When we think of HDB homes, the first thing that comes to mind is high-rise BTOs. But there is another category of HDB flats that can rival the size and space of jumbo flats – the terrace house. And no, we’re not talking about the Japanese TV show.
Dotted around Singapore are a couple of public landed terrace houses under HDB’s purview. Yes, you read that right: there are a handful of homeowners who lucked out and have a “limited edition” landed property under their names. So what exactly constitutes a public terrace house and where can you find them in Singapore? Keep reading to discover more about these homes.
What are the HDB terrace houses?
Back in the 1920s, before HDB was even an acronym, the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) was responsible for public housing. They decided in the late 1950s to build 13 blocks of terrace houses in Queenstown to bring those kampung vibes into the neighbourhood and give its skyline some variety. Some of these homes were built in Whampoa too, bringing it to a total of 285 public terrace houses in Singapore.
An average floor plan of a public terrace house
Image credit: ThePropertyRunway
Alas, as these terrace houses started to take shape, SIT was dissolved and HDB was founded to take over the operations. The owners of the homes were given fresh 99-year leases. This is one of the main differences compared to private property owners who own the land and are free to demolish the structure. HDB terrace house owners cannot do the same.
Parking is also similar to the typical HDB style, a.k.a. public lots that you need season parking for. There are no drive-in lots for these terrace houses, but it’s a small compromise when you think about the price difference between this and the more expensive landed properties in other neighbourhoods.
Stirling Road, Queenstown
The red-roofed houses are all the public terrace houses in Queenstown
Image credit: Google Maps
The first estate to get the public landed real estate is Queenstown, specifically on Stirling Road. Around 164 of these terrace houses were built in the 1950s-1960s, giving them about 30-40 more years on their 99-year leases.
An eclectic-themed home designed by Posh Home
Image credit: @poshhomesg
Despite the short lease duration, prices of these terrace houses located in a mature estate like Queensland are doing pretty well. This eclectic-themed terrace house in Queenstown was put on the market for $980,000 in 2021—that’s nearly $861/sqft for a 1,138sqft space.
The allure of these homes can be boiled down to 2 factors: location and space. Not only is it located within walking distance of Queenstown MRT, but there are also plenty of amenities within a stone’s throw. From a petrol station to a swimming pool and a running track, residents in this cosy enclave don’t have to travel far to experience a typical suburban lifestyle.
Another shot of the eclectic-themed home and the amount of space offered inside
Image credit: @poshhomesg
Seeing as there is a very small supply of terrace flats in Queenstown, there were only a couple of transactions made in the last 2 years. The cheapest was a 968sqft unit that sold for $728,000 in May 2023, while the most expensive was a 1,162sqft unit that went for $930,000 in November 2022.
Jalan Bahagia & Jalan Ma’mor, Whampoa
The terrace houses at Whampoa are right next to the Pan-Island Expressway
Image credit: Google Maps
Another neighbourhood with a smattering of these coveted terrace houses is Whampoa. While they’re confined into one zone like Queenstown, there are more houses here—an estimated 200—along Jalan Bahagia and Jalan Ma’mor.
In July 2024, one of these homes made the news when it was sold for $1.33M. According to 99.co, the steep price it commanded was because it was a corner unit that had 1,949sqft of space, and was renovated only 6 years ago to the tune of $300,000.
Image credit: 99.co
However, recent HDB data revealed that there was a bigger sale that happened that same month, also in Jalan Ma’mor. A 3,947sqft HDB terrace house at 53 Jalan Ma’mor was sold for $1.568M, making it the 5th most expensive HDB resale flat sold of all time. It’s the single biggest HDB terrace unit that we’ve seen, as most other units range between 839-2,680sqft, which might explain its record-setting price.
No driveway, no problem. Some homeowners turned their porches into a cosy zen hangout.
Some perks of living in this enclave include having SAFRA Toa Payoh across the expressway; a Giant and NTUC supermarket about five minutes away; and the Whampoa Food Centre and Whampoa Drive Makan Place.
Where to find HDB terrace houses in Singapore
Image credit: Sean Lim
With the rising population and housing density of Singapore, public landed terrace houses from HDB are one of the rarest types of homes you can find on the market. We won’t expect any new ones to be made anytime soon, so these 285 units in Queenstown and Whampoa are all that are left.
Check out other related articles:
- BTOs at Keppel
- Pinnacle@Duxton resale flat sets a sales record
- Where to find jumbo flats in Singapore
- Most expensive neighbourhoods in Singapore
Cover image adapted from: @wabisabihomu, @poshhomesg
Originally published on 22nd April 2022. Last updated on 25th July 2024.
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