is an ideal place to host dinner for my friends and relatives.
One of the most appealing aspects of this balcony is that it faces the interior of Bayshore Park, away from the noisy highway. Bayshore Park itself is a sprawling oasis of lush greenery. Just picture waking up to the sight of this verdant paradise, enjoying a peaceful breakfast among the greens. It's a tranquil way to start the day!
2) Spacious unit
Bayshore Park's age has ironically provided it with an advantage: its units are generally bigger than its two neighbours', and it escaped inefficiencies from the era of bay windows, planter boxes, charges for void space, etc. This is quite a plus point in 2024 when home buyers are again emphasising living space.
If you're an HDB upgrader, I'm willing to bet you want your condo unit to be at least as big as your previous flat (and with newer 4-room flats being around 960 to 1,000 sqf, this 2-bedroom unit is as big as a 4-room, if not larger).
3) Super windy
What I notice about the house whenever I go for a viewing is that this unit is windy!
The balcony and the living room face North, and the main door looks out to the South (i.e., towards the sea). When the main door and balcony door are opened, there is through ventilation, and it is super windy throughout the day!
4) Morning Sun
After marketing properties on the East Coast for more than two decades, I have started to appreciate units here that have the morning sun. Why?
As we are near the sea, the humidity in the house is higher. Furniture becomes mouldy easily. The morning sun, and ventilation in the house helps to reduce humidity.
This 2-bedroom unit in Bayshore Park has windows diagonally facing the east. In the morning (normally before 11 a.m.), sunlight will come into the house (as seen in the picture).
I'm not sure if it's me, but I feel units with the morning sun give off a cheerful and happy feeling. Maybe it's because of the positive energy the sunlight brings!
5) Location
Few other locations have so much proven potential for improvement as those in the Bayshore area. It’s quite exciting, as all the upcoming facilities are moving in right now, and this is a clear opportunity for those who can secure a unit. This is the same excitement and potential we last saw in Paya Lebar just before it became a key hub.
The view of the beach and East Coast Park is also fantastic, as is the ability to get there quickly. This is an excellent condo for bicyclists because you can get to the beach in minutes!
I also like the Siglap area, sometimes called the Holland Village of the East, with all its artisanal restaurants and hip cafes.
Do we even need to sell more on the location? :)
Recent Transacted Prices
Bayshore Park has a strong track record of profitability, with recorded transactions showing 110 profitable sales to a mere eight losses.
Thanks to the upcoming improvements, Bayshore Park is experiencing a significant resurgence of interest, with some buyers making their move even before the completion of Bayshore MRT.
Prices averaged $924psf in 2019 and have now leapt to $1,281psf.
While many transactions have already factored in the coming improvements, there’s still a good chance this can push higher. This is because of the low baseline price, as the improvements continue to draw interest.
Conclusion
Bayshore Park is a condo in an area experiencing a sharp transition, generally for the better. While the surroundings do lose a bit of quiet, the rapid appearance of an MRT station, coupled with an impending new HDB town (plus model flats, no less!), makes this one of the hottest areas on the East Coast.
Even without the upcoming improvements, a 1,076 sq. ft. unit at below $1.5 million is rare in the 2024 market.
Interested to view this unit? Or have a real estate question?
Related Reading
About The Author
Vivian joined the real estate industry in 2002.
Over the years, she has transacted numerous property deals, including HDB and private properties. She is well-versed in policies and regulations involving selling and purchasing residential properties. She has also handled complicated transactions like contra, divorce, administration/probate cases, and decoupling / part-share purchases.
Aside from her professional achievements, Vivian is a dedicated mother to 2 boys. Her role as a real estate mom has allowed her to strike a balance between her career and family, spending quality time with her children as they were growing up. Both boys are passionate footballers, and she takes great joy in supporting them at their school and club games.
Vivian is an active real estate salesperson and team leader. Call her at 98577714 for your real estate matters or if you are looking to join the industry.
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