December 2023 BTO Launch: An Overview Of The 6,057 Units On Offer
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Ryan J
- December 5, 2023
- 7 min read
7 min read
The December 2023 BTO launch is out featuring over 6,000 units, and has mixed in some of the most desirable mature neighbourhoods (although that term is officially obsolete). In total, there are 8 projects that buyers can choose from – two within the Woodlands estate, and two are under the Prime Location Public Housing model.
Here’s a look at their prices:
Prices of the December 2023 BTO flats on offer
| Town | Project | Flat Type | Selling Price(Excluding Grants) | Selling Price(Including Grants) |
| Non-Mature Estates | ||||
| Bukit Panjang | Petir Park Edge | 2-room Flexi | From $110,000 | From $30,000 |
| 4-room | From $320,000 | From $260,000 | ||
| Jurong West | Jurong Arcadia | 2-room Flexi | From $110,000 | From $30,000 |
| 3-room | From $207,000 | From $132,000 | ||
| 4-room | From $315,000 | From $255,000 | ||
| 5-room | From $431,000 | From $386,000 | ||
| Woodlands | Woodlands Beacon Urban Rise @ Woodlands | 2-room Flexi | From $145,000 | From $65,000 |
| 3-room | From $251,000 | From $176,000 | ||
| 4-room | From $318,000 | From $258,000 | ||
| 5-room | From $468,000 | From $423,000 | ||
| Mature Estates | ||||
| Bedok | Chai Chee Green | CCA (30-year Lease) | From $80,000 | From $4,000 |
| 3-room | From $298,000 | From $238,000 | ||
| 4-room | From $421,000 | From $376,000 | ||
| 5-room | From $569,000 | From $539,000 | ||
| Bishan | Sin Ming Residences~ | 3-room | From $374,000 | From $314,000 |
| 4-room | From $519,000 | From $474,000 | ||
| Prime Location Public Housing Model | ||||
| Bukit Merah | Alexandra Peaks | 2-room Flexi | From $218,000 | From $138,000 |
| 3-room | From $380,000 | From $320,000 | ||
| 4-room | From $533,000 | From $488,000 | ||
| Queenstown | Ulu Pandan Vista | 3-room | From $430,000 | From $370,000 |
| 4-room | From $598,000 | From $553,000 | ||
This will be one of the largest launches for Woodlands we’ve seen in a long time, and the 1,200 units are spread out over two different launch sites.
1. Bedok
Bedok will offer 1,234 units of 3, 4, and 5-room flats. 250 of the units will be Assisted Living flats.
The flats here are reasonably close to Bedok North MRT (DTL), although it remains to be seen if walking paths for all blocks will be direct. We would expect some kind of sheltered shortcut along Bedok North Road for residents.
That said, don’t mistake this for the actual Bedok MRT station on the EWL, as that particular station is actually quite far (over a kilometre away). Although it’s further, we feel that this destination will be more frequent among residents, who will likely use a bus connection.
The aforementioned Bedok MRT area will be the source of most amenities. Bedok Mall, along with the commercial aspect of the upcoming Sky Eden @ Bedok (a mixed-use condo) will provide for most of the shopping needs. Bedok market, with its hawker centre, is also here.
That aside, the existing HDB enclave, around block 53 onward, also has the usual heartland amenities.
If the prices or age of resale flats around Bedok MRT are unpalatable, this BTO launch site may be a viable alternative. It’s reasonably close to the hub of the neighbourhood (one short bus trip).
There is a place of worship along Chai Chee Lane though, so if you don’t like that, look out for the blocks that may be positioned close to it.
2. Bishan
For this plot, there are 732 units of 3 and 4-room flats. These are the first new flats in the Sin Ming area in over 30 years; we previously mentioned this in an article. As it turns out, waiting times are just 32 months because of this – less than 3 years which is phenomenally fast for a BTO.
Sin Ming is a reasonably convenient and accessible area. This particular stretch has also drawn a wide and eclectic range of eateries, from Nam Kee Chicken Rice to Columbus Coffee; there are also plenty of canteens and coffee shops, in the nearby industrial parks of Sin Ming.
Upper Thomson MRT (TEL) is likely to be within walking distance of most flats. We’re less certain about Marymount MRT (CCL), for which you may need a bus connection. In any case, we don’t think these two stations will be a big draw. We think the most common route for residents will be a bus straight to Bishan MRT (NSL, CCL), as major amenities Junction 8 are clustered there. This will only be a few minutes from Sin Ming Road.
So if the prices in the hub of Bishan frighten you – and they certainly scare us – this launch site provides a BTO alternative. We do think it will be heavily oversubscribed though, as the last time there were new flats here, the late Lee Kuan Yew was still our Prime Minister.
