6 unique HDB blocks in Singapore to check out

There are plenty of unique, compelling HDB blocks in Singapore… and these aren’t limited to the standard “insta-worthy” ones which are painted in vibrant colours or feature giant murals on their walls. Read on to find out more!

#1: HDB block in Tiong Bahru with three different street names

When we think of unique or iconic HDB flats, Tiong Bahru is one of the first examples that comes to mind. The next time you’re grabbing brunch or drinks in this neighbourhood, be sure to check out the horse-shoe shaped Block 78, a charming pre-war development which is heavily influenced by the art-deco style.

This block of flats was built in 1936 by the British, and has three different street names attached to it. Flats in the middle of the block have the address 78 Moh Guan Terrace. Those flanking the east side bear the address 78 Guan Chuan Street while flats in the west side come with the address 78 Yong Siak Street. 

#2: HDB terrace flat – landed living the HDB way

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Technically speaking, this is a single HDB unit, not a “block”… but hey, isn’t it cool that we have landed public housing in Singapore? There are a handful of these terrace flats scattered across Jalan Bahagia, Whampoa, and Queenstown – read our article to find out more!

#3: Y-shaped HDB block in Toa Payoh

You can’t quite tell from here, but Block 53, Toa Payoh Lorong 5 is built in a one-of-a-kind Y-shaped design which you won’t be able to find anywhere else in Singapore. Back when Queen Elizabeth II visited Singapore in 1972, this is where she came – they even built a special gallery for her on the rooftop so that she could enjoy the view!

#4: Clover-shaped HDB block in Ang Mo Kio

Before you start squealing about how cool and avant-garde this HDB block is, think about this… will not being able to align furniture in corners, or in a straight line, be a major bugbear for you? If this doesn’t bother you, go ahead and check out these one-of-a-kind flats!

Here’s the backstory: HDB’s initial plan was to have unique design features for each HDB cluster – and they thought it would be fun to have circular flats in Ang Mo Kio town. After they built this first block of flats, residents started complaining that it was impractical…  so they changed gears, and Block 259, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 2 remains the only circular flat in Singapore till today.

Fun fact: Singapore’s only block of circular flats has adopted the moniker 259 Clover @ Kebun Baru in recent times and has its very own Facebook page!

#5: HDB block in Whampoa West that goes on, and on… 

At first glance, 34 Whampoa West looks like a perfectly ordinary block of HDB flats. Then you realise something: it goes on and on, and it seemingly never ends.

Get this: this block of flats is a whopping 320 metres long, which means that the corridors in this block are the longest in the entire Singapore. Can’t quite visualize how 320 metres looks like? We’re talking about the length of three football fields, stacked together.

#6: HDB block in Buffalo Road with bubble lifts

Remember those bubble lifts which were all the rage in the old-school shopping centres we used to visit as kids? As it turns out, you can also find them in HDB blocks, including 661, 662 and 663 Buffalo Road, which are located nearby Tekka Food Centre. Not gonna lie: the kids in us are still pretty fascinated by these lifts.

Screenshots in this article are from Google Maps.

Find the HDB flat of your dreams today at Singapore’s largest property portal 99.co!

If you found this article helpful, 99.co recommends HDB flat designs through the decades: then vs now and 5 neighbourhoods to explore before leasing your dream apartment.