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  1. Miami Nice
  2. The Draw of The West
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  1. The Center of New
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  1. Kudos
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The Draw of
The West

Exciting things are in store for the area around
Jurong Lake and Jurong East MRT Station.

TEXT LYNN SEAH

The plans for this western enclave capitalise on the area’s many assets — the lovely Jurong Lake and its lush green surroundings, excellent road and rail links, and a variety of places to live, work or study.
 JUST AS POETS OF YORE WAXED LYRICAL ABOUT THE CHARMS OF ENGLAND'S LAKE DISTRICT AND CHINA'S WEST LAKE, wordsmiths of the future may well be inspired by the picturesque waterfront business and leisure precinct envisioned for the Jurong Lake District on Singapore’s west.
    The area is set to be transformed in the next 10 to 15 years into a lakeside playground that will also be the biggest commercial hub outside the city.
    The blueprint for the sprawling 360ha Jurong Lake District —which comprises the precincts Jurong Gateway and Lakeside —is part of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)’s Draft Master Plan 2008. The plans capitalise on the area’s many assets — the lovely Jurong Lake and its lush green surroundings, excellent road and rail links, and a critical mass of talent pool and global business establishments. Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, One-North and Science Park are all nearby, and there are more than 3,000 companies operating at the International Business Park and the Jurong and Tuas Industrial Estates.
    Under the plan, Jurong Gateway — a 70ha area around Jurong East MRT Station—will be developed into a regional centre, with 500,000 sq m of office space and 250,000 sq m of retail space, much like what Tampines is today, only bigger. The area will also add at least 1,000 new homes to further boost its substantial population and customer catchment.
    Lakeside — spread over 220ha of land and 70ha of water — will be the focus of the leisure attractions, which will cater to Singaporeans and tourists alike. The new world-class Science Centre will be relocated to this precinct and there are plans to develop more family-oriented edutainment facilities by the lake, adding to the buzz of existing attractions like the Jurong Bird Park and the Chinese and Japanese Gardens.
    To cater to the influx of business and leisure visitors that these developments will bring in, some 2,800 hotel rooms will be built at the fringe of Jurong Gateway, next to Lakeside. A lifestyle village with F&B, retail, entertainment outlets and boutique hotels will be created by the lake, and a network of landscaped walkways will be built so people can take a pleasant stroll from Jurong Gateway to the Lakeside Village in just 10 minutes.
    Indeed, the transformation has already begun. By next year, there will be facilities for water-based activities such as kayaking and dragon-boating at Jurong Lake. Also slated to be ready next year is a 34,000 sq m Big Box development similar to the warehouse-retail cluster at Tampines which houses Ikea, Courts and Giant. And work will start soon to redevelop Jurong Entertainment Centre into a facility that will house Singapore’s first Olympic-sized ice skating rink. LM


Jurong Buzz

CHECK OUT THE THREE FAR EAST ORGANIZATION PROJECTS OFFERING QUAITY HOMES IN OR CLOSE TO THIS GREAT NEW PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY.


LAKESHORE
HEALTHY LIVING BY THE WATER
As its name suggests, Lakeshore sits by Jurong Lake, a stone’s throw from all the exciting leisure attractions coming up. Residents of the 848 apartments in the three 17-storey towers have panoramic views of the waters and surrounding parks. In addition, they enjoy the convenience of having the Lakeside MRT Station just across the road.
    And depending on one’s mood, there are the places of interest, like the Jurong Bird Park and Science Centre, or the places of contemplation —Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden. Lovers of the outdoors will welcome Jurong Lake’s slated use — as a venue for family recreation a la New York’s Central Park: perfect for fun sports as well as outdoor mass activities. Meanwhile, the Jurong Transportation Hub boasts shops and eateries rivalling any large town.
    Lakeshore is a 99-year leasehold development designed by Ong & Ong Architects, and evokes the resort ambience of Lake Maggiore in Italy, with its tile-roofed pavilions and playful aqueducts. The aqueducts surround the swimming pools, forming a virtual lake with a spa village in the centre that features therapeutic pools and foot reflexology jets. Other amenities include a playground, barbecue pavilions, and sports facilities for joggers, fitness buffs and golf enthusiasts.
    Home for Lakeshore residents range from two-bedroom (860sq ft) to three- (1,090sq ft) to four-bedroom apartments and maisonettes (1,450sq ft).
 
HILLVISTA
BALINESE RESORT LIVING
Nestled between the hilly green landscapes of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Bukit Batok Nature Park, residents of Hillvista can almost imagine themselves in the midst of a lush tropical rainforest.
    The effect is heightened by the architecture of the development, a contemporary and minimalist re-interpretation of a Balinese resort. The entrance features gurgling fountains and terrace planting. Secluded gardens of flowering shrubs and ornamental palms dot the landscape, and soothing water features abound — from koi and lotus ponds, to pools on both sides of the residential block, which houses 127 freehold units.
    Residents can relax at home and enjoy the lovely surroundings from generous bay and full-height glass windows. They can also get close to nature while having cookouts at the two dining pavilions, exercising with the outdoor fitness equipment, or surfing on their laptops at the pool deck as well as the clubhouse (which houses a lounge, gymnasium, steam room and spa treatment room).
    And when they tire of getting away from it all, food, shopping, and entertainment are just a hop and a skip away at Bukit Batok Town Centre, with the MRT and major roads and expressways ready to whisk them further afield if they wish.
With Hillvista, it’s easy to imagine yourself in the midst of a lush tropical rainforest somewhere in Bali.
HILLVIEW REGENCY
NATURE AND CONVENIENCE IN ONE PACKAGE
Set on an enormous 22,368 sq m site on the fringe of Bukit Batok Nature Park, Hillview Regency’s four 25-storey towers — designed by RDC Architects — all offer unblocked views of the city or surrounding greenery.
    The 572 99-year leasehold units comprise a selection of two- and three-bedroom units which boast full-height windows, Italian marble flooring and teak parquet flooring.
    The location is convenient, close to both Bukit Gombak and Bukit Batok MRT stations and with easy access to major highways. There is also a free shuttle bus service ferrying residents to and from Bukit Batok MRT Station.
    Recreational facilities include a golf driving range and golf putting green, half basketball court, tennis courts, swimming pools, jacuzzi, outdoor fitness stations, a children’s playground, barbecue areas, and a clubhouse with gymnasium, billiard table, karaoke room and steam rooms. LM