The Continuum Review

Review of unit layouts at The Continuum

The Continuum Showflat: 3-Bedroom Premier (C5) - 1087 sq ft (101 sqm) [Signature Collection]

No. of units:

• 136

Who is it suited for?

• Families with two or three children
• Young couples who are planning to have a family in future

There are 238 3-bedroom units in the Signature Collection; 136 units are 3-bedroom Premier (types C4 to C7) while 102 units are standard 3-bedroom units (types C1 to C3). Additionally, the 3-bedroom + Study with Private Lift (types C8 and C9) is part of the Prestige Collection.

In total, 3-bedroom units make up around 33% of the total unit mix in The Continuum and there are nine different layouts to cater to various family sizes and their needs. Among all the unit types, 3-bedders have the most number of layouts.

Sizeable foyer

As you walk into the unit, there's a sizeable foyer which greets you. This is great for those who like some privacy as you won't be able to see the living and dining areas from the entrance of the unit. It's also a suitable area for welcoming or saying goodbye to your guests.

You'll find a cabinet hiding the distribution board (DB) here which has a mini shoe rack. The provisions also include a smart camera doorbell and digital lockset.

All 3-bedroom layouts in the Signature Collection have a foyer, except type C4. So buyers who don't want the additional foyer space might consider the type C4 bedroom instead.

Kitchen

The kitchen and yard area is around 118 sq ft (11 sqm) which leaves ample room for around three people to do their household chores. We like that the kitchen comes with a glass wall partition and glass door, which bring light in and brighten up the area.

The gas hob, cooker hood and built-in oven are by the premium Swiss brand V-Zug while the fridge and washer-dryer are by Samsung.

One interesting observation is that a free-standing fridge is provided instead of an integrated fridge. The plus point is that a free-standing fridge is larger and it's more convenient in cases where you need to repair or replace it.

Thanks to the wide windows, there's natural ventilation if you're planning to do some heavy cooking.

We love this nook right by the glass partition wall as it's a perfect space for a coffee or drinks corner. It's also beside the oven, so if you're an avid baker, you can use this space for your preparation.

The Continuum's developer is providing a store in every unit. While the shelves inside the store are ID treatment, the shelving and hooks on the inside of the door are provided. Very few new launches provide a store, so it's refreshing to see it at The Continuum.

The household shelter and WC were designed with the household's helper in mind. Besides the typical metal swing door, the household shelter has a louvre bi-fold door, so there's proper ventilation if you're converting it into a helper's room. The household shelter and WC are also in an L-shaped layout, instead of beside each other. So, you have the option of enclosing the area to turn it into an "ensuite helper's room" to give your helper more privacy.

Living and dining areas

In the dining area, the developer has factored in a wall of about 1.8m so that there's a natural enclave for the dining room. This is so that the dining table is tucked away in a corner so it won't block the walkway from the entrance to the living area and bedrooms. This arrangement also allows buyers to add features on the wall or built-in seating if they wish to, like what the ID did in the showflat.

The dining area has sufficient space for a four or six-seater table. However, you'd still have to consider an appropriate table length so it won't eat into the walkway space to the bedrooms.

The living area is decently sized for a 3-bedder, with a width of 3m between the sofa and the TV. A four-seater sofa would fit nicely here, or if you need more seating space, an L-shaped sofa will do just fine too.

The plus point is that a ceiling fan is given in all units, and it will be mounted in the living/dining areas except for the penthouse units with high ceilings, where the fan will be mounted in the master bedroom. Hoi Hup Realty/Sunway Developments are one of the few developers who provide a ceiling fan in their units, as we saw at Terra Hill too.

If you need additional seating areas, the balcony is a great spot to place more chairs. Alternatively, it can also be an alfresco dining spot for two.

Master bedroom

The master bedroom (excluding the master bathroom) is about 151 sq ft (14 sqm), the standard size for a 3-bedder. However, one thing that stands out is that the length of the master bedroom is about 4.15m, which is more than average. Besides fitting in a king-sized bed, there's generous space for side tables. If you want to fit in a dressing table, we recommend pushing your bed close to the window.

Unsurprisingly, the master bedroom comes with full-length windows, which are 70% openable. Only the window right beside the head bed can't be opened as that would mean having the wind blowing in your head as you're sleeping. What's more, all 3-bedroom Premier units are corner units which have an additional window between the bed and wardrobe. This allows for more ventilation in the master bedroom and more light during the day.

