- Commercial development with 3 units currently available.
- Prices currently range from S$6M to S$6.7M.
- For Singaporean second property buyers, ABSD applies at 20% of the purchase price, approximately S$1.2M on this acquisition.
- Located 3 min (210 m) from NE5 Clarke Quay MRT Station.
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The Riverwalk: Premium Office Space in Clarke Quay's Riverside Hub
The Riverwalk represents a compelling opportunity for investors and occupiers seeking modern office accommodation in one of Singapore's most sought-after commercial precincts. Located at 20 Upper Circular Road, this development sits at the intersection of heritage charm and contemporary business vitality, positioned just three minutes' walk from Clarke Quay MRT Station on the North-East line. The location's natural magnetism stems from its proximity to both the Central Business District and the Singapore River's bustling entertainment and hospitality corridor, making it an exceptionally versatile proposition for a diverse range of occupier profiles.
Office units within The Riverwalk command substantial floor areas, with individual spaces reaching 3,050 square feet and beyond. These generous proportions allow for flexible open-plan layouts, collaborative zones, and modular workspaces that cater to the evolving demands of modern enterprises. Whether accommodating established financial services firms, boutique professional consultancies, creative agencies, or multinational corporate branches, the building's footprint supports both traditional hierarchical configurations and contemporary activity-based working arrangements. The quality of the architectural envelope and the sophistication of building systems underscore the development's positioning as a premium commercial asset.
Location and Connectivity as Catalysts for Value
Clarke Quay's accessibility forms a critical foundation for The Riverwalk's investment thesis. The proximity to NE5 Clarke Quay MRT Station—situated merely 210 metres away—ensures seamless integration with Singapore's rapid transit network. This connectivity extends to the Marina Bay business hub, Raffles Place's banking and financial heartland, and the wider CBD within a 10-minute commute. For corporate tenants, such transport efficiency reduces employee journey times and enhances recruitment appeal; for investors, it underpins consistent tenant demand and rental growth momentum. The MRT adjacency also facilitates after-work socialisation across the precinct's renowned bars, restaurants, and cultural venues, an amenity increasingly valued by multinational corporations competing for talent.
Beyond public transport, the neighbourhood benefits from comprehensive road connectivity. Upper Circular Road itself serves as a primary arterial link, whilst nearby Cross Street and Eu Tong Sen Street provide alternative vehicular routes. The presence of commercial parking facilities—both within The Riverwalk and across the broader precinct—addresses the practical requirements of client visits and executive commuting. This layered accessibility framework positions the development attractively for occupiers with geographically dispersed visitor patterns.
Investment Dynamics and Rental Yield Expectations
For acquisition-focused investors, The Riverwalk presents an established platform with proven rental dynamics. Office space in Clarke Quay historically sustains healthy rental growth, driven by limited supply relative to persistent tenant demand. Market-tested rental rates across comparable floor areas in this micro-location have ranged from S$7 to S$10 per square foot per annum in recent cycles, though individual negotiations and lease incentives naturally influence actual transaction values. An owner purchasing a 3,050-square-foot unit at the indicated price point and leasing it to a stable corporate tenant could reasonably anticipate gross annual rental income in the region of S$20,000 to S$30,500, depending on market conditions and tenant quality at the time of lease commencement. Net yields, after accounting for property taxes, building maintenance contributions, and landlord insurance, typically settle between 3% and 4.5% on office assets in this locality, though superior positioning or high-credit-quality tenancies occasionally deliver modestly higher returns.
The investment case strengthens when capital appreciation is factored alongside rental income. Clarke Quay office assets have historically appreciated at compound annual rates ranging from 2% to 4%, driven by the precinct's continued demographic appeal, supply scarcity, and Singapore's broader role as a financial and professional services nexus. Long-hold investors who secure tenants early in their lease cycle benefit from both cash flow stability and balance-sheet accretion over five- to ten-year horizons.
Buyer Profiles and Suitability Assessment
The Riverwalk appeals to several distinct buyer archetypes. Owner-occupiers—particularly those leading professional services practices, creative agencies, or regional corporate functions—value the location's visibility, tenant calibre, and transport convenience. The floor plate's scale accommodates future business expansion without relocation, an important consideration for growth-focused enterprises. High-net-worth individuals seeking diversified property portfolios often view such office assets as yield-generative holdings that sit outside their primary residential exposure, offering institutional-grade counterparty risk and transparent market pricing.
Institutional investors and property funds evaluate Clarke Quay office assets through the lens of portfolio risk-return profiles. The precinct's established status, strong tenant base, and proven capital appreciation pathway make it a reliable core holding, even if headline yields do not match emerging precincts. Conversely, owner-occupiers upgrading from smaller premises or establishing new Singapore operations find The Riverwalk's attributes—central location, professional environment, scalable infrastructure—compelling relative to alternatives in suburban or fringe locations.
Financial Structuring and ABSD Implications
For Singapore Citizens purchasing The Riverwalk as a second property, the Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty regime warrants careful attention. Current ABSD for a second residential property acquired by a Singapore Citizen stands at 20%, materially increasing total acquisition costs. Whilst The Riverwalk is classified as office rather than residential, investors acquiring multiple commercial assets should verify their personal circumstances and any prior property declarations with a tax advisor. The distinction between owner-occupied commercial use and investment-held commercial use carries subtle but important regulatory implications, particularly for those simultaneously managing residential portfolios.
At the indicated price point, financing headroom for owner-occupiers often remains substantial. Banks typically advance 70% to 80% loan-to-value for commercial office properties held by established corporate borrowers, with debt-service-coverage ratios factored against projected or actual rental income. First-time office investors should budget for approximately 20% to 30% equity capital outlay, with the remainder financed at prevailing commercial mortgage rates (typically 3% to 4% above SORA for a five-year tenor).
Market Comparables and Competitive Positioning
The Riverwalk's positioning against competing Clarke Quay office offerings merits analysis. Nearby developments such as Fountain House and Liat Towers offer comparable floor plates and locations, though age, fitout quality, and specific floor levels introduce meaningful valuation variation. Newer or recently refurbished properties occasionally command 5% to 10% rental premiums, whilst established buildings with engaged ownership and well-maintained common facilities retain strong appeal and prove resilient during market downturns. The Riverwalk's pricing reflects its positioning within this competitive set—neither a flagship trophy asset commanding scarcity premiums, nor a distressed holding requiring significant capital injection.
District Growth Drivers and Future Supply Context
Clarke Quay's medium-term trajectory remains influenced by several macroeconomic and microeconomic forces. Singapore's continued positioning as a financial services hub, coupled with growing regional corporate adoption of Singapore as a hub-and-spoke centre, sustains underlying tenant demand for quality office space. Concurrently, the broader office market has experienced structural shifts toward flexible workspaces and activity-based working, dynamics that favour larger floor plates with configuration flexibility—an attribute The Riverwalk's specifications abundantly provide. New Grade A supply in the immediate vicinity remains limited, a favourable dynamic for established properties. The Central Business District's persistent strength and the finance sector's resilience in Singapore underpins sustained medium-term demand for well-located office assets.
The Riverwalk thus occupies a strategic position within Clarke Quay's commercial ecosystem: established, connected, scalable, and positioned to serve multiple tenant profiles across professional services, finance, media, and corporate functions. For investors balancing yield requirements, capital appreciation ambitions, and portfolio diversification, the development merits serious consideration within a broader commercial real estate strategy.