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Business Times
a day ago
- Business
- Business Times
Frasers Property, Sekisui House launch The Robertson Opus with prices from S$3,150 psf
[SINGAPORE] Property developers Frasers Property and Sekisui House opened The Robertson Opus along Unity Street for a private preview on Wednesday (Jul 2), with public previews beginning this weekend. Prices will start from S$3,150 per square foot (psf). Located at Robertson Quay in District 9, the 999-year mixed-use development comprises 348 homes across five blocks of up to 10 floors. One block consists of just studios and one-bedroom units – primarily for investors looking to rent and others who wish to rightsize their homes, said Kevin Siew, managing director for development management at Frasers Property Singapore, during a media tour on Monday. The other four blocks will see a mix of two, three and four-bedroom units. Prices will start at S$1.37 million for a studio of 431 square feet (sq ft), and S$1.58 million for a one-bedder of 495 sq ft. Two-bedders, sized 689 to 743 sq ft, are priced from S$2.17 million, and three-bedders, sized 926 to 1,152 sq ft, from S$3.1 million. Four-bedders span 1,539 sq ft, with prices starting at S$5.09 million. The project also includes a retail podium with around 26 commercial units on the first floor and basement. It will retain its name Robertson Walk. In total, the entire development spans a land area of 9,102.7 square metres (sq m), with a maximum gross floor area of 30,663.6 sq m and a plot ratio of 3.37. It is a redevelopment of Frasers' serviced residence Fraser Place Robertson Walk and its adjoining commercial area, Robertson Walk – undertaken by Frasers Property and Japanese developer Sekisui House in a 51:49 joint venture. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up Siew noted that some tenants that were previously at Robertson Walk have moved to new locations. But, since Frasers' redevelopment will take three to four years, which is the length of most tenancy contracts, it would be 'perfect timing' for the developer to woo back the former tenants, he said. Marketing for the new Robertson Walk will begin in only another two years, given the project's expected completion in 2029. 'We (also) have a very big retail portfolio with around 2,000 leases… as the largest suburban owner-operator of shopping malls (in Singapore),' he added. 'I think that competitive advantage allows us to reach out to a much wider pool of tenants.' First in some time The Robertson Opus will be the first private home launch in the Robertson Quay area since 2019, when Frasers Property's Riviere was marketed. Prices for the 99-year leasehold condominium along Jiak Kim Street started at S$2,580 psf then. Since then, new units have sold at a median price of S$2,822 psf, while sub-sales and resales recorded a median price of S$2,869 psf. The Robertson Opus is also the first 999-year leasehold residential development launched in the neighbourhood in nearly 20 years, and is the only 'essentially freehold' launch this year, noted Siew. The last project with a 999-year tenure launched in its vicinity was the 186-unit The Wharf Residence in 2008. Caveats data showed that the median price of resale transactions in the project was S$2,361 psf in the year so far. Most recently, in late April, a 1,539 sq ft unit changed hands for S$3.68 million or S$2,388 psf. Four new 99-year leasehold projects will be coming up on state land sites tendered in the River Valley Green and Zion Road area. Two of these – Promenade Peak and River Green – are expected to be marketed in the current quarter, while a third, Zyon Grand, could be launched around October. Siew said freehold projects in the prime Core Central Region (CCR) are currently undervalued, with the price gap between the CCR and city fringe narrowing significantly in the past few years. According to statistics from ERA Research, the price difference between newly sold non-landed homes in the CCR and Rest of Central Region (RCR) was just S$59 psf in the first half of 2025. In comparison, the price gap was S$559 in 2024, S$458 psf in 2023, S$569 psf in 2022, and S$682 psf in 2021. Also, the price index of non-landed homes in the CCR has risen 17.9 per cent since 2019, versus the more than 50 per cent increase in both the RCR and Outside Central Region. Siew noted that it is therefore the 'right time' to launch The Robertson Opus, instead of holding it back any further or launching it any earlier. The property, being part of Frasers' land bank, also gives the developer the opportunity to time the market as such. 'We very much intend for (The Robertson Opus) to be the best-selling project in the CCR this year,' he added. Public previews for The Robertson Opus will begin on Jul 5, with sales booking commencing on Jul 19. The project is expected to receive its temporary occupation permit in the first half of 2029, and its expected vacant possession date on Jun 30, 2030.
