The COVID-19 pandemic and work-from-home norm have changed our space requirement needs, and the trend of buying larger homes has been apparent across all property segments after the Circuit Breaker.
So if you’re an HDB upgrader looking to buy a spacious, affordable and completed resale condo, this article is for you. Here is a list of the largest resale condo units you can find for $1.5 million and below.
Price |
$1,400,000 |
Size |
2,271 sq ft |
Type |
Penthouse |
District |
25 |
Tenure |
99-year leasehold |
Completion year |
2001 |
This penthouse unit at Northoaks spans 2,271 sq ft and is available for only $1,400,000! It features three bedrooms and four bathrooms, including two en-suite bedrooms.
Located in Woodlands, Northoaks is a former executive condo (EC) that has been privatised to a condo. Located at the junction of Woodlands Avenue 7 and Gambas Avenue, the 99-year leasehold development is about 1.1km away from Admiralty MRT station and about a 14-minute drive to Woodlands Checkpoint.
In addition, 688 Eating House is just right across the road, and there are also several supermarkets within close proximity, such as U Stars Supermarket @691 and Sheng Siong Supermarket at Woodlands Rise.
Check out this unit for sale on PropertyGuru
Price |
$1,460,000 |
Size |
2,088 sq ft |
Type |
Penthouse |
District |
27 |
Tenure |
99-year leasehold |
Completion year |
2002 |
Spanning 2,088 sq ft, this spacious penthouse unit in Euphony Gardens features four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The unit is also located on the top floor and promises privacy and good ventilation.
Euphony Gardens is a low-density condo nestled in a landed enclave in Yishun. It’s within walking distance to several places to eat, including Shani Banana Leaf Delights and Chong Pang Nasi Lemak. Moreover, Chong Pang Food Market is only 1km away.
Aside from that, Sembawang Hot Springs Park is just a 3-minute drive away while Northpoint City is just six minutes away, and so is Yishun MRT station, which is connected to the shopping mall.
Check out this unit on PropertyGuru.
Price |
$1,480,000 |
Size |
2,088 sq ft |
Type |
Penthouse |
District |
22 |
Tenure |
99-year leasehold |
Completion year |
2001 |
This penthouse unit in Summerdale comes with three bedrooms, a yard area, and features unblocked pool views. The condo is within close proximity to several schools in the area, in particular, Boon Lay Garden Primary School and River Valley High School which are within 400m. Jurong Point Mall is 1km away while the condo is also about 1.6km from Boon Lay MRT station and 1.7km from Jurong Lake Gardens.
Additionally, you don’t have to venture very far for food and basic necessities as Boon Lay Hawker Centre, supermarkets, and many provision shops are just minutes away by foot.
Check out this unit’s listing on PropertyGuru.
Price |
$1,500,000 |
Size |
2,077 sq ft |
Type |
3-bedroom |
District |
19 |
Tenure |
99-year leasehold |
Completion year |
2000 |
Spanning 2,077 sq ft, this 3-bedroom unit at Regentville is for sale for $1.5 million. The 580-unit condo development located right next to Hundred Palms Residences EC. Completed in 2000, the condo is about 21 years old at the time of writing. However, like many older condos, the development and units are spacious.
Furthermore, the development is also a full-facilities condo and comes with facilities such as a swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball court, BBQ pits, sauna, and playground, among others. In addition, Hougang 1 Shopping Mall is right opposite the development.
Check out this unit’s listing on PropertyGuru.
Price |
1,499,000 |
Size |
1,992 sq ft |
Type |
Duplex penthouse |
District |
28 |
Tenure |
99-year leasehold |
Completion year |
2014 |
You can get your hands on this 7-year-old duplex penthouse unit at Seletar Park Residences for $1.5 million, which is roughly the price of a modest condo these days. At 1,992 sq ft, this spacious unit comes fully furnished and has been renovated with a stylish modern contemporary design and features two bathrooms, two bathrooms, as well as a dry and wet kitchen.
