07/10/2019
Understanding The New Novena:
Like Orchard, Novena has no shortage of private residential developments, hotels, eateries, expats, or shopping malls. But unlike Orchard, however, it is never as busy or crowded. Simply put, it is like a reticent neighbour who never throws parties, but is at the same time welcoming to one and all. Food, shopping, entertainment and housing are all available here amidst peace and quiet. For anyone who’s never been a fan of crowds, especially during the weekend, Novena is a great place to visit and even live. Even the Revenue House is in the estate, alongside a Singapore post-office, maximizing one’s convenience.
Accommodation: The one characteristically Singaporean feature Novena lacks is public housing. From the old (Birmingham Mansions, Lion Towers, Thomson Euro-Asia) to the new (Novellis, Strata, Lincoln Suites), private homes are a dime a dozen here, and often fetch premium prices because of their prime location. At the same time, Novena’s variety of hotels, such as Oasia Hotel, Hotel Royal, Days Hotel, Ramada Inn, Ibis, Value Hotel and Quality Hotel make the area a convenient place for tourists and travellers, regardless of their budget.
Retail and refuel: The estate also has several malls, such as United Square, Velocity@Novena, and Square 2, as well as the nearby Shaw Plaza, where one can get his movie fix without having to contend with the human traffic typically present in the Orchard area. Velocity@Novena has a range of sports stores, while United Square is a child-and family-friendly mall, with plenty of clothing and book stores catering to children. And as with any estate in Singapore worth visiting, Novena boasts an abundance of dining options,from hawker food and fast food to cafés and restaurants. The famous Newton Food Centre is but one MRT station (or a short bus ride) away, and a smorgasbord of cuisines from many different cultures can be found throughout the area.