New Paper
3 days ago
- General
- New Paper
'It was never smooth sailing': Dog welfare group ex-president reflects on 13 years at the helm
Dr Siew Tuck Wah can still remember what his bosses said when he became the president of Save Our Street Dogs Singapore (SOSD Singapore) in 2012. "Please don't associate the clinic with your charity work because the image is wrong," recalled the 46-year-old aesthetics doctor. SOSD has since become one of the most prominent animal welfare groups in Singapore. Dr Siew recently stepped down as SOSD president, citing a need for renewal, but remains a member of its medical committee. Looking back on his time helming the dog welfare organisation, he told The New Paper that people often think of stray dogs as "dirty, ugly, and disease-prone", and inferior to purebred, pedigree dogs. Today, Dr Siew is confident that mindsets have shifted. "The public's perception of stray dogs has changed tremendously," he said. Ironically, while Dr Siew has adopted many dogs since 2010, he did not grow up loving canines. "Growing up, there were no dogs in the neighbourhood. We were told to be very scared of dogs, you know, the dogs will bite you and all that." He moved out of his family home in 2006 and got his first dog Nugget, a Japanese Spitz. "That's when I started to get to know about dogs, how to take care of them and how to interact with them." Dr Siew with Nugget in 2007. PHOTO: NUGGET, CRAZY BLUE-EYED BOY/FACEBOOK As his love for dogs grew, so did his interest in the canine species. He began fostering stray dogs and got involved in animal activism in 2010. Back then, SOSD was just a small Facebook group started by a group of like-minded stray dog feeders, Dr Siew recalled. In a series of events that he attributed to fate, Dr Siew worked together with the organisation to save stray dogs in Punggol after a culling exercise in 2011. It was an epiphany for Dr Siew, as it gave him the motivation to step up and spearhead changes within SOSD. 'It was never smooth sailing' "I told the members we need to do this in a very structured way, but all the members said they didn't want to. So they said, if you want to, you can head it. And that's when I headed SOSD." He spent the next three years working towards an Institution of a Public Character (IPC) status for the organisation, as he believed it would help bring in more donations and increase SOSD's credibility. Most of his free time was spent at the dog shelter, handling administrative matters for the organisation. With decreasing donations and the expiry of the dog shelter lease, Dr Siew eventually quit his job to dedicate all his time to the organisation. He was also keen to work on the nationwide Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) programme, which aims to sterilise free-roaming dogs after capture and subsequently rehome them. In 2015, Dr Siew spent the year having conversations with ministers and the Animal Veterinary Service (AVS) to strengthen collaboration and come up with solutions for stray dogs in Singapore. "I will go as far as to say that if I didn't dedicate full time to this, the TNRM project might not have taken off or taken off so early. The situation of the animal shelters might be different today." Dr Siew walking the dogs he adopted. PHOTO COURTESY OF DR SIEW Return to practice Over 13 years as SOSD president, Dr Siew gave up his full-time job as an aesthetics doctor in 2015, started Radium Medical Aesthetics in Singapore the following year, and another clinic in Malaysia in 2024. "I always knew I had to come back to work, right? I'm not rich," he quipped. "It's either you work for people or you start your own business. I realised I cannot work for people anymore because I needed that flexibility to be able to run both." He described his commitment to his clinic and SOSD as "very hand in hand". "All the SOSD meetings were held in Radium, we had all the fundraising campaigns cross cover, so there's a lot of synergy between them." Stepping down Dr Siew said his decision to step down as SOSD president was necessary as the organisation needed renewal to "thrive". Current president Ms May Ngu, a "passionate individual with the fire burning" who was SOSD's vice president, took over an organisation that has grown from 10 to 278 registered volunteers. "She's someone who has a vision of what she wants, and she takes care of both dogs and people," he said. Dr Siew hopes that SOSD's efforts will eventually be expanded into Malaysia, where its stray dogs are "not privileged" to have a supportive government. "They are poisoned, shot, and skinned alive, so they really need a concerted effort to sterilise and improve animal welfare." "This might be a good chance if I have the bandwidth, and if I have enough funds, because it's going to be a lot of money, then I can start helping dogs there," he added. "I don't think I'll ever stop," he said with a laugh. "I hope that I can continue to be healthy so that I can get things moving and bring positive change."
