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Netflix is a marriage counseling session new parents never expect

By
e27
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0

At least for me. Not sex. Not a couple’s therapy. Netflix

Netflix has always been a means of entertainment since operating in 1997, but unfortunately not in my country, Indonesia. Back then, I still had to go to a movie rental to rent the movies that I missed out in cinema or not getting any cinema time at all, three months or more after it’s no longer played in the cinema.

In 2016, Indonesia welcomed Netflix. So it was really surprising for me to find out it has been out there forever and it took nine years for it to be present here (let’s not forget the silly ban by telco conglomerate who had its own agenda on having the exact same streaming platform everywhere).

But even then it was still a foreign concept for me. I guess I’m just a late bloomer when it comes to technology, I prefer something familiar, like renting movies.

Netflix and introversion

People say not to put a label on what you are, but then finding out that I don’t really like being in a sea of people, and that I dread conversation, giving me a hunch that if I’m labeled, I would be more of an introvert than an extrovert.

I guess that’s where Netflix comes in handy. It’s the perfect introverts’ entertainment that doesn’t involve thinking other than deciding on what to watch.

Also Read: Video publisher platform iVideoSmart raises Series A+ funding

Sometimes you don’t even get to decide because it keeps on rolling to the next available movies or reality shows unless you stop it.

Introversion has become a cultural totem of what an ideally cool person is. I think Netflix is one of an introvert’s starter kits more than extroverts, which makes staying in and streaming on are the hype when Netflix was first widely available in Indonesia (Netflix and chill is a successful branding).

You’re cool if you know and you spend on having a Netflix account. It’s good faith in ending uncontrollable piracy that almost all Indonesians I know are guilty of at one point in their life, but it’s also felt like a condition for not enjoying the company of too many people.

It makes Netflix exclusive and exciting, but at the same time, it makes it too popularised as coolness’ starter kit. Honestly, it still feels that way even now, and I know how much time I spent thinking about this is sad.

Netflix and parenthood, and marriage

We moved on to the ultimate stage of building a family: having a kid. Two months after giving birth, my partner said it’s time, we need a TV and Netflix subscription.

I think at that time it’s more of a need to have a good dose of life outside the endless diaper changes and sleep deprivation. Netflix, as sad as it might sound, helped us cope with brand new parenthood.

So we subscribed. And every night, past the three-months mark, we committed ourselves to Dark, a German series produced by Netflix that’s depressing but addictive.

Dark became our escape, or dare I say, a portal to go back and reminisce a bit to a simpler time. It’s when we get our adult time, although with lots of crying and breastfeeding interruption that would end up with us both not finishing a whole episode.

For my partner, who’s having it tad easier since he doesn’t have functioning breasts, it was an eye opening experience since he got to watch series at nights I was too tired to join him. He’s forever converted.

For our companionship, we could bicker all we like about parenting and issues like the lack of involvement in household chores, but come night time, we would make up for another new episode we’ve committed to watch together.

This is not a surprise, because it’s actually backed by a new survey conducted by HighSpeedInternet.com. Interesting data on couples and their Netflix habits shows that their viewing habits are integral to many romances.

The survey shows that there are 30 per cent married couples chose to give up sex than Netflix streaming, while unmarried couples dominated with 60 per cent choosing Netflix over sex.

Netflix and chill for sanity

The meme “Netflix and chill” is certainly justified with our condition as a couple and parents now.

For myself, the carved time dedicated to not thinking about what to prepare for lunch, or what about that article that I need to upload ASAP while making sure my crawling baby doesn’t go straight to the edge of the bed while I looked away to adjust a cover image size is what helps me function for now.

Also Read: Undeterred by rejections and insults, this duo has built a cool edtech startup and got funding, too

Well, waking up to purpose might be good enough, but mine’s got better with the promise of chill at the end of the day.

My partner’s face would light up on the possibility of us two creeping on the floor bedside watching Netflix and snacking so that we’d still keep an eye on the baby. That makes me think that we’re gonna be okay.

Exhaustion and resentment are parts of marriage and parenthood that not many people want to admit, but thanks to our Netflix time, we’re on the same page again. We’re good, as long as we can geek over the same thing, and in a way, we’re happier parents.
–

Photo by Caspar Camille Rubin on Unsplash

The post Netflix is a marriage counseling session new parents never expect appeared first on e27.

