As mature as the entirety of district 15 is, there are still pockets of land that are gradually being converted into homes. In addition to the condos that are slowly making inroads, the upcoming Siglap MRT station along Marine Parade Road and diagonally across the road from Victoria School is being built. As part of the new Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), the MRT station brings much needed train support to a well-connected district that’s managed to survive without it for so long.

It must be said however that depending on where the entrance and exit for Seaside Residences is placed, the walk-time to the MRT station will vary. Assuming the side gate will be placed closer to Siglap Link leading to Marine Parade Road, then the walk can take around 10-minutes. Currently, it’s possible for the closest entrance to the station will be next to the traffic light.

As is the case with new MRT stations, new developments tend to pop up around it like trees around a pond. One such project is taking up residence in what was a previously verdant stretch just behind Victoria School.

With ingress and egress possible through either Siglap Road or Siglap Link via Marine Parade Road, the upcoming 99-year leasehold property known as Seaside Residences is already poised to take advantage of two arguably important factors; direct access to the ECP (East Coast Highway) and an unobstructed view of the sea. Access to the ECP makes travelling to places like the Singapore Expo, Tampines and more importantly, Changi Airport a lot easier.

Also, roughly a 10-minute walk along the pedestrian path parallel to the ECP in the direction of Bedok, there’s an underpass that connects this side of Marine Parade with the beach at East Coast Park. Once across, there’s the East Coast Lagoon Food Village and Jumbo Seafood Centre (on either side of the pond belonging to the Singapore Wake Park). Further up there’s Bedok Jetty; a popular spot for fishing.

Outdoor recreational amenities aside, there are several other commercial venues that while not quite within walking distances (though you can certainly walk to and fro if you want), are accessible by bus. The closest would be Siglap Centre and the whole stretch of Upper East Coast Road. Both sides of the road are peppered with various restaurants – from local, to Asian to the more hipster fare – hawker centres and even the popular and colloquially named Beer Garden (936 LTN Food Village) which is situated just beside NTUC Fairprice and across the road from Starbucks.

The district’s perennial mall – Parkway Parade – is about a 10-minute ride by bus. To get there, residents need only walk to the bus stop in front of Victoria School. There are at least six buses – 31, 36, 43, 135, 196 & 197 – that take you to the bus stop just before Parkway Parade.

Parkway Parade

36 also goes to Orchard. From Parkway Parade, 112 Katong is within walking distance and over there is the closest cinema for those living in District 15.

Seaside Residences tenants however are in a unique position because in a few years, the old Princess Theatre building behind Bedok Interchange in neighbouring District 16 will have completed its redevelopment.

Once that happens, residents will have two cinemas in the East to choose from, on top of various other shopping, dining and even fitness options in the area.

With public transport, outdoor recreation, shopping, dining and entertainment located within acceptable distances, the area has one last thing to provide; schools.

Other than Victoria School, there’s CHIJ Girls (Secondary) and Ngee Ann Primary down the road from Victoria Junior College. St. Patrick’s Secondary (Boys) is located just across CHIJ. About three bus stops down are CHIJ Primary (Girls) and Tao Nan Primary. There’s also a St. Andrews Autism School along Elliot Road.

One caveat here about the closeness to Victoria School is that residents may have to get used to the daily singing of the anthem and the frequent sounds of marching band and other noises that will accompany the many activities the students at the school participate in.

Parents wanting to enroll their kids in any of the primary or secondary schools have the benefit of proximity. The distance also cuts down on travel time significantly.