Rare freehold launch in the CBD, Newport Residences starts from S$1.29M

After years of anticipation, homebuyers can finally get a first proper look at the mixed-use landmark rising from the former Fuji Xerox Towers site. As the residential component of the 45-storey Newport Plaza, Newport Residences steps into the 2026 new launch market as one of the year’s most closely watched and high-profile projects — a rare freehold opportunity at the gateway of the CBD.

Wondering if this new launch is the right home for you?

Public previews for Newport Residences begins on 16 January, with sales bookings to follow on 31 January. For many buyers, this launch has been a long time coming. The project was originally meant to preview in April 2023, but was pushed back after the government raised Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) rates, a move that led many developers to reassess their timelines.

With recent projects in prime locations — including CDL’s Zyon Grand, which reached an 84% take-up rate — showing impressive sales, Newport Residences now enters the market at a moment when demand for centrally located homes is rising again.

The renewed momentum and buyers’ confidence have allowed CDL to unveil this rare freehold offering with commanding views of the CBD and the future Greater Southern Waterfront. The project is expected to receive its notice of vacant possession on March 1, 2030.

Newport Residences: A new benchmark for city living

Newport Residences forms the upper half of Newport Plaza, spanning levels 23 to 45 with a total of 246 homes. The residential units sit above the F&B space on level 1, Grade A offices on levels 2 to 9, and branded serviced apartments across levels 10 to 22. It creates a vertical mixed-use environment that echoes major metropolitan projects in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Seoul.

Its location strengthens the appeal. Newport Residences sits at the edge of the CBD and the emerging Greater Southern Waterfront, placing homeowners right in the middle of a major transformation node. Because the apartments start from level 23, most units enjoy open views toward the city skyline or the sea — a luxury that many urban launches cannot offer.

Apartment sizes range from 1-bedroom units at 431 sqft to 4-bedroom premium layouts at 2,067 sqft, while the crown jewel is a rare “bungalow in the sky” super penthouse on the 45th floor. Spanning 12,960 sqft with its own private lift, it is one of the largest freehold penthouses ever released in the CBD.

The interiors reflect a full suite of premium specifications designed for everyday comfort. Living and dining areas feature marble flooring, while bedrooms come with engineered timber floors. Kitchens are fitted with high-end appliances from Liebherr and V-Zug, and bathrooms come with fittings from Dornbracht and Duravit. Larger units include additional luxuries such as steam ovens, wine chillers, dishwashers, and freestanding long baths.

Every home integrates a smart home ecosystem, where residents can manage air conditioning, lighting, locksets and smoke detectors remotely through a mobile app. This is complemented by on-site Premier Residential Services, offering daily conveniences that enhance the experience of living in a high-end city residence.

Indicative pricing

According to a press release from CDL, the starting price of units at Newport Residences will be:

• S$1,298 million (S$3,012 psf) for a 431 sqft, 1-bedroom
• S$1.968 million (S$3,046 psf) for a 646 sqft, 2-bedroom
• S$3.238 million (S$3,304 psf) for a 980 sqft, 3-bedroom
• S$8.28 million (S$4,006 psf) for a 2,067 sqft 4-bedroom premium

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Vertical town design of cascading gardens

Designed by the acclaimed Japanese firm Nikken Sekkei alongside ADDP Architects, Newport Plaza reimagines what high-rise living in the CBD can feel like. Instead of a single glass tower rising from the city grid, the development takes on the character of a “vertical town”, where layers of greenery soften the architecture and introduce a sense of calm usually missing from dense urban centres.

Gardens begin at street level, where lush planting frames the podium’s edge, before rising through office terraces, a dedicated pool deck for the serviced apartments and a series of elevated sky gardens on the residential floors. These green layers offer residents small moments of calm, breaking up the verticality of the tower and allowing pockets of sunlight, breeze and open sky to filter deep into the structure.

As residents ascend the tower, these landscaped spaces become more intimate, culminating in expansive sky decks that frame sweeping views of the sea, Marina Bay, and the future Greater Southern Waterfront. The interplay of glass, greenery, and clean architectural lines gives the building a contemporary, almost sculptural presence within the CBD.

This architectural approach does more than offer aesthetic appeal. It also plays a key role in the project’s sustainability performance. Newport Residences is the first private residential project in Singapore to secure BCA’s Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy certification for a mixed-use development, signalling a commitment to energy efficiency and long-term environmental performance.

Six levels of elevated amenities at Newport Residences

Newport Residences spreads its amenities across six distinct levels, creating a vertical lifestyle environment that feels more like a private club than a typical condominium. One of the highlights is Club Vista on level 34, where residents can move through a series of carefully curated indoor spaces designed for work, wellness, and social gatherings. These spaces are arranged to give residents a comfortable alternative to office environments, while the adjoining gym and gourmet kitchen add convenience for everyday routines and private hosting.

