{"id":50889,"date":"2022-04-26T17:34:14","date_gmt":"2022-04-26T09:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/?p=50889"},"modified":"2022-07-01T15:31:00","modified_gmt":"2022-07-01T07:31:00","slug":"school-campuses-balestier-queenstown-housing-plh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/school-campuses-balestier-queenstown-housing-plh\/","title":{"rendered":"School campuses in Balestier and Queenstown to be redeveloped into residential housing: Will they become PLH sites?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Three sites in Balestier and Queenstown are scheduled for redevelopment into residential housing developments under the Urban Redevelopment Authority\u2019s (URA) 2019 Master Plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) sites: What are they?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Before we look at the\u00a0<\/span>Balestier<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Queenstown<\/span><\/a>\u00a0sites, let\u2019s do a quick run-through of the PLH model.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

HDB flats are public housing for Singaporeans. Flats built in prime districts tend to be coveted due to their desirable location (proximity to the city centre). Many see it as a good opportunity for a property flip to rake in the profits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To prevent this, the Ministry of National Development (MND) and the Housing & Development Board (HDB) launched the\u00a0<\/span>Prime Location Public Housing<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(PLH) model.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Under this model, flats built in prime,\u00a0<\/span>central<\/span><\/a>\u00a0locations such as the city centre and\u00a0<\/span>Greater Southern Waterfront<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(GSW) sites come with extensive conditions, such as subsidy clawbacks and stricter eligibility requirements to keep the housing situation fair and affordable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The very first PLH project in Rochor was up for ballot in the\u00a0<\/span>November 2021 BTO sales launch<\/span><\/a>. It featured fantastic accessibility to MRT stations, with Jalan Besar MRT<\/a> situated directly in front of the plot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The price was also equally eye-popping, opening at S$582,000 for a 4-room flat. Within two days, it racked up a subscription rate of 4.6 for the 4-room flats and ended with an\u00a0<\/span>overall rate of 10.3<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Balestier<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

90 and 92 Jalan Rajah in Balestier, a sub-zone in Novena, is one of the sites marked for redevelopment.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Australian-based Curtin University currently occupies the plot of land, with plans to move to The Alpha building in Science Park 2 near Haw Par Villa when its lease ends in mid-2022.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Source: Curtin Singapore<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of Curtin University\u2019s four international campuses, Curtin Singapore first opened its doors in 2008. The school is currently consulting with staff, students and stakeholders on the design of the new campus before they leave the premises to make way for the new Balestier BTO.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Resale prices in Balestier-Novena<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Resale flats in the Balestier-Novena area have experienced a 22.49% increase in the average price psf over the past decade, pegging closely to the 22.35% increase across all HDB towns.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The last BTO project in Balestier was McNair Heights, located along Balestier Road and McNair Road. 626 units were launched in the previous year in February after a two-year hiatus.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking at the area, there are a tonne of condos and flats packed into its surroundings and very few open spaces, which may not be ideal for families with children.<\/span><\/p>\n

While Balestier lies in the prime district of Novena, it’s bordering closer to Toa Payoh than Tanglin, which means it’s further away from the city centre.<\/p>\n

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Source: Ontheworldmap<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What\u2019s near the Balestier site?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Food and retail\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Balestier Road is an 11-minute walk away, with a row of eateries to pick from, including the famous Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a FairPrice 850m away for daily amenities near the Whampoa Community Club.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a complete shopping experience, take a 7-minute drive to Novena MRT<\/a>, where Square 2, Royal Square Novena, and Velocity are located in a cluster.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Green spaces<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re someone who needs constant exposure to fresh air and green fields to frolic around, you might baulk a little at the site\u2019s location. There is just one park nearby \u2013 Toa Payoh Town Park is 1km away.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Developed in the 70s, the small park oozes old-school charm with its quaint stone-paved bridges and rustic-looking gazebos.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Schools<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

PCF Whampoa is a 12-minute walk away, which isn\u2019t too far. Other schools include Hong Wen school (a 7-minute drive), Northlight school (an 8-minute drive) and Bendemeer Primary and Secondary school (a 10-minute drive).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Connectivity<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Toa Payoh MRT<\/a> is the nearest station serving the neighbourhood, which is\u00a0<\/span>pretty<\/span><\/em>\u00a0far away \u2013 it will take you 20-minutes by bus to get there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, many buses will take you right into the heart of Orchard and Raffles Place within half an hour to forty-five minutes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not exactly central, so be prepared to spend a good chunk of time commuting if you don\u2019t own a car and rely on public transport. However, if you drive, Orchard Road is just a 12-minute drive away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Verdict: Will Balestier fall under the PLH mode?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Considering the location and amenities around the marked site and the distance to the city centre, we don\u2019t think the Balestier site will be under the PLH model.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can, however, expect to face fierce competition \u2013 two previous BTO launched in 2019 were massively oversubscribed, with an 8.3 subscription rate for the February 2019 project and a whopping 10.3 subscription rate for the May 2019 project.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Balestier HDB resale flats<\/h4><\/div>\n
See all listings<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n \"57\n <\/div>\n
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57 Geylang Bahru<\/div>\n
Singapore 330057 \u00b7 D12<\/div>\n
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\n \"bedroom\"\n 2<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n \"bathroom\"\n 2<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 700 sqft<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
S$ 370,000<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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