By Desmond Ng

IT was a condominium preview exclusively for former Gillman Heights residents - but it turned sour, resulting in the police having to be called in.

As VIPs, the former residents were offered first bite of the $1.4 billion project - The Interlace - now being built on their former estate on Alexandra Road.

But the event turned into a shouting session yesterday morning because some residents were unhappy about the choice of units offered by the developer.

The Interlace is the latest condo project by CapitaLand and Hotel Properties.

The developer had offered about 153 of the 1,040 units for sale to Gillman Heights residents, with prices ranging from $850 psf to $1,150 psf. The preview was held at a CapitaLand office in Shenton Way.

The 99-year-leasehold project is expected to be launched next month.

One former resident shouted as he left the building: 'See also for what, they're all lousy units.'

Another ex-resident, who declined to be named, said one of the minority owners who had earlier disputed the en bloc deal was arguing with the developer about why they did not release all the units for sale.

The units offered at the preview were mostly on the lower floors and faced the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), he said. 'The units were not very good, and most will be quite noisy. Even if I wanted to buy to flip (sell again for a quick profit), how can I, with such units?

'And there are more than 1,000 units there, too.'

But a CapitaLand spokesman said: 'The units range from about 800 sq ft to 5,800 sq ft in size. These units, located on different levels in the development, also face the pool, the sea, and the greenery at HortPark.'

The ex-resident said emotions ran high among those who had lived on the estate for more than 20 years, and were unhappy about the enbloc sale.

But others took it in their stride and bought units.

Businessman Johnson Quek, who is in his 40s, said his aunt bought a 1,050 sq ft unit for about $1 million, or about $1,000 psf at the preview.

However, his aunt, who didn't want to be named, also said: 'There were not many good units to choose from. It was disappointing.'

She said she bought one unit as an investment. She wasn't too concerned about the cooling measures introduced by the Government on Monday.

Green light in February

The $548 million sale of the 607-unit estate had dragged on for two years. It finally got the go-ahead in February after the Court of Appeal dismissed a last-ditch attempt by minority owners to overturn it.

CapitaLand said the two-day preview will continue today. The units offered ranged from the two-bedroom apartment types to penthouses. But the developer declined to reveal the number of units sold.

Another developer, who declined to be named, said such soft previews are usually extended to the developer's employees, repeat customers and those who have shown interest in the project before it is marketed.

Not all the units are released during these previews, and they're usually sold in phases. The previews may also serve to test the market.

She said: 'Out of 1,000 units, the developer may launch only 200 units during the first phase. It'll be a mix of good and not-so-great units. This is because you want to be fair to buyers, both present and future.

'The first phase is important. If it's successful, then the developer can raise the price for the next phase.'

In every phase, there are a few very good units, and these are usually the first to be snapped up.

These are usually the bigger units on high floors, and with good views.

This article was first published in The New Paper.