Greater Southern Waterfront Welcomes 6,000 HDB Flats with First BTO Project Launch in 3 Years

HDB Flats in Keppel Club Site: A New Era of Waterfront Living

Around 6,000 Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats are set to be built on the Keppel Club site within the Greater Southern Waterfront (GSW), marking a new era of waterfront living in Singapore. With the first Build-To-Order (BTO) project expected to be launched within three years, the development will comprise 9,000 homes on the 48-hectare site.

Unique Waterfront Living Opportunities

National Development Minister Desmond Lee announced that the remaining 3,000 units would be private housing, creating a unique blend of public and private housing options. This mixed development is planned to be launched progressively over the next three to five years, according to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

Prime Location and Connectivity: Embracing a Car-lite Lifestyle

The Keppel Club site is situated in the mature town of Bukit Merah and is bordered by Telok Blangah Road, Berlayer Creek, and Bukit Chermin. Its prime location and proximity to two MRT stations—Labrador Park and Telok Blangah on the Circle Line—will encourage a car-lite lifestyle, with residents easily commuting via walking or cycling.

Green Initiatives and Sustainable Living

A significant portion of the site, nearly 10 hectares, will be dedicated to parks and open land. This includes four green corridors—the Central, Berlayer, Henderson, and Northern Corridors—intended to serve as recreational spaces for residents.

Housing blocks will be designed with staggered building heights, offering residents greenery views from their doorstep. The development will also feature skyrise greenery, landscaped terraces, and green roofs on lower-rise blocks, providing additional habitats for butterflies and urban bird species such as the locally endangered blue-crowned hanging parrot and oriental magpie-robin.

Bringing Homes Closer to Jobs

Minister Lee emphasized the importance of bringing homes closer to jobs, supporting the goal of having more housing options and mixed-use development in Singapore’s central region. Developments will be confined within the marked-out site of Keppel Club, transforming the area into a vibrant mixed-use district marked by its industrial heritage and waterfront location.

Prime Location Public Housing Model: Offering Affordable Housing Options

The Housing and Development Board has indicated that the Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) model will be applied to selected public housing projects in prime locations, including the GSW. This model aims to keep flats affordable despite their high market value. Therefore, location, attributes, and market value are considered before applying the PLH model to the Keppel Club site.

Analysts Expectations for BTO Projects in GSW

Property analysts predict that BTO projects in the GSW will likely fall under the PLH model due to their prime location. Huttons Asia, Senior Director of Research Lee Sze Teck, anticipates a four-room unit to be priced between $650,000 and $760,000 after accounting for additional subsidy under the PLH model.

GSW Transformation: A Mega Waterfront Development Awaits

Launching the BTO project will kick-start the transformation of the GSW into a mega waterfront development along Singapore’s southern coast. With a total area of 2,000 hectares, the GSW is six times the size of Marina Bay and twice that of Punggol, offering a wealth of opportunities for residential, commercial, and recreational developments.

High Demand for Housing in the Area

Recent BTO projects in the area have seen strong interest, exemplifying the high demand for housing in this prime location. For instance, the Telok Blangah Beacon BTO project, launched in May 2021, experienced more than 23.3 applicants vying for each available unit—one of the highest rates in recent years.

Greater Southern Waterfront: A Vision for Singapore’s Future

First announced in 2013, the GSW spans 30 kilometers of coastline from the Gardens by the Bay East area to Pasir Panjang. This ambitious project aims to transform the city’s southern coast into a vibrant, sustainable, and connected urban waterfront.

Integrating Green and Blue Spaces: Enhancing Liveability

The GSW master plan emphasizes the integration of green and blue spaces to enhance the area’s liveability. With parks, open land, and green corridors making up a significant portion of the development, residents will enjoy ample outdoor recreation and relaxation opportunities, contributing to a higher quality of life.

Supporting Economic Growth: Work-Live-Play Balance

The GSW development also supports Singapore’s economic growth by offering a variety of housing and commercial spaces. This holistic approach aims to create a work-live-play balance, providing residents with access to job opportunities, leisure activities, and a diverse range of housing options.

Boosting Tourism: Iconic Attractions and Waterfront Experiences

The GSW master plan includes the development of iconic attractions and waterfront experiences, further boosting Singapore’s tourism industry. Transforming the former Pasir Panjang Power Station buildings into a mixed-use district characterized by its industrial heritage and waterfront location is just one example of how the GSW is set to become a unique and vibrant destination for residents and tourists alike.

Conclusion

The upcoming launch of the first BTO project within the Greater Southern Waterfront marks the beginning of a new chapter in Singapore’s urban development. With a focus on sustainability, connectivity, and a work-live-play balance, this mega waterfront development promises to be a game-changer for the city-state, offering unparalleled housing options and experiences for its residents. As the GSW transformation unfolds, Singapore can look forward to a brighter, greener, and more connected future along its southern coast.

Terra Hill, a newly launched condominium development, is in the center of the Greater Southern Waterfront. Terra Hill offers a luxurious and contemporary living experience and features top-notch facilities and modern amenities, seamlessly blending urban conveniences with nature’s tranquility. Moreover, with its prime location at the GSW, Terra Hill provides residents easy access to nearby commercial hubs, recreational facilities, and transportation networks, promising an unparalleled lifestyle experience in Singapore’s most anticipated waterfront district. For more information visit: terra-hill.sg