We Review The Feb 2024 BTO Launch Sites (Queenstown, Bedok, Hougang, Punggol, Woodlands, Choa Chu Kang)

The February 2024 BTO launch will see 4,100 flats, with the biggest highlight being the now-redeveloped Tanglin Halt. This iconic location will even feature an integrated development, so it’s quite clear where the spotlight will be. All in, there are seven total launch sites, as HDB keeps up a blistering pace to fix post-pandemic shortages. Here’s what to look out for:

February 2024 BTO launch sites:

1. Bedok Site 1

This site is next to Bedok Green Primary School, at the intersection of New Upper Changi Road and Bedok South Ave 2. 

This is a very developed area, as far as HDB estates go. It’s right next to Marketplace @ 58, which is a huge cluster of eateries, minimarts, hair salons, and other heartland-area amenities. The Bedok South Market and Food Centre, near the neighbourhood park, is also within walking distance; and for those with active children, note that this is one of the parks that has a basketball court.

Bedok MRT station (EWL) is too far to be in convenient walking distance, but we’ll call it close nonetheless; that’s because it’s a straight road down, and most buses that pass by will take you there. Bedok MRT station is also where you’ll find Bedok Point mall. 

Overall, it is a convenient location with lots of amenities nearby; but it’s also facing a busy road and MRT tracks, and there’s a school right next door. This could be noisy, and we’d hope for a unit that’s much higher than the train tracks.

2. Bedok Site 2

The second February 2024 BTO launch site in Bedok is close to where the PIE intersects with Bedok North Ave.3, right next to Yu Neng Primary School. 

While being situated next to the PIE would be a problem to many, we can’t discount its convenience due to the short walk to Bedok Reservoir MRT. Future residents can cross the overhead bridge at the PIE and the total walk should take around 8 minutes according to OneMap. The overhead bridge is also wheelchair friendly.

As with site 1, food options abound here; it seems you can’t walk more than two blocks in Bedok without seeing some kind of restaurant or coffee shop. The area is also dense with the usual heartland amenities, like convenience stores and salons. Note that a short bus trip from here will get you to the famous Bedok 85 marketplace, where you can still find food for late-night suppers. And even though Bedok MRT (EWL) is not within walking distance, the bus ride is just a few minutes, should you need the green line. 

Site 1 is frankly closer to the hub (where Bedok MRT is), but Site 2 may have the edge in terms of the view. Flats here will likely take advantage of Bedok Reservoir being nearby, and that could give you a nice greenery/waterfront view. Also, if you don’t want the noise of living near Bedok MRT, this site is an alternative that’s still reasonably close.

3. Choa Chu Kang

This site is along a part of the Rail Corridor, and is at the foot of the Pang Sua River; close to where Woodlands Road intersects the KJE.

We do wonder if some residents at the Senja HDB enclave will be annoyed by this launch; the flats here will come between some of their units, and the view of Pang Sua River. For this site, it’s all about the greenery. Besides the river and the rail corridor, you’re also close to the Stagmont and Pang Sua Park Connectors, so this area is great for cyclists and nature walkers. 

The closest amenities will likely be the Sejna HDB enclave, which has the expected coffee shops, convenience stores, etc. 

Accessibility is… not great. Bukit Panjang MRT (DTL) is not within walking distance, and you’ll probably use the bus to get there. While there is an LRT station (Senja LRT), it’s also quite a walk; so most residents will probably just take a bus to Bukit Panjang. Once you get to Bukti Panjang MRT, you have access to Junction 10, a major mall which can provide for most retail needs. 

Out of all the February 2024 BTO sites, this would be the least accessible or convenient location but it will appeal to nature lovers. You’ll be able to look out on a part of the Rail Corridor and the Sungei Pang Sua waterfront. 

4. Hougang

Situated near the intersection of Upper Paya Lebar Road and Bartley Road, this site has one main draw: it’s close to Paya Lebar Airbase, which will be redeveloped into a new hub, after it moves in 2030. You can see URA’s plans for it here. 

That’s a long way into the future though; and for now, the area is a little subdued. There is the usual mix of coffee shops and convenience stores for any HDB enclave; but there’s no major retail or entertainment nearby. Tai Seng industrial park, just across from these flats, also has some good canteens open to the public. 

Residents will probably need to take a bus to Bartley MRT (CCL), from which they’re just a single stop to NEX Megamall in Serangoon. 

For some, proximity to Serangoon may be another motive for getting a flat here. Flats in the immediate vicinity of NEX tend to be pricey, rarely available, and old; so some may see this neighbouring area as an alternative.

5. Punggol 

This site is at Sumang Lane, and this area is very new. Everything here is just being built, even some of the roads on the map. 

While there aren’t many amenities, you can at least find a Sheng Siong nearby, and some small coffee shops in the Sumang HDB enclave. This site also allows for an excellent greenery/waterfront view, as the block will overlook Punggol Reservoir – we also believe part of Sengkang Riverside Park will contribute to the view. 

Living alongside the reservoir and its park connector is great for cyclists and outdoorsy types, and this is a very quiet area with minimal traffic. 

That said, everything is just being built up, so it can seem a bit sparse right now. There’s also a notable accessibility issue, as there’s no train station nearby; and even bus services at Sumang Lane are still quite limited. 

6. Queenstown

This is the highlight of the entire February 2024 BTO launch: a redevelopment of the former Tanglin Halt. We are 99 per cent certain that the flats here will fall under the PLH scheme, just like Tanglin Halt Cascadia before it.

The HDB development here has been described as “integrated”, which normally means a connection to the MRT station, a civic institution (e.g., polyclinic, library, or other such thing), and a commercial element. This will hopefully recapture the spirit of the old Tanglin Halt, which had some rather famous bakeries, long-time convenience stores and salons, etc.

The site is next to New Town Primary School, and just next to Commonwealth MRT (EWL). Note that this puts it just one stop away from Buona Vista, where the gigantic Star Vista mall is located. It also means residents are just two train stops from Holland Village or One-North, both highly desirable hubs. 

There are only 250 units available here, it’s the best of the February launch sites, and the chances of getting one are slim. Not much else to be said. 

7. Woodlands

The final February 2024 BTO site is located along the Seletar Expressway, and is the largest offering with 1,120 units. For those who are new to this, that’s code for: “Apply here, especially for a 3-room, if you absolutely must get your BTO flat asap.” 

This area isn’t heavy with amenities, but it’s reasonably convenient. The Woodgrove is nearby, and there is an NTUC FairPrice and lots of food options. The main draw will be the low density of the surrounding landed areas (across from Woodgrove Avenue), and the lonely jungle of Mandai visible across the expressway. We promise it looks a lot nicer, when you’re not crawling in it for SAF.

Accessibility is not a strong suit, but you probably expect this from Woodlands. There isn’t an MRT station in walking distance, but you can take a direct bus to Woodlands MRT (NSL, TEL) in just a few minutes. Although Woodlands MRT is quite far from most major hubs, Causeway Point is next to it; and this is a major heartland mall that can meet most of your needs.

(Ps. Technically Woodlands North MRT station (TEL) is closer, but most residents will probably just take the bus directly to Woodlands) 

Good luck on the balloting, and do let us know how it goes – especially if anyone here is lucky enough to land a Tanglin Halt flat. For more news on the Singapore property market, follow us on Stacked Homes.