Bukit Timah is traditionally known to be a prime residential area consisting predominantly luxury private condominiums and landed homes, as well as being located near the Core Central Region (CCR). But this could soon change over the next 20 to 30 years.
So you see, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Housing & Development Board (HDB) has announced a development plan on May 2024 that will see the Bukit Timah Turf City being redeveloped into a new residential estate.
More importantly, Bukit Timah will see the inclusion of Build-to-Order (BTO) flats for the first time in almost 40 years!
Here is what you need to know about this upcoming estate.
Bukit Timah Turf City had a colourful past
Spanning 176 ha, Bukit Timah Turf City was once an area dedicated to sports and recreational activities, and most notably horse racing. Known formerly as the ‘Singapore Turf Club’, the site was used for horseracing from 1933 to 1999, and was a popular haunt for avid punters for over 66 years,
According to the Minister of National Development Desmond Lee, “the site was zoned for residential use since 1998, but was leased out for lifestyle and recreational use until the end of 2023”.
Since then, Bukit Timah Turf City has been home to a several sports associations such as a saddle club, country clubs, commercial spaces, and other sporting facilities.
When the Singapore Turf Club shifted to Kranji, the site transformed into a shopping complex serving the immediate residents of the private residential enclave.
Why the Need to Redevelop Turf City?
Currently, the piece of land that was once home to Singapore Turf Club is not being utilised well, and has a high redevelopment potential to make the area lively like it once was. Additionally, Bukit Timah is made up predominantly of private residential properties, available only to a select few, which has cultivated the area’s reputation as a prestigious neighbourhood for the wealthy.
Thus, through integrating public and private housing in the upcoming housing estates, this will foster inclusivity among people of different financial background and help breakdown any stereotypes of the area. Furthermore, those working or schooling in the area would be interested in affordable properties that are conveniently located in an esteemed neighbourhood.
Diversify Housing options in Bukit Timah
This area, together with the rest of Bukit Timah, is widely perceived as exclusive due to the surplus of private residential properties there, and its central and accessible geographical location.
Therefore, a greater diversity of housing types would be beneficial to a wider group of people who are looking to live in a centrical location nearer to their workplaces, schools and the CCR. Furthermore, by introducing public housing in this area will allow children from diverse backgrounds to attend popular schools in the area.
Better amenities and connectivity
Bukit Timah Turf City’s rich history can be seen in the many buildings and structures that represent the former Turf Club’s distinct aspects, and will be studied for retention and repurposing to integrated it with the new residential enclaves in the future.
Other amenities will include recreational spaces and sports facilities, that will bring convenience to users and at the same time, showcasing the area’s distinct past. The new neighbourhood will be built around the former grandstand and the current oval shaped open space will be retained for recreational purposes.
As for transport nodes, Bukit Timah Turf City currently has no bus services, and the nearest MRT station is Sixth Avenue. Therefore, improving the connectivity of Bukit Timah Turf City with new bus services and MRT lines would benefit both new and existing residences living in that area.
What Can We Expect with the Upcoming Estate
Bukit Timah Turf City is expected to yield 15,000 to 20,000 residential homes, both private and public, across four distinct neighbourhoods, namely Racecourse Neighbourhood, Stables Commune, Saddle Club Knolls and Tinggi Hills.
To cater to the needs of future residents, these neighbourhoods will feature open public spaces integrated with historic buildings and structures, a variety of amenities including shops, community and recreational facilities, as well as improved transport connections.
Additionally, the Bukit Timah Turf City is planned to be car-lite, pedestrian friendly and well-served by public transport. Due to this, there will be fewer spaces dedicated to car parking to free up space for more greenery and community spaces.
Improved connectivity
The area is currently served by Sixth Avenue MRT Station on the Downtown Line (DTL), which is 15 minutes away from the site. By 2032, Turf City will have its own MRT station on the upcoming Cross Island MRT Line. Residents will be within a 10-minute walk from either MRT station, increasing convenience and connectivity between Bukit Timah Turf City and the rest of the island, without the need for a private vehicle.
Furthermore, new bus services may also be added to allow future residents to have more choices when travelling within and outside the Bukit Timah Turf City estate.
Road improvement works will also be carried out along Dunearn Road, Bukit Timah Road and Eng Neo Avenue to accommodate anticipated traffic to and from future developments at Bukit Timah Turf City. Concurrently, a study is being conducted on the technical feasibility and impact of implementing a new exit ramp from the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) towards Tuas at Bukit Timah Turf City.
BTO flats in Bukit Timah could be a’ golden ticket’ to enter popular Schools
After almost 40 years, URA and HDB has announced that HDB flats will be included in this area. The inclusion of HDB flats aims to provide a more affordable housing option for Singaporeans who wish to live in this area.
Existing HDB flats in Bukit Timah are older and limited in supply
For HDB buyers looking to stay at Bukit Timah, their only option will be the flats at Toh Yi Gardens estate. With an estimated 2,555 HDB flats in Bukit Timah which were built in 1988, HDB flats in Bukit Timah Turf City will definitely be of high demand, given the area’s prestigious and convenience, as well as the presence of several notable schools in the area.
Table 1: HDB Transactions At Toh Yi Drive (1H 2024)
Parents with young kids will also be eyeing future properties in Bukit Timah Turf City in hopes of securing a placement in popular schools in the vicinity.
Looking at OneMap, assuming there are BTO flats located on the former Grandstand, they could potentially fall within 1-2km radius of popular schools like Methodist Girls’ School, Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School, and Raffles Girls’ Primary School.
Map 1: Schools within 1km of Bukit Timah Turf City
In Closing
Once deemed as a place that is out of reach for most Singaporeans to live in, the upcoming HDB flats in Bukit Timah Turf City will provide a more diverse living community in Singapore. Both current and new residents will benefit from the new amenities, especially the improved connectivity to the rest of the island via public transport links. “Un-priming” the area can bring about a more equitable community.
That said, existing residents may be exposed to some inconvenience from upcoming construction works. Regardless of that, they’ll will benefit from the future developments in the vicinity.
So, would you consider making Bukit Timah Turf City your next home?
Disclaimer
This information is provided solely on a goodwill basis and does not relieve parties of their responsibility to verify the information from the relevant sources and/or seek appropriate advice from relevant professionals such as valuers, financial advisers, bankers and lawyers. For avoidance of doubt, ERA Realty Network and its salesperson accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, reliability and/or completeness of the information provided. Copyright in this publication is owned by ERA and this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, in whole or in part, without prior written approval.
