The Singapore River, once a lifeline to early immigrants, will spring to life for two weekends from September 19 to 28 for the Singapore River Festival.

Among the many events leading up to the Formula One night race in late September is a dance drama spectacle “Legenda Singapura”.

The half hour-long performance, which will also include a float parade, tracks the journey of Sang Nila Utama and Singapore’s modernity. And where better to tell it than at the Singapore River, an origin of the city’s prosperity.

Expect to be dancing at unconventional places too. Organisers will turn the defunct River Valley Swimming Pool into a swanky party venue.

Lynette Pang, director, Events and Entertainment, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “On top of the new experience of dancing inside the pool with no water, there will be a rain concept where partygoers can feel intermittent mist and water.”

Party-goers can visit the various watering holes or view art pieces on display at shopping malls along the river and underpasses between Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.

Apart from the music, retail and F&B promotions, spectators can also look forward to lighting effects on different bridges along the Singapore River at the festival’s launch party on the night of September 19.

Source : Channel NewsAsia – 12 Sep 2008

Bordered on two sides by River Valley Close and Kim Yam Road, this area stretches down to the Singapore River and the Mohamed Sultan corridor.

On one end are old-style shophouses and walk-up apartments, with the odd condominium such as Kim Yam Heights, Gambier Court and Euro-Asia Court.

Average prices of units in these older developments range from more than $710 psf to over $1,000 psf. One of the few new projects in River Valley Close, Urbana, broke past the $1,400 psf mark in April.

Towards the river, trendy new launches have pushed up the average price barrier. Recent sales at Inspira have averaged $1,140 psf, while those at Watermark Robertson Quay have gone up to an average of $1,220 psf.

Over at Rivergate, average prices since the start of the year have even hit $1,600 psf.

In general, home prices in this area have moved up about 15 per cent to 30 per cent over the past 12 months, according to caveats lodged with the URA.

Asking rentals for a three-bedroom apartment range from more than $3,000 at Rivera Point to about $5,500 for Kim Yam Heights and $6,500 for Urbana.

Source : Sunday Times – 20 May 2007