Home within a Botanic Garden in Prime District 9

[May 22, 2017 | The Business Times]

Sprawling green spaces are a luxury in land-scarce and highly dense Singapore – even more so in prime areas like district 9.

Nevertheless, GuocoLand is transforming the prime plot at Martin Place, once covered by grass and few peripheral trees, into a luxurious condominium project set in lush greenery.

At Martin Modern, residents inhabit a tranquil forest, a green refuge from the hustle and bustle of city living. This 450-unit project will have more than 80 per cent of the land area set aside for a unique botanic garden, an arboretum showcasing native trees and vegetation.

It will house collections of more than 200 species of plants and more than 50 species of trees and palms, including the native ones like the jelutong, meranti and chengal. A rare majestic tree with distinct buttress roots that used to be found on site, the ficus variegata that can grow to a height of 30m, will be re-introduced in the condominium project.

GuocoLand Singapore group managing director Cheng Hsing Yao says: “In land-scarce Singapore, space in a prime location is the ultimate luxury. It is extremely rare to find a large lush site in prime District 9, within the posh Robertson Quay neighbourhood.

“We are creating a botanic garden in the midst of the city. Once you enter the development, when you come into the arrival porch, surrounded by the tall trees and expansive green spaces, you will be transported into a different world.”

The terraced landscape of Martin Modern, spread over three levels, will be interspersed with glades, water features of varying moods and a walking trail through the woodland.

The luxury of green spaces

The project’s landscape architects describe the concept as one that “draws on the traditions of a classic country estate with its many garden rooms to discover and enjoy”.

Setting the tone for the development is a grand sense of arrival at the main gate, giving residents and their guests an elegant foretaste of the inner gardens. Throughout the garden landscape, residents will find themselves on a journey to discover new things.

ICN Design’s director Simon Morrison says: “We’ve designed a forest-like landscape with different zones, from multi-tiered forest woods, to meadow gardens to aquatic reed-edged pools. These are natural homes for birds such as Sunbirds, Orioles, Yellow Vented Bulbuls, Black-Naped Orioles and King Fishers, along with dragonflies and butterflies.”

Each of the 15 distinct gardens in the project has its own character and purpose. They include the party lawn, forest trail, bamboo grove, fern valley, and maze garden, among others.

Secret gardens, tucked away at the rooftops of the two residential blocks, are the most exclusive and intimate. They will house plant species acclimatised to higher altitudes.

“There’s always something delightful and exciting about secrets and uncovering the unexpected,” Mr Morrison says of the “secret gardens” concept popularised first in exclusive European homes during the renaissance era.

Given the site’s unique fan shape and a 10-metre gradient from one end to the other, the two residential towers’ footprint is optimised on stepped podium to allow generous space for the lush setting.

All units in the project come with a view of the gardens, the city or the Singapore River. Each unit is designed with the occupier in mind, with well-proportioned and functional spaces, and high-quality finishes and fittings.

Working closely with the landscape architects is the project’s master architect Yip Yuen Hong from ipli Architects. Mr Yip is a four-time President’s Design Award winner who has designed good class bungalows for some of Singapore’s most affluent and sophisticated residents.

Designing with the residents in mind underpins the landscape concept, Mr Morrison says. “Here, we are giving them a landscape garden for their enjoyment, a prestigious address, a grand arrival, entertaining venues, social gathering lawns and individually crafted garden spaces within the overall forest-like setting.”

And what could be better for residents than enjoying the great outdoors from their own backyard and owning that piece of living heritage too?

About Martin Modern

Located at Martin Place, Martin Modern is a new luxury residential project by GuocoLand Limited, following closely the success of its earlier luxury projects Goodwood Residence and Leedon Residence.

The master architect for the project is Yip Yuen Hong from ipli Architects, a four-time President’s Design Award winner who has designed good class bungalows for some of Singapore’s most affluent and sophisticated residents.

The project architect is ADDP Architects, a multi-faceted architectural practice, while the landscape work is undertaken by ICN Design International, an award-winning landscape architectural firm.

Sitting on 15.936 sqm of land, the 450-unit project will comprise two- to four- bedroom apartments across two 30-storey towers set in lush greenery. Over 80 per cent of the land area will be turned into an enchanting forest garden.

The project is close to a number of established schools and amenities. It is a 15-minute walk to Somerset MRT station and a 5-minute walk to the upcoming Great World MRT station along the Thomson-East Coast line, only one stop away from Orchard and three stops from the CBD.

Martin Modern is slated to be launched in the second half of 2017.

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