CDL celebrates its diamond jubilee with its eighth Top Developer Award

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It has been an eventful year for City Developments Ltd (CDL), a prominent real estate company in Singapore. Celebrating its diamond jubilee last month, CDL also proudly accepted its seventh consecutive Top Developer Award at the EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards (EPEA) 2023 on October 6.

Taking the stage that memorable evening to receive the award on behalf of the company was Chia Ngiang Hong, the group general manager of CDL. The developer’s achievements were not limited to this prestigious accolade, as it also secured eight more awards recognizing four of its outstanding residential projects in Singapore.

Chia expressed gratitude, stating, “We owe our adventurous 60-year journey to many,” acknowledging the unwavering support received from industry partners, stakeholders, collaborators, friends, and colleagues.

Crafting Livable Homes

This year, CDL’s residential projects, both completed and in progress, garnered recognition from the EPEA judging panel for excellence in sustainability, design, innovation, and landscaping. Each award-winning project in CDL’s portfolio caters to the diverse needs and preferences of homeowners and buyers in Singapore.

For instance, the recently completed Whistler Grand, a 716-unit development at West Coast Vale, achieved significant recognition. It won Top Development, Landscape Excellence, Design Excellence, Sustainability Excellence, and Innovation Excellence awards in its category. Whistler Grand was launched for sale in November 2018 and fully sold out by October 2021, with its temporary occupation permit (TOP) obtained in April the following year.

Chia emphasized CDL’s winning formula in creating livable homes tailored to the right market, stating, “A livable home should consider factors such as functionality, convenience, safety, energy efficiency, and sustainability, which can impact overall well-being.” He pointed out that CDL remains responsive to the evolving needs of homebuyers, incorporating innovations such as flexible space designs for home-office setups and biophilic designs that connect residents with nature through landscaping.

Elevating Executive Condominiums (ECs)

In the EC category, CDL stood out with two of its projects: Piermont Grand, which received the Top Executive Condominium award in the Completed (Non-Central) category, and Copen Grand, awarded the same title in the Uncompleted (Non-Central) category.

ECs are a unique type of public housing project in Singapore developed and sold by private property developers to eligible Singaporean households. CDL’s Piermont Grand and Copen Grand projects have elevated the EC offering by providing well-curated facilities, premium finishes, and a commitment to wellness and sustainability.

Copen Grand, in particular, stands out as Singapore’s first Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy EC, incorporating green design, smart technology, and luxurious living. The development utilizes renewable energy technology through photovoltaic systems to harness solar power, reducing energy consumption.

Piermont Grand also holds a Green Mark Platinum certification and incorporates a smart-energy and water-monitoring system with water leak detection algorithms, contributing to significant reductions in CO2 emissions.

Embracing Innovation

CDL is committed to encouraging innovation that sets new standards for residential developments in Singapore. Chia emphasized the importance of digitalization in CDL’s innovation plans, which include integrating CDL Home Sales, an in-house proprietary electronic system, with other digital solutions in an ecosystem that enhances the customer experience. This integration enables homebuyers to access construction progress updates, billing schedules, and key collection appointments through the My CDL Home mobile app.

Chia highlighted CDL’s future project, Lumina Grand, a 512-unit EC project at Bukit Batok West Avenue 5 slated for launch in the first quarter of 2024. This project draws inspiration from the natural beauty of Bukit Batok Nature Park Quarry, integrating green spaces and water features throughout the development. Lumina Grand will feature energy-efficient, water-efficient, and environmentally friendly design and technologies, such as solar photovoltaic panels.

CDL is also looking ahead to its project at Champions Way in Woodlands, which won the site in a government land tender. This project aims to achieve the BCA Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy) rating, offering about 350 residential units across four blocks.

Navigating Challenges

CDL has faced challenges in recent years, including property cooling measures, high-interest rates, and cautious economic outlooks. The company delayed the preview of Newport Residences, a residential development in Tanjong Pagar, following property cooling measures issued earlier this year.

Chia emphasized CDL’s confidence in Singapore’s real estate market and its commitment to maintaining a significant market share in the residential segment. The company also plans to explore mixed-use projects that incorporate residential components for a holistic living experience.

In terms of sustainability, CDL aims to influence and enhance its supply chain by collaborating with partners to embrace energy-efficient design and low-emission technologies. The company is dedicated to driving sustainability innovation in the industry and continuing its leadership in sustainable living.