The heart of the recreational offering sits at Newport Sky, the rooftop deck where panoramic views of the sea, Marina Bay and the CBD stretch out in every direction. This level brings together the Sky Club, Sky Lounge, Sky Pavilion and Sky Gourmet with BBQ facilities, creating a sequence of indoor-outdoor spaces that serve everything from quiet evening wind-downs to larger social events. Four pools are positioned throughout the sky deck area: a main Sky Pool for open-air swimming, a Sky Spa Pool designed for relaxation, a dedicated Kids’ Pool and an Indoor Jet Pool that provides an all-weather option.

Beyond the major decks, the tower integrates four lifestyle gardens at different heights — specifically on levels 25, 29, 37 and 41. Each garden offers a slightly different programme, from yoga and fitness corners to family-friendly play areas and quieter nooks intended for reading or reflection.

Location highlight: Quick walks to 3 MRT stations

Situated in prime District 2, Newport Residences places residents within easy walking distance of three MRT stations: Tanjong Pagar on the East–West Line, as well as the upcoming Prince Edward Road and Cantonment stations on the Circle Line. Once the Circle Line extension opens, residents will also enjoy direct access to Prince Edward Road MRT through a dedicated link bridge, making daily commutes noticeably smoother.

Beyond transport, the location delivers a wide mix of lifestyle options. Just a short stroll away, residents can move from the convenience of the Marina Bay Financial District to some of the city’s most recognisable dining spots. Iconic hawker options like Lau Pa Sat and Maxwell Food Centre sit alongside modern restaurants and intimate bars around Tanjong Pagar and Duxton Hill, giving residents plenty of choices for weekday lunches or weekend evenings out.

For those who want more, the surrounding district offers quick access to several major attractions. Orchard Road, Marina Bay Sands, Suntec City, VivoCity, Clarke Quay, the National Gallery, the Esplanade and Gardens by the Bay all sit within a short drive or train ride. Altogether, the location balances daily practicality with the kind of cultural, dining and entertainment variety that defines central city living.

Notable market insights for prospective buyers

Several major projects are currently rising around Newport Residences, shaping a highly active development zone in the city centre. One Marina Gardens, Skywaters Residences, W Residences Marina View Singapore, and One Bernam are all under construction, and together with Newport Residences, these five projects will introduce more than 2,400 new homes to the area.

In 2025, new non-landed private homes in District 2 transacted at a median price of S$2,523 psf. Resale homes averaged S$2,172 psf, while sub-sales came in at S$2,726 psf. Recent transactions from URA Realis reflect similar patterns. In the resale market, a 603-sqft unit at the freehold Spottiswoode Residences changed hands for S$1.35 million, or S$2,240 psf, in late December. Meanwhile, the last primary market sale was an 872-sqft unit at One Bernam for S$2.16 million, or S$2,481 psf, in February 2025.

Against this backdrop, Newport Residences’ starting price of S$3,012 psf places it squarely in luxury territory. However, its rare freehold status offers a significant counterbalance, especially in a district where many recent launches are leasehold and come with smaller scale or fewer integrated components. For buyers evaluating long-term value and generational hold potential, this freehold advantage clearly stands out.

Newport Residences also carries a unique distinction: it is the first freehold mixed-use project delivered under the URA CBD Incentive Scheme. This scheme encourages developers to rejuvenate older office buildings and convert them into modern mixed-use environments. As a result, Newport forms part of a broader government effort to reshape the CBD into a more liveable district — one that blends workplaces with homes, retail, leisure and community spaces to support a true work-live-play lifestyle.

Should you consider Newport Residences?

Newport Residences speaks most strongly to buyers who want a long-term position in the CBD, anchored by freehold value, the convenience of a mixed-use environment, and quick access to MRTs. For individuals or couples who work in the CBD or Marina Bay — and want to significantly reduce commuting time while upgrading their lifestyle — the project offers a compelling match.

The development also appeals to investors who prioritise rarity and future transformation potential. Freehold homes in the Downtown Core remain limited, and the government’s push to reshape the CBD into a more liveable, mixed-use district strengthens the long-term relevance of projects like Newport Plaza. On top of that, with more developments planned across the Greater Southern Waterfront, the surrounding urban landscape is likely to evolve in a way that supports capital preservation and rental demand.

However, the project’s premium pricing places it in the upper tier of the 2026 launch market. Buyers who value space efficiency, everyday convenience, and panoramic views will find strong justification for the price, especially when factoring in the elevated amenities and the mixed-use integration.

Overall, Newport Residences positions itself as a luxury freehold home in a district undergoing long-term change. Its architecture, amenities, and location work together to deliver a city-living experience that is rare in both scale and concept. For those who want a future-ready home in the CBD with strong lifestyle appeal and lasting value, Newport Residences stands out as one of the most noteworthy new launches of 2026.

Stay updated with the latest news and insights on Singapore’s new launch market here.

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