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hanks to the imported sand, partly from Indonesia, Singapore has developed Sentosa Island, which includes Sentosa Cove, a prestigious enclave offering a lifestyle of an oceanfront community.

With not many impressive white-sand beaches or breath-taking oceanic scenery, Sentosa Island is evidence that Singapore has been successful in creating "a new lifestyle", especially with its Sentosa Cove, a 117-hectare enclave for high-end residential areas on the island.

Sentosa Island, only minutes away from the Central Business District on the mainland and Changi International Airport, is being developed as a modern recreational resort with more than 200 leisure and lifestyle offerings, such as clusters of attractions, nature zones, world-class golf courses, beach bars as well as Singapore's first integrated resort comprising a casino complex, Southeast Asia's first Universal Studios theme park and a range of glitzy hotels and restaurants. On the eastern end of the resort island lies Sentosa Cove, a premium residential enclave dotted with luxurious waterfront residences.

Jason Yeo, general manager of Sentosa Cove Resort Management Pte. Ltd., the site manager of Sentosa Cove, said the Cove is a 117-hectare residential precinct, located on the 500-hectare Sentosa Island. Sentosa Cove is divided into two residential zones: North Cove and South Cove, with security around-the-clock.

"Sentosa Cove's first residents moved to the island in 2006. The Berth by the Cove, developed by Ho Bee Homes Pte Ltd, was the first condominium to be occupied in October 2006," he said, adding that when fully developed in 2014, Sentosa Cove will have approximately 2,140 residences, including 1,720 condominiums and 420 landed units.

The Cove is promoted as the only residential address in Singapore providing one with the opportunity to park one's car at the front porch and a yacht at the back in a private berth. Some of the condominium projects like The Coast and the residences at W Singapore Sentosa Cove together with Lippo Group's 124-unit Marina Collection condominium also boast private berths. Other condominium projects at Sentosa Cove are the Azure, the Oceanfront @ Sentosa Cove, the Coast and Seascape. All boast spectacular water or sea views.

Yeo said Sentosa Cove currently had a live-in population of about 3,000 residents that was expected to grow to more than 8,000 when fully developed in the next four years.

The major uniqueness enjoyed by residents at Sentosa Cove, he said, is the vibrant waterfront lifestyle. "The management ensures that premium service is offered to the community. This, coupled with a high level of maintenance of the Cove's environment, together with monthly community-building events, enhances the lives of our residents."

The Cove sits on reclaimed land. In fact, there are various islands or islets in the Cove. After the reclamation, artificial islands were created. There are now three islets in the North Cove and two in the South Cove.

The 17,150-square-meter Coral Island, 23,000-square-meter Paradise Island and 18,000-square-meter Treasure Island are located in Sentosa Cove's northern residential precinct.

In addition to the other waterfront villas in the North and South Cove, Yeo added that each of the islets had more villas facing the water. "The 13,500 square meter Sandy Island and the 14,800 square meter Pearl Island are located in the southern residential precinct and are currently undergoing development."

In addition to the various sophisticated technologies that have been incorporated for the seamless maintenance of this precinct, Sentosa Cove similarly adopts many "green" initiatives.

"We have manmade decorative ponds. They not only serve to beautify the landscaped environment but also collect rainwater run-off from nearby Serapong Hill to provide a water catchment for irrigation purposes. This is Sentosa Cove's commitment to maintaining a green and sustainable living environment," Yeo said, adding that a reflective pond at the Sentosa Cove Arrival Plaza was not only for aesthetic purposes but also served to cool the retail spaces below, thereby reducing electricity consumption.

With such great facilities, Sentosa Cove has attracted many people of various nationalities.

Yeo said the Cove's resident mix was about 60 percent foreigners and 40 percent locals. "We have residents from 22 nations, including China, Europe, the US, Australia and Southeast Asia. The top five nationalities living in Sentosa Cove are Singaporeans, Australians, Britons, Germans and Chinese."

Indonesia was not mentioned among the top buyers, but Yeo said most of the Indonesian buyers lived in the landed residential properties at Sentosa Cove. There is, in fact, a regulation allowing foreigners to purchase landed property in the Cove.

A property consultant said that Indonesians were potential buyers in Sentosa Cove, given the fact that Indonesians were traditionally considered to be among the loyal groups of foreign and Singapore permanent resident buyers on the mainland.

"In the last decade, Indonesia has consistently been amongst Singapore's top two foreign markets for private residential properties. Based on caveats lodged between January 2009 and end-March 2010, Indonesians accounted for 18 percent of all purchases of private residential homes by foreigners," said Tay Huey Ying, director for research and advisory, Colliers International.

She added that based on caveats lodged for both landed and non-landed properties at Sentosa Cove since the first project was launched for sale in 2004, Indonesians ranked the second largest foreign market after Malaysia and accounted for some 16 percent of all transactions involving foreigners during the same period.

Generally on Singapore's property, during the January 2009 and March 2010 period, Indonesians who were non-Singapore permanent residents accounted for two-thirds of all purchases by Indonesians, she said.

"Hence, Indonesians with Singapore permanent resident status accounted for only one-third of the all properties purchased by Indonesians. For the former, it is likely that the majority would be investors rather than speculators."

Despite concerns that some island-states are vulnerable to the ravages of climate change and potential impacts of an unpredictable tsunami, it was recently reported that waterfront residential areas bragging unhindered sea views, offered as great lifestyle living, have been prime among the recent launches in Singapore. Property prices at Sentosa Cove can reach S$2,200 (US$1,606) to S$3,000 per square feet. Property prices at Sentosa Cove can reach S$2,200-S$3,000 per square feet.

The prices will rise further, said Tay.

"The opening of the two integrated resorts in 2010, both with a gaming component, will put Singapore back on the radar screen of global high-net worth individuals and rekindle their interest in Singapore's real estate after the lull resulting from the global financial crisis. And with the global economy on the mend, the luxury segment can look forward to increased foreign interest in 2010.