Most Expensive HDB Estates for BTO (2019)

The Built-To-Order (BTO) flat allocation scheme was first introduced in 2001.[1][2] In 2019, there were 17 BTO sales launches across 8 HDB towns in Singapore. This entry ranks the estates with the most expensive BTOs to the least expensive. Except for Kallang/Whampoa, the base prices listed correspond to 2-room Flexi flats.

Summary

This section highlights each estate's base selling points and the factors contributing to the prices. The general trends seem to show that the prices of BTOs are affected by:

(i) Accessibility to nearby amenities and infrastructure (mature estate vs. non-mature estate)[3]
(ii) The distance to Singapore's Downtown Core*

*As defined by Google Maps, Singapore's Downtown Core stretches from Tanjong Pagar to Bugis. It encompasses key office areas like Suntec City, Telok Ayer and Raffles Place.

Kallang/Whampoa & Ang Mo Kio: More than S$150,000

These two estates had the highest base selling prices for BTOs. Kallang/Whampoa and Ang Mo Kio are both mature estates that are closest to Singapore's Downtown Core.

Punggol, Tengah & Sengkang: ~ S$100,000 to S$110,000

These three estates are non-mature estates. Sengkang had the lowest base price in this bracket.

Jurong West & Woodlands: Less than S$100,000

These two estates had the lowest base selling prices for BTOs. Although Jurong West and Woodlands are mature estates, they are still the furthest from Singapore's Downtown Core.

#1. Kallang/Whampoa (from S$374,000*)

 
An artist's impression of Kallang Breeze. Photo credit to SRX Property.

*Only senior citizens were eligible for the S$117,000 2-room Flexi flats in Kempas Residences.[4] Hence, the lowest BTO selling price in Kallang/Whampoa is assumed to be S$374,000. This corresponds to a 3-room flat for which everyone is eligible.

Mature Estate

Kallang is reputably the oldest estate in Singapore, having been completed in 1959.[5][6] In February and May 2019, there were three BTO sales launches. Kallang Breeze and Towner Crest only offered 3 and 4-room flats. Kempas Residences offered 2-room, 3-room and 4-room flats.

Distance from Downtown Core

The accessibility of these estates to Singapore's Downtown Core is measured by the time taken to reach these areas.

Time of Day Private Transport Public Transport
Kallang Morning (8AM) 7 to 16 mins 25 mins East-West Line
Evening (6PM) 7 to 18 mins
Whampoa Morning (8AM) 12 to 28 mins 40 mins North-East Line

North-South Line

Evening (6PM) 14 to 40 mins

BTO Flat Prices

The table below indicates the estimated starting selling price of BTO development(s) in Kallang/Whampoa (excluding housing grants).

Launch Month Development(s) 2-room Flexi 3-room 4-room 5-room 3 Gen Refs.
May Kempas Residences From ~$117,000* (only Senior Citizens) From ~$387,000 From ~$562,000 - - [7]
February Kallang Breeze - From ~$374,000 From ~$523,000 - - [8]
Towner Crest

#2. Ang Mo Kio (from S$170,000)

 
An artist's impression of Yio Chu Kang Beacon. Photo from HDB.

Mature Estate

Ang Mo Kio New Town was developed in the 1970s, with the first batch of HDB flats having been occupied by 1975.[9] In the November 2019 BTO sales launch, Yio Chu Kang Beacon offered 2-room to 4-room flats. The expected completion date is in the last quarter of 2024.

Distance from Downtown Core

The accessibility of these estates to Singapore's Downtown Core is measured by the time taken to reach these areas.

Time of Day Private Transport Public Transport
Moring (8AM) 14 to 35 mins 39 mins North-South Line
Evening (6PM) 18 to 45 mins

BTO Flat Prices

The table below indicates the estimated starting selling price of BTO development(s) in Ang Mo Kio (excluding housing grants).

Launch Month Development(s) 2-room Flexi 3-room 4-room 5-room 3 Gen Refs.
November Yio Chu Kang Beacon From ~$170,000 From ~$332,000 From ~$451,000 - - [10]

#3. Tampines (from S$145,000)

 
An artist's impression of Tampines Green Spring.

Mature Estate

Tampines Town was developed in the 1980s with reports of development works beginning as early as 1972.[11][12] In September and November 2019, two BTO developments were launched. In the September launch, Tampines Green Glen only offered 4-room and 5-room flats. That being said, Tampines Green Spring's 4-room and 5-room flats were more expensive in comparison. Tampines Green Spring is situated behind Our Tampines Hub among other amenities.

Distance from Downtown Core

The accessibility of these estates to Singapore's Downtown Core is measured by the time taken to reach these areas.

Time of Day Private Transport Public Transport
Moring (8AM) 16 to 35 mins 50 mins East-West Line
Evening (6PM) 18 to 45 mins

BTO Flat Prices

The table below indicates the estimated starting selling price of BTO development(s) in Tampines (excluding housing grants).

