by Kenny Lee Historical launch archive · Original report published 2017-07-06. Prepared retrospectively on 3 October 2026. Historical prices and infrastructure statements refer to the original announcement period; they are not current quotations.
What GuocoLand announced
GuocoLand’s 6 July 2017 release scheduled Martin Modern’s sales launch for 22 July, following private previews from 8 July. The Robertson Quay project in District 9 was planned with 450 apartments: two-bedroom, two-bedroom plus study, three-bedroom and four-bedroom homes, spanning 764 to 1,798 sq ft. The published starting price was S$1.8 million.
The developer allocated about 80% of the site to gardens and described two towers, landscaped spaces and rooftop gardens. These are features of the original proposal rather than an inspection of a particular completed apartment.
What the starting price tells a buyer
S$1.8 million was an advertised entry quantum, not a price for every two-bedroom home. The release did not identify a specific apartment paired with that starting figure, so dividing it by the smallest stated floor area would not establish a verified unit psf. A proper comparison needs the actual unit, floor, area and price list.
A useful budget sensitivity is to increase the assumed purchase quantum by 5% and 10%: S$1.89 million and S$1.98 million respectively. The extra S$90,000 or S$180,000 illustrates why a household should assess the desired unit rather than qualify only for an advertised starting figure. This calculation is original commentary, not a developer quote.
Assessing the garden proposition
A large landscaped allocation can appeal to a buyer who values space beyond the apartment. It does not by itself establish quietness, a protected view or a future resale premium. Compare the specific home’s outlook, orientation and relationship to shared facilities; test whether the internal layout meets everyday needs before paying for the broader concept.
The original release also referred to future transport improvements. Those statements belong to the 2017 context. A present-day buyer should check the actual route and current service rather than treat a past infrastructure promise as new information.
How to use this archive now
Use the launch price as a historical reference point. A valid performance comparison requires matched purchase and sale transactions, holding costs and taxes. Comparing a starting launch advertisement with a later asking price does not measure achieved investment returns. Current resale availability and prices require a separate check.