Seletar Park Residences is located in a tranquil neighbourhood surrounded by landed properties and is just 77m away from Greenwich V. Seletar Mall is also about a 5-minute drive away.
Check out this unit’s listing on PropertyGuru.
Price |
$1,450,000 |
Size |
1,970 sq ft |
Unit type |
3-bedroom |
District |
22 |
Tenure |
99-year leasehold |
Completion year |
1981 |
This 3-bedroom unit in Lakeside Tower comes with gorgeous interiors and it’s one of the rare units that has an unblocked view of Jurong Lake Gardens as well as being away from the MRT track noise.
Aside from having Jurong Lake Gardens right outside your doorstep, the development is also near to shopping malls such as IMM, JEM, Westgate, Taman Jurong Shopping Centre, and Boon Lay Shopping Centre. Being close to town, it’s also within walking distance to amenities, as well as schools like Yuan Ching Secondary School, Lakeside Primary School, and Yuvabharathi International School.
Check out this unit’s listing on PropertyGuru.
Price |
$1,300,000 |
Size |
1,959 sq ft |
Unit type |
Penthouse |
District |
18 |
Tenure |
99-year leasehold |
Completion year |
1998 |
This spacious 3-bedroom penthouse in Eastvale is located on the top floor and spans 1,959 sq ft, which is more than enough room for most families.
Eastvale in Pasir Ris is a privatised EC and one of the rare ex-ECs that is near to an MRT station, being just about 850m away from Pasir Ris MRT. Not only that, but it’s also within walking distance to other amenities; Downtown East Shopping Mall is right across the development, while White Sands Mall, Pasir Ris Hawker Centre, Pasir Ris Sports Centre, and Pasir Ris Bus Interchange are all within 550m. Furthermore, Pasir Ris Beach Park is less than 10 minutes by foot.
Changi Airport is about eight minutes by car and Changi Business Park is about a 12-minute drive.
Check out this unit’s listing on PropertyGuru.
Price |
$1,500,000 |
Size |
1,916 sq ft |
Unit type |
Penthouse |
District |
25 |
Tenure |
99-year leasehold |
Completion year |
2014 |
This Penthouse unit in Parc Rosewood has three bedrooms, a private roof, and jacuzzi. Located along Rosewood Drive, the condo has a resort-like feel partly because it boasts 10 swimming pools and a large number of palm trees. Although the area is quiet and you can expect some privacy, the lack of public transport access may be a concern if you don’t own a vehicle (Woodlands MRT is about 1.5km away).
However, there are a good number of schools in the area, including Singapore Sports School, which is right across the road, Innova Primary School, and Singapore American School. There’s also a FairPrice Finest and several eateries at The Woodgrove, which is about 700m away.
Check out this unit’s listing on PropertyGuru.
Price |
1,480,000 |
Size |
1,582 sq ft |
Unit type |
3-bedroom |
District |
19 |
Tenure |
99-year leasehold |
Completion year |
2016 |
For multi-generational families or those looking for investment opportunities, this dual-key unit in Heron Bay may pique your interest.
The condo itself is close to amenities that are within walking distance, including eateries, shops, and Hougang 1 Mall. There’s also a park connector running along the nearby Serangoon River, and Punggol Park is within walking distance. Schools nearby include Serangoon Secondary School, Holy Innocents’ High School, CHIJ Our Lady of the Nativity, and Punggol Primary School.
Check out this unit’s listing on PropertyGuru.
It depends. The biggest penthouse unit in Wallich Residence is 21,108 sq ft while the smallest shoebox unit ever sold in Singapore is 258 sq ft. Located in Suites @ Guillemard, the unit is roughly the size of 2.5 car parking lots.
Condos have fewer restrictions and come with facilities but are much more expensive. However, in general, condos also appreciate faster. HDB flats, on the other hand, have more buying restrictions, but are much more affordable and larger in size overall.