All the built-in bedroom wardrobes at The Continuum extend all the way to the ceiling, so there's plenty of storage space. They come with built-in lights and an accessories drawer where you can store belts, jewellery and other small items. These are provisions which can also be found in the common bedrooms.

The developers have also provided a lower rack in the wardrobes of all bedrooms which is suitable for hanging pants or small towels.

Additionally, all master bedrooms have a side dresser compartment with a built-in mirror and tie rack.

For the master bathroom, a bonus point is that all the mirrors have a cabinet behind them, even the small ones. This gives you ample space to store your toiletries and keep your vanity top clutter-free.

All the sanitary fittings and wares are by Laufen, except the mixer tap, which is by Gessi. Both are luxury brands known for their high quality and durability. Other provisions include an overhead rain shower, a bib tap, a towel rail and toilet paper holder.

Common bedrooms and bathroom

Both common bedrooms are 97 sq ft (9 sqm), which are slightly larger than average and can fit a queen-sized bed.

We like that both common bedrooms come with full-length windows so there's plenty of light during the day. The wardrobes in the common bedrooms are also equipped with built-in lights and an accessory rack, which are thoughtful provisions that are uncommon in the market.

The shared bathroom has a similar size to the master bathroom in this unit. All the provisions are similar, too, except for the overhead rain shower. What's great is that there's a half-length window, which is quite rare for a shared bathroom.

The Continuum Showflat: 3-Bedroom + Study with Private Lift (C9) - 1249 sq ft (116 sqm) [Prestige Collection]

No. of units:

• 72

Who is it suited for?

• Families with two or three children
• Buyers who enjoy entertaining guests

About a third of 3-bedroom units at The Continuum belong to the Prestige Collection and they come with a private lift, a foyer and a study area. These are the C8 and C9 unit types.

3-bedroom units with a private lift are not very common in the market; most developments only have private lifts for 4 and 5-bedroom units. For buyers who don't need such a large unit but still want some exclusivity and privacy, the Prestige Collection's 3-bedroom + Study unit will be perfect for them.

Dining area

The unit opens up to the dining area, and the kitchen is on the left of the entrance. While having the dining room at the entrance is a little unconventional, it isn't totally unheard of. What's great is that the space is large enough to accommodate a six-seater table and it's less likely to eat into the walkway space to the kitchen and living area. So, it's not a major issue.

One thing you'll notice is that the dining and living areas of the Prestige Collection are fitted with marble floor tiles, while the Signature Collection is fitted with porcelain tiles.

Walkthrough balcony, kitchen and living area

A highlight of this unit is that the balcony, kitchen and living room have a "walkthrough" concept where you can access the kitchen from the balcony. An advantage is that there'll be plenty of ventilation in the kitchen, especially since larger households are expected to do more heavy cooking.

The balcony is around 118 sq ft (11 sqm), large enough to double up as an alfresco dining area. If you enjoy having guests, you can enjoy a barbecue or steamboat on the balcony.

A main feature of the kitchen is its glass window which looks towards the living area. This creates an "open concept" kitchen, even though it is actually enclosed. One advantage of having a glass window is that you'll be able to have conversations with your guests while still preparing food in the kitchen. Parents with young children can also look out for their kids while they are in the kitchen.

The only downside here is that guests will be able to look into the kitchen while you're preparing your meals. Those who prefer a more private and fully enclosed kitchen might want to cover up the glass wall.

We love that there are two separate countertops on opposite sides of the kitchen, which are equally sized. On one side, there's the gas hob, cooker and sink where you can do your cooking and washing. On the other side, there's ample space to prepare your cooking ingredients. If you enjoy baking, you can knead your dough and prepare your bakes here before putting them in the oven.

In the yard, you'll find the store, helper's room, WC and the DB cabinet.

There's also a back door that brings you to the communal lift. What's great is that both the front and back doors of the unit come with a digital lockset. However, only the backdoor will have a smart home doorbell and it comes with a Wi-Fi camera. So when someone presses the doorbell, you don't have to head to the door immediately as you can see who's at the door using your smartphone.

Living and study areas

The living area is roughly the same size as the dining area, and it can accommodate a four-seater couch comfortably. One thing to note is that this unit has an open study area by default, so it's a combined space with the living area. As there's no wall separating the living and study areas, you might have to get a little creative if you plan to have a TV in the living area.

You could place a TV console in between the living and study areas to create some sort of partition or mount the TV in the study instead. If you pick the latter, the distance from your sofa to the TV will be almost 5 metres. Another suggestion is to swap the living and dining areas.

