July BTO launch to feature HDB's first Simei project in 10 years

The first Simei flats in more than a decade and a second development in the new Woodlands North Coast precinct are among eight Build-To-Order (BTO) projects that will go on sale in July.

- Isabelle Liew

Analysts told The Straits Times they expect strong demand for many of these projects, particularly those that are close to amenities and MRT stations. Of the eight projects, five are situated within 600m of an MRT station.

The Housing Board on Feb 10 released details on its website of projects that will be launched in July. It will offer about 5,400 flats in Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Clementi, Sembawang, Tampines, Toa Payoh and Woodlands.

The project in Simei, which HDB classifies as part of Tampines, will have about 380 units of two-room flexi, four- and five-room flats on a plot bounded by Simei Road and Upper Changi Road East.

The development will also have a supermarket, shops, a restaurant and a pre-school.

The site, which used to house the former Changkat Changi primary and secondary schools, is a five-minute walk from Upper Changi MRT station.

Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore Expo and Changi Business Park are also in the vicinity.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) had previously said the Upper Changi Road East area, where most homes are private residences, would benefit from having new public housing that encourages more social mixing.

Mr Lee Sze Teck, senior director of data analytics at real estate firm Huttons Asia, said there could be pent-up demand for the Simei project as the last public housing development there - Parc Lumiere, a Design, Build and Sell Scheme project - was completed in 2011.