http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/arch...homes-20140527
Published May 27, 2014
HDB starts work on 40,000 new homes
Projects in Punggol Matilda, Tampines North, Bidadari areas
By lee meixian
[email protected] @LeeMeixianBT
THE Housing & Development Board (HDB) is set to launch more projects in Tampines North, Punggol Matilda, and Bidadari regions - the three new towns that were identified for further development under the Draft Master Plan 2013.
In the second half of this year, housing projects will be launched in Tampines North and Punggol Matilda, followed by Bidadari in the second half of 2015.
These follow two housing projects in Punggol Matilda - Matilda Edge and The Verandah@Matilda - which were launched in a build-to-order (BTO) exercise last September.
Work on the developments for the three housing areas has started on the ground. When fully developed, they are expected to provide about 40,000 new homes for Singaporeans, HDB said.
In Tampines North, four new housing districts will each feature thematic housing typologies, with the first parcel to be launched - called Park West District - to deliver 1,500 homes, including 50 "3Gen" flats, which are flats designed for multi-generation families to stay under one roof.
The Tampines North commercial hub, a new mixed development comprising commercial and residential uses, and integrated with a bus interchange, will also be built.
At Punggol Matilda, HDB plans to launch another BTO project in July this year, offering more than 1,000 units of different flat types ranging from two-room to five-room flats. A waterfront promenade with recreational features will also be built.
When fully developed, Punggol Matilda will be a waterfront home - not very common for public housing - to about 28,000 residents with 8,000 flats.
As for the two earlier Punggol Matilda BTO projects, close to 80 per cent of the flats in both projects have been booked as at mid-May this year, and selection exercises are on-going for The Verandah@Matilda. Both projects are estimated to be completed in 2017.
The third area, Bidadari Estate, will see the addition of a 10-hectare park and a mixed public housing and commercial development called the Market Square.
ERA Realty key executive officer Eugene Li said that the town stands out due to its "excellent location" in the city fringe and "is likely to see the largest buyer interest as it is already touted as the next Bishan".
He added that first-time HDB home buyers will be spoilt for choice with these three developments and they will take their chances with BTO before trying for a resale flat amid stabilising prices.
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