Source: E27

Want to get more votes? Smile!

By
The Independent
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0

A new study reports interesting findings on the correlation between smiling and vote turnout. Masahiko Asano, a professor at Tokyo’s Takushoku University, analysed the smiles of election candidates and compared the data with the number of votes they got.

Professor Asano gathered around 6,000 campaign posters and analysed the smiles of the candidates using an advanced facial recognition system developed by Omron Corporation. The system also took into consideration the candidate’s facial expressions such as how widely they open their eyes and mouths and other micro-expression like creases that formed around their eyes.

The candidates themselves selected their photo headshots to be used in the official campaign posters. Asano’s study noted that “the campaign photos in the Japanese national elections provide an excellent representation of the facial displays they wished to present to voters in their efforts to obtain district seats.”

Asano’s research spanned six election periods in Japan’s House of Representatives. Results from the study concluded that candidates who smiled got more votes.

However, the researchers added that they are in the process of analysing more data in order to “examine to what degree a smile favorably affects the share of votes won,” according to the report by the Japan Times. 

This is not the first study to focus on a candidate’s smile and its correlation to votes. Stanford professor and psychologist Jeanne Tsai used affect theories to analyse the way political leaders smile can reveal much more about their culture and the emotions they want people to feel.

Tsai and a team of researchers hypothesized that politicians display their culture’s “ideal affect” through the way they present themselves. The US, as specified in the research, culturally valued excitement while East Asian nations such as Japan valued calmness. Thus, US politicians displayed bigger and wider grins while East Asian politicians were more reserved.

Tsai’s research also found that US politicians smiled more even though they lost elections or ranked low in polls.

So maybe before campaign period starts, potential candidates and election hopefuls might want to consider paying a visit to their local dentist first.

Netizens outraged after public notice bears text in North Indian language instead of Tamil

By
Jewel Stolarchuk
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0

Several netizens are expressing outrage after one Singaporean from the country’s Indian community highlighted that a public notice circulating in the Woodlands-Admiralty area bears text in a North Indian language instead of Tamil.

Tamil is one of the four official languages of Singapore. It is the only Indian language among the four official languages, of which the other three are Malay, Mandarin and English. Singapore is one of only three countries in the world to make Tamil an official language. The other countries to have done so are India and Sri Lanka.

As such, Tamil is the most spoken Indian language in Singapore and is taught as a mother tongue language in the majority of local schools.

According to the last (2010) publicly-released census, 54.18 per cent of Singapore citizens and permanent residents who are of Indian ethnicity speak Tamil while the others speak one of more than ten other Indian languages spoken in Singapore.

On Friday, Facebook user Vijaya Kandasamy alerted netizens to the erroneous public notice about the temporary relocation of a market in the Woodlands-Admiralty region. The notice was written in four languages: English, Mandarin, Malay and a North Indian language.

Incensed that the notice bore another Indian language instead of the official Indian language in Singapore, Vijaya wrote: “OMG who is in charge of Admiralty/Woodlands R u ok?

“I think you need more people who can read and write Tamil. What language is that?? Blunders are made continuously by authorities. Its unacceptable!! It did not happen in 70s, 80s and even 90s but after millennium somethings not right.

“Again n again no one proofread the flyers before mass printing and distributing, please don’t take things too lightly and keep apologizing. It looks very ugly!! Please remove the person from your team if they don’t know our very own official languages!”

Additionally, a second mistake in the notice was picked up by a netizen responding to Vijaya’s Facebook post; the Malay translation in the public announcement is inaccurate and makes it seem like the notice issuer is “again looking for” instead of relocating the market. Malay is the national language of Singapore.

While it is unclear who created the public notice about the market relocation, it could be possible that the notice was commissioned by the Woodlands town council.

One netizen suggested that the flyer was created by a contractor affiliated with the town council as he reported that Admiralty zone town-councillor and PAP MP Amrin Amin ordered the contractor to change the flyer:

In spite of this, several netizens who responded to Vijaya’s picture of the notice shared her outrage and asserted that such a blunder is inexcusable:

This incident could join a plethora of blunders involving the Tamil language by public institutions in recent years. Following major translation misfires in government materials, an official 11-member Review Panel for Government Tamil Translations convened just last year to put an end to such mistakes.

In unveiling steps to eradicate inaccurate translations in Jan 2017, the then Minister of State for Health and Communications and Information Chee Hong Tat had said that the priority is to tighten vetting procedures:

“We will require all government agencies to adopt a more rigorous process to vet and check their translated materials before they are made public.”

During budget deliberations in parliament last year, he had said that such mistakes are “avoidable errors [that] should not have been made in the first place.”

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213428065404297&set=a.2693617147872&type=3

Police allegedly visit the home of a netizen who said he wanted to throw an egg at Law Minister

By
Jewel Stolarchuk
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0

The police allegedly visited the home of a netizen, purportedly over a “harmless” comment he had made online about wanting to throw an egg at Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam.

Facebook user Edmund Zhong had made the remark about wanting to throw an egg at the minister in the comments section of a post on Channel NewsAsia’s Facebook page.

Photo: The Alternative View FB

Sharing a screenshot of his original remarks and a photo of a notice the police apparently left at his door, Edmund revealed that the police paid a visit to his home over his online remarks.

The photo of the notice the police purportedly left at Edmund’s home indicates the police’s request for Edmund to visit an investigating officer at the Ang Mo Kio Division HQ:

Photo: The Alternative View FB

In a post on Facebook group ‘Complaint Singapore’, Edmund wrote: “Apparently 3 days ago, 2 officers from Ang Mo Kio Division HQ went to my home regarding my egg throwing comments towards K Shanmugam.

“Felt a mix of emotions as I didn’t expect a harmless but straightforward comment can gain so much reaction. But as we all know, majority of Singaporeans are the biggest complain kias and the police simply had a job to do, even if they think it’s a waste of time. Just like this comedy case…”

Photo: The Alternative View FB

Edmund appears to have deleted his post from the ‘Complaint Singapore’ Facebook page but a screenshot of his post is still circulating on social media.

The Independent has written to the Singapore Police Force (SPF) for their comment on this matter and will update this story once we receive a response.

Police arrest Singaporean man who staged his own kidnapping

By
The Independent
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0
Photo from Wikimedia Commons.

A Singaporean man was arrested upon arriving at Changi Airport last March 20. The 30-year-old Singaporean man living in Vietnam allegedly staged his own kidnapping.

Authorities received a report saying a Singaporean man had been kidnapped last Feb 27 in Vietnam. The Singapore Police Force and Vietnamese police intervened, and an investigation took place.

The man’s relatives filed the police report. According to him, the ‘kidnappers’ demanded S$20,000 for his ransom. The amount was supposed to be transferred to his bank account before he can be released. Relatives at home deposited an amount but not the full ransom.

Contrary to what was reported, police discovered that the man was actually “safe and well” in Vietnam. The man seems to have faked his own kidnapping in order to get money from his relatives.

The man was arrested on charges of cheating. If he is convicted, he could be fined and face seven to ten years of jail time under Section 420 Chapter 224 of the Singapore Penal Code.

Investigations are still ongoing, thus, further details about the case are still confidential. Authorities say they are still unaware of why the man desperately needed the money in the first place.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the consulate can assist Singaporeans abroad who need to contact their relatives or friends to request them to send emergency funds in order to come home or for other emergency expenses. However, the consulate cannot lend monetary loans or cash cheques for whatever reason.

Should a Singaporean be arrested abroad, the consulate can assist in transferring funds for legal fees, but it cannot post bail or pay fines for the detained citizen.

Netizens expressed their disbelief and disgust at the man’s actions. Some wondered if the man hated his relatives so much that he would cheat them of S$20,000.

 

Today’s top tech news, March 22: Uber, Pinterest reportedly eyeing NYSE for listing

By
e27
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0

Apart from Uber and Pinterest, we also have updates from JD, Facebook, and Morningside Technology Ventures

uber_nyse_ipo (1)

Uber, Pinterest reportedly eyeing NYSE for listing – Reuters

Tech giants Uber and Pinterest have picked the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as the venue for their stock listings, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The report also stated that in the recent years, NYSE has become the “exchange of choice” for big tech companies after NASDAQ “famously bumbled” the Facebook IPO with tech errors.

However, NASDAQ did score the IPO of Uber’s competitor Lyft, which is expected to reach or exceed US$23 billion when it prices its shares March 28.

The companies and the NYSE have declined to comment.