The Star
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
JB team-up for the books
Teo (second from left) receiving a gift from Siew (left) and SUC board of governors chairman Mok Chek Hou during the launch of the reading project. With them is Prof Chuah (third from right). Retailer's outlets in the city raising funds for university college via sale of publications, artworks A LOCAL bookstore chain has started a year-long initiative in Johor Baru to support a tertiary institution's 50th anniversary. The collaboration between Popular Bookstore and Southern University College (SUC) kicked off in conjunction with World Book Day. Since April 1, all Popular outlets in the city have been selling SUC publications and up to 180 titles donated by affiliated authors. Customers have also been offered RM10 sets of five bookmarks featuring scenes from SUC's campus which was established in Skudai in 1990. Sale proceeds have been set aside to fund book purchases and literary activities of the university's Malaysian Chinese Literature Centre (MCLC). SUC president Prof Chuah Joon Huang said the institute was honoured to work with Popular. 'This partnership has allowed us to promote the world of reading, by showcasing SUC's publications, academic programmes and student artworks. 'I extend my gratitude for the sponsorship from the calligraphy and art communities, and the business sector.' Speaking at the opening ceremony for the 13-month cultural event celebrating SUC's 50th anniversary at a Johor Baru mall, Prof Chuah said, 'This is our first large-scale joint cultural event of its kind. 'It is a significant collaboration between our library, MCLC, Faculty of Chinese Studies, Faculty of Art and Design and industry partners.' He hopes this will inspire excellence in the city's art scene and become a model of cross-sector collaboration. 'Let us work hand in hand to enrich the arts scene of Johor Baru and Malaysia.' Comprising cultural performances and book sales until April 30, 2026, the event has been designed to attract public interest. Popular Malaysia general manager (business development) Siew Sheue Liang said, 'At Popular, we believe books are powerful tools for learning and cultural growth. 'In Johor Baru, we have promoted reading by giving back to the community through knowledge and culture.' Siew said Popular was proud to mark SUC's golden jubilee by launching a reading project titled 'Celebrating the Art of Calligraphy and Cultural Heritage – A New Chapter Begins'. He said Popular had raised RM16,100 for SUC and thanked contributors who helped to keep cultural heritage strong in Johor. The opening ceremony also marked the 70th anniversary of Chao Foon literary magazine, the oldest Chinese literary publication in Malaysia and Singapore, and is currently issued bi‑annually by MCLC. Meanwhile, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said she was happy to see publishers and universities teaming up to bring local stories, books and campuses closer to the public. The Kulai MP said the ministry had long promoted reading and aimed to build a stronger reading culture through programmes such as the Madani Malaysia book voucher. She said the programme offered RM50 and RM100 book vouchers to those from primary school to university levels. 'This year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the programme will include 400,000 teachers. 'We are also driving the 2025 Book Loving Nation Voucher Programme through the National Library. 'Under this programme, RM1mil has been allocated to support local publishers,' she said.
