Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has launched a Government Land Sales (GLS) tender for a prime residential site along Bukit Timah Road in August 2025, marking the first offering under the Confirmed List for the second half of 2025 GLS program. The strategically positioned land parcel is expected to yield approximately 340 residential units, with public sales commencement anticipated in the second half of 2027.
The site’s location adjacent to Newton MRT interchange, which serves both North-South and Downtown Lines, positions it within the Core Central Region (CCR) along a major thoroughfare. Proximity to established amenities including Newton Food Centre, Novena commercial cluster, and reputable educational institutions such as Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) and St. Joseph’s Institution Junior enhances the development’s appeal.
The connectivity extends seamlessly to Orchard Road shopping belt and the central business district.
Market analysts anticipate the tender will attract up to five competitive bids, with projected top bids ranging between $1,300 to $1,450 per square foot per plot ratio. This pricing expectation reflects the site’s prime CCR status and scarcity of residential GLS plots in central locations.
The development will target affluent buyers seeking premium district living, with final pricing likely to establish benchmarks for future nearby developments.
Historical precedent from recent GLS tenders in nearby Dunearn Road and Holland Link demonstrates robust bidding activity for CCR sites, driven by location desirability and accessibility factors. The Newton area’s residential projects have consistently commanded premium pricing, supporting strong demand from both local and foreign purchasers. Recent market performance indicates strong underlying demand, with CCR launches achieving 65.2% occupancy rates at launch events.
The GLS release aligns with urban planning objectives to rejuvenate the Bukit Timah corridor while increasing housing supply in sought-after central locations. URA’s planning intent incorporates greenery integration and pedestrian access, reflecting balanced urban intensification strategies. The site spans a 0.59 hectares area and features a Gross Plot Ratio of 4.9, maximizing development potential within the prime District 11 location.
The tender’s timing coincides with recovering private residential market conditions, positioning the development advantageously for long-term value retention. Investors seeking alternatives to typical shorter-lease developments may find appeal in 999-year leasehold properties that offer generational wealth preservation and near-freehold status.
Market observers suggest participation rates may match or exceed those of comparable recent tenders, given the site’s strategic positioning and development potential within Singapore’s prime residential landscape.