If you need an additional bedroom, the developers are also giving the option of enclosing the study area. It comes with a window and air-conditioning and can fit a single bed. Plus, doing so would allow you to have a wall-mounted TV in the living area.

One thing to note is that the ID has added some shelves and a false display wall in the study, so the actual area will be slightly larger than what is shown in the showflat.

Master bedroom

At 161 sq ft (15 sqm), the master bedroom in the 3-bedroom + Study is slightly larger than the one we saw in the 3-bedroom Premier. Besides the standard windows, there are two additional full-length windows beside the bed. In comparison, the 3-bedroom Premier unit only has one half-length window beside the bed.

The wardrobe size is similar to the 3-bedroom Premier and you can expect the same provisions such as a side dresser, an accessories compartment and built-in lights.

What's great is that there's a dedicated dresser area in the master bedroom and it's conveniently situated outside the bathroom.

As for the master bathroom, you can expect the standard provisions like the overhead rain shower, vanity countertop and mirror cabinets. Like the living and dining areas, the flooring and tiles are marble.

Common bedrooms

In the showflat, the ID has combined both common bedrooms into one supersized children's bedroom. As The Continuum is freehold, the developers give buyers a lot of flexibility in terms of the unit layout. Certain walls are hackable to create a larger bedroom or more space in the living/dining areas. You can make special requests to reconfigure certain rooms, but they will come at an additional cost.

The Continuum Showflat: 5-Bedroom Penthouse (E-PH) - 2260 sq ft (210 sqm) [Prestige Collection]

No. of units:

• 30 (Standard 5-bedroom)
• 2 (5-bedroom penthouse)

Who is it suited for?

• Multi-generational families
• Larger families
• Buyers who rightsize from a landed property

There are only 32 5-bedroom units at The Continuum (two stacks), making it the apartment type with the least number of units. All 5-bedroom units are part of the Prestige Collection.

The showflat unit is the 5-bedroom penthouse which is 2260 sq ft, inclusive of the high ceiling. The standard 5-bedroom units are 1905 sq ft.

For the 5-bedroom unit, the layout resembles a maze where the private lift lobby is in the centre of the unit while the other rooms surround it. It has an efficient layout with very little wasted space, except for the long corridor to the bedrooms, which is unavoidable for larger units.

Generous space in the living and dining areas

As you enter the unit, you'll get a full view of the dining area, dry kitchen and living area. The total area of these spaces (including the corridor) is 527 sq ft (49 sqm), which is the size of a typical 1-bedroom unit. Hence, there's generous space for a multi-generational family who might frequently host guests. The penthouse unit also has a high ceiling of 4.62m.

One of the target demographics of the 5-bedroom unit is those used to staying in the landed houses nearby. For these buyers, space is important to them even if they were to move to a high-rise condominium.

With such a large space, you can fit an eight or 10-seater round table. Having a round table is great for large families as it's easier to share meals during special occasions like Chinese New Year reunions. If you prefer a rectangular dining table, you'd also be able to fit an eight-seater table.

Similarly, the living area is designed to accommodate a large group during gatherings with friends or family. One striking feature is the full-length L-shaped windows which bring in a lot of light into the living area. Residents will also enjoy some stunning views; one stack will face Haig Road and potentially sea views, while the other will face the area around National Stadium.

Like the 3-bedroom + Study Prestige Collection unit, the living and dining areas and bathrooms of the 5-bedroom unit are fitted with marble flooring.

In the showflat, the ID has also hacked the wall of one of the common bedrooms to show that it can be an extension of the living area.

This bedroom is slightly smaller than the other common bedrooms and can only fit a single bed. One thing to note is that it doesn't come with a wardrobe. You might also consider converting this bedroom into a study or work-from-home area.

Dry kitchen with a kitchen island

The dry kitchen has a kitchen island with a marble countertop as well as plenty of cabinet space. The kitchen appliances provided in the dry kitchen are a built-in fridge, built-in oven and a wine chiller, all by V-ZUG. There's also a sink and tap for you to do some washing.

What's great about having a kitchen island is that you can add counter chairs for more seating spaces. If you have guests, you can also serve some light bites and drinks here. For those with kids, the kitchen island is also a great area to prepare meals with them or do some baking together. Hence, it facilitates family bonding and casual conversations.

There's also a powder room for guests to use, so they don't have to share the bathroom with those who live in the unit.

Walkthrough corridor kitchen

The wet kitchen's layout is a walkthrough corridor to the yard and the back door of the unit.

