Dual-key layouts are usually something you hear about in the condo world; think condos designed so you can live in one part of the apartment, and rent out the other without awkward corridor encounters. In the HDB market, however, dual-key units are almost unicorn-rare.
The dual-key units that you’ll find in HDBs are usually jumbo flats that have been split up post-renovation. So when a $980,000 jumbo HDB unit at 339 Woodlands Avenue 1 popped up with a 3-room + 4-room configuration, naturally, it caught our attention.
But here’s the big question: does size and flexibility alone justify a near-$1m HDB flat? Or is this one of those listings that looks amazing on paper but makes less sense once you dig deeper? In this article, we take a closer look at the unit’s layout, liveability, location, and its potential as a dual-key-style home.
What is a dual-key unit?
Image credit: The Minton
A dual-key unit is essentially a home with two separate living spaces that share a common main entrance. Think of it as one front door, with two homes behind it. This setup results in some of the largest configurations you’ll find in the HDB resale market.
They’re commonly used for multi-generational living, where parents and adult children, sometimes with their own families, can live under one roof without actually encroaching on each other’s spaces. Another popular use is, as mentioned, for the homeowner to stay in one unit while renting out the other, offering a level of privacy and rental income that regular flat-sharing just can’t match.
You get separation and independence without having to buy two full units, or deal with two sets of stamp duties and paperwork.
And here’s the kicker: HDB no longer builds flats like these, which means that whatever’s already out there is all there is. That limited supply is exactly why well-located, well-configured dual-key–style HDB flats tend to hold their appeal, even with lease decay in the picture.
Rare Woodlands jumbo flat with dual-key potential
1,894sqft 3-room + 4-room configuration
Image credit: PropertyGuru
At 1,894sqft, this Woodlands jumbo flat is among the larger HDB units currently available on the resale market. To put that into perspective, the average 5-room flat today typically ranges between 1,100 to 1,300sqft, meaning this home offers the equivalent of another flat’s worth of breathing room.
What makes this unit especially interesting is how that space is formed. Rather than an oversized open layout, it’s made up of two adjoining flats: one with 3 rooms, and the other with 4. That original separation still works in the buyer’s favour today, because it naturally lends itself to a dual-key–style setup.
Image credit: PropertyGuru
Another plus: the unit is move-in ready. For buyers who’d rather skip months of renovation, delays, and surprise costs, that’s a big deal.
At $517psf, the flat also offers more space per dollar than many 5-room resale flats on the market today, which average around $500psf to $1,200psf. And because the two “wings” were once separate homes, the layout provides better privacy, sound insulation and air circulation as compared to those done post-renovation.
All of this makes the unit highly adaptable, whether for multi-generational living, co-living arrangements, partial rental, or simply for buyers who want space without bumping elbows every day.
Great location & connectivity: Less than 1km to Woodlands & Marsiling MRT Stations
Image credit: Google Maps
Beyond the size, the location does a lot of the heavy lifting here in making it an attractive option. The flat sits within 1km of both Woodlands MRT Station and Marsiling MRT Station, with Woodlands serving as an interchange for the North–South Line (NSL) and Thomson–East Coast Line (TEL).
Daily conveniences are well covered:
- Causeway Point and Marsiling Mall are within walking distance.
- Supermarkets like NTUC (180m) and Sheng Siong (340m) are nearby.
- Hawker centres, wet markets, and neighbourhood shops are all within the immediate vicinity.
For families, schools such as Fuchun Primary & Secondary Schools, Si Ling Primary School, and Marsiling Primary & Secondary Schools are also close by━a practical consideration that doesn’t show up on floor plans but matters long-term.
And for those who enjoy travelling to JB, the Woodlands Checkpoint is about a 15-minute drive away, so your new home will be most convenient for a late-night loklok run.
Taken together, the combination of space, layout flexibility, and a well-established Woodlands location gives this jumbo flat more going for it than just its headline size.
How does it compare to other dual-key-style units on the market?
To see whether this Woodlands jumbo flat is actually compelling beyond its size, we looked at two other jumbo units with dual-key–style potential for comparison.
One sits right in the heart of Ang Mo Kio, where convenience is practically a lifestyle feature. The other is in Clementi, still a solid, well-connected estate, just without the same “central” advantage Ang Mo Kio enjoys, or the “beside Causeway” perk that Woodlands carries.
1,915sqft Ang Mo Kio jumbo flat
Image credit: PropertyGuru
The first candidate for comparison is a 1,915sqft jumbo flat at 605 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5. It comes with 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, and is listed at $1.4m, which works out to around $731psf.
Location-wise, it’s hard to beat: this flat is a very short walk to Lentor MRT Station, and just a 10-minute drive to AMK Hub. Being right in the heart of a mature estate means access to amenities, schools, and daily conveniences is practically guaranteed.
Of course, that convenience comes at a price. Compared to the Woodlands jumbo flat at $517psf, this Ang Mo Kio unit commands a significantly higher premium. But when it comes to location, some buyers are happy to pay extra. After all, you can’t exactly move Ang Mo Kio to Woodlands.
While being larger might be appealing to buyers, you’ll also have to take note of the lease decay. This Ang Mo Kio jumbo flat has around 53 years left on its lease, so it may not be as ideal for multi-generational living, while the Woodlands jumbo has 69 years left.
1,755sqft Clementi jumbo flat
Image credit: PropertyGuru
The next jumbo flat that caught our eye is a 1,755sqft unit at 728 Clementi West Street 2, featuring 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, priced at $1.12m, or around $638psf.
Location-wise, it’s along West Coast Road, with excellent nearby amenities: West Coast Plaza, West Coast Food Centre, and a Sheng Siong supermarket are all within a 5-minute walk.
The catch: it’s about a 15-minute bus ride to Clementi MRT Station, so it’s not as centrally located as the Ang Mo Kio or Woodlands options. The flat is also unfurnished, meaning there are no existing furniture inside, and buyers would need to factor in renovation costs if they want a move-in-ready setup━something the Woodlands unit already offers.
In short, Clementi scores high on amenities and convenience on foot, but loses out a little on MRT connectivity, and requires extra cost for those looking for a ready-to-go dual-key–style home.
Is this $980K Woodlands dual-key jumbo flat worth it?
So, let’s sum it up. For under $1m, you’re getting a 1,894sqft home in the Woodlands jumbo flat. That kind of space doesn’t come around often in the HDB resale market, especially in a layout that offers dual-key–style flexibility.
Add to that the extremely limited supply of jumbo or dual-key-style HDBs, and there’s a good case for long-term price stability. With the upcoming Woodlands Regional Centre and RTS Link, it makes this flat more than just a big home; it’s a potential long-term bet.
Still curious? Here are more listings to drool over:
- This $880K Jalan Bahagia HDB Terrace costs less than flats in Bidadari
- This rare Treelodge@Punggol 5-room loft looks like a luxe condo
- Why is this Sin Ming Avenue Executive Maisonette priced at $1.9m?
Cover image adapted from: PropertyGuru, The Minton
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