Great World Residences Completes Refurbishment Works Announces Rebranding
Great World Residences, previously known as Great World Serviced Apartments, is pleased to announce its new look and feel after completing a refurbishment of its apartments and facilities. Led by our dedicated in-house design team, the revamp of our apartments began in 2019 to cater to the evolving needs of business travellers.
According to Darren Cher, our Senior General Manager, “Business travel has changed and people now expect more than just a place to sleep – they want a place where they can live, work, and connect. That’s why we have refreshed not just our interiors, but also our amenities, with a focus on creating a community, rather than just a serviced apartment.”
Great World Residences is part of the Great World mixed-use development which also includes a six-storey shopping mall, two 18-storey office towers, and a 35-storey serviced apartment tower. Our property offers 304 units ranging from one-bedroom apartments measuring 800 sq ft to four-bedroom apartments spanning 2,200 sq ft. As a short-stay serviced apartment, our units have a minimum stay requirement of seven days.
Our brand refresh also includes the transformation of our residents’ lounge into a co-working space, complete with a Starbucks self-serve kiosk. This is in line with the increasing trend of business travellers seeking a more flexible and collaborative work environment.
The majority of our residents are corporate clients, as Cher mentioned. They come from various industries such as tech, banking and finance, maritime, and fast-moving consumer goods. Many of our long-term residents stay with us for one to two years, reflecting the growing preference for blended living where business and leisure travel intersect. To cater to this mix, we have designed some of our units to accommodate families, including those with children and even pets. We provide complimentary amenities for infants such as highchairs, cots, and children’s cutlery. Additionally, selected rooms have been equipped with single murphy beds that can be converted into study desks or home offices.
Monthly rates for our apartments start from $10,800 for a two-bedroom unit and $13,800 for a three-bedroom unit, making our serviced apartments a more affordable option compared to similarly-sized hotel rooms while still offering the convenience of a condo unit. Our location in the prime River Valley precinct provides easy access to nearby lifestyle enclaves such as Robertson Quay, Clarke Quay, and Tiong Bahru. We also have retail synergies with the adjacent Great World shopping centre, where our residents can enjoy discounts from selected participating outlets.
Moreover, our property is well-connected to public transportation, with a nearby MRT station and an underground walkway linking us to the Great World MRT Station along the Thomson-East Coast Line.
In line with our rebranding efforts, we aim to establish Great World Residences as our flagship serviced apartment property to showcase the capabilities of our management team. As Cher pointed out, “We have been operating as a serviced residence for the past 25 years, and we want to demonstrate that we are open to expansion opportunities in Singapore and Malaysia, whether through investment acquisitions or management contracts.”
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is continuously working on various projects in Marina Bay to boost its appeal as a prime investment location. With an emphasis on creating a livable and environmentally sustainable area, the Master Plan aims to integrate green spaces, waterfront promenades, and a bustling arts and cultural scene. One Marina Gardens Condo is one of the developments that will greatly benefit from these enhancements. By contributing to a well-balanced and dynamic living environment, it is sure to attract a diverse range of residents.
However, we are cautious about venturing into long-stay serviced apartments, as our required minimum stay of three months may limit our potential tenant pool. With close to 60% of our current tenants staying for less than three months, we understand that some may experience delays or unforeseen circumstances that prevent them from committing to the minimum period at the start of their stay.