With cabinets and countertops on both sides of the kitchen, there's plenty of space for storage. One highlight here is that there are five burners on the gas hob, instead of the usual three or four burners. This makes sense as this unit is expected to cater to a large household with more heavy cooking.

Other kitchen appliances are a fridge with a water dispenser by Samsung and a built-in dishwasher by V-ZUG. As there are two refrigerators, there's more than enough space to store your chilled items. This dishwasher is also a thoughtful provision and it is practical for a large household which will use more plates and cutlery on a daily basis.

The good news is that there's a wide three-panelled window situated just opposite the gas hob. This way, there'll be plenty of natural ventilation so you can prepare traditional Asian dishes, which might require a lot of oil.

Instead of a washer-dryer combo, 5-bedroom units will get a separate dryer and washer by Samsung. We like that the developers have done something like a linen closet for residents to store their washing detergents and equipment. However, note that the shelvings in the showflat are ID treatment.

The rest of the yard includes the DB cabinet, store, household shelter and WC, all of which are completely hidden from the communal spaces of the house.

We like that there's another window at the back door entrance. This is especially important if you're turning the household shelter into a helper's room, as it will give them additional ventilation, since the room doesn't have any windows.

This also creates additional space to hang-dry your clothes when you're not using the dryer. We foresee that the older generation might prefer to do this.

Master bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe

The master bedroom (excluding the walk-in wardrobe and master bathroom) is around 161 sq ft (15 sqm) and this is just the area where the bed is. For comparison, this is the same size as the master bedroom in the 3-bedroom + Study unit inclusive of the wardrobe space.

Even with a king-sized bed and two side tables, the walkway space here is generous. As displayed in the showflat, there's room to fit in a side couch too.

In the showflat, the ID has hacked a wall between the master bedroom and one of the common bedrooms to create a "study area" extension. Like what we've seen in the other two showflat units, this is just one of the many configurations you can consider.

For parents with newborn children, the common bedroom can also be converted into a nursery.

Walk-in wardrobe

The walk-in wardrobe has a luxurious size of 86 sq ft (8 sqm), equivalent to a size of a common bedroom. Besides the substantial wardrobe space, the cabinet doors have a tinted glass finish, which is classier and more stylish than those in the Signature Collection.

As part of fire safety regulations, there's a back door from the master bedroom to the kitchen but the developers have camouflaged it with the full-length mirror and side dresser. This allows easy access to the kitchen if you want to grab some snacks or do laundry.

You'll find the standard wardrobe provisions here, like built-in lighting and drawers for your accessories.

Outside the master bathroom, there's a dedicated space for a mini dressing table and a mirror.

Master bathroom

The master bathroom is around the same size as the walk-in wardrobe, so you can just imagine how impressive the space is. For 4 and 5-bedroom units in the Prestige Collection, the shower glass door is tinted and the mixers and shower heads are dark bronze instead of silver in the Signature Collection.

The shower area and bathtub are situated on opposite ends of the bathroom, so it allows for more space at the sink and WC areas.

A plus point of the master bathroom is that there are his and hers sinks, so the Mr and Mrs of the household can have their personal space while getting ready.

We also love that the WC has a remote control and built-in bidet. This is a premium offering that we've seen in the larger units of some new launches like Terra Hill, LIV@MB and enchante. So it's great to see The Continuum jumping on the bandwagon too.

Junior master bedroom

The junior master bedroom is the only bedroom that's situated away from the other bedrooms as it's located near the dry kitchen. As the unit is targeted towards multi-generational families, we foresee that the junior master will be for elderly parents living with their children or newlyweds who have yet to move out of their parents' homes.

In these cases, the junior master bedroom is in a good position as you can have some privacy but still stay close to the living and dining areas and kitchen.

The size of the junior master (without the bathroom) is about 108 sq ft (10 sqm), which is not huge, but there's still sufficient room for a king-sized bed. If you need more space for side tables, it might be better to place a queen-sized bed instead.

Instead of the living area, the ceiling fan (a standard provision across all units) is mounted in the junior master bedroom for this unit.

The junior master bathroom isn't as large as the main master bathroom but you can expect some similar provisions like the tinted shower glass door and the dark bronze mixer and shower heads (including an overhead rain shower). However, instead of marble, it is fitted with porcelain tiles instead. The storage space in the mirror cabinet is also quite limited compared to the main master bathroom.

Stack analysis and facilities review of The Continuum

The Continuum stack analysis

The Continuum is split into two separate freehold sites, North Continuum and South Continuum which are connected via a bridge over Thiam Siew Avenue. The development is bordered by Tanjong Katong Road on the left and Haig Road on the right. The bridge is the only link between the two sites as they are not connected via the basement carpark as well.