Rakyat Post
06-06-2025
- Business
- Rakyat Post
Malaysia's Char Siew & Siew Yuk Vendors Are Making More Than Doctors (And Sending Their Kids To Study Abroad)
Subscribe to our FREE Growing up, our parents always pushed us toward prestigious careers—doctor, teacher, lawyer—promising that these were the golden tickets to wealth. But in an unexpected twist, some of Malaysia's street food vendors are proving there's more than one path to financial success. A recent social media post on Siew yuk stands as a powerful symbol of prosperity and joy in Cantonese culture; its presence is mandatory at major celebrations and family gatherings, where sharing it strengthens community bonds and marks life's precious moments. (Pix: Fernando Fong) And they're not just making money – they're building generational wealth. One vendor's touted success story has caught particular attention: they're managing to fund their two children's education in the United States. The secret to their success? While specific high-quality cuts like Nevertheless, a whole roasted pig can cost upwards of RM2,000, translating into significant profits for skilled vendors who manage their operations well. Malaysia's Food Vendors: Breaking Income Stereotypes But it's not just the BBQ pork vendors who are quietly prospering. Across Malaysia's food scene, success stories are emerging: Chicken rice sellers living in bungalows, driving Mercedes, and sending kids overseas Nasi lemak vendors earn at least RM20,000 monthly Char kuey teow hawkers make around RM500 daily Glistening perfection: Artisanal Iberico char siew at Such claims have led many to question why doctors' salaries seem comparatively low. For context, according to However, salaries can vary significantly based on factors like speciality, experience, and whether the doctor is working in the public or private sector. On the other hand, many Malaysian doctors, particularly in the public sector, do feel Beyond the White Collar: The Hidden Wealth in Malaysia's Food Trade However, commenters were quick to point out that comparing these professions isn't exactly fair. It's the difference between running a business and being an employee, one noted. Business owners will always have the potential to earn more than salaried workers. Dinnertime bustle at Jalan Sultan's open-air food court near Petaling Street, where a sea of diners gather under colourful umbrellas – a quintessential Kuala Lumpur dining scene where locals and tourists converge for their meals. (Pix: Fernando Fong) While the income potential of food vendors is impressive, they're quick to add a reality check: the work is physically demanding, and many food vendors work long, gruelling hours in challenging conditions. But as one commenter noted, these hardworking hawkers are often 'quietly wealthy', proving that success doesn't always wear a white coat. Perhaps this explains why more people are leaving traditional employment to start their own businesses. As the saying goes, some of the wealthiest people in Malaysia might just be the humble hawker next door. A vibrant mural adorns the wall at the Section 17 food court in Petaling Jaya, depicting Malaysia's street food scene. Below the nostalgic artwork, the real scene unfolds as patrons queue up for their meals, perfectly capturing the everyday Malaysian dining culture. (Pix: Fernando Fong) READ MORE : READ MORE : READ MORE : DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as career or educational advice. Career choices should be made based on multiple factors, including personal interests, skills, market conditions, and thorough research. Success in any business venture, including food vending, is not guaranteed and involves significant risks, hard work, and various challenges. Always consult with professionals in your field for career and educational guidance. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
AsiaOne
02-05-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
Award-winning Hong Kong cha chaan teng Keming Bing Sat to make Singapore debut in late May, Lifestyle News
If you love dining at cha chaan tengs (Hong Kong-style cafes), you'll be pleased to know that the famous Keming Bing Sat will be landing in Singapore soon. Set to open at Plaza Singapura in late May, this will be the chain's first outlet in Singapore. Since their launch in Hong Kong in 2019, Keming Bing Sat has garnered massive popularity and currently has 140 outlets across Hong Kong and Mainland China. They've also won several accolades — with their roast meats being recognised by the China Dining Industry Association as a Traditional Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Dish. Frost & Sullivan, a market research company, also named the chain's char siew rice as the 'No.1 Best-Selling Char Siew Rice' in China based on sales from April 2024 to March 2025. According to a press release, it boasted a sales volume of over 3.3 million portions sold in China over a single year. Some dishes that diners can expect at the new Singapore outlet include the award-winning signature Char Siew Rice — touted to be crafted by "a Hong Kong roast meat master with 40 years of experience". The dish includes caramelised char siew, two soft-fried eggs and Wuchang rice (said to be a premium variety of japonica rice), complete with a secret sauce made in-house with 23 ingredients. To go with your meal, there are also beverages like the Little Bear Iced Lemon Tea and Little Bear Iced Hong Kong Milk Tea — featuring a frozen 'little bear' sitting atop the drinks — both of which went viral online in 2019, according to the press release. For dessert, diners can indulge in sweet treats such as the Lava Oreo Toast or Happiness Lava Egg Waffles — inspired by the traditional Hong Kong eggette. According to the brand, the restaurant's offerings are reflective of their concept of "Yesterday's Hong Kong, Today's Shenzhen" — honouring traditions while remaining innovative. [[nid:700296]]
