New Good Class Bungalow Luxury Interiors 4A Swettenham Road 59 Mil
The GCB at 4A Swettenham Road went through a major transformation from a dated home built in 1998 to a modern five-bedroom mansion completed early last year.
Sitting on a freehold land of 15,398 sq ft, this GCB is nestled in the exclusive enclave of Peirce Road, Ridout Road and Swettenham Road, located just off Holland Road in prime District 10.
The new mansion was developed by Singaporean businessman Yang Tse Pin, the owner of Eco Energy, a company involved in projects ranging from workers’ dormitories and student accommodations to luxury homes.
Yang purchased the property for $22.5 million ($1,461 psf) in November 2021, marking the most recent recorded GCB transaction in the neighbourhood.
The Good Class Bungalow at 4A Swettenham Road was developed by Singaporean businessman Yang Tse Pin, the owner of Eco Energy
Yang was particularly drawn to the private driveway leading to the house, which is set back from the main road and provides a sense of exclusivity and tranquility once inside.
The release of the first GLS plot on Margaret Drive in eight years has been announced. The last one was made available in December 2016 and it received a total of 14 bids from interested parties. Eventually, MCL Land successfully secured the site for $238.4 million (or $998 per square foot per plot ratio). Following this, their development project, Margaret Ville, comprising of 309 units, was launched in June 2018 at an average price of $1,880 per square foot. The development was fully sold and its completion took place in 2021. As per the latest data from URA caveats as of August 1, Margaret Ville has recorded eight transactions this year at an average price of $2,139 per square foot. The most recent sale was for an 829 square foot two-bedroom unit on the 33rd floor, which was sold for $1.85 million ($2,232 per square foot) on June 21. Another exciting development to look out for on Margaret Drive is Penrith, which can be found at https://www.penrith.sg/.
Traditionally, GCB ownership was dominated by older, established individuals, but in recent years, younger entrepreneurs and next-generation heirs have been increasingly acquiring these prestigious homes, reflecting shifting generational wealth dynamics.
The GCB at 4A Swettenham Road has been developed to cater for modern, multi-generational living. The original house had too many levels and steps and was not suitable for the elderly. Hence, Yang engaged ArMo Design Studio, a boutique firm founded by Colombian husband-and-wife architects, Diego Molina and Maria Arango, to bring his vision to life.
The GCB was one of ArMo’s first projects, and the duo started the design process with the idea of “creating a journey”. The long driveway leading to the house became an opportunity to build anticipation and transition. They framed the approach with soft landscaping, curated lighting, and shifting perspectives, so that by the time you arrive at the entrance, it feels intentional and serene — a moment of arrival.
The covered car porch is large enough for five cars (Photo: ArMo Design Studio)
The driveway leads to a covered car porch that comfortably fits five cars. From there, the entrance foyer opens into a 1,300 sq ft great room, comprising an 800 sq ft formal living area and a 500 sq ft dining space. Both are lined with full-height, 3.3m glass sliding doors that open to landscaped gardens. The dining area flows into a spacious wet and dry kitchen. Each space is designed to feel grounded and connected. The dry kitchen is open and bright but wrapped in wood and soft stone.
The first level spans 4,000 sq ft while the basement measures 4,600 sq ft. It includes a wine cellar for up to 3,000 bottles, a lounge, an en suite bedroom, and a separate room that can be turned into a home office or study. Although the basement is sunken, glass sliding doors open to the swimming pool and garden, drawing in natural light and greenery.
The basement level has a wine cellar for up to 3,000 bottles (Photo: ArMo Design Studio)
There are four bedrooms on the upper floors, including the master and junior master suites. The master suite on the second floor spans 1,400 sq ft and includes a bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, and bathroom. The 800 sq ft master bedroom is large enough for a sitting area, while the wardrobe features twin islands. The bathroom has a separate his-and-hers sink and vanity area, a double shower, an enclosed water closet, and a standalone bathtub.
All bedrooms feature full-height glass windows that frame picturesque views of the surrounding neighbourhood. The second and attic levels have their respective family rooms, with floor-to-ceiling windows opening to expansive views. The attic level has a large balcony, making it an ideal setting for entertaining.
The master bathroom on the second level features full marble finishing and is large enough to have a separate his-and-hers vanity area (Photo: ArMo Design Studio)
Large slabs of marble flooring span the entire first level. All bathrooms and powder rooms are clad in full marble, and even the exterior walls of the GCB are finished in treated marble. Natural stone (including marble), timber, and brushed metal were selected for their tactile quality and the way they age gracefully over time. It was essential that the house felt refined but liveable. The luxury is in the detailing — the way marble veins flow seamlessly across surfaces, how the doors disappear into the wall panels and the softness of indirect lighting.
Landscape design was integrated into the architectural process from the beginning (Photo: ArMo Design Studio)
The landscape design was integrated into the architectural process from the beginning. It wasn’t an afterthought — it’s part of the architecture. The duo at ArMo envisioned designing the house for a resident who appreciates design, values privacy and calm, and enjoys entertaining, but also wants a sanctuary. Creating a sanctuary was very much at the heart of the design. We wanted the house to feel like an escape — quiet, peaceful, surrounded by nature, even in the city.
Creating a sanctuary was very much at the heart of the design. We wanted the house to feel like an escape — quiet, peaceful, surrounded by nature, even in the city. Maria Arango and Diego Molina, co-founders of ArMo Design Studio
They also envisioned a well-travelled homeowner — someone familiar with different ways of living and seeking a home that feels timeless, grounded in nature, and thoughtfully put together. That idea guided many of our decisions — from spatial flow to material choices to how the house connects with the landscape.
Yang has appointed KH Tan, founder and managing director of Newsman Realty, as the exclusive marketing agent for the Swettenham Road property. Tan previously brokered the sale of another GCB developed by Yang — a newly completed home at Chee Hoon Avenue. That property, situated on a 15,479 sq ft freehold site with 26,000 sq ft of built-up area, sold for $55 million ($3,553 psf) last year.
The interior of the GCB has been finished with luxury touches such as marble flooring and matching marble in the bathrooms and powder rooms (Photo: ArMo Design Studio)
The GCB at 4A Swettenham Road is currently on the market for $59 million or $3,832 psf. According to Tan, “it’s a fair price for a new GCB in today’s market”. Most buyers prefer a brand-new GCB where they can better appreciate the design and space.
By contrast, buyers who acquire older properties and engage architects to design their new dream homes sometimes face unexpected outcomes. “The rooms may be too small, the staircase too narrow, the car park too tight — or water seeps in during a heavy downpour,” says Tan, who has been marketing luxury bungalows for over 25 years. For such buyers — especially those with no experience in property development or construction — “it’s better to purchase from an experienced developer,” he adds.
With new GCBs in short supply, Tan believes that it’s only a matter of time before 4A Swettenham Road secures a buyer.
The GCB at 4A Swettenham Road is located within an exclusive enclave of GCBs which is close to schools, lifestyle amenities and retail hubs (Photo: ArMo Design Studio)
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