The Continuum has 48 stacks across six residential blocks; the stacks are split evenly between North and South Continuum.

Views from the stacks

As The Continuum is in a pretty built-up area with neighbouring high-rise condos, it's almost impossible to get fully unblocked views. Plus, the neighbouring sites all have a gross plot ratio of 2.8 which is similar to The Continuum, so their building heights will be around the same.

The outward north-facing stacks are slightly over 20m away from neighbouring condos while the outward south-facing stacks are over 30m away from neighbouring condos. The inward stacks facing Thiam Siew Avenue are around 40 to 50m apart, which is quite a considerable distance.

However, there are some stacks which might be able to enjoy partial views.

Partially unblocked views towards the south

Image screengrab from Google Maps

Towards the south, stacks 40, 41, 47 and 48 are able to avoid the view of a high-rise building as there's a row of terrace houses, Dunman Grove. One thing to note is that the gross plot ratio of these houses is 2.8, so they might be redeveloped into a high-rise in future, which will block any possible views.

Take note that towards the left, there's the Questa @ Dunman condo, although there's some leeway as it's about 70m away. Further south, currently, there's quite an open view towards East Coast. However, this won't be for long as the views will be blocked once Tembusu Grand is completed some 500m away.

Partially unblocked views towards the southeast

Image screengrab from Google Maps

Towards the southeast, stacks 19, 23 and 24 face the low-rise houses in the Joo Chiat area while the flats in the Marine Parade area are around 1.5km away. Hence, those living on the high floors might be lucky enough to get sea views. What's great is that under the URA Masterplan, the gross plot ratio of the Joo Chiat area is 1.4, so it will remain a low-rise enclave.

Partially unblocked views towards the northwest

Image screengrab from Google Maps

Towards the northwest, stacks 25, 29 and 30 face low-rise houses in the Dunman area. However, the views don't extend very far as there are high-rise buildings in the Geylang and Dakota areas further west. Stack 28 (Type C8 3-bedroom + Study unit) and stack 29 (Type D4 4-bedroom unit) will be able to enjoy city views as their balconies face west towards the CBD.

Sun direction analysis

The Continuum's residential blocks are arranged in a north-south orientation, so the majority of units will be able to avoid the direct afternoon sun. Plus, units will also be kept cool and have good ventilation as the wind flows between north and south throughout the year.

The only two stacks that will get direct afternoon sun are stacks 28 and 29. As mentioned earlier, their balconies face west but the good thing is that the bedrooms face north and south respectively, so they won't get direct afternoon sun. However, since these stacks have good views, this isn't a major concern.

Facilities at The Continuum

The Continuum site plan

The Northern and Southern sites are considered self-sufficient as they both have an entrance and arrival zone, multiple swimming pools, a clubhouse, family-friendly facilities, fitness facilities and more.

Besides the facilities on the ground floor, each site has a landscape roof terrace (on level 18) - Sky Garden North and Sky Garden South. Sky Garden North comprises the roof terraces of blocks 1 and 3 on the northern site, while Sky Garden South comprises the roof terraces of blocks 6 and 8 on the southern sites. A sky bridge connects the two blocks on each site.

With a huge site area of 269,995 sq ft, it takes some time to travel from your home to any of the facilities. The good news is that you can use your smartphone to book the facilities in advance and then make your way down. What's more, if you live on one site and wish to use a facility on the other, you can also drive there.

Unique overhead bridge connecting two separate sites

The Continuum is possibly the only development in Singapore to have a private residential bridge over a public road connecting two residential plots of land. The developers didn't acquire the road from the government as it's not an easy process and even if they did, the road won't be a freehold site.

But what they will do is beautify the road to make it more presentable by adding seating pods along the pavement. They will also be reconstructing the pavements and realigning them.

Two separate entrances to ease traffic

The Continuum is bounded by Tanjong Katong Road on the west and Haig Road on the east, both busy roads, especially during peak hours and weekends. So, what the developers have done is provide two entrances. The entrance to North Continuum is nearer to Tanjong Katong Road and the entrance to South Continuum is near Haig Road. This helps ease traffic congestion and flow along Thiam Siew Avenue, but it also makes sense as the basement carparks for both sites aren't connected.

Two clubhouses - one for each site

Both North and South Continuum have their own clubhouse. The clubhouse at North Continuum, Thiam Siew House, is conserved from one of the old pre-war bungalows which belonged to the Wee family.