JD offers social credits, AI-powered tools for local govts in China – SCMP

Chinese e-commerce giant JD has launched a big-data-powered service to give social credit scores to individuals, businesses and potential investors for local governments in China, South China Morning Post reported.

As part of the company’s effort to expand to the smart city vertical, it launched new brand JD iCity with the goal to double down on the intelligent city business by providing big data and artificial intelligence-powered tools to local governments.

The services can be used to build social credit databases, AI-powered traffic infrastructure and other smart transport services.

The company’s move comes amid Beijing’s call for deeper integration between AI and the real economy.

Also Read: Today’s top tech news, March 15: Uber plans to kick off IPO in April

Facebook admits it stores account passwords in plaintext – TechCrunch

Social media giant Facebook on Thursday confirmed in a blog post that it stored “hundreds of millions” of account passwords in plaintext for years, TechCrunch wrote.

The confirmation was prompted by a report by cybersecurity reporter Brian Krebs, which stated that the logs were accessible to some 2,000 engineers and developers.

Facebook explained that the discovery was made in January as part of a routine security review. It also stated that none of the passwords were visible to anyone outside of the company.

Morningside leads US$11M Series A funding for staff marketplace Jitjatjo – Dealstreet Asia

Hong Kong investment firm Morningside Technology Ventures, a sub-organisation of Morningside Group, has led a US$11 million Series A funding round for New York-based mobile staffing marketplace Jitjatjo, Dealstreet Asia wrote.

Launched in 2016, Jitjatjo leverades AI to build a two-sided marketplace that enables businesses in the service and hospitality sector to book workers from one hour’s notice to several months in advance.

It had previously raised pre-seed and seed funding rounds totalling US$6.9 million.

The funding will support the company’s effort in continuing the growth in the current two markets (New York and Chicago), expanding to other cities in the US, advancing its machine learning capabilities to support the launch of the company’s enterprise technology offering, and establishing an experiential headquarters in New York.

As part of the deal, Mick Sawka from Morningside Technology Advisory will join the company’s board of director.

—

Image Credit: Aditya Vyas on Unsplash

The post Today’s top tech news, March 22: Uber, Pinterest reportedly eyeing NYSE for listing appeared first on e27.

Source: E27

New ride hailing mobile app FastGo promises to be the cheapest ride in the market

By
Anna Maria Romero
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0
Photo: Facebook screengrab/FastGo

Singapore—Vietnam’s FastGo ride hailing mobile app will make its debut in Singapore next month.

Drivers who are interested should register via the FastGo mobile app from April 1. By April 30 riders can begin booking rides.

FastGo is a Vietnamese start-up that is not even a year old yet. In June 2018, it started providing taxi and private car services in Vietnam, and according to a media statement from the company, it has almost 60,000 drivers and is one of the top two ride-hailing services in the country.

Last August, the people behind the firm received funding for the company in a Series A investment from VinaCapital Ventures. For its Series B in, its goal is to raise US$50 million.

According to Diep Nguyen, the country manager for FastGo Singapore, the company’s fleet size will be at least 3,000 cars.

FastGo is currently available in Myanmar, aside from Vietnam. However, by the end of the year, the firm has plans to begin operations in five other nations in South East Asia, including the Philippines and Indonesia.

Each market gets an infusion of S$4 million at least initially, whenever FastGo launches in a new country.

Ms Nguyen asserted that FastGo will work with local taxi operators.

And as for the existing ride-hailing companies in Singapore, GoJek, Grab, Ryde, and Tada, she said that FastGo was “competing with them well.”

She added that FastGo will learn from its competitors’ experience and weaknesses to provide good policies and services for commuters and drivers”.

What sets FastGo apart is that it aims to ease the burden on its drivers, as well as offer lower rates to its customers.

The company will only charge a daily subscription fee of less than US$5 (S$6.75) for drivers who earn more than US$30 (S$40) in a day.

Moreover, a statement from the company adds that “If the driver’s income is lower than 30 USD per day, FastGo will not charge any service fee. Besides, there is no surcharge during peak hours. However, the application allows the customers to use the TIP (bonus) function when booking a ride, or choose the Priority services. This strategy helps FastGo swiftly attract the driver-partners and customers at a low cost.”

On the other hand, both GoJek and Grab charge a fee of twenty percent for each fare from its drivers.

