The July 2025 BTO launch is underway! There are 5,547 flats available across 8 projects in Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Clementi, Sembawang, Tampines, Toa Payoh, and Woodlands. This time around, those who wish to live in the east will have their eyes on Simei Symphony, the July 2025 Tampines BTO offering.
With 380 units up for grabs, Simei Symphony is set to see some competition as it is the first launch in Simei in over a decade. Additionally, the ‘Standard’ flats are a literal stone’s throw from Upper Changi MRT station.
The project has an estimated waiting time of 42 months. If you have more pressing housing needs, consider applying for the July 2025 SBF exercise instead. If not, let’s dive in to find out more about this July 2025 BTO launch.
Simei Symphony: 3.5-year wait time
Image credit: HDB
The Tampines July 2025 BTO site is located on the former Changkat Changi Primary School and Changkat Changi Secondary School. Bounded by Upper Changi Road East and Simei Road, Simei Symphony features 380 BTO flats spread across 4 residential blocks, each with 11 storeys (blocks 169A, 169B, 170A, and 170B):
- 2-room Flexi (Type 1): 40 units
- 2-room Flexi (Type 2): 100 units
- 4-room: 140 units
- 5-room: 100 units
Notably, the launch does not include 3-room flats, with Blocks 169A and 170B consisting solely of 4-room and 5-room units. This suggests that Simei Symphony is geared towards larger or growing families and multi-generational living.
Image credit: HDB
In typical fashion, the development will include a multi-storey car park (MSCP), two drop-off porches, an adult fitness station, and a children’s playground. Additionally, there will be a pre-school, an elderly fitness station, and a space reserved for future community use.
Simei Symphony is situated in the heart of a residential enclave, surrounded by a mix of older condos, landed homes, and HDB flats. Despite its location along Simei Road, it is likely to be a relatively quiet neighbourhood, with trees lining the perimeter of the site to provide some buffer from noise and dust.
The blocks are arranged parallel to each other, offering a good balance of inward- and outward-facing units. Units facing Simei Road are likely to experience some afternoon sun, although not directly. These blocks also face a site reserved for future high-rise residential development, which means your view could eventually be blocked by a new building.
If unblocked views are important to you, you might want to consider units 528 and 530 in block 169B, as they overlook the landed estate.
What are the indicative prices of Simei Symphony BTO units?
Excluding grants, the selling prices of Simei Symphony flats are as follows:
- 2-room Flexi flats start at $193,000 (for 99-year lease)
- 4-room flats at $529,000
- 5-room flats at $658,000
The grant amount you could get can go up to $120,000 and is dependent on your household income and eligibility. If you qualify for the maximum grant amount, that means that a 4-room flat could potentially cost just $409,000.
Eco-friendly and smart-home features
To promote green and sustainable living, the project includes several features in both common areas and living spaces. These include separate chutes for recyclable waste, regenerative lifts, smart lighting in common areas, and parking spaces in the MSCP designed to facilitate the future provision of electric vehicle charging stations.
Image credit: HDB
Alongside promoting green living, there is also a focus on active and healthy living. The project includes bicycle stands to encourage cycling, and the streets are designed to be well-connected and pleasant for pedestrians and cyclists. For those seeking a longer, leisurely stroll or bike ride, a nearby park connector leads to East Coast Park.
How competitive will applications for these flats be?
As the first HDB BTO project in the Simei neighbourhood in over a decade and the only east side project for the July 2025 BTO launch, applicants can expect some competition for Simei Symphony.
The Tampines July 2025 BTO project is likely to be popular with couples who grew up in the east and wish to stay close to their parents. Frequent travellers may also prefer this project, and if past BTO launches in Tampines are any indication, there will be strong demand for these flats.
As of 25th July 2025, 12pm, the first-timer families’ BTO application rates for 4-room and 5-room flats stand at 3.7 and 4.2, respectively. The Simei Symphony BTO flats are already oversubscribed, and application rates are expected to rise as the week progresses.
Set in the east, Upper Changi MRT station at your doorstep
The biggest draw of Simei Symphony is its proximity to the Upper Changi MRT station. Exit D of the Downtown Line station is right at the project’s doorstep, with even the furthest blocks just a 2-minute walk away. Simei MRT station on the East West Line is 1km or a 15-minute walk away.
From Upper Changi MRT station, Expo is one stop away, and Changi Airport is two stops away. 3 stops away is the future Sungei Bedok MRT station, which will serve as an interchange for the Thomson-East Coast Line and Downtown Line. Once the two lines are connected in the second half of 2026, residents will be able to travel to the CBD in just half an hour.
Image credit: LTA
If you drive, you’ll be glad to know the PIE and ECP are just one street away. Barring any heavy traffic conditions, driving to the downtown area will take 25 minutes or less.
While Upper Changi MRT station is within walking distance, the neighbourhood is quite undeveloped. A closer look at the map reveals the closest food options to be MarketPlace @ EXPO and the offerings at Changi City Point and Eastpoint Mall.
But not to worry, plans are in place for a supermarket, an eating house, shops, and a fast food restaurant to be built at Block 169 to cater to everyday needs. For additional amenities or more dining options, residents will need to travel to the surrounding shopping centres.
Image credit: HDB
Located right next to SUTD
Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) is across the street from Simei Symphony. After the 5-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) is fulfilled, you could consider upgrading to a condo and renting out the HDB flat to students who study at the university.
However, the downside to the Tampines July 2025 BTO flats is that there are no primary schools closeby. The nearest school is Changkat Primary School, a 20-minute walk or 8-minute drive away. Couples intending to have children will have to contend with waking earlier to take their kids to school.
Simei Symphony in Tampines July 2025 BTO launch
Thinking of applying for a flat in the July 2025 BTO launch? Make sure you’re fully prepared before submitting your application via the HDB Flat Portal. The application deadline is 30th July 2025, 11:59pm.
Aside from having secured your HFE letter, double-check that your paperwork and finances are in order. Some things to note are the 75% Loan-to-Value (LTV) limit for HDB loans and how you’re paying the downpayment. Assuming you’re taking an HDB loan, here is how much downpayment you will need to fork out:
| Stage | Regular scheme | Deferred Income Assessment | Staggered Downpayment Scheme |
| During Signing of Agreement for Lease | 5% of purchase price | 2.5% of purchase price | 5% of purchase price |
| During key collection | 20% of purchase price | 22.5% of purchase price | 20% of purchase price |
Keep up with the July 2025 BTO application rates on the HDB portal to get a clearer picture of how competitive each project is. Hopefully, this article has helped you to make a more informed decision!
Check out the other July 2025 BTO launches here:
- Woodlands & Bukit Panjang afffordable flats from 2-room to 5-room
- Alexandra Peaks & Alexandra Vista in Bukit Merah
- Toa Payoh Ascent prime flats from $528k
Cover image adapted from: SUTD, HDB
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