One of the occupational hazards of working in a real estate consultancy is that people tend to seek my advice on property purchases even though I am not a sales agent. I usually oblige, albeit cautiously.
Recently, my friend Tim declared that 2026 is going to be the year he finally buys his own floor plate. “I need my modern man cave, find me one”, he challenged. His approach to shortlisting home options was deliberate, so the brief was fairly straightforward: a lifestyle investment reflecting the evolving priorities of a 30-something bachelor, one that would fulfil his desire for personal space without sacrificing his connection with the communities around it.
A home defined by equal parts of design, location and wellness. Roger that. His wish list broadly mirrors core living priorities outlined in a recent Knight Frank-Ipsos report: connectivity, convenience and wellness infrastructure such as greenery. Its insights highlight how quality living has emerged as a key differentiator that shapes how residential spaces are experienced and occupied over the long term.
Beyond price and location, homebuyers increasingly prioritise functionality (without cookie-cutter confines) and comfort, with proximity to day-to-day essentials a non-negotiable. Nearby healthcare, wellness facilities, and fitness and sports offerings further influence the decision to purchase a home.
Having grown up in the Beach Road area, Tim prefers an apartment close to his parents. And being a typical Virgo, he also wants a) all the protective insulation from city bustle, without isolation, b) million-dollar waterfront views and c) accessibility to sports facilities. A home close to the CBD is also a plus.
Ruminating for a few days, I cited two options in the increasingly gentrified Bugis/Beach Road corridor: an apartment at Midtown Bay (a one-bedder feels almost gigantic, connectivity is hard to beat, and a 24-hour concierge service reinforces everyday ease), and a two-bedder at Aurea (think spacious layouts, glorious waterfront views and a buzzing neighbourhood that hardly sleeps).
Both highlight different ways a home can support the lifestyle he aspires to, one with convenience and easy access to the city, the other with bigger interiors and proximity to afternoons of kayaking. Tim seemed happy enough with my recommendations, and I, in turn, scored several rounds of drinks.
While he weighs his options and works his numbers, I’m left realising how the man cave as we once knew it is now a bygone relic. The stereotypical, almost auxiliary space with leather recliners and a gaming station has given way to something more considered: a calming sanctuary shaped by aesthetics that are less about excess or escape, but recalibration towards a fine balance of comfort and convenience. No doubt, almost certainly fengshui-ed within an inch of its life, come CNY.
