20000 New Homes Be Built Bukit Timah Turf City

The government has revealed plans to transform Bukit Timah Turf City into a new 176ha housing estate with approximately 15,000 to 20,000 homes. On May 23, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee announced the project at the URA Centre, where an exhibition was launched to showcase the conceptual plans for the new neighbourhood. This marks the first time in almost four decades that public housing is planned in the Bukit Timah area. Preliminary plans for the new estate at Turf City indicate that it will be designed as a car-lite and pedestrian-friendly community, with convenient walking and cycling paths. Four distinct neighbourhoods have been proposed for the development: Racecourse Neighbourhood, Stables Commune, Saddle Club Knolls, and Tinggi Hills. These neighbourhoods will offer a blend of public spaces and repurposed heritage buildings and structures. A total of 27 buildings and structures, including the North Grandstand, will be studied for potential retention and repurposing. Built in the 1980s, the iconic North Grandstand once accommodated thousands of spectators, paying tribute to the area’s 66-year history as a renowned racecourse from 1933 to 1999. “This is a clear indication that the government is dedicated to preserving the unique character of the area,” says Lee Sze Teck, Huttons Asia’s senior director of data analytics. He points out that the planned 15,000 to 20,000 homes for the 176ha site is less than half of the 42,000 homes being built in the 165ha Tengah development. The new homes in Tengah will also be designed with car-lite and pedestrian-friendly features. The development of the Turf City estate will proceed gradually, commencing with the existing transport nodes along Dunearn Road. It is expected to be fully completed in 20 to 30 years. The area is also surrounded by three Good Class Bungalow (GCB) areas: Swiss Club Road on the west, and Eng Neo Avenue and Raffles Park on the east. Lee adds that high-rise developments may be constructed further away near the new Tinggi Hills estate in the northern section. He predicts that once completed, the HDB flats in the area will fall under the Prime classification in the existing Plus housing model. To get an idea of the prices, one could look at the cost of HDB resale flats in Toh Yi as well as other Prime Location Public Housing projects launched in recent years. Huttons’ Lee estimates that when the four-room flats in the new Turf City estate are released, they could start at $600,000. Similarly, he anticipates that private home prices will begin at $2,500 per square foot in the new development. According to URA, plans for the new estate were shaped in collaboration with residents, and heritage and nature groups over the last few years. Feedback from public engagement for the upcoming draft masterplan in October 2023 was also taken into consideration. Check out the latest listings for HDB properties.

Woodlands Avenue 2 and Woodlands Avenue 5 serve as significant routes in the area, encircling the development with their expansive scope. These roads not only grant direct entry to expressways, but also serve as important connections to various parts of Woodlands and beyond. The accessibility provided by these roads is further enhanced by their integration with other major roads like Woodlands Drive and Admiralty Road, effectively dispersing traffic and enhancing travel efficiency. In addition, Norwood Grand Woodlands is naturally integrated into this well-connected network, providing residents with seamless access to all the amenities and conveniences in the surrounding area.