Luxury condo Aurea next to conserved Golden Mile Complex, to preview at prices from $2,750 psf

Joint-venture (JV) partners Far East Organization (FEO) and Perennial Holdings will preview Aurea on Feb 22, with the launch scheduled for March 8.

The JV partners hold equal stakes in the 45-storey, 188-unit luxury apartment tower, which will spring up next to the former Golden Mile Complex, a large-scale landmark development fronting Beach Road on one side and Nicoll Highway on the other.

Given its architectural significance as “a Brutalist icon” built in 1973, Golden Mile Complex has been conserved and repositioned as The Golden Mile, an upscale commercial block with a two-storey retail podium, medical suites, and office units on the upper floors. Aurea and The Golden Mile will be collectively known as Golden Mile Singapore.

Aurea and The Golden Mile will be collectively known as Golden Mile Singapore (Image: Far East)

Integration, conservation

“The condo’s integration with the conserved The Golden Mile helps to distinguish itself from other developments in the Beach Road neighbourhood,” says Shaw Lay See, COO of sales & leasing group at FEO.

The new residential tower will be connected to the conserved commercial block via a second-level pedestrian link. “Aurea’s connection to The Golden Mile will provide future residents with convenient access to retail, dining, offices and medical services, further enhancing its appeal,” adds Shaw.

Aurea features three tiers of apartments. The first tier, Prestige Collection, comprises 112 two- and three-bedroom units on the fourth to 32nd floors. These apartments range from 635 to 1,001 sq ft and account for nearly 60% of the units in the tower.

The second tier, the Signature Collection, comprises 56 spacious four-bedroom and four-bedroom premium apartments across the fourth to 32nd floors. Each unit, which ranges from 1,442 to 1,789 sq ft, has a private lift.

The top tier, the Sky Villa Collection, is the most exclusive, offering just 20 units on the 34th to 45th floors. There are 18 five-bedroom apartments measuring 2,863 sq ft and 3,251 sq ft. At the pinnacle are two six-bedroom penthouses: a 5,608 sq ft duplex and an 8,816 sq ft triplex, with the latter featuring a private pool.

Four-bedroom units at Aurea will measure between 1,442 and 1,798 sq ft (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua / EdgeProp Singapore)

Units in the Prestige Collection face the northwest, with balconies offering city views, while those in the Signature Collection face southeast, overlooking the Kallang Basin. The Sky Villas on the top 12 floors command sweeping 180-degree views of Kallang Basin, Marina Bay and the city skyline.

Communal facilities are distributed across four floors: levels 2, 3, 17, and 33. Amenities include two infinity pools — on levels 3 and 33 — a gymnasium, a bouldering wall, spa facilities, an indoor lounge, and multiple dining pavilions for entertaining guests. Residents can enjoy panoramic views of the CBD, Kallang Basin, and Marina Bay from the sky terraces on the 17th and 33rd floors.

View of Marina Bay and the CBD from a balcony at Aurea (Image: Far East)

‘Historical elements with modern aesthetics’

“Aurea is likely to attract buyers who appreciate architecture and design, particularly those who see value in a home that seamlessly weaves historical elements with modern aesthetics,” reckons Shaw of FEO.

The JV partners indicated at a press conference on Feb 6 that unit prices will start from $2,750 psf. Absolute prices will start from $1.92 million ($2,972 psf) for a 646 sq ft two-bedder.

“Aurea boasts a wide selection of floorplates designed to appeal to owner-occupiers and investors looking for well-designed city-living apartments,” says Marcus Chu, CEO of ERA Singapore.

The Golden Mile, the commercial component of Golden Mile Singapore, has a total gross floor area (GFA) of 585,400 sq ft across 22 floors. It has 156 office units, 19 medical suites, and a two-story 123,388 sq ft retail podium. Last December, the strata office and medical suites were offered for sale.

“We have invested significant effort in developing The Golden Mile’s unique offerings, and we are allowing time for agents and potential buyers to understand and appreciate the distinctive features of our medical suites and the various office options,” says Dawn Tan, Perennial Holdings COO, Singapore.

The JV partners have indicated that they intend to retain ownership of the retail podium, which they will revamp, and curate the tenant mix. Up to 80% of the tenant mix will be dedicated to F&B, with the remaining 20% allocated to retail shops, a supermarket, and other services for residents’ convenience.

About 80% of the original structure at the 52-year-old former Golden Mile Complex has been retained, says Seah Chee Huang, DP Architects CEO, which is collaborating with architectural conservation specialist consultancy Studio Lapis on the design of Golden Mile Singapore.

‘A reflection of its time’

DP Architects, one of Singapore’s most established multi-disciplinary architectural design firms, originated as Design Partnership from 1967 to 1975. In addition to designing Golden Mile Complex, DP Architects was behind People’s Park Complex, another Brutalist mixed-use landmark built in the early 1970s.

According to Seah, Golden Mile Complex was one of Singapore’s first large-scale strata-titled developments and pioneered the “live, work, play” mixed-use concept.

“Architecture is a reflection of its time,” he adds. “Golden Mile Complex is a unique Brutalist landmark that embodies the aspirations and design ethos of its era.”

Originally a 16-storey mixed-use building, Golden Mile Complex featured retail and office units on the lower floors and apartments on the upper levels. Its Brutalist design includes a deep overhanging atrium, large exposed concrete pillars, and dynamic layers that separate the retail and office podium from the residential units.

