If you’ve ever scrolled through HDB listings and spotted a unit that looks bigger and squarer than the rest, chances are it’s a point block. These iconic flats, built mainly in the 1970s and 80s, have a reputation that goes beyond just their squarish shape.
What is an HDB point block?
Think of a point block as the HDB version of “Look, Ma, no long corridors!” Instead of the usual slab blocks with endless walkways, point blocks stack just four units per floor, arranged around a central lift lobby. That means fewer doors, shorter walks, and more privacy without necessarily walking more.
You’ll find them in more mature estates like Queenstown, Toa Payoh, Whampoa, Bukit Merah, and Ang Mo Kio. They’re easily identifiable as the standalone square blocks of HDB flats.
Image credit: Remembering HDB Estates
HDB point blocks first popped up in the early 1970s. The first ones, Blocks 160 and 161 in Mei Ling Street, Queenstown, were completed around 1970. As the decade progressed, HDB rolled out more point blocks, this time looping in bigger 4-room and 5-room units between 1972 and the mid-1980s.
Image credit: 8Prop
The last of Singapore’s point blocks were completed in the early 1990s, marking the end of an era in HDB design. Notable examples include Blocks 278, 285, and 286 along Bishan Street 24, as well as Block 30 Holland Close. These projects were among the final few to showcase the spacious layouts and distinctive design of point blocks before newer HDB designs took over.
What does a point block HDB’s floor plan look like?
Image credit: Remembering HDB Estates
The earliest point block flats in the 1970s were typically 3- or 4-room units with practical, no-frills layouts measuring approximately 60sqm-95sqm. Living and dining areas were clearly separated; these flats also featured compact kitchens and functional balconies.
By the 1980s, HDB began rolling out larger 5-room and executive versions, sometimes exceeding 120sqm. These later layouts offered bigger master bedrooms, a larger kitchen, and more generous living spaces, catering to growing families and the rising demand for comfort.
Here’s a piece of trivia: many point-block units come with internal balconies and distinctive window designs. The older 4-room versions often feature two small square windows flanking a drying area, adding both charm and function.
How do HDB point blocks stack up against slab blocks?
Image credit: S/pores Journal
HDB slab blocks are designed with long corridors, where units are typically narrower with windows at the front and back, often with windows peeking into the unit at the front. This layout offers efficiency and easy access, but it can feel a little more compact.
Point blocks, on the other hand, feature squarish layouts with four units per floor, each with windows on multiple sides. This not only improves natural light and cross-ventilation, but it also gives more privacy since there are no corridor-facing windows.
Ultimately, both designs have their strengths, with slab blocks making the most of space and connectivity, while point blocks provide a more private and spacious feel.
Why are HDB point blocks so popular with home buyers?
Image credit: Darren Soh via Facebook
Point blocks have become a hit with modern home buyers for a mix of practical and lifestyle reasons. With only 4 units per floor, residents enjoy a greater sense of privacy, alongside more generous flat sizes, which are less commonly found in new BTO units.
To top it off, they typically stand at 20-25 storeys, which is taller than the surrounding slab blocks. It doesn’t hurt that point blocks are found in what are some of Singapore’s most sought-after estates today.
Is HDB still building point blocks?
Image credit: Singapore Public Housing Wiki
While most point blocks were built between the 1970s and mid-1980s, the concept hasn’t completely vanished. Newer HDB launches sometimes adopt the point block layout, like DBSS flats, or projects like the Bidadari Estate (Woodleigh BTO Flats). Although it’s not a true point block, the design principles align with those of point blocks, focusing on fewer units per floor (roughly 6 to 7 per floor) and improved airflow.
That said, the true, classic point block is mostly only found in older estates.
All there is to know about point block HDB flats in Singapore
Image credit: Eldee
Even with most point blocks running short on lease, these units are still hot property amongst buyers today. You’re looking at nice, squarish, generously sized units in mature estates packed with amenities. If you’re lucky, you might even score a high-floor unit with views to die for, so it’s no surprise that buyers are still willing to make the trade-offs at the end of the day.
Older HDBs have some pretty quirky things. Let’s take a look at some history:
- SIT built Singapore’s first flats before HDB even existed
- Tampines HDBs near the old library have lifts that act as passageways, cutting through the entire block
- This hidden homeware shop in Chinatown has old-school finds like rooster bowls & enamelware your Ah Ma used
Cover image adapted from: Singapore Public Housing, Remembering HDB Estates
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