Artist's impression of Thiam Siew House

Here, you'll find the library, club room and a foyer. The club room is a gourmet dining room with a round table which can seat about 10 people. This is perfect for gatherings with family and friends during special occasions like reunion dinners.

The library is a quiet space, great for those who are working remotely or those who need to study for their exams.

In the southern site, the clubhouse is called South Side Social which features the Glass House, a sound room and a social room. The clubhouse here is linked to the bridge from the northern site. The Glass House is a modern dining room (compared to the club room at Thiam Siew House) while the sound room is like a "KTV" where you can host parties and have karaoke sessions.

Artist's impression of the Sky Club

Additionally, there are two other dining rooms on the landscape roof terraces, the Sky Bar (North Continuum) and Sky Club (South Continuum). The Sky Club is perfect for organising private dinners as it has full kitchen facilities such as a cooker hood, hob, oven and wine chiller. It can seat up to 16 people so that you can host your business partners or family members. The Sky Bar is a more relaxed space with bar facilities like a wine chiller and fridge. The best part is that both dining rooms will have panoramic views.

Two main lap pools and other pool areas catering to different demographics

The 50m lap pool is in the "Lake Pool" zone on the southern site near the South Side Social clubhouse. It is adjacent to the "River Pool" zone, which we expect to be more vibrant as it consists of the children's and toddler's pool, a children's pool deck and a family pool.

We would have loved it even more if the 50m lap pool was located in a quieter area like the Wellness Zone as it might be frequented by avid swimmers who might want more privacy.

However, there is some consideration for this as the developers have placed a Wellness Pool and changing room as a buffer between the 50m lap pool and the family/children's area. Of course, it's impossible to avoid kids and families completely but the buffer helps to lessen the noise.

Artist's impression of the 33.3m lap pool in the Wellness Zone

On the northern site, there's a 33.3m lap pool in the Wellness Zone, along with other relaxing features like a jacuzzi cove, pool deck and resting pavilion. There's also a changing room here. We like that there's a changing room in both the northern and southern sites, so it's convenient if your unit is located far away from the pool.

Sports and fitness facilities

Artist's impression of the Sky Fitness

For fitness enthusiasts, there are two gyms on the roof terraces, Sky Fitness at the north site and Sky Gym at the south site. As the development is huge, it's good that there are two gyms so residents won't have to encounter an overcrowded gym. What's great is that residents can get a stunning view as they work out.

Artist's impression of sky jacuzzi

The roof terraces also have other recreational facilities such as a yoga lawn, fitness deck and a sky jacuzzi for residents to unwind after exercise.

If you prefer water sports instead of hitting the gym, there's an aqua gym pool at the southern site of The Continuum. Here's where you can do some resistance training or ride an aqua bike for a refreshing workout.

The tennis court is at South Continuum and is away from all the pools. A plus point here is that the tennis court is lower than ground level, so this minimises the noise. This is especially important as it's located beside a residential block. Another advantage of having a sunken tennis court is so that it won't block the views of the units on lower floors.

Kid-friendly facilities for different age groups

Just like the wide variety of units that cater to varying family sizes, the kids' facilities at The Continuum also cater to different age groups.

The playground south and water play area in South Continuum are more for younger children. There are also two BBQ pavilions here for family bonding. As younger children would need more supervision, adults can enjoy a meal at the BBQ pavilion while still being able to keep a lookout for their kids.

There's also another playground and play zone at the northern site which are more for older kids, with interesting features like a tree house.

The Continuum location review

Neighbourhood around The Continuum

The neighbourhood around The Continuum consists mostly of private condos and landed houses. Towards the east of the development, there are also the Haig Road HDB flats. While shopping malls and amenities like KINEX, PLQ and Haig Road Market & Food Centre are nearby, The Continuum is spared the hustle and bustle.

Google Maps street view of Thiam Siew Avenue (May 2022)

While Tanjong Katong Road and Haig Road are considerably busy, Thiam Siew Avenue is much quieter. So, it's great that both entrances are located along the avenue. This way, driving in and out of the development won't be too much hassle.

Although The Continuum is split in half by Thiam Siew Avenue, it's almost as if the street is exclusive to residents. The development's only neighbours are a Shell petrol kiosk and a couple of landed houses.

The petrol kiosk is beside the entrance to North Continuum. So if many cars are going in and out of the petrol kiosk (there's an entrance and exit along Thiam Siew Avenue), this might cause a slight bottleneck when driving out to Tanjong Katong Road.