3. Bukit Merah
The Bukit Merah launch site offers 904 units, in a mix of 2, 3, and 4-room flats. The plot appears to be next to The Crest, a mid-sized condo (469 units) from 2017. This is small enough that it shouldn’t cause any crowding issues.
The main appeal for this plot will be access to Tiong Bahru. The Redhill MRT station (EWL), which is likely in walking distance, is just one stop from Tiong Bahru. This will give residents access to all the famous boutique stores, eateries, and coffee houses of Singapore’s most hipster neighbourhood (for now).
Just across Alexandra Road, the existing HDB enclave provides many of the usual heartland amenities, including a preschool, coffee shops, and convenience stores. The Alexandra Park Connector is also next to this plot, right across from Prince Phillip Avenue – this will be pleasant for those who like to cycle or stroll along the canal.
As a bonus, the much respected Crescent Girls’ is also in enrolment distance; it’s less than 400 metres from this plot, so parents might want to take note.
4. Bukit Panjang
Oddly, this plot offers only 2-room and 4-room flats. There are only 334 units.
This plot appears within (long-ish) walking distance of Cashew MRT (DTL). However, there are also two LRT stations that are roughly equidistant, which are Pending and Petir. These also provide a direct connection to Bukit Panjang MRT (DTL), just one stop down from Cashew. Hillion Mall, next to Bukit Panjang MRT, will be the likely centre of amenities for residents. Bukit Panjang Plaza, opposite Hillion Mall, also provides some added alternatives.
For those who like nature zones, note that Chestnut Park and Bukit Panjang Hill are very close by – and it’s possible to cycle there, or get there in a few bus stops.
The immediate surroundings are, to be frank, not very exciting – the advantage is mainly a good amount of greenery, and peace and quiet. There does mean lots of room for future developments though.
5. Jurong West
This plot offers 716 flats, in 2, 3, 4, and 5-room sizes. This plot is near the Jurong River, which provides a waterfront view (somewhat cancelled out by the view of the PIE though, if that bothers you).
There’s already an HDB enclave in the surroundings; and the usual heartland amenities are available. You won’t have issues finding a coffee shop, convenience stores, and so on. The Jurong West Market & Food Centre, just across from Jurong West Ave. 1, also makes it convenient to get a bite, or fresh groceries.
On the one hand, this plot may be popular just on the basis of flat sizes; it’s one of only three plots with 5-room flats. On the downside, accessibility isn’t very good for this plot – there’s no MRT station in sight. And despite what you may have read elsewhere, we don’t think the upcoming Corporation Road MRT (DTL) is anywhere close to being convenient (at best, you still need a bus to get there).
We do think there’s added appeal, for those who see a future in which they rent out the flat: the upcoming, 600 hectare Jurong Innovation District will be nearby, and that could provide a good catchment area for tenants.
6. Queenstown
There are 890 units of 3 and 4-room flats here, and unsurprisingly, it’s under the PLH model. It is, after all, Queenstown.
The land plot is right next to Dover MRT (EWL), which is also next to Singapore Polytechnic. This station is two stops from Holland V, and one stop away from Buona Vista, where you’ll find the gigantic Star Vista mall. This is also one stop away from the One-North tech and media hub, providing a potential catchment area for future tenants (although we should qualify that, in most cases, workers from that area are affluent enough to pick condos).
This area’s main highlight is education. Besides Singapore Poly, the School of Science & Technology, ACJC, INSEAD and Essec (at One-North) are all within easy travelling distance.
Singapore Polytechnic, incidentally, is an amenity even to non-students; the cafes and canteens on campus grounds are open to the public.
It’s a great spot, but we’d be ready for this site to be heavily oversubscribed, and chances may be slim.
7. Woodlands
There are two sites here, on opposite sides of Woodlands Ave. 5. They’re just a few metres apart, so the differences between the two are mostly negligible. Site 1 consists of 399 flats, in 3 and 4-room sizes. Site 2 has 848 units, with 2,3,4, and 5-room flats.
We expect a lot of demand for site 2 in particular, as it’s one of just three launch sites that offers 5-room flats.
Woodlands MRT (NEL, TEL) is just next to site 2, so it’s a bit closer for blocks there; but site 1 is just a few minutes further. Causeway Point is just next to the MRT, and this is the major heartland mall for Woodlands; so whoever snags a flat here is living in the neighbourhood hub. In addition, Marsiling Mall – an HDB run mall – is quite famous for its hawker food.
As an added bonus, we note that Innova JC, formerly at Yishun, will be moving close by to its Woodlands location in 2027.
These two sites are ideal for families, as they have a good mix of the green spaces characteristic of Woodlands, as well as being near an MRT and mall. It will also appeal to those with properties or families across the causeway, this being Woodlands.
Stay tuned for our more detailed review that will be released tomorrow! Be sure to follow us on Stacked to stay notified when it’s out. If you’d like to get in touch for a more in-depth consultation, you can do so here.
