8 old freehold shopping centres you can surprisingly buy a home in

Before the popularity of online shopping, many Singaporeans would have been to Queensway Shopping Centre to browse all the sporting shoes on offer. While the shopping centre has seen better days, it still remains relatively well populated on the weekends. 

But, not as many would know that Queensway Shopping Centre has a residential component too (the adjoining Queensway Tower). Even better, the entire development is freehold!

While these developments are definitely old, there are still some perks they offer that can be a unique proposition. 

After all, not everyone feels a need for lavish condo facilities; and not all of us can afford to live on top of "atas" malls like ION. We've heard from many people who just want the convenience of a mid-range or lower-end mall, coupled with a good location. If you're in this category, here are some surprisingly affordable options (but be ready to give up on the pool, clubhouse, etc.):

1. Queensway Shopping Centre

Recent prices

Contract date	Address	Type of sale	Unit area  (sq ft)	Type of area	Price (S$ PSF)	Price (S$)	Purchaser  address
Nov 15 2021	1 Queensway #14-XX	Resale	1,679	Strata	1,227	2,060,000	Private
Sept 24 2021	1 Queensway #06-XX	Resale	1,539	Strata	1,194	1,838,000	Private
July 15 2021	1 Queensway #03-XX	Resale	980	Strata	1,205	1,180,000	Private
July 9 2021	1 Queensway #10-XX	Resale	1,432	Strata	1,145	1,638,888	Private
May 17 2021	1 Queensway #11-XX	Resale	1,658	Strata	1,086	1,800,000	Private

Source: Squarefoot Research

Queensway Shopping Centre is one of the oldest shopping malls in Singapore and should need no introduction to most Singaporeans. It's better known as a sports mall, where the first floor is filled with primarily sporting goods retail shops. 

More interestingly, it featured the first public escalators installed in Singapore back in the day (as a sign of how old it really is). 

There is an adjoining 13-storey residential block called Queensway Tower. This houses 78 freehold units that range from 980 to 1,679 sq ft. 

One of the main less known selling points is really the view here. The back of the development faces Alexandra Hospital and the current unblocked greenery view of the forested area Jalan Hang Jebat. But given that part of the land will already become Queen's ARC BTO flats in 2027, it’s likely that most of the area here beyond the hospital will be reserved for more residential units. 

Queensway did attempt for an en bloc sale in 2019, but wasn't able to achieve the required 80 per cent signatures. Like most of the developments here, collective sales for mixed-use developments is typically more difficult to get a common consensus, as you will have to get the commercial shop owners on board too. 

2. Lucky Plaza

Info	Detail
Location	304 Orchard Road (District 9)
Developer	Far East Organization
Lease	Freehold
Completion year	1981
Number of units	88

Recent prices

Contract date	Address	Type of sale	Unit area  (sq ft)	Type of area	Price (S$ PSF)	Price (S$)	Purchaser  address
June 28 2022	304 Orchard Road #13-XX	Resale	829	Strata	2,172	1,800,000	HDB
April 13 2022	304 Orchard Road #13-XX	Resale	1,647	Strata	1,882	3,100,000	Private
March 24 2022	304 Orchard Road #21-XX	Resale	829	Strata	2,172	1,800,000	Private
Nov 1 2021	304 Orchard Road #13-XX	Resale	872	Strata	2,007	1,750,000	Private
Nov 18 2020	304 Orchard Road #12-XX	Resale	872	Strata	2,019	1,760,000	Private

Source: Squarefoot Research

Lucky Plaza was the second mall built by Far East Organization (the first being Far East Shopping centre, naturally). The mall itself was actually completed even earlier than the apartment block in 1978. Back then, many people expected that this would not be a success as this was one of the most expensive developments to be built by a private developer. 

It may not look like it now, but back in the day, it was heralded for pioneering the concept of a modern shopping mall. There were many firsts too – the first multi-storey fully airconditioned mall, and the first golden bubble lift in Southeast Asia. 

Lucky Plaza may be old and well-worn now, but it's an open secret that – if you're not fussy about looks – this is one of the most affordable ways to own a freehold private property on Orchard Road. 

In June 2022, for example, an 829 sq ft. unit here transacted for $1.8 million, while earlier in April a large, 1,647 sq ft. unit transacted for $3.1 million. You'd be hard-pressed to find similar prices for properties along the Orchard shopping stretch. 

Now as a mall, Lucky Plaza may not be the most illustrious – it's mainly famous for Ayam Penyet, things from the Philippines (that includes Jollibee) and pubs. But this becomes something of a minor drawback when you remember you have the rest of Orchard Road at your doorstep. There's even easy access to the Orchard MRT station (NSL and TEL) from here. 

The main drawback is that, on weekends, Lucky Plaza is a crowded hangout – this is where a lot of foreign workers meet, so the commercial segment can get pretty crowded and noisy. Also, some buyers may not like the seedy pubs that cluster in some parts of this mall, although they're fairly easy to ignore/avoid. 