Convenience and accessibility

The nearest MRT stations to The Continuum are Dakota (Circle line) and Paya Lebar (Circle and East-West line). Both are 800+ metres away and will take 11-12 minutes on foot (based on Google Maps). Although there's the convenience of having two MRT lines, the walking time to them isn't short. Plus, not many residents would want to walk that distance in Singapore's warm, humid and rainy weather.

However, the good news is that the bus stops along Tanjong Katong Road and Dunman Road nearby (within a 5-minute walk) have bus services to the city centre.

Being in the Katong/Paya Lebar areas, The Continuum enjoys proximity to plenty of F&B and retail options. It's a 5-minute walk to KINEX and Haig Road Market & Food Centre. PLQ Mall is a little further, a 10-minute walk or a 4-minute drive.

The cafes and restaurants along Tanjong Katong Road are also just around the corner. Some notable eateries include Little Italy, Gravy Restaurant & Bar, Oven & Fried Chicken, Seng House and Nan Xiang Chicken Rice. Not to mention the Joo Chiat precinct has plenty of notable eateries too. For more local food, residents can enjoy a short drive to Dunman Food Centre, Joo Chiat Food Centre and the famous Old Airport Road Food Centre.

For even more amenities, The Continuum's residents can head east to Katong Shopping Centre, Katong V, i12 Katong, Katong Square, Parkway Parade and Marine Parade Central Market. This video shows a more in-depth guide to the Marine Parade area:

Schools near The Continuum

Map of primary schools within 1km and 2km of Tembusu Grand (note that home-school distance is now based on distance between the school's perimeter and the property's block itself).

There are three popular schools located within 1km of The Continuum - Kong Hwa School, Tanjong Katong Primary and Haig Girls' School. Primary schools within a 2km radius are Tao Nan School, CHIJ (Katong) Primary, Geylang Methodist School (Primary) and Maha Bodhi School (not all stacks).

As for secondary schools, there are a number of reputable ones nearby such as Tanjong Katong Girls' School, Tanjong Katong Secondary, Chung Cheng High School (Main) and Dunman High School.

For expatriate families with kids, the nearest international school would be the EtonHouse International School (Broadrick).

The Continuum - Price analysis and comparison

The Continuum's indicative prices

The indicative prices for The Continuum are split up into its Signature Collection and Prestige Collection.

Signature Collection

Indicative prices for The Continuum's Signature Collection start from S$1,448,000 for its 1-bedroom + Study unit. The starting indicative psf prices start from S$2,586, also for the same unit type.

UPDATE (29 May 2023): The Continuum sold 26.5% of its units (216 out of 816) during the launch weekend on 6-7 May 2023. The average price of the units sold was S$2,732 psf.

Prestige Collection

For the Prestige Collection, indicative prices start from S$3,320,000 for the 3-bedroom + Study units while indicative psf prices start from S$2,704 for the 4-bedroom Premier unit.

As the indicative prices given by the developers are the lower-range prices, you can expect the average psf prices to be higher.

Average prices of new launches in District 15 (based on transactions in the past year)

The last major project to launch in District 15 was Tembusu Grand in early April 2023 and LIV@MB launched in May 2022. Other projects which launched last year, like Baywind Residences, Royal Hallmark and Atlassia, are boutique developments with less than 50 units. Amber Park, Meyer Mansion and One Meyer launched in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Based on the table above, there are some observations that we can make.

Firstly, the freehold status for projects of similar sizes has an impact on prices. Among the larger new launch projects in District 15, Meyer Mansion and Amber Park have higher average psf prices than Tembusu Grand and LIV@MB, which are 99-year projects. This is despite the fact that the latter two projects launched 3-4 years later.

However, compared to small projects, Tembusu Grand and LIV@MB's average psf prices are still higher than the freehold boutique condos like Atlassia or Royal Hallmark. Overall, the three boutique projects launched in 2022 have average psf prices of slightly over S$2,000 psf.

Compared to the larger freehold projects on this list, The Continuum's indicative psf prices seem reasonable as the last large-scale freehold new launch in District 15 was Amber Park in May 2019. This was around four years ago. Hence, The Continuum will fill the supply gap as there's pent-up demand for bigger freehold projects in the district.

It's also widely known that freehold projects come at a 10-15% premium over 99-year leasehold projects. Based on Tembusu Grand's average psf price, the freehold premium in the district would range from S$2,724 to S$2,847. This will possibly match the average psf price for The Continuum's Prestige Collection. However, the indicative psf prices for the Signature Collection fare better than the supposed "freehold premium". Of course, the average transacted psf prices will be higher, but there's a good chance it might be less than a 10% premium over Tembusu Grand.