You should ensure that the condo price is well within your means. Aside from that, you should also consider the location, tenure, and whether the surrounding amenities suit your lifestyle needs.
For more property news, resources and useful content like this article, check out PropertyGuru’s guides section.
Are you looking to buy a new home? Head to PropertyGuru to browse the top properties for sale in Singapore.
Already found a new home? Let PropertyGuru Finance's home finance advisors help you with financing it.
This article was written by Victor Kang, Digital Content Specialist at PropertyGuru. When he's not busy churning out engaging property content* or newsletter copies, he's busy being a lover of all geeky things. Say hi at: victorkang@propertyguru.com.sg
*I mean, I'll try
Since the end of the circuit breaker, there has been an uptick in interest for larger homes, particularly for older resale HDB flats with larger floor areas.
For the whole of 2020, there were 5,984 5-room units sold, which was 10.3% higher than the year before. Meanwhile, 3-room resale flats declined by 0.7% in the same period, making it the first annual decline since 2015.
According to experts, the stronger preference for larger resale flats is brought on by the working from home culture as well as changing lifestyle needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
So, if you’re on the lookout to upgrade or buy a big flat, below is a list of the biggest jumbo flat, HDB maisonette, executive apartment, 5-room flat, and landed HDB terrace house you can find on PropertyGuru right now.
Related article: Battle of the Big Flats: Maisonette, Jumbo Flat, Executive Flat, 3Gen Flat, 5-Room Flat
When HDB first launched the jumbo flat in 1989, it was coined as the ‘seven-room flat’ because it was basically converted from a 3-room and 4-room flat. A large supply of unsold 3-room and 4-room flats in estates such as Yishun and Woodlands, coupled with a growing demand for larger homes, made HDB to convert these flats during the 1980s and 1990s.
Today, jumbo flats are no longer in production and it’s estimated that there are only 2,900 jumbo flats remaining in estates such as Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Bedok, Hougang, Jurong East, Pasir Ris, Tampines, and Woodlands.
Below are the biggest jumbo flats available on PropertyGuru at the time of writing:
Address |
Size |
TOP |
Price |
2,034 sq ft |
1994 |
$838,988 |
|
1,914 sq ft |
1979 |
$1,100,000 |
|
1,905 sq ft |
1995 |
$880,000 |
|
1,905 sq ft |
1995 |
$880,000 |
|
1,894 sq ft |
1995 |
$850,000 |
|
1,894 sq ft |
1994 |
$950,000 |
|
1,830 sq ft |
1984 |
$788,800 |
|
1,830 sq ft |
1995 |
$758,000 |
|
1,829 sq ft |
1984 |
$790,000 |
|
1,829 sq ft |
1995 |
$777,000 |
Discover other jumbo flats for sale on PropertyGuru.
Executive apartments (EAs) were built from the 1980s to the early 2005, and like most flats during the period, they were designed to be very spacious, ranging from approx. 1,507 sq ft to 1,615 sq ft and above.
In addition, they also had four bedrooms, a balcony, and a study area—traits that are rare for HDB flats. As such, EAs are popular among buyers till this day, especially among bigger families.
Below are the biggest EAs available on PropertyGuru at the time of writing:
Address |
Size |
TOP |
Price |
1,926 sq ft |
1986 |
$830,000 |
|
1,873 sq ft |
1995 |
$730,000 |
|
1,830 sq ft |
1995 |
$828,888 |
|
1,786 sq ft |
1995 |
$705,000 |
|
1,755 sq ft |
1988 |
$1,068,000 |
|
1,755 sq ft |
1979 |
$950,000 |
|
1,755 sq ft |
1988 |
$850,000 |
|
1,744 sq ft |
1988 |
$830,000 |
|
1,754 sq ft |
1978 |
$1,000,000 |
|
1,754 sq ft |
1985 |
$780,000 |
Discover other EAs for sale on PropertyGuru.
