20000 New Homes Be Built Bukit Timah Turf City
The iconic Bukit Timah Turf City will be transformed into a new residential area spanning 176ha, with an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 new homes. This announcement was made by Desmond Lee, the Minister for National Development, on May 23 during the launch of an exhibition at the URA Centre that showcased the conceptual plans for the new housing estate. It marks the first time in almost 40 years that public housing is planned in the Bukit Timah area.The proposed plans for the new estate at Turf City aim to create a car-lite and pedestrian-friendly community, with a well-connected network of walking and cycling paths.AdvertisementThe new development will be divided into four distinctive neighbourhoods: Racecourse Neighbourhood, Stables Commune, Saddle Club Knolls, and Tinggi Hills. Each neighbourhood will feature public spaces that incorporate heritage buildings and structures. In total, there are 27 buildings and structures being studied for preservation and repurposing, including the iconic North Grandstand, which was completed in the 1980s and previously hosted thousands of spectators during its time as one of the region’s top racecourses from 1933 to 1999.Lee Sze Teck, senior director at Huttons Asia, believes that the government’s decision to preserve and repurpose these buildings highlights their commitment to maintaining the character of the area. He also notes that the planned 15,000 to 20,000 homes on the 176ha site is significantly lower than the 42,000 homes currently being built on the 165ha site at Tengah, which is also designed to be car-lite and pedestrian-friendly.The estate will be developed in stages, with the first phase starting from the existing transport nodes along Dunearn Road. It is estimated that it will take 20 to 30 years for the entire estate to be completed. Additionally, the area is bordered by three Good Class Bungalow (GCB) areas – Swiss Club Road to the west, and Eng Neo Avenue and Raffles Park to the east. As a result, high-rise developments may be built further away from these areas, closer to the new Tinggi Hills estate in the northern portion of the site. Lee predicts that HDB flats in the new Turf City estate may fall under the Prime classification of the current Plus housing model, given the premium location of the development and the recent resale prices at Toh Yi and other Prime Location Public Housing launches. He estimates that four-room flats in the estate could start from $600,000, while private home prices may start from $2,500 psf once the development is launched.According to URA, the plans for the new estate were formulated through extensive consultation with residents, heritage and nature groups, and public engagement efforts throughout a few years. The upcoming draft masterplan in October 2023 will also take into consideration any feedback received.
On June 27, the joint venture partners officially declared that the upcoming development of Parktown Residences will encompass approximately 1,190 modern dwellings, accompanied by a variety of retail and community facilities tailored to cater to the evolving lifestyle demands of the rapidly expanding residential community in Tampines North. As disclosed on Parktown Residences, the project is set to enhance the area’s living standards.