Despite its age (it's freehold anyway), Lucky Plaza is worth of consideration by new investors, singles, or young couples without children. It's quite difficult to find Orchard Road residences for below $2 million in the current market. 

3.  Roxy Square

Info	Detail
Location	50 East Coast Road (District 15)
Developer	Roxy Pacific Developments
Lease	9,999-years
Completion year	1991
Number of units	26

Recent prices

Contract date	Address	Type of sale	Unit area  (sq ft)	Type of area	Price (S$ PSF)	Price (S$)	Purchaser  address
June 30 2021	50 East Coast Road #06-XX	Resale	603	Strata	1,394	840,000	HDB
May 13 2020	50 East Coast Road #07-XX	Resale	1,259	Strata	1,000	1,259,000	Private

Source: Squarefoot Research

It's quite rare to see transactions for Roxy Square, and the last one was a year ago (June 2021). This was for a 603 sq ft. unit that was transacted for just $840,000. You don't have a lot of selection choice anyway, it's either 603 or 1,259 sq ft. Also very uniquely, it has a 9,999-year lease - which is obviously just as good as a freehold one. 

The mall component of Roxy Square is nothing to brag about - it's mostly famous for the food court below it, and for nostalgia shops selling bric-a-brac. The appeal are the huge number of amenities in walking distance. 

Just down the street, you have Katong Village; and that has an NTUC FairPrice that opens till 11 pm. Head up the other end, and you'll find i12, a recently renovated mall with a range of eateries including Tim Ho Wan. 

Directly facing Roxy Square is East Coast Road, which is a long stretch of family-friendly pubs, restaurants, and enrichment/tuition centres. If that isn't enough, Parkway Parade - the major mall for the area - is just around a five-minute walk. The Marine Parade MRT station (TEL) will be next to Parkway Parade, and opens in 2023. 

While Roxy Square is visibly ageing, and the shopping component isn't great, this is one of the few lower-cost ways to live within the East Coast expat enclave. The only issue is that the area is saturated with plenty of condos, especially freehold boutique condos - so there is quite a bit of competition (and much of it newer than Roxy). 

4. Beauty World Plaza

Info	Detail
Location	Upper Bukit Timah Road (District 21)
Developer	–
Lease	999-years
Completion year	1982
Number of units	30

Recent prices

Contract date	Address	Type of sale	Unit area  (sq ft)	Type of area	Price (S$ PSF)	Price (S$)	Purchaser  address
March 16 2021	140 Upper Bukit Timah Road #04-XX	Resale	689	Strata	1,495	1,030,000	Private
Feb 10 2021	140 Upper Bukit Timah Road #07-XX	Resale	592	Strata	1,149	680,000	Private

Source: Squarefoot Research

Like many of the developments on this list, Beauty World Plaza is definitely not much of a looker. It's definitely been much improved as a location with the opening of the Beauty World MRT station on the Downtown line in 2015. And there is also further upgrades to the area in the form of the mixed-use Linq @ Beauty World, and the yet-to-be-launched Jalan Anak Bukit integrated development. 

There are just 30 residential units here, that range from a surprisingly small 592 to 1,087 sq ft. It's also really interesting to see how the opening of the MRT station has directly impacted the development, as the psf prices here have nearly doubled since 2015 (the last time a unit was sold prior was 2009). 

Unlike many of the developments on this list, it does also supposedly come with some facilities, including a pool, and a kid's pool. 

It is also pretty convenient as a location (if you are a fan of the area). There's a Giant and NTUC supermarket nearby, and you also have hawker food at Beauty World, plus the entire stretch of Cheong Chin Nam to look forward to as well. 

5. City Plaza

Info	Detail
Location	810 Geylang Road (District 14)
Developer	Hong Leong Group
Lease	Freehold
Completion year	1981
Number of units	66

Recent prices

Contract date	Address	Type of sale	Unit area  (sq ft)	Type of area	Price (S$ PSF)	Price (S$)	Purchaser  address
April 20 2017	810 Geylang Road #16-XX	Resale	915	Strata	1,025	938,000	Private
April 7 2016	810 Geylang Road #12-XX	Resale	915	Strata	1,066	975,000	Private
Nov 12 2015	810 Geylang Road #18-XX	Resale	1,615	Strata	787	1,270,000	Private
Aug 5 2015	810 Geylang Road #12-XX	Resale	915	Strata	1,049	960,000	Private
Feb 25 2015	810 Geylang Road #15-XX	Resale	1,615	Strata	867	1,400,000	HDB

Source: Squarefoot Research. No transaction records available from 2018.

We're expecting City Plaza to see more aggressive offers, thanks to the development of Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ). This is now a major commercial and retail hub, and City Plaza residents are only a four-minute walk away (this is also where the Paya Lebar MRT station is located). 