Discontinued since 1995, HDB maisonettes are another HDB flat type that are popular among buyers. They feature a 2-storey design; the second floor houses the bedrooms while the living room, dining area, and kitchen are located on the first floor.
There are several variations of maisonettes throughout its production years, including penthouse maisonettes, which are maisonettes located at the top floor. They feature an open terrace design and offer an exposed view of the surrounding area.
Due to their limited supply and spacious design, it’s not rare to see maisonettes transacting above $1 million in estates such as Bishan, Queenstown, Hougang, and Pasir Ris.
Below are the largest HDB maisonettes on PropertyGuru at the time of writing:
Address |
Size |
TOP |
Price |
2,142 sq ft |
1988 |
$1,138,000 |
|
2,012 sq ft |
1988 |
$1,050,000 |
|
1,829 sq ft |
1988 |
$1,080,000 |
|
1,776 sq ft |
1997 |
$990,000 |
|
1,732 sq ft |
1983 |
$999,000 |
|
1,732 sq ft |
1983 |
$988,888 |
|
1,722 sq ft |
1983 |
$988,000 |
|
1,679 sq ft |
1984 |
$780,000 |
|
1,668 sq ft |
1989 |
$850,000 |
|
1,668 sq ft |
1990 |
$940,000 |
Discover other HDB maisonettes for sale on PropertyGuru.
HDB terrace houses are landed houses built by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT), the predecessor of HDB, in the 1950s. When HDB took over the HDB terrace houses in the 1960s and 1970s, they issued fresh 99-year leases to all 285 remaining units.
Despite their dwindling leases, HDB terrace houses are still highly popular among ‘sandwich class’ Singaporeans who yearn for entry-level landed homes, who are more than willing to pay top dollar to land one. In fact, a 49-year HDB house in Whampoa recently transacted for a record $1.268 million in June 2021, making it the most expensive resale HDB flat so far.
Below are the largest HDB terrace houses on PropertyGuru at the time of writing:
Address |
Size |
TOP |
Price |
2,224 sq ft |
1972 |
$1,650,000 |
|
1,284 sq ft |
1963 |
$930,000 |
|
1,164 sq ft |
1959 |
$1,080,000 |
|
1,108 sq ft |
1959 |
$1,060,000 |
|
1,076 sq ft |
1959 |
$880,000 |
|
990 sq ft |
1972 |
$990,000 |
|
958 sq ft |
1972 |
$928,000 |
|
861 sq ft |
1972 |
$930,000 |
|
850 sq ft |
1959 |
$820,000 |
|
840 sq ft |
1959 |
$800,000 |
Discover other HDB terrace houses for sale on PropertyGuru.
5-room flats were introduced in the 1980s for families who require more space, and are the only flat type on this list that aren’t discontinued. They come with three bedrooms and two bathrooms; and are often one of the most popular flat types during HDB BTO launches too (though older flats built before the 2000s are bigger than present-day ones).
Below are the largest 5-room flats on PropertyGuru at the time of writing:
Address |
Size |
TOP |
Price |
1,700 sq ft |
1984 |
$935,888 |
|
1,625 sq ft |
1984 |
$998,000 |
|
1,604 sq ft |
1985 |
$750,000 |
|
1,500 sq ft |
1982 |
$848,000 |
|
1,500 sq ft |
1984 |
$920,000 |
|
1,497 sq ft |
1984 |
$688,000 |
|
1,496 sq ft |
1983 |
$620,000 |
|
1,496 sq ft |
1982 |
$999,999 |
|
1,496 sq ft |
1982 |
$850,000 |
|
1,485 sq ft |
1994 |
$999,888 |
Discover other 5-room flats for sale on PropertyGuru here.
