Toa Payoh East Golf Driving Range Site to Become New Housing Development

Singapore,  – The site of the former golf driving range in Toa Payoh East is being prepared for the construction of new homes. The 3.6-hectare site, located at the intersection of Kim Keat Avenue and Toa Payoh East, is expected to yield over 1,000 new residential units. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has recently announced plans to rezone the site for housing use.

The development will include a mix of public and private housing options, catering to a diverse range of residents. The former golf driving range, which was the first of its kind in a Housing Board estate, closed down in 2018. The site has since been cleared and is now ready for development. The new housing development is expected to rejuvenate the Toa Payoh East area, providing more housing options and amenities for residents.

The development is also expected to enhance the connectivity of the area, with improved access to public transportation and major roads. The construction of the new homes is expected to begin in the coming months. The first units are expected to be completed in 2025.

Analysts estimate the 3.6-hectare site could yield between 1,100 and 1,300 HDB flats or 1,650 to 1,800 condominium units. However, its location near the Central Expressway and existing public housing may influence the type of housing developed. One analyst, Ms. Sun, suggested that potential noise concerns from the expressway and a lack of exclusivity due to the proximity of public housing might make the site less attractive for private condominium developers. She also pointed out that the site's city fringe location, but lack of direct MRT access, could mean that any HDB flats built there would likely be classified as Standard or Plus flats.

Despite this, HDB's need to launch 50,000 new flats between 2025 and 2027 could lead them to develop the entire site under a single project for speed and efficiency, according to Mr. Mak. He added that if the site were to be sold for private condominium development, it would likely be divided into two Government Land Sales (GLS) sites, as its current size might make it too expensive for a single developer.

The former driving range, a popular local amenity, opened in late 1993 on part of the 3.6-hectare site and closed its doors in 2018. The site has since been cleared and is ready for development.