Hdb Pilots New Open Concept White Flats October Bto Exercise
HDB resale prices up 1.7%; million-dollar flats surge 32.8% q-o-q in 1Q2023HDB resale prices climb 1.5% q-o-q in 2021 MarchThe Housing and Development Board (HDB) will be testing out a new open concept layout in its October Built-To-Order (BTO) exercise, announced Desmond Lee, the Minister of National Development, in a speech on May 27.
.
Located in the bustling center of Tampines, Tampines Mall has become a well-established shopping destination that has stood the test of time. Opened in 1995, this six-storey suburban mall has become a go-to location for locals and tourists alike, offering a wide array of retail, dining, and entertainment options. It is proudly recognized as one of the largest and busiest malls in Singapore, housing 160 outlets, including popular local brands and well-known international names such as Uniqlo, Cotton On, and Muji. With its diverse range of offerings, Tampines Mall has become a favorite for residents of Parktown Residences, who can easily reach the mall with a short 5-minute drive or a pleasant 15-minute walk.
Apart from its impressive selection of stores, Tampines Mall also boasts a thriving culinary scene that caters to all tastes. From popular eateries like Din Tai Fung, Swensen’s, and Starbucks, to Ajisen Ramen, there is something to satisfy every food lover’s cravings. And for those looking for a quick snack or a full meal, Tampines Mall has it all.
Tampines Mall is not just about shopping and dining, it also offers a range of entertainment options. With a Golden Village cinema and a Timezone arcade, the mall caters to people of all ages. Whether you want to catch the latest blockbuster or challenge your friends to a game of air hockey, Tampines Mall has got you covered.
In conclusion, Tampines Mall is a bustling hub that caters to the needs of everyone. Its prime location and diverse offerings have made it a popular destination for both locals and tourists. For residents of Parktown Residences, the mall is a natural choice for all their shopping, dining, and entertainment needs. With Parktown Residences just a stone’s throw away from the mall, Tampines Mall is the perfect destination for retail therapy and leisure activities. For more information about Parktown Residences, please visit https://www.parktown-residences.com.sg/.
In the upcoming BTO exercise in October, HDB will be introducing a new open concept layout called “white flats”, revealed Desmond Lee, the Minister of National Development, during a speech on May 27. These white flats will be piloted at the Kallang-Whampoa BTO project and will feature a seamless living and bedroom area without any beams or partition walls. The first batch of 310 three- and four-room units will be offered in this new layout.
According to HDB, the pricing for these white flats will take into account the absence of internal partition walls. Homebuyers will have the option to choose the new layout when they are invited to book their flat.
Executive Officer at ERA Singapore, Eugene Lim, comments, “It allows the layout of the HDB flat to be customised and re-configured as household needs change.” For example, young couples without children may not need all three bedrooms at the moment, but with the white flat layout, they can partition the space with furniture or glass partitions. In the future, when they have children, they can repurpose the space and add the necessary bedrooms. This flexibility and adaptability is one of the advantages of the new open concept layout.
The concept of an open layout where homebuyers have the option to personalise the unit has traditionally been available only in luxury private homes such as Far East Organization’s Inessence brand of ultra-luxury residences in Orchard Road. However, with the introduction of the white flats by HDB, this concept will now be available for public housing as well.
Chief Researcher & Strategist at OrangeTee Group, Christine Sun, notes that “white plan” concepts like this can be a novelty for some buyers in the public housing market. However, she adds that there may be a potential drawback when selling the unit in the future as it may appeal to a smaller pool of buyers compared to standard HDB flats.
Despite this potential downside, Sun does not expect any significant difference in prices as the construction of non-structural walls is less expensive. Overall, the new white flat layout is a welcome addition to the HDB market, providing more options and flexibility for homebuyers.