Jumbo flats are a type of discontinued flat created by HDB by adjoining previously unsold 3-room and 4-room flats. As such, these jumbo flats are spacious and can go up to 2,000 sq ft and above.
To buy a resale flat as a single, you need to be a Singapore Citizen who’s at least 35 years old and above. Alternatively, you may also buy two 3-room or smaller flats and convert them via the Conversion Scheme.
Executive Apartments (EAs) are spacious HDB flat types that are from 1,507 sq ft to 1,615 sq ft and above. They also feature four bedrooms, a study area, and a balcony. EAs have been discontinued since 2005 and can only be found in the resale market.
For more property news, resources and useful content like this article, check out PropertyGuru’s guides section.
Are you looking to buy a new home? Head to PropertyGuru to browse the top properties for sale in Singapore.
Already found a new home? Let PropertyGuru Finance's home finance advisors help you with financing it.
This article was written by Victor Kang, Digital Content Specialist at PropertyGuru. When he's not busy churning out engaging property content* or newsletter copies, he's busy being a lover of all geeky things. Say hi at: victorkang@propertyguru.com.sg
*I mean, I'll try
Have you ever driven or walked past an interesting road sign that made your head turn?
While unique street names aren't exclusive to Singapore, they are perhaps more distinctive in a country as diverse as ours, thanks to an eclectic mix of cultures, languages, and history.
Indeed, for every avenue, road, and street, there is a Lorong, Jalan, and Bukit. And if that’s not unique enough, our streets are also named in English, Malay, Chinese, and Tamil.
So, without further ado, we’ve compiled a list of interesting street names in Singapore, as well as properties you can find in the area.
But first...
Street names don’t just convey addresses; they also give us an insight into Singapore’s history, neighbourhood, as well as prominent figures and communities that have contributed to the nation. Apart from that, they also hint at how affluent the neighbourhood is.
Like everywhere around the world, Singapore’s street names are named after landmarks, places, people, and communities. Additionally, some streets are also grouped according to themes such as fruits, zodiac signs, royalties, and gemstones, among others.
Others contain numbers, such as Tampines Street 21, Hougang Avenue 8, and Woodlands Drive 16. Though street names with numbers were common in the 1970s up till the early 1990s (40% of new, renamed, and rebuilt streets had numbers), since 2007, only 11% of new streets have numbers.
Below are some examples:
Street themes |
Examples |
Fruits |
Lorong Lew Lian, Lorong Ong Lye, Rambutan Road, Lorong Nangka, Jalan Durian |
Commonwealth nations |
Canberra Road, Ottawa Road, Wellington Circle, Auckland Road, Montreal Drive, Canada Road, Kenya Crescent Road |
Zodiac signs |
Capricorn Drive, Leo Drive, Libra Drive |
Royalties |
Prince Charles Crescent, Queen Street, Queensway, King Albert Park Road |
Places |
Bristol Road, Kent Road, Oxley Road, Kent Road, Nankin Street, Malacca Street, |
People |
Boon Lay Drive, Tagore Avenue, Yishun Street, Choa Chu Kang Way, Cluny Road |
Days |
Jalan Isnin, Jalan Rabu, Jalan Khamis, Jalan Minggu |
Understandably, as a former British colony, most of the places and roads in Singapore had British names, such as Bristol Road, Queen Street, Victoria Street, and Elizabeth Drive. In addition, the British also named and designated areas such as Little India and Chinatown according to their respective communities.
However, unlike most former colonial countries/cities, Singapore made very little attempt to rename its streets and roads as a means to preserve its colonial past. Additionally, massive renaming of street names would have caused inconvenience and confusion, especially to taxi drivers or emergency services who need to locate buildings efficiently and quickly.
For a short period in the sixties, the Government attempted to localise street names, mostly with Malay words, as a sign of allegiance to the Malayan Federation. This resulted in road names beginning with Jalans, Lorongs, Tanjongs, etc.
After obtaining independence in 1965, however, streets were instead renamