Orchard, River Valley (District 09)

District 9 is known as the shopping haven of Singapore that provides shoppers with a great range of branded and luxury goods. District 9 also serves as a prime residential area, with affluent housing estates that include top-notch condominiums and apartments that are available at premium prices. These include the former Sophia Mansions at Mount Sophia which is now set to be occupied by Liv on Sophia. The 19-unit Sophia Mansions had been previously sold in an en-bloc sale to Roxy-Pacific Holdings Limited for a substantial amount of $43.3 million or S$1, 175 psf in 2012. Other than being a shopping paradise, potential property buyers are attracted to District 9 for its vicinity has been dubbed an art and educational hub as it houses reputable institutions like the Singapore Management University (SMU), School of the Arts (SOTA), LaSelle, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and Singapore’s Art Museum (SAM). Nature and history enthusiasts can also explore Mt. Emily Park, the Istana Park, Bras Basah Park and Fort Canning Park.

Orchard Road, known for its beautiful lighting along the tree-lined boulevard had its humble beginnings as a fru...

District 9 is known as the shopping haven of Singapore that provides shoppers with a great range of branded and luxury goods. District 9 also serves as a prime residential area, with affluent housing estates that include top-notch condominiums and apartments that are available at premium prices. These include the former Sophia Mansions at Mount Sophia which is now set to be occupied by Liv on Sophia. The 19-unit Sophia Mansions had been previously sold in an en-bloc sale to Roxy-Pacific Holdings Limited for a substantial amount of $43.3 million or S$1, 175 psf in 2012. Other than being a shopping paradise, potential property buyers are attracted to District 9 for its vicinity has been dubbed an art and educational hub as it houses reputable institutions like the Singapore Management University (SMU), School of the Arts (SOTA), LaSelle, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and Singapore’s Art Museum (SAM). Nature and history enthusiasts can also explore Mt. Emily Park, the Istana Park, Bras Basah Park and Fort Canning Park.

Orchard Road, known for its beautiful lighting along the tree-lined boulevard had its humble beginnings as a fruit plantation in the mid-1800s. In the 1860s, Orchard Road was filled with private houses and bungalows that were occupied by notable aristocrats and the rich. In the 1890s, King Chulalongkorn, the King of Siam, acquired the Hurricane House in Orchard Road. Today, Orchard Road is a paradise for shopaholics, as several shopping malls like Orchard Central, ION Orchard and 313@Somerset line the streets while existing malls like Mandarin Gallery and Paragon have refurbished themselves. The latest retail mall, Orchard Gateway recently opened in 2013. Other than the wide array of shopping centres, the Istana is also located at the southern end of Orchard Road. Towards the northern area of Orchard Road is Botanic Gardens and Goodwood Park Hotel which is fine example of colonial architecture in Singapore.

An often overlooked region of District 9 is River Valley that consists mainly of private properties catered to the middle and high income demographic of residents. River Valley is also popular for its local Singaporean dishes such as Hainanese chicken rice and Nasi Padang.