Nguyen Huu Tuat, the Founder and Chairman of FastGo said “FastGo’s model brings the best economic benefit to the drivers and customers. Any FastGo ride will always be cheaper than the others. The customers’ safety is ensured with FastGo insurance package and they are served wholeheartedly by the drivers.

“Every city, where FastGo presents, (sic) the driver-partners support and promote (sic) FastGo enthusiastically to the passengers. Hence, we are able to save the marketing cost to reach new customers. Our resources will be saved to invest in improving products and the service quality, in order to increase the benefits for the users and driver-partner.”

However, FastGo has not yet given any details about its schemes for fares for riders.

FastGo launched in Vietnam after Uber stopped providing services in South East Asia.

The company’s press statement also indicates what kind of services FastGo will provide–FastCar, FastTaxi, and FastBike. Eventually, the company plans that FastExpress, FastCare and FastLend services will follow.

The company is a member of NextTech Group (nexttech.asia), which is “the leader in the Internet field in Vietnamese E-commerce, payment, and logistics,” according to the press statement.

ESM Goh: Let’s build more political and goodwill bridges between Malaysia and Singapore

By
Anna Maria Romero
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0
Photo: Facebook screengrab

Singapore: Responding to recent comments from Malaysia’s Prime Minister Dr Tun Mahathir Mohammad, who said that there is a need for three or four more bridges between Singapore and Malaysia to manage the traffic flow, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said in a Facebook post that what is needed are “political” and “goodwill bridges.”

In a post on his Facebook account on March 21, the former Prime Minister acknowledged what Dr Mahathir had said earlier this week, even saying that the “cost-benefits” of building such bridges need to be examined.

https://www.facebook.com/MParader/posts/2783881091654539?__tn__=C-R

But while this is being done, he stressed the need for “more political, goodwill bridges between leaders, Members of Parliament and our two peoples.”

The reason for this, he wrote, is that Malaysians and Singaporeans are not as close as they used to be, and future generations may even be further apart from each other.

“Our two peoples have grown increasingly apart since Separation, and successive generations will find each other more unfamiliar.”

ESM Goh said he believes in strong and close ties between Singapore and Malaysia, simply because the two counties will always be neighbors.

“I favour closer and stronger links between Malaysia and Singapore, both physical and political. We are neighbours, and forever will be.”

The News Straits Times reports that Dr Mahathir’s had said on Tuesday, March 19, at a question-and-answer portion during the Invest Malaysia 2019 event, that at least three to four bridges between the two countries are needed to ensure smooth traffic flow. But he added that Singapore is not in favor of building additional bridges. According to Bermama, the reason for this is something he cannot understand.

And while several other officials in Malaysia have suggested that another link between the two countries would be necessary, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, it has gotten no proposal from Malaysia for building a new bridge.

At present, there are two links connecting the countries—the Tuas Second Link and the Causeway.

Dr Mahathir also remarked that in contrast, a third connection is already being planned with Penang, via an underground tunnel. Traffic there is of a lesser volume than that of Malaysia and Singapore.

He said, “Even Penang, which has a smaller population than Singapore. Traffic is much bigger than Penang’s. We only have one causeway and a bridge. We need at least three to four more bridges.”

Many netizens agreed with Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong about the kind of bridges that must be built between Singapore and Malaysia.

However, some commenters seemed to be critical of Dr Mahathir

Read related: After Christchurch shooting, ESM Goh asks Singaporeans to guard against religious extremism

https://theindependent.sg.sg/after-christchurch-shooting-esm-goh-asks-singaporeans-to-guard-against-religious-extremism/

 

PUB gives Hyflux deadline to resolve defaults, or it will take over Tuaspring

By
The Independent
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0
Photo: YouTube screengrab

Singapore – The Public Utilities Board (PUB), Singapore’s water agency, announced on March 21 (Thursday) that it plans to take over Hyflux’s Tuaspring desalination plant if the company cannot resolve its defaults by April 5.

Via a media release, the PUB said it would terminate the Water Purchase Agreement (WPA) with Hyflux for failing to “safeguard Singapore’s water security.”

The WPA was signed on April 6, 2011, between the PUB and Tuaspring Pte Ltd (Tuaspring), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hyflux. It is a 25-year agreement with Tuaspring promising to deliver up to 70 million gallons of desalinated water per day to PUB over a 25-year period from 2013 to 2038.

