Big and beautiful Punggol Housing Estate

Transformed estate may have 35,000 flats, about as many as Toa Payoh
Hoe Pei Shan Straits Times 23 Jun 10;

PUNGGOL is set to become as big as Toa Payoh.

The remaking of the coastal town is on track, and the crown jewel of the estate, the first waterfront public housing development in the country, will be launched for sale next week.

Giving an update on the makeover yesterday at a Housing Board exhibition, Senior Minister of State for National Development Grace Fu said that by 2015, there could be 35,000 flats in the estate, up from the current 18,000 residential units already built. This is on a par with the number of homes in Toa Payoh, based on HDB's annual report last year.

Jointly designed by international architectural firm Group8asia and local firm Aedas, the first batch of Punggol waterfront flats will sport solar panels and rooftop gardens, among other green initiatives.

The area will also soon welcome a new town centre, where the first mixed commercial and residential development site will be launched in the second half of this year.

A 4.2km waterway running through the heart of the neighbourhood, that connects Sungei Punggol and Sungei Serangoon, is also estimated for completion by the end of the year.

Adding a little touch of Punggol's seafaring past, parts of the waterway and promenade will feature sandy coasts.

Other highlights include a sports activities area and horse riding centre that will be up and running by the year end.

Ms Fu said the array of facilities on offer makes the estate part of 'a premium housing project that targets a niche group of buyers who are prepared to pay more for its signature attributes'.

When asked about the prices of such luxury public housing, an HDB spokesman said that prices will be revealed only during next week's launch.

But realtor PropNex told The Straits Times that the first batch of waterfront flats would, on average, probably fetch around $350,000 for a four-room flat and $400,000 for a five-room flat.

These figures are based on estimates without information on the range of flat sizes, but taking into consideration the various views corresponding to unit location. According to the designs, about 80 per cent of the flats in the first phase of the project will command waterfront views.

PropNex's analysis found that these prices are still lower than the median re-sale price tags for Punggol flats, which currently stand at $369,000 for a four-room flat and $430,000 for a five-roomer, according to data from the first quarter of this year.

One home buyer keen to take to Punggol's waterways is Mr Wu Da Wu, 35, who took a day off work to view yesterday's exhibition.

'It looks great, and with the surrounding water, it's very soothing - I wouldn't mind paying a little more for a home that is different from anywhere else at this price.'

Speaking of how the Punggol project is changing the face of Singapore's housing estates, Ms Fu said: 'They mark an important milestone in HDB's town planning and the evolution of public housing design.

Remaking of Punggol estate on track
Mustafa Shafawi Channel NewsAsia 23 Jun 10;

SINGAPORE: Plans for remaking Punggol are on track.

Senior Minister of State for National Development, Grace Fu, said as of June 1, HDB has completed almost 18,000 residential units in Punggol.

Another 9,400 are under construction.

Subject to demand, HDB is on track to complete 35,000 flats by the end of 2015.

This will make Punggol similar in size to Toa Payoh.

Ms Fu was speaking at the Punggol, Remaking our Heartlands Exhibition at HDB Hub.

She said as Punggol's population attains critical mass, new facilities can and will come on board.

The first mixed commercial-cum-residential development site at the Town Centre will be launched in the second-half of this year.

And a premium HDB project will be launched later this month, boasting waterfront living an eco-friendly features.

Ms Fu stressed that it's also important for a new town like Punggol, to foster its identity by heightening awareness of its rich heritage, which dates back to the early days of Singapore.

Grassroots leaders are working together with government agencies to develop educational panels along the Punggol Waterway, highlighting various aspects of Punggol's developments, both past and present.

For example, the panels along the Heartwave Wall, near Punggol MRT station, will depict the story of Punggol's evolution and its significant development milestones.

The Heritage Trail along Punggol Road will showcase the history of the road, together with a focus on the flora and fauna of old and present Punggol. - CNA/jy

Punggol to be 'a mini Sentosa in the backyard'
Additional reporting by Esther Ng Today Online 23 Jun 10;

SINGAPORE - Almost 18,000 residential units in Punggol have been completed by the beginning of this month with another 9,400 under construction.

And subject to demand, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) is on track to complete 35,000 flats by the end of 2015, making Punggol similar in size to Toa Payoh.

The updates were given yesterday by Senior Minister of State for National Development Grace Fu at the Punggol, Remaking our Heartlands exhibition.

Ms Fu said that as Punggol's population attains critical mass, new facilities can and will be added.

The first mixed commercial-cum-residential development site at Punggol's town centre will be launched later this year.

Later this month, a premium HDB project - under the Build-To-Order (BTO) system - will be launched.

Situated along Punggol Waterway, it will offer waterfront living and boasts eco-friendly features such as large courtyards and openings to promote natural ventilation and airflow to flats and common areas.

Ms Fu said it targets a niche group of buyers who are prepared to pay more for its signature attributes such as prime location and groundbreaking design with vantage views.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic real estate lecturer Nicholas Mak said the mixed commercial cum residential development will be welcome as Punggol lacks a regional commercial centre.

"There will be a gradual appreciation of property there," he said.

The waterfront project however will not turn Punggol into a Sentosa Cove nor a Pinnacle, said Mr Mak.

"Sentosa Cove is some 2,800 landed houses, it faces the Southern Sea and has a marina. Punggol Waterfront faces a canal, a short stretch of water and the Straits of Johor."

PropNex's Mohammed Ismail said the project is an exciting lifestyle concept, a "mini Sentosa in the backyard".

Meanwhile, Ms Fu said two other BTO projects will also be launched in Sengkang, providing choices for flat buyers with different budgets and preferences.

She also said it is important for a new town like Punggol to foster its identity by heightening awareness of its rich heritage which dates back to the early days of Singapore.