Launch Month Development(s) 2-room Flexi 3-room 4-room 5-room 3 Gen Refs.
November Tampines Green Spring From ~$145,000 From ~$281,000 From ~$394,000 From ~$508,000 - [13]
September Tampines Green Glen - - From ~$312,000 From ~$418,000 - [14]

#4. Punggol (from S$109,000)

 
An artist's impression of Punggol Point Crown's community area. Photo from Property Supermart.

Non-mature Estate

The Punggol Estate is considered a non-mature estate, having been publicly announced as Punggol 21 in 1996.[15][16] Two developments - Punggol Point Cove and Punggol Point Crown - were launched in September 2019. While Punggol Point Crown’s architectural design was inspired by the old Punggol Zoo, Punggol Point Cove took its inspiration from Punggol’s past as a fishing village.[17]

Distance from Downtown Core

The accessibility of these estates to Singapore's Downtown Core is measured by the time taken to reach these areas.

Time of Day Private Transport Public Transport
Moring (8AM) 20 to 35 mins 56 mins LRT

North-East Line

North-South Line

Evening (6PM) 16 to 45 mins

BTO Flat Prices

The table below indicates the estimated starting selling price of BTO development(s) in Punggol (excluding housing grants).

Launch Month Development(s) 2-room Flexi 3-room 4-room 5-room 3 Gen Refs.
September Punggol Point Cove From ~$109,000 From ~$205,000 From ~$287,000 From ~$423,000 - [18]
Punggol Point Crown

#5. Tengah (from S$106,000)

Non-mature Estate

 
An artist's impression of Garden Vines @ Tengah. Photo from HDB.

The Tengah estate is Singapore's youngest estate, having only been introduced in 2016.[19] Tengah is envisioned to be a smart and sustainable town in the west of Singapore, equipped with eco-friendly features like the Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System (PWCS),[20] Urban Microclimate Multi-physics Integrated Simulation (UM-MIST) and lesser paths for cars.[21] Tengah is located in the west of Singapore, close to Bukit Batok. Five BTO developments were launched in May and November 2019.[22]

Distance from Downtown Core

The accessibility of these estates to Singapore's Downtown Core is measured by the time taken to reach these areas.

Time of Day Private Transport Public Transport
Moring (8AM) 40 to 60 mins NA
Evening (6PM) 40 to 75 mins

BTO Flat Prices

The table below indicates the estimated starting selling price of BTO development(s) in Tengah (excluding housing grants).

Launch Month Development(s) 2-room Flexi 3-room 4-room 5-room 3 Gen Refs.
November Plantation Village From ~$110,000 From ~$208,000 From ~$302,000 From ~$409,000 From ~$442,000 [23]
Plantation Grange
Garden Vines @ Tengah
May Plantation Acres From ~$106,000 From ~$192,000 From ~$309,000 From ~$415,000 - [24]
Garden Vales @ Tengah

#6. Sengkang (from S$102,000)

 
An artist's impression of Fernvale Vines. Photo credit to SRX Property.

Non-mature Estate

The Sengkang town was developed in the late 1990s with news reports of the development dating back to 1995.[25][26] In the February 2019 sales launch, Fernvale Vines offered a full variety of flats from the 2-room Flexi to the 3 Gen flats.[27]

Distance from Downtown Core

The accessibility of these estates to Singapore's Downtown Core is measured by the time taken to reach these areas.

Time of Day Private Transport Public Transport
Moring (8AM) 20 to 35 mins 48 mins LRT

North-East Line

North-South Line

Evening (6PM) 18 to 40 mins 50 mins

BTO Flat Prices

The table below indicates the estimated starting selling price of BTO development(s) in Sengkang (excluding housing grants).

Launch Month Development(s) 2-room Flexi 3-room 4-room 5-room 3 Gen Refs.
February Fernvale Vines From ~$102,000 From ~$191,000 From ~$283,000 From ~$365,000 From ~$385,000 [28]

#7. Jurong West (from S$95,000)

 
An artist's impression of Boon Lay Glade (left) and Jurong West Jewel (right). Photo credit to HDB.

Mature Estate

The development for Jurong West town took off in the 1970s.[29] Two BTO developments, Boon Lay Glade and Jurong West Jewel, were launched in February 2019. Both developments offered a full variety of flats from the 2-room Flexi to the 3 Gen flats.

Distance from Downtown Core

The accessibility of these estates to Singapore's Downtown Core is measured by the time taken to reach these areas.

Time of Day Private Transport Public Transport
Moring (8AM) 24 to 50 mins 52 mins East-West Line
Evening (6PM) 30 to 75 mins 54 mins

BTO Flat Prices

The table below indicates the estimated starting selling price of BTO development(s) in Jurong West (excluding housing grants).

