Dark events overshadow the recent sale of two Good Class Bungalows (GCBs) - the most prestigious type of property in Singapore.
The two GCBs, said to have fetched about $35.8 million in total, form part of the estate of Mr Tan Kok Keng, whose son faces a charge of culpable homicide over his death.
One GCB is in Gallop Park and the other is in Victoria Park Close - both off Farrer Road.
Mr Tan, 67, died following an altercation at a semi-detached house in West Coast Rise in February last year. He was involved in several shipping-related businesses.
His son, Mark Tan Peng Liat, 30, is accused of putting a fatal headlock and chokehold on his father, after an argument between the two escalated into violence.
His trial, which got under way in the State Courts last month, is expected to resume next month. He is out on bail.
The Gallop Park GCB was sold for $16.8 million around July 6 to Mr Chua Soon Hock, who used to head fund management firm Asia Genesis Asset Management.
According to the caveat lodged, Mark Tan acted as one of two trustees of the estate in the sale. The price works out to about $1,030 per sq ft (psf) of land. It is not known if the younger Tan is entitled to the sale proceeds, although next-of-kin are typically beneficiaries of such sales. He has a sister.
The Victoria Park Close GCB is said to have been sold recently for about $19 million, or slightly less than $1,000 psf of land.
The prices of the two properties are regarded by agents as being on the lower side. The Victoria Park Close house is on a downward slope, which could explain the lower premium. As this was an estate sale - the sale of assets owned by the deceased - the sellers may also have been minded to achieve a quick sale, property agents noted.
There are just 2,400 GCBs in 39 gazetted areas islandwide. GCBs have a minimum land area of 1,400 sq m, or 15,069 sq ft.
Another recent sale of GCB land was at Eden Hall, the official residence of the British High Commissioner.
Two plots at the originally over 200,000 sq ft site were carved out and put up for sale early this year.
Developer OUE said on Thursday night it will pay about $56.58 million for the freehold parcels in Nassim Road, or about $1,652 psf.
