PropNex Picks

November 16, 2023

Heartlands living: New condo project in Toa Payoh set to excite buyers

Wong Siew Ying

Head of Research and Content

A new project in District 12 (Balestier, Toa Payoh) is slated to enter the market after more than 6 years since the last new launch project in the Toa Payoh planning area. The 99-year leasehold city fringe project has the potential to offer an estimated 775 housing units.

After recent public land tenders that drew lacklustre responses from developers, the tender at Lorong 1 Toa Payoh garnered just 3 bids which closed on 7 November 2023. The top bid of $968 million - from a joint venture between CDL, Frasers Property and Sekisui House – reflects a land rate of $1,360 psf per plot ratio (psf ppr). This land rate is 80% higher compared to the neighbouring GLS site in Lorong 6 / Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, which was awarded for $345.86 million ($755 psf ppr) in June 2015.

Given the limited private home supply in this mature estate, PropNex believes there will likely be pent-up demand amongst homeowners and HDB upgraders for new private housing in this area. Based on new sale caveats lodged in URA realis, more than 50% of buyers at the neighbouring new launch project, Gem Residences, had an HDB address, suggesting strong HDB upgraders demand in this neighbourhood. Beyond the existing buyer pool of HDB upgraders, flat owners from nearby HDB BTO projects will likely feed into the buyer pool as well. PropNex notes that close to 2,500 BTO flats in Toa Payoh will attain their MOP (Minimum Occupation Period) in 2025 and 2026 combined.

 

Prospective buyers will be drawn to the project’s convenient access to an extensive array of shopping and dining amenities in the estate. The project’s proximity to the city as well as excellent transport connectivity and a number of popular schools nearby further boost the site’s appeal.

 

Amenities galore

Future homeowners at the upcoming project at Lorong 1 Toa Payoh will enjoy greater convenience with a plethora of heartland amenities and retail options in the vicinity.

Just a stone’s throw away is Toa Payoh Central, a one-stop shop for daily necessities, food, and services such as education centres, beauty and healthcare clinics. Situated within Toa Payoh Central is the Toa Payoh HDB Hub, which houses a number of offices, government agencies, and commercial offerings, including banks, post office, and the Toa Payoh public library.

Toa Payoh Central is also a gourmet paradise, with a diverse range of restaurants, cafes, and hawker delights to choose from. Apart from the hawker stalls at Toa Payoh Central, residents can also tuck into local dishes at the Toa Payoh West Hawker Centre, Toa Payoh Lorong 4 Block 93 Hawker Centre, and Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Hawker Centre.

For a differentiated retail experience, residents can head to the Junction 8 mall in Bishan or Velocity, Square 2, United Square and Royal Square in Novena – directly accessible via the MRT from both the Braddell and Toa Payoh MRT stations. And if shoppers are after more upscale retail offerings, there is always the Orchard Road shopping belt, which is only three MRT stops from the Toa Payoh station.  

Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the accessibility to nearby parks and recreational facilities, such as the sprawling Toa Payoh Town Park, as well as the Toa Payoh Sports Hall and Swimming Complex. Exciting plans are also afoot with the Toa Payoh Integrated Development due to be completed by 2030. It was announced in February 2023 that the proposed integrated development – situated between Lorong 6 Toa Payoh and the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) – will comprise sporting facilities, such as sheltered tennis, futsal and netball courts, swimming pools, indoor sports halls, a gymnasium, fitness studios and a football stadium. Besides sports facilities, the integrated development will also house a polyclinic, and a public library.

Families with school-going children or those considering to starting a family will value the proximity to several schools such as Pei Chun Public School, CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh), Kheng Cheng School, Catholic High School, Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary), Raffles Institution, and Beatty Secondary School.

Exceptional Connectivity

Situated within the Rest of Central Region (RCR), this site enjoys excellent connectivity by rail, bus and cycling modes. The nearest MRT station Braddell MRT station is a 5-minute walk away. Commuters are one MRT stop from the Toa Payoh MRT station and bus interchange, as well as the Bishan MRT station and bus interchange along the North-South Line. At the Bishan MRT station, commuters are able to switch seamlessly between the North-South Line and the Circle line, which enhances connectivity to various locations in the city centre and city fringe.

The site also enjoys convenient access to primary roads and expressways, including the Central Expressway (CTE) and PIE. They provide commuters with easy access to commercial hubs in the city, such as the Orchard Road shopping district, the Marina Bay financial district, and the central business district (CBD) within 15 to 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, about 3.5 km of cycling paths have been laid in Toa Payoh Town, with another 5.5 km set to be completed in 2023. With this, residents can enjoy the joint benefits of active mobility as well as improved connectivity. The cycling network will connect residents to Braddell and Toa Payoh MRT stations, HDB Hub, markets, parks, and schools in the vicinity upon its completion.

About the Developer

SGX Mainboard-listed City Developments Limited is an established and reputable developer in Singapore – a trusted name behind many residential projects here, including Tembusu Grand, Piccadilly Grand, Echelon, St. Regis Residences, Gramercy Park, South Beach Residences, and Nouvel 18, among others.

Frasers Property is one of Singapore’s largest private property developer. Since its establishment in 1980 as a shopping centre property company, Frasers Property has since become a multi-national company listed on the SGX-ST, with businesses across five asset classes and a global hospitality footprint that spans over 80 cities. Some of its projects in Singapore include Sky Eden @ Bedok, Riviere, Centrepoint, Northpoint City, Waterway Point amongst others.

Sekisui House is one of Japan's largest residential developers. Founded in 1960, it is currently headquartered in Osaka. Building on its chemical manufacturing roots, the firm has since evolved into a corporation with several key business activities in property investment, real estate development, engineering and infrastructure. The firm has also ventured overseas to markets such as Australia, Russia, China and the US. Some of its local developments include Woods Square, Seaside Residences, Hillsta among others.

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