3 “Secret” Upcoming HDB Sites That Have Already Started Construction (But Not Yet Announced)

Good news for potential homeowners: several upcoming HDB sites are already under construction, even though they’ve yet to be officially announced. This early progress means shorter build times could be on the horizon for these projects. While launch dates and detailed information remain uncertain at this point, we can already assess some of the likely pros and cons of these locations.

We’ve mentioned before that the BTO system struggles to keep up with today’s housing market demands. However, the early signs from these sites suggest a shift toward building in anticipation of demand – a positive move. Unsurprisingly, these developments are in highly sought-after areas that are almost guaranteed to be oversubscribed. Given the planned population growth anyway, oversupply in these locations seems highly unlikely, which was something that should have been done earlier.

With that in mind, here are three sites to keep an eye on – especially if you’re starting your house-hunting journey soon:

1. Clementi BTO site

This site is the one that’s garnered the most attention, as it’s within walking distance of Clementi MRT station (EWL, CRL). The site is next to Clementi Primary School and Clementi Town Secondary School, and notices at the site indicate 753 units (2, 3, and 4-room flats) along with three 40-storey blocks and a 34-storey block. There will also be a childcare centre, food outlets, a minimart, pavilion and a seven-storey car park with a roof garden. The expected completion date is in Q1 2029.

There’s almost no chance that these will be standard flats. Clementi is already a high-demand, well-developed neighbourhood; and being this close to its hub is not going to come cheap. We also note the lack of 5-room flats, which is typical for Plus and Prime category developments. 

Given that Prime has so far been applied to flats near the city centre, the most probable classification for these flats would be Plus. 

Clementi Mall, next to the Clementi MRT station, is one of the biggest heartland malls right now; and its surroundings are replete with coffee shops, preschools, salons, supermarkets, etc. 

It is a rather densely packed area with a lot of traffic, but that’s an inevitable consequence of living in a hub area. These BTO flats will also be a natural pick for those who want access to Jurong East and Buona Vista, as Clementi station provides a quick and convenient link to both. 

2. The Toa Payoh BTO site

This one isn’t really a secret. When Toa Payoh Ridge was launched in 2020, it was already expected that the space across the road from it (at the time the former Toa Payoh First Primary School) would also be used for more HDB flats; and by 2023, it was indeed rezoned for residential use. 

Available information suggests 741 units here, set for completion sometime in Q2 2029. Site details also mention a childcare centre, two precinct pavilions, and a commercial building, along with 40-storey towers. 

This site is within walking distance of Braddell MRT station (NSL), and it may also be a manageable distance to Caldecott MRT (CCL, TEL). Caldecott station is a lot further though, and some may not consider it a comfortable walking distance. 

Schools are definitely going to be a highlight here. The famed Raffles Institution appears to be within one-kilometre, while Marymount Convent and Kheng Cheng are also close. The surrounding area is well-developed, with a good number of coffee shops and other heartland amenities. A strong draw will be proximity to Toa Payoh and Bisha: both are a single stop away from Braddell, and both are major commercial hubs: the HDB Hub is in Toa Payoh, while Junction 8 is at Bishan. 

We’re not sure what category these flats will fall into. Toa Payoh Ridge next door is in the standard category, but at the time HDB hadn’t yet launched the Plus category. Given that some of the resale flats nearby have hit the $1 million mark, this may end up being Plus rather than Standard. 

3. The Alexandra BTO site 

This site was also predictable, as it’s the land parcel next to Alexandra Peaks, which was launched in 2023. Work site notifications show 498 units, due for completion in Q2 2029. As it’s next to Alexandra Peaks, it will share the amenities for that project too (see the link above). 

As Alexandra Peaks was a Prime project, the same category should apply to this upcoming site. Redhill MRT station (EWL) is not too far away, and this is just one stop away from Tiong Bahru, and two stops to Outram. This puts it very close to the CBD. In addition, the proximity to Tiong Bahru means easy access to a lot of dining and retail; particularly of the hipster cafe/boutique variety.

Being next to the Alexandra Canal and its park connector is also a nice feature, and avid bicyclists can cycle all the way to the CBD from here. 

We expect all three of these sites to end up oversubscribed, given the strength of their location. And as previous Prime launches have shown, Singaporeans aren’t too put off by 10-year MOPs (plus the likely shorter build times here may be another attraction). If they’re happy to accept the restrictions on Prime housing, we don’t think they’ll be deterred by Plus housing either.