Launch Month Development(s) 2-room Flexi 3-room 4-room 5-room 3 Gen Refs.
February Boon Lay Glade From ~$95,000 From ~$185,000 From ~$257,000 From ~$338,000 From ~$382,000 [30]
Jurong West

#8. Woodlands (from S$86,000)

 
An artist's impression of Champions Green. Photo credit to HDB.

Mature Estate

The development of Woodlands town took off in the 1980s.[31][32] In 1981, Woodlands "New Town" reportedly had a population of 37,000 people.[33] In the May 2019 BTO sales launch, Champions Green offered 2-room to 5-room flats.[34]

Distance from Downtown Core

The accessibility of these estates to Singapore's Downtown Core is measured by the time taken to reach these areas.

Time of Day Private Transport Public Transport
Moring (8AM) 28 to 55 mins 56 mins North-South Line
Evening (6PM) 30 to 75 mins

BTO Flat Prices

The table below indicates the estimated starting selling price of BTO development(s) in Woodlands (excluding housing grants).

Launch Month Development(s) 2-room Flexi 3-room 4-room 5-room 3 Gen Refs.
May Champions Green From ~$86,000 From ~$165,000 From ~$244,000 From ~$336,000 - [35]

References / Citations

  1. Chua, Chelsea. "Get ready for the where-when-what flats". TODAY. March 22, 2001. Accessed on 5 March 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  2. "Build-to-order HDB flats: 4 sites picked [ARTICLE]". The Straits Times. April 15, 2001. Accessed on 5 March 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  3. 99.co’s guides: Mature estate vs non-mature estate”. 99.co. Accessed on March 3, 2020.
  4. May 2019 Sales Launch”. Housing Development Board. Accessed on March 3, 2020.
  5. "Kallang / Whampoa". Housing Development Board. Accessed on 5 March 2020.
  6. "KALLANG WILL BE VITAL INDUSTRIAL SUBURB". July 23, 1958. The Singapore Free Press. Accessed on 5 March 2020.
  7. May 2019 Sales Launch”. Housing Development Board. Accessed on 3 March 2020.
  8. February 2019 Sales Launch”. Housing Development Board. Accessed on 3 March 2020.
  9. "First phase ready soon". New Nation. April 12, 1975. Accessed on 5 March 2020.
  10. November 2019 Sales Launch”. Housing Development Board. Accessed on 3 March 2020.
  11. "Tampines". Housing Development Board. Accessed on 5 March 2020.
  12. "HDB begins work on Tampines Estate". The Straits Times. September 15, 1972. Accessed on 5 March 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  13. November 2019 Sales Launch”. Housing Development Board. Accessed on 3 March 2020.
  14. September 2019 Sales Launch”. Housing Development Board. Accessed on 3 March 2020.
  15. Rahita Elias. "21st century housing concept for Punggol". The Business Times. August 19, 1996. Accessed on 5 March 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  16. "Punggol". Housing Development Board. Accessed on 5 March 2020.
  17. Tay, Brandon. “5 things to know about the Punggol Point BTO launches”. 99.co. Accessed on 3 March 2020.
  18. September 2019 Sales Launch”. Housing Development Board. Accessed on 3 March 2020.
  19. Cheng, Kenneth. "A peek into Tengah, the next new HDB town the size of Bishan". TODAY Online. September 8, 2016. Accessed on 5 March 2020.
  20. Waste Management”. Housing Development Board. Accessed on 3 March 2020.
  21. Tengah town to be built using smart, sustainable tech”. TODAY. September 9, 2016. Accessed on 3 March 2020.
  22. Goh, Natalie. “7 Things To Know About Tengah BTO”. 99.co.  Accessed on 3 March 2020.
  23. November 2019 Sales Launch”. Housing Development Board. Accessed on 3 March 2020.
  24. May 2019 Sales Launch”. Housing Development Board. Accessed on 3 March 2020.
  25. "New waterfront town at Lorong Sengkang [ARTICLE]". The Straits Times. November 10, 1995. Accessed on 5 March 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  26. "Sengkang". Housing Development Board. Accessed on 5 March 2020.
  27. About Fernvale Vines February 2019 BTO”. SRX. Accessed on 3 March 2020.
  28. September 2019 Sales Launch”. Housing Development Board. Accessed on 3 March 2020.
  29. "Jurong West". Housing Development Board. Accessed on 5 March 2020.
  30. February 2019 Sales Launch”. Housing Development Board. Accessed on 3 March 2020.
  31. "Woodlands". Housing Development Board. Accessed on 5 March 2020.
  32. Yap Yiew Piang. "Woodlands Park to be biggest in a housing estate". The Straits Times. June 11, 1982. Accessed on 5 March 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  33. Yang, Wendy and Goh Lee Khuan. "Page 9". The Straits Times. March 31, 2020. Accessed on 5 March 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  34. May 2019 BTO: Champions Green at Woodlands Unit Analysis”. Renonation. June 17, 2019. Accessed on March 3, 2020.
  35. May 2019 Sales Launch”. Housing Development Board. Accessed on 3 March 2020.