Comparison to freehold new launches in the RCR

If you’re looking at new launches for investment or own-stay, you might want to compare The Continuum to freehold new launches in the RCR. 

Based on 133 transactions in 2023, the average psf price of new freehold condo sales in the RCR is S$2,549. 

Let’s look at the breakdown of prices based on unit type. We’ve compiled the average prices of new sale transactions of 2 to 4-Bedroom units in the RCR this year. For a fairer comparison, we’ve only included freehold projects. 

• 2-Bedroom: S$1,949,118 (S$2,543 psf) 
• 3-Bedroom: S$2,730,871 (S$2,600 psf)
• 4-Bedroom: S$3,667,147 (S$2,467 psf)
• 5-Bedroom: S$5,388,602 (S$2,480 psf) [Only 6 transactions and all are from Amber Park]

Do note that this is just a general comparison of average prices across the RCR and does not take into account the varying sizes for the different unit types. However, if you're looking at the quantum alone for each unit type, The Continuum’s Signature Collection indicative prices seem to fare better than the market.

The same can't be said for the Prestige Collection. However, the units in this collection are larger than average with private lifts and they are furnished with luxurious fittings. Hence, it makes sense for them to come at a premium.

Major new launches in District 15 in 2023

There are three major new launches in District 15 this year. Besides The Continuum, Tembusu Grand launched earlier in April while Grand Dunman is expected to launch in the second half of the year. Here's a quick comparison of the three projects.

Out of the three, The Continuum is the only freehold project. Hence, we foresee that it will be popular with buyers who want a property for future generations.

The Continuum appreciation value analysis

1. Rare large-scale freehold project in District 15

Large freehold sites like The Continuum don't come very often in District 15 as the area is mostly built up. It's rare to have 22 freehold landed houses redeveloped into a condominium. Many new launch freehold projects in the district tend to be smaller as they are a result of sales of a small number of landed homes or an en bloc of an old residential building.

Hence, there's a huge potential for a good appreciation as The Continuum will always appeal to buyers looking for a large freehold property in the Katong/Paya Lebar area.

2. Upcoming developments in Marine Parade and East Coast will add to the allure of District 15

Marine Parade and the East Coast area are also set to welcome a number of developments. One of the main highlights is the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). The nearest TEL station to The Continuum will be Tanjong Katong and although it's not very near, the TEL will boost property values in the area.

The TEL will also bring new developments such as an underground mall linking Marine Parade and Marine Terrace MRT stations. The new MRT line will add to the attractiveness of living in District 15, which is already known for its abundance of good food, reputable schools and colourful history and heritage. Hence, The Continuum will benefit from these developments and future residents can expect to enjoy potential appreciation if there's a high demand for housing in the area.

3. Upcoming developments around Paya Lebar Airbase and Kallang

Upcoming developments in neighbouring areas will also help boost the value of The Continuum in future.

One of the biggest projects in the east will be the redevelopment of Paya Lebar Airbase (PLAB) which will transform into a sustainable town in the 2030s. Spanning five times the size of Toa Payoh, the district will have a commercial and industrial hub and create thousands of jobs. It's also a 10-minute drive from The Continuum and this will be attractive for those who have jobs in PLAB but still want to live in District 15 for its convenience.

Find out more about Paya Lebar Airbase in our video:

The Kallang area is also set to undergo a rejuvenation of the Old Kallang Airport into a lifestyle hub and Kampong Bugis will be turned into an attractive residential and recreational precinct.

Summary

Overall The Continuum is clear in its messaging of designing freehold homes and did an impressive job of pushing this narrative through its showflat. Through various unit configurations and flexible unit layouts, buyers will be able to visualise how their home will be not just for the next five years but for decades to come.

There are plenty of unit types for buyers, depending on their needs and preferences. For those who can afford it, the Prestige Collection offers larger homes, a private lift and luxury fittings like marble flooring.

With a huge area split into two sites, The Continuum has a remarkable list of facilities, spread across the ground floor and roof terraces.

Location-wise, District 15 has plenty of food options, whether it's restaurants or hawker food. Although the nearest MRT station is more than a 10-minute walk, the other amenities and conveniences make up for it.

As probably the largest freehold new launch condo in 2023, The Continuum will surely stand out from the rest.

The Continuum is now open for previews. Click the “Enquire Now” button for the latest project updates and book a showflat viewing.