The building was gazetted for conservation by URA in October 2021 and relaunched for collective sale by ETC (formerly Edmund Tie) later that same year. The JV partners acquired the building en bloc in May 2022 for $700 million, marking Singapore’s first collective sale of a conserved building.

‘Contemporary urban living’

The JV partners received approval to extend the lease to a fresh 99 years, secured a 33% increase in GFA, obtained a partial waiver of the development charge, and adjusted the boundary of the 1.3-hectare site.

While 80% of the former Golden Mile Complex’s architectural motifs have been retained, DP Architects has opted for a more contemporary design for Aurea.

“Rather than replicating its style or form, Aurea draws inspiration from Golden Mile Complex’s bold architectural language, reinterpreting these qualities for contemporary urban living,” Seah explains.

For instance, Aurea’s landscaped terraces on alternate floors pay homage to the stepped facade of the original residential block at the former Golden Mile Complex.

Old photographs of Golden Mile Complex also inspired the “hanging gardens” concept. “When we visited the former apartments and reviewed archived photos of the residential spaces, we noticed that some verandas had been transformed into personalised green spaces,” Seah adds. “We took inspiration from these green spaces and incorporated them into Aurea’s landscape design.”

Aurea also integrates some of Golden Mile Complex’s design elements into its common areas, such as the building’s signature oculus windows and other “similar diffused light architectural features” that scatter natural lighting evenly throughout the space, says Seah. “These elements reinforce the visual and symbolic connection between the new development and the conserved landmark next door,” he adds.

Aurea’s landscaped terraces on alternate floors pay homage to the stepped façade of the original residential block at Golden Mile Complex (Image: Far East)

Spurring future collective sales of conserved buildings

The successful transformation of Golden Mile Singapore and Aurea’s upcoming sales performance could encourage more collective sales of ageing strata-titled, mixed-use developments with conservation status, says Ismail Gafoor, CEO of PropNex. He cites examples such as People’s Park Complex and Golden Mile Tower.

People’s Park Complex is currently being studied for conservation due to its “high heritage significance”, according to URA.

Last year, URA also proposed the voluntary conservation of Golden Mile Tower in response to an outline application submitted by its collective sales committee. If a developer voluntarily conserves at least the existing cinema block, URA has indicated it would offer bonus gross floor area by increasing the allowable gross plot ratio from 4.46 to 5.6, based on the existing site area of 93,903 sq ft.

Seah of DP Architects adds: “While each development comes with its own unique context and requirements, The Golden Mile and Aurea could serve as powerful references for other strata-titled, mixed-use developments considering a collective sale.”

The condo will offer 112 two- and three-bedroom units from 635 to 1,001 sq ft (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua / EdgeProp Singapore)

The newest project in District 7

“Aurea is designed to resonate with homeowners and investors who value its prime location and historical significance,” says FEO’s Shaw.

She adds that the residential tower is aimed at buyers seeking “a luxurious urban lifestyle”, including high-income professionals, growing families, and multi-generational households.

“Today’s homebuyers are looking for more than just a great location,” says Ken Low, managing partner of SRI. “They want a home that enhances their daily lives — one that is thoughtfully designed, with inspiring spaces and facilities. Aurea delivers on all counts.”

Aurea will be the first new condo to be launched in District 7 of the Core Central Region (CCR) since the 558-unit Midtown Modern in March 2021. “That was four years ago,” notes PropNex’s Gafoor.

As of December 2024, all units at Midtown Modern had been sold at an average price of $2,825 psf. The project is expected to obtain its Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) later this year.

Midtown Modern is part of the Guoco Midtown integrated mixed-use development, featuring an underground link to Bugis MRT Interchange Station. Adjacent to the 30-storey Grade-A office tower at Guoco Midtown is another residential tower, the 33-storey, 219-unit Midtown Bay. It obtained its TOP last year. As of Feb 5, Midtown Bay is 63% sold, with an average transacted price of $3,090 psf.

The M is across the road from Guoco Midtown. It is a 522-unit condominium development with a commercial podium launched in 2020. The M is fully sold at an average price of $2,528 psf and was completed in March 2024.

“District 7, therefore, has limited unsold stock,” says Gafoor. He anticipates “potential pent-up housing demand in the area”.

Gafoor views the two-bedroom units at Aurea as “a good proposition” for singles and young couples seeking a prime CCR address with the convenience of a mall and surrounding amenities.

Future transformation in the area

In his National Day Rally speech last August, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced plans to rejuvenate the entire southern coastline. As part of this transformation, new homes will be added to waterfront precincts near the city, such as Marina East and Nicoll — the area between Marina Bay and the Singapore Sports Hub in Kallang.

Singapore’s southern coastline will eventually encompass the Greater Southern Waterfront, Marina Bay, Kallang Basin, and the future Long Island project, which could create 800 hectares of reclaimed land off East Coast Park.

“The government is emphasising the development of the Nicoll precinct, with new residential and recreational projects,” says Mark Yip, CEO of Huttons. “The 59-hectare Nicoll precinct will be developed alongside the future Bay Central Garden. The rejuvenation of the neighbourhood will further enhance the appeal of Aurea.”

Golden Mile Singapore is just 1km from the Kallang Alive Precinct and Bras Basah-Bugis district, and is a 10-minute drive from the CBD.

An existing overhead bridge links Golden Mile Singapore to Nicoll Highway MRT Station on the Circle Line. Residents at Aurea will also have easy access to expressways such as Nicoll Highway, East Coast Parkway (ECP), and Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE).

Aurea is expected to be completed in 2Q2029.