City Plaza is also across the road from KINEX, in addition to having its own range of stores (there's a Marks & Spencer in City Plaza, by the way, along with a Watsons). Overall, this project has become an incredibly convenient place to live. 

Unfortunately, prices are unpredictable, as there haven't been any recorded transactions since 2017 - and we would expect a serious price hike, given the recent changes to the area. 

One potential downside, however, is how heavily built-up this area has become. Apart from the Geylang River, the surroundings are glass, concrete, and roads all around - and it only gets more built-up as you near PLQ. This makes it a project that's strictly for urbanites. 

6. Upper Serangoon Shopping Centre

Info	Detail
Location	Upper Serangoon Road (District 19)
Developer	Hong Huat Development
Lease	Freehold
Completion year	1980
Number of units	Eight

Recent prices

Contract date	Address	Type of sale	Unit area  (sq ft)	Type of area	Price (S$ PSF)	Price (S$)	Purchaser  address
Nov 11 2021	756 Upper Serangoon Road #06-XX	Resale	1,292	Strata	1,107	1,430,000	Private
May 21 2021	756 Upper Serangoon Road #06-XX	Resale	1,464	Strata	977	1,430,000	Private

Out of all the developments on this list, Upper Serangoon Shopping Centre is probably the least known that it actually has a residential component. With just eight units, it ranges from a size of 1,292 to 1,528 sq ft. 

It was built in 1980, and today is a place that seems to be frozen in time. From reading reviews online, many have commented that the place still smells the same from the 1980s (not too sure if that's a good thing). But it does suffer from the usual tenant mix that in today's context is just not a big enough draw to bring the shoppers in. 

Besides the freehold status, it's worth noting here that this spot has been rezoned in the URA Master Plan to a residential one. It was last a mixed-use development in the 2003 Master Plan. 

7. Orchard Towers

Info	Detail
Location	1 Claymore Drive (District 9)
Developer	Golden Bay Realty Pte Ltd
Lease	Freehold
Completion year	1975
Number of units	Eight

Recent prices

Contract date	Address	Type of sale	Unit area  (sq ft)	Type of area	Price (S$ PSF)	Price (S$)	Purchaser  address
April 19 2022	1 Claymore Drive #24-XX	Resale	1,970	Strata	1,548	3,050,000	Private
April 19 2021	1 Claymore Drive #18-XX	Resale	1,970	Strata	1,320	2,600,000	Private
Feb 18 2021	1 Claymore Drive #12-XX	Resale	1,970	Strata	1,295	2,550,000	Private
Feb 8 2021	1 Claymore Drive #15-XX	Resale	1,970	Strata	1,345	2,650,000	Private
Dec 4 2020	1 Claymore Drive #18-XX	Resale	1,970	Strata	1,310	2,580,000	Private

Source: Squarefoot Research

Orchard Towers is by far the most controversial development on this list, with the development most well known for its nightlife and sleazy activities. It was a ghost town because of the pandemic, but recently it was reported that all public entertainment licenses at Orchard Towers would not be renewed beyond May 31  next year in an effort to clean up the image of the place. 

It also recently tried to attempt a collective sale in February 2022, for a staggering $1.6 billion, but from what we've heard the response has been a mixed bag. Again like some of the other developments on this list, a collective sale for such developments is usually harder when commercial owners get involved as it could affect their business. 

There are 58 residential units here that are located in the block behind the commercial units, and there are also no facilities here to speak of. The residential block has also made an effort to distance itself away from the sleazy image of the place, and has only very recently renamed the building to One Claymore instead (as of Aug 1 2022). 

All units here are at a very sizeable 1,970 sq ft, with the exception of the penthouse which is 3,789 sq ft. 

8. Jalan Besar Plaza

Info	Detail
Location	Kitchener Road (District 8)
Developer	–
Lease	Freehold
Completion year	1980
Number of units	44

Recent prices

Contract date	Address	Type of sale	Unit area  (sq ft)	Type of area	Price (S$ PSF)	Price (S$)	Purchaser  address
Apr 12 2019	101 Kitchener Road #15-XX	Resale	1,593	Strata	973	1,550,000	Private

Source: Squarefoot Research. No transactions beyond 2019 were available.

Jalan Besar Plaza is in a really convenient spot, and is within walking distance to three different MRT lines. The closest is Jalan Besar on the Downtown line, followed by Lavender on the East West Line, and Farrer Park on the North East line. 

Like many on this list, not many people would be too aware that there are actually 44 freehold residential units here. These come in either 915 or 1,593 sq ft, and are pretty sizeable compared to today's newer units.

Given the attractive location, Jalan Besar Plaza has attempted a collective sale four times, with the last one in 2018 at a price of $380 million. 

ALSO READ: 5 nearly new 4-room HDB flats in non-mature areas under $400k

This article was first published in Stackedhomes.