The development revealed by the PUB could affect Hyflux’s ongoing restructuring plans. The PUB has been for some time concerned over the financial crisis faced by Hyflux and Tuaspring, noting the latter’s position of being unable to stay “reliably operational.” The water agency stated that the WPA would be cancelled and the desalination plant purchased if Tuaspring could not “fully resolve all defaults within the default notice period.”

The default notice was sent to Tuaspring on March 5.

The PUB plans to purchase Tuaspring for zero dollars given its operational and financial issues since 2017. Tuaspring has been unable to properly replace the facility’s poor-performing membranes causing the quality and quantity of water it produces to be affected. The water agency mentioned the numerous occasions when the desalination plant was unable to provide the agreed amount of water.

On March 20 (Wednesday), Tuaspring clarified some points with PUB regarding the default notice, asking whether the water agency plans to take over the entire Tuaspring water and power project or solely the desalination plant, should the WPA be terminated.

Tuaspring also asked if compensation had to be paid to the PUB as stipulated by the WPA and noted that it would not be able to given its financial position.

The water plant also reiterated that it has been and would proceed to lose money for the next few years, along with its power plant which is also in the red.

An independent valuer will be placing the price for Tuaspring in accordance with the WPA although the PUB noted how the current valuation for it was currently negative, which is why there was a supposed compensation needed to be paid.

“However, PUB has informed Tuaspring that it is willing to purchase the desalination plant for zero dollars and waive the compensation sum,” added the water agency.

Tuaspring now has until April 5 to consult with PUB on the necessary steps it must take to resolve the issues. Failure to do so will result in a termination of the WPA and will leave the plant’s management to the PUB in early May.

The PUB’s announcement also leaves certain implications on Hyflux as the company is currently reorganising and is in agreement with SM Investments to give up 60 percent of its shares to the group for S$530 million. Hyflux said previously that the contract might be terminated because of Tuaspring’s defaults.

In a media release on March 18, PUB stated that SM Investments had issued Hyflux a Notice to Remedy in which the company had two weeks to address PUB’s default notice or risk termination of their agreement.

Amidst all the deadlines, the PUB said that, “Hyflux itself has noted that PUB’s actions, in the event PUB elects to terminate the WPA, would be favourable to Tuaspring as this alleviates the pressure on the rest of the Hyflux Group, and also positively impacts Hyflux’s value and hence the value of the Hyflux shares being offered.”

More on Hyflux below:

https://theindependent.sg.sg/hyflux-ceo-olivia-lum-denies-that-she-received-s60-million-in-dividends/

Boulevard 88 achieves sales of over $160 million in private previews

By
The Independent
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0

Boulevard 88 at a glance:

  • The only brand new freehold residential development along Orchard Boulevard in prime District 10
  • A short stroll to Orchard Road shopping belt, upcoming Orchard MRT interchange and future Orchard Boulevard MRT Station
  • Comprises two 28-storey residential towers with unrivalled views
  • Designed by renowned Moshe Safdie whose works include the upcoming Jewel Changi Airport
  • Integrated with the first EDITION hotel in Singapore
  • Average selling price of S$3,550 psf

On 8 March 2019, City Developments Limited (CDL) and its joint venture partners, Hong Leong Holdings Limited and Lea Investments Pte Ltd, started exclusive private previews of Boulevard 88 which are by appointments only.

The ultra-high-end Boulevard 88 is the only brand new freehold residential development along Orchard Boulevard in prime district 10. Directly accessible through Orchard Boulevard and Cuscaden Road, the 154-unit development is a short six minutes’ stroll to the famous Orchard Road shopping and entertainment belt, Orchard MRT station (interchange station for the North-South and upcoming Thomson-East Coast Lines) and future Orchard Boulevard Station (on the Thomson-East Coast Line).

Prices at Boulevard 88 start from S$4.4 million for a two-bedroom plus study, S$6 million for a three-bedroom, and S$9.6 million for a four-bedroom. The development offers four exquisite penthouses priced at S$30 million and S$32 million.

Unit sizes range from 1,313 square feet (sq ft) for a two-bedroom plus study to 6,049 sq ft for the largest penthouse.

To date, 20 units (out of 25 released) have been sold at an average selling price of S$3,550 psf. Majority of the units sold were four-bedroom apartments which are more than S$10 million each and the rest comprised two-bedroom plus study and three-bedroom apartments. About 60% of the buyers are Singaporeans while the remaining are Singapore Permanent Residents, and foreigners mainly from Indonesia, China and the USA.

