Record-setting Completion Party for d’Leedon

The excitement in the air was palpable. d’Leedon’s TOP celebration on 25 October 2014 for its 4,000 residents and their family and friends, dubbed ‘illuminate @ d’Leedon’, was in full swing.

Set within the massive development was the world’s largest playable stringed musical instrument, the Earth Harp. With 16 strings stretched impressively from the clubhouse’s rooftop to one of its seven towers 36 storeys high; and America’s Got Talent’s William Close, poised dramatically at the base, Singapore’s largest and most ambitious condominium was about to be turned into a record-setting musical instrument at its own completion party!

The first-ever such musical feat in Singapore is a fitting climax to the completion of the 1,715-unit development sitting on an expansive 840,049 square feet of land along Leedon Heights.

New home owner, Claire Chiam, declared of the record-setting musical event, “This is quite a feat. I never would have thought of doing something like this.”

“To incorporate this into the party makes the party unique and more memorable,” added Phyllis Cheong.

The length of one of the 16 strings of the Earth Harp – which was 291.71 metres – has been certified by the National Metrology Centre, custodian of the national measurement standards in Singapore and the record-setting feat recognised by the World Record Academy.

“The belief that architecture is frozen music is what brought me to perform this monumental record-setting feat at d’Leedon - one of the most remarkable architectural projects in Singapore.

As I worked around the beautiful, soft curviness of d’Leedon, I found the spaces to be really musical, both melodic and rhythmic in pattern and form. It is the perfect environment for artists such as myself who allow architecture to influence and inspire their musical expression,” said Close who has made a name for himself turning world famous buildings into music installations.

Designed by star architect Zaha Hadid, d’Leedon is the joint effort of CapitaLand Singapore, Hotel Properties Limited, and their joint venture partners.

“d’Leedon has created a new page in the history of Singapore for being the first high-rise residential project to be designed by internationally-renowned Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Zaha Hadid, and also for hosting a record-setting feat of having the longest playable stringed musical instrument ever played in the world – a performance that is visually and musically spectacular,” said Mr Lim Ming Yan, CapitaLand President & Group CEO.

Monumental Musical

The crowd was wowed into silence as Close began his mesmerising performance on the monumental Earth Harp, gliding and tugging expertly across the strings to tease out the electrifying sounds of ‘Earth Harp Mini Symphony’, a piece he composed specially for the record-setting feat. As he played, the curves and contours of d’Leedon seemed to undulate with the flow of the melody, much like the flow lines Zaha Hadid incorporated into d’Leedon to connect it to the neighbourhood.

Indeed, its prime District 10 location was the key reason many snapped up the units.

“It is near everything and everywhere. We bought it because it is near both our children’s schools, the MRT station, and is in a prime district,” said Doreen Lim.

Extravagant Entertainment

Mr Lim Ming Yan, President & Group CEO of CapitaLand Limited, together with Mr Christopher Lim, Group Executive Director, Hotel Properties Limited, and other joint venture partners launched the d’Leedon celebration party. What followed was an explosion of colours that lit up the night sky as a fireworks and laser show illuminated the entire development and its neighbourhood.

The spectacular musical performances and laser and fireworks display aside, guests were treated to roving street performances by mimes, magicians and acrobatic acts. Children had a rousing time at special movie screenings, arts and craft lessons, and a giant bouncy playground. Artists were available to paint faces, create balloons sculptures, and draw caricatures as well. Family games and lucky draws heightened the excitement.

“I have bought other properties before but this is the first time I have been invited to such a TOP party. Seeing the effort put into it gives me great confidence in d’Leedon,” said Joyce Too.

The festivities mark the intensive work and effort to build a property that has clinched the Green Mark Gold ^PLUS award and the Universal Design Mark Gold ^PLUS award from the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore, as well as the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Certification from the PUB.

“Well-connected to a good transportation network, reputable schools and recreational venues such as Holland Village, Dempsey Hill and Botanic Gardens, d’Leedon is a vibrant addition to the premium District 10. At CapitaLand, we have always tried to create value through product differentiation. Be it holding completion parties at selected signature projects, working with world-famous architects to create iconic residential development to exploring new marketing strategies, we always pride ourselves for being innovative, pushing boundaries and setting new trends in the Singapore residential market,” said Mr Wen.

As the only 36-storey residential site in the area, d’Leedon offers unparalleled views of Singapore’s skyline and large expanses of greenery such as the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

“Everywhere you turn, you get a stunning view. It is a rare find these days to get a property with an unblocked view,” said Tan Chee Yong whose 26-storey unit overlooks the lush greenery of Bukit Timah hill.

Its seven towers gently taper inwards as they merge with the ground so that they occupy only 22 per cent of the site, freeing up the rest of the land for more landscape and lifestyle facilities.

“It is very spacious. The blocks are so well spaced out that you do not feel cramped at all,” agreed Koh Yen Ling who will move in with her parents and brother.

“It is gargantuan,” exclaimed eight-year-old Javier who was with his parents Jay and Annabel Ng and his siblings.

“We like the unique design. The architecture is so unusual,” added his mother.

For indoor entertainment, there are two clubhouses with function, reading, games, karaoke, golf simulator and screening rooms; three party houses; and themed gardens such as Sculpture Garden and Scent Garden. Exercise-lovers have a large gymnasium overlooking an outdoor aqua-gym, two 50-metre lap pools, and a 1.7-kilometre jogging route which links six fitness stations, three tennis courts, a basketball court and a multi-purpose court to help them keep fit.

“We looked at several other places but in the end, we still like this place the best because of the location, the architecture and the landscaping. I like the child-friendly facilities. You have everything here. You don’t ever have to step out of the property,” said Richa Atray.

Christine Wong, a long-time resident of Leedon Heights, added, “I have always lived in this area so when we heard of d’Leedon coming up, we quickly bought the place. This is a very convenient neighbourhood. There is an MRT nearby, a wet market, Holland Village is just around the corner.”

A world record-setting start to a promising property, d’Leedon is poised to give residents a world-class experience.