New Sembawang North and Woodlands North Set to Offer 14,000 New Homes by 2035
Big changes are coming to the north of Singapore! Two major housing developments in Sembawang North and Woodlands North are set to bring about 14,000 new homes by 2035, with the first Build-To-Order (BTO) projects launching as early as 2025. This is part of the government’s ongoing effort to meet housing demand and expand affordable options across Singapore.
Minister for National Development Desmond Lee shared the news on October 22, explaining that these new projects build on previous efforts to provide more homes in northern Singapore, following plans revealed earlier in 2024 for the Chencharu area in Yishun.
A Look at Sembawang North
The upcoming Sembawang North estate will span 53 hectares and include around 8,000 BTO flats and 2,000 private homes. The estate will come with a range of new amenities like eateries, shops, parks, and a neighbourhood centre, ensuring that future residents have everything they need within close reach. A unique feature is a community hub that could house sports, healthcare, and other shared facilities, helping to create a vibrant community space.
Central to this estate will be a new neighbourhood centre beside a 1-hectare park, designed with play areas and fitness stations. Mr. Lee mentioned that the park would act as a “green spine,” connecting existing Sembawang neighbourhoods to future waterfront developments in the north, including the Sembawang Shipyard area, which is being redeveloped.
Residents can look forward to a well-connected neighbourhood, with a network of cycling paths and pedestrian walkways that will link homes to key amenities and transport nodes, making commuting and daily errands more convenient. The new BTO projects will also feature charming courtyard layouts, pitched roofs, and nods to colonial architecture, honouring the area’s maritime heritage and naval past. Nautical themes will be infused into street furniture, playgrounds, and landscaping, adding a unique charm to the estate.
Woodlands North Coast: A Waterfront Gem
On the other side of the north, Woodlands North Coast is set to be a 21-hectare mixed-use waterfront estate with about 4,000 homes. The first project here will be available for application during the BTO launch in February 2025. This development is part of a broader vision to transform Woodlands into a northern regional hub, a plan first laid out in 2017.
Residents of Woodlands North Coast will have the convenience of living close to the Singapore terminus of the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS), scheduled to be completed by 2026. This will significantly cut travel time between Singapore and Johor Bahru. Additionally, the estate will be connected to the Woodlands North MRT station via an underground link, offering great accessibility.
Scenic views will be another highlight of this development, with homes designed to take advantage of the hilly terrain and offer stunning vistas of Admiralty Park and Woodlands Waterfront Park.
Addressing Housing Demand
The announcement comes as part of broader efforts by the government to keep the property market stable by ensuring a steady supply of new flats. In recent years, this has included building on both greenfield land, like Chencharu in Yishun, and redeveloping areas in more central locations, such as the Greater Southern Waterfront and Pearl’s Hill.
Mr. Lee also acknowledged the high demand in the current BTO sales exercise, especially from singles applying for the first time under the new Standard, Plus, and Prime classification model. The October 2024 BTO launch is the first time flats have been sold under this new framework, which allows singles to apply for two-room flexi flats in any location. The minister expects demand to stabilise over time, with more projects planned to cater to this demographic.
Recognition for Housing Excellence
At the HDB Design, Construction, and Engineering Awards ceremony on October 22, Minister Lee also presented 26 awards to teams behind public housing projects. Special recognition went to those that overcame construction delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One notable project is Rivervale Shores in Sengkang, the largest BTO development to date, featuring 2,500 units across 16 blocks.
Residents at Rivervale Shores can enjoy a fully pedestrianised environment thanks to an elevated environmental deck connecting the blocks. With playgrounds inspired by local wildlife and thematic gardens linking the estate to the Sungei Serangoon Park Connector, Rivervale Shores demonstrates HDB’s commitment to thoughtful, nature-driven design.
As the government continues to expand housing supply, residents in Sembawang North and Woodlands North can look forward to enjoying well-designed, community-focused neighbourhoods with excellent connectivity and access to nature.