CDL Group General Manager, Mr Chia Ngiang Hong, said, “We are very encouraged by the positive response for Boulevard 88. For an ultra-luxury development, achieving a sales value of over S$160 million in less than two weeks of exclusive private previews is commendable in the current market. New freehold projects like Boulevard 88 are indeed are hard to come by.

“Being at the nexus of the Tanglin and Orchard Road sub-precincts, the project is poised to benefit from the plans to rejuvenate and transform Orchard Road. Moreover, Boulevard 88 has a stunning design by Moshe Safdie and offers unrivalled views of the surrounding and beyond.

“Apart from Boulevard 88’s exceptional attributes, buyers are drawn to its attractive pricing. Upcoming comparable projects in the area are mostly expected to be sold at an average of S$4,000 psf and above. Furthermore, CDL’s recent high-end developments like Gramercy Park, New Futura and South Beach Residences have been very well received and reinforced our reputation for design, quality and execution. We are confident that Boulevard 88 will continue to attract savvy buyers looking for luxury living in the heart of town with good investment potential.”

Stunning design by renowned Moshe Safdie

Designed by world-renowned Moshe Safdie, who conceptualised architectural landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands integrated resort and the upcoming Jewel Changi Airport. Boulevard 88 has a stunning architecture.

It comprises two 28-storey residential towers that are connected at the top by a Sky Boulevard, creating a tall ‘urban window’ and an outstanding skyline silhouette that is visible from the city’s surround.

Integrated with The Singapore EDITION Hotel by Ian Schrager and Marriott International

Boulevard 88 is perched above The Singapore EDITION Hotel conceived by Ian Schrager and Marriott International.  Residents will enjoy convenient access to the dining facilities of the first EDITION hotel in Singapore, right at their doorstep.

Close proximity to various amenities

In addition to its proximity to Orchard Road, Boulevard 88 is near a wide range of amenities such as the Singapore Botanic Gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), social clubs – The Tanglin Club and The American Club, as well as reputable healthcare facilities such as Camden Medical Centre, Gleneagles Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Orchard. Nearby educational institutions include Anglo Chinese School (Junior), Chatsworth International School, ISS International School Singapore, and River Valley Primary School.

New levels of luxury

Spanning the two towers of Boulevard 88 is the Sky Boulevard where residents will have a plethora of options for relaxation and indulgence, including a Sky Club for private social functions; a gourmet Sky Kitchen for fine dining; a Sky Lounge for drinks; a Sky Gym with state-of-the-art equipment and a spectacular Infinity Sky Pool. In addition, they can host outdoor parties for guests at the Patio Lounge on level 2.

All units come with exquisite finishes and fittings, such as top-of-the-line kitchen cabinetry from the Ernestomeda Icon series, and bathroom fittings from Antonio Lupi and Hansgrohe AXOR Citterio E. A powder room will be included for all three- and four-bedroom units as well as penthouses and there will be private lift access for four-bedroom and penthouse units.

Signature residential services

Residents will enjoy Signature Residential Services from hospitality-trained Residential Hosts who will assist to make various arrangements such as hiring private chefs and co-planning milestone celebrations.

Six basement levels which include car parking facilities

The development has six basement levels which include car parking facilities with a total of 322 lots (221 for residents and 111 for hotel visitors). Boulevard 88 is available for viewing by appointment only.

Ready To Purchase Your Future Home?

The real estate supports normal progressive payment, but if you feel the payment scheme is not as convenient, then do not fret, you can use iCompareLoan to view and compare home loan Singapore and choose the best suited scheme for your needs.

The mortgage broker company, iCompareLoan, allows clients to access several home loan information databases and help them compare different Singapore home loans without any extra steps or time consuming broker meetings.

Purchasing and owning a property can be a hassle for some people, especially setting up payment plans and checking the hundreds of housing loan plans that are available. With iCompareLoan mortgage brokers can help you figure out the next step in your housing financing plan and guarantee a chance to own your dream home.

It may seem difficult but the reality is much different and what nay seem like a far-away dream is actually within reach, just give iCompareLoan a try and you’ll be amazed at how streamlined and straightforward the service is, allowing for an easy way to compare between several house loan plans in Singapore.

For advice on a new home loan.

For refinancing advice.

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