Finally, The First HDB In Bukit Timah In 40 Years…

Get The Property Insights Serious Buyers Read First: Join 50,000+ readers who rely on our weekly breakdowns of Singapore’s property market.

A seasoned content strategist with over 17 years in the real estate and financial journalism sectors, Ryan has built a reputation for transforming complex industry jargon into accessible knowledge. With a track record of writing and editing for leading financial platforms and publications, Ryan's expertise has been recognised across various media outlets. His role as a former content editor for 99.co and a co-host for CNA 938's Open House programme underscores his commitment to providing valuable insights into the property market.
HDB seems locked in a constant battle with what Singaporeans call “the rich people areas.”

HDB seems to view enclaves – be it ethnic enclaves, or areas defined by a certain socioeconomic strata – as areas that need to be broken up. It’s like whack-a-mole for them: all the flats are pricey and centralised? Put in rental flats. There are exclusive landed properties nearby? Put up a block across from it. For the most part, I love it.
I get that some homeowners don’t, but it’s needed to prevent widening class divisions. We already have such strong stratifications (your social class is obvious from condo, HDB, or landed ownership), the least we can do is to try and make everyone get along. And I think the upcoming housing estate in Bukit Timah is going to be the very icon of this intent.

There are going to be up to 20,000 new homes on the Turf City site, which is directly facing Binjai Park, one of our pricey landed enclaves in Bukit Timah. Even the government’s statements on this upcoming estate, like calling it “inclusive and highly accessible,” hint at an underlying motive:
To break up the sense that Bukit Timah – or at least this part of it – is some kind of elite community separate from the rest of Singapore.
It’s some great imagery: the Turf Club embodies a sport that was, primarily for the wealthy (the F1 races of their day I guess). It was also closely tied to Singapore’s colonial past; and by proximity or otherwise, it remains an area frequented by more affluent expatriates. So reclaiming this area for HDB flats is more than practical; it becomes a metaphor for Singaporean unity, which ideally transcends class.

And as skeptical as some of us may be about that, I’m sure the intent of the message is clear.
Meanwhile in other property news…
One of the things you learn in property is that “grey areas” can turn black-and-white very suddenly.
I’m referring to the crackdown on the property owners who used the “99-to-1” arrangement. Using this method, a property owner is given only a one per cent share in a second property they buy, thus paying ABSD only on the one per cent. Later they can sell the one per cent back to their co-owner.

From word on the ground, this was sometimes touted as a “grey area” to property buyers; some of whom claim they were taught to do this by their property agents. Out of 187 cases reviewed by IRAS, 166 of them were found to have avoided taxes this way; and property agents in at least 10 of these cases are under review.
More from Stacked
$42 Million For A Car Park: Can Car Parks Be An Investment In Singapore?
As far as property investments go, car parks are one of the most mysterious. There are few strata-titled car parks…

This isn’t the first time misinformation has cost property owners, by the way. Sometime back, I recall some flat owners claiming they’d been advised to just lock up one room in their flat and rent out the rest. This would count as “not renting out the whole flat” so it could be done before the Minimum Occupancy Period.
I also recall, a few years back, some new launch buyers being told it’s okay to receive “furniture rebates,” which were essentially a sort of cashback scheme: the idea was to inflate the price for a bigger bank loan, after which a portion would be paid back to the buyer.
So now who do we listen to?

For starters, we should probably talk more to our conveyancing firms. Many buyers treat the conveyancing firm as little more than an overpaid form-filler.
And perhaps the most important thing we can do is to be fully aware that things described as “grey areas” can change in a hot minute. Nothing should be scarier than phrases like “the government knows people do it,” or “everyone does it.” Or that most loaded line of all, “It’s an industry practice.”
Those lines suggest it’s time to get a bit paranoid, and seriously consider not doing it (i.e., whatever is being suggested).
Meanwhile in other property news:
- HDB units with high ceilings? Yes, these condo-like public housing units do exist.
- Do condos in ulu places make money? The answer will surprise you.
- Property is a long term investment…unless you’re this guy who made $3.5 million in six months.

- The first condo in Science Park may soon be up for grabs. Yes, that Science Park, the one that looks more like a business incubator than an actual estate.
Weekly Sales Roundup (13 May – 19 May)
Top 5 Most Expensive New Sales (By Project)
PROJECT NAME | PRICE S$ | AREA (SQFT) | $PSF | TENURE |
MIDTOWN MODERN | $6,370,000 | 1808 | $3,523 | 99 yrs (2019) |
BOULEVARD 88 | $5,202,600 | 1313 | $3,962 | FH |
19 NASSIM | $5,070,000 | 1475 | $3,438 | 99 yrs (2019) |
J’DEN | $3,588,000 | 1485 | $2,415 | 99 yrs |
ENCHANTE | $3,163,000 | 1087 | $2,909 | FH |
Top 5 Cheapest New Sales (By Project)
PROJECT NAME | PRICE S$ | AREA (SQFT) | $PSF | TENURE |
HILLHAVEN | $1,363,060 | 678 | $2,010 | 99 yrs (2023) |
GRAND DUNMAN | $1,390,000 | 549 | $2,532 | 99 yrs (2022) |
THE LANDMARK | $1,531,000 | 495 | $3,092 | 99 yrs (2020) |
LENTORIA | $1,594,000 | 732 | $2,178 | 99 yrs (2022) |
LENTOR HILLS RESIDENCES | $1,786,000 | 753 | $2,370 | 99 yrs (2022) |
Top 5 Most Expensive Resale
PROJECT NAME | PRICE S$ | AREA (SQFT) | $PSF | TENURE |
ST REGIS RESIDENCES SINGAPORE | $14,000,000 | 6684 | $2,094 | 999 yrs (1995) |
N.A. | $5,800,000 | 2874 | $2,018 | FH |
ORCHARD SCOTTS | $4,500,000 | 2282 | $1,972 | 99 yrs (2001) |
AMBER 45 | $4,260,000 | 1593 | $2,674 | FH |
OCEAN PARK | $3,920,000 | 2110 | $1,858 | FH |
Top 5 Cheapest Resale
PROJECT NAME | PRICE S$ | AREA (SQFT) | $PSF | TENURE |
EDENZ SUITES | $682,888 | 441 | $1,547 | FH |
GUILLEMARD EDGE | $722,000 | 409 | $1,765 | FH |
HILLSTA | $735,000 | 570 | $1,288 | 99 yrs (2011) |
RESIDENCES 88 | $790,000 | 506 | $1,562 | FH |
SEAHILL | $818,000 | 506 | $1,617 | 99 yrs (2011) |
Top 5 Biggest Winners
PROJECT NAME | PRICE S$ | AREA (SQFT) | $PSF | RETURNS | HOLDING PERIOD |
KING’S MANSION | $3,300,000 | 1604 | $2,058 | $2,455,000 | 19 Years |
PEBBLE BAY | $3,750,000 | 2336 | $1,605 | $2,192,000 | 25 Years |
KIM KEAT LODGE | $2,650,000 | 1830 | $1,448 | $1,900,000 | 20 Years |
OCEAN PARK | $3,920,000 | 2110 | $1,858 | $1,720,000 | 14 Years |
BLOSSOMS @ WOODLEIGH | $3,750,000 | 3035 | $1,235 | $1,643,040 | 12 Years |
Top 5 Biggest Losers
PROJECT NAME | PRICE S$ | AREA (SQFT) | $PSF | RETURNS | HOLDING PERIOD |
REFLECTIONS AT KEPPEL BAY | $2,150,000 | 1119 | $1,921 | -$68,500 | 14 Years |
THE FLORENCE RESIDENCES | $830,000 | 484 | $1,714 | $29,000 | 3 Years |
KINGSFORD WATERBAY | $1,030,000 | 689 | $1,495 | $32,921 | 6 Years |
THE FLORENCE RESIDENCES | $830,000 | 484 | $1,714 | $33,000 | 4 Years |
KANDIS RESIDENCE | $1,070,000 | 775 | $1,381 | $44,500 | 5 Years |
Transaction Breakdown

For more news on the Singapore property market, follow us on Stacked.
Ryan J
A seasoned content strategist with over 17 years in the real estate and financial journalism sectors, Ryan has built a reputation for transforming complex industry jargon into accessible knowledge. With a track record of writing and editing for leading financial platforms and publications, Ryan's expertise has been recognised across various media outlets. His role as a former content editor for 99.co and a co-host for CNA 938's Open House programme underscores his commitment to providing valuable insights into the property market.Read next from Singapore Property News

Singapore Property News 14,000 Homes In Kranji And A Transformed Woodlands — Will The North Become Singapore’s Next Hotspot?

Singapore Property News NDP Rally 2025: The 4 Key Housing Takeaways for Singaporeans

Singapore Property News Springleaf Residence Sells 870 of 941 Units (92%) At Launch — What’s Driving Demand?

Singapore Property News Could Your East-Side Condo Be Worth More Now? Singapore Just Raised Height Limits Near Changi
Latest Posts

On The Market We Found The Cheapest And Biggest 5-room Flats Over 1,400 Sq ft You Can Buy Right Now

Pro Low Floor vs. High Floor: What Transaction Data Reveals About the Premium

Editor's Pick Why I Bought A $1.47M 2-Bedroom Stirling Residences Condo Unit: A Buyer’s Case Study

Property Advice The Math Behind Why 30–35 Is The Sweet Spot To Upgrade From HDB To Condo

Pro Can a One-Bedder Outperform a Two-Bedder? We Analysed 5 Years of Data

Editor's Pick We Toured A Freehold Landed Estate In Singapore With Vintage Properties and Top Thai Restaurants

On The Market 5 Cheapest 3-Bedroom Condos To Buy Right Now In 2025 (From $980K)

Homeowner Stories I’m a Former Police Officer Who Now Co-Owns 40 Property Investments Without Managing a Single Tenant: Here’s How

Pro Analysing 10 Years of District 15 Boutique Condo Transactions: Insights Into What Drives Profitability

Editor's Pick The Ideal Size for Each Room of Your Condo to Actually Feel Liveable Revealed

Property Advice 5 Mistakes You Make When Comparing Condo Prices – Your ‘Good Deal’ Might Be Hiding a Secret

Pro District 7 vs District 9: Which Prime Location Has Delivered Better Condo Value?

Overseas Property Investing 4 Hidden Risks To Avoid When Buying Property In Malaysia (A Guide For Singaporeans)

Homeowner Stories I Bought a Freehold Property in Singapore and Regret It — Here’s the Big Mistake I Made

Editor's Pick Terrace Houses Are Bigger Than The Semi-Detached Houses in This Part of Singapore

It was my grandfather house near old Turf club. The govt took away from us. Our village. V gd memory. Sadly to say
I think the Turf City BTO is a bad idea. Rich people aren’t comfortable with the poor nearby, and vice versa. Many nations also have wealth enclaves. As long as everyone can get housing, its fine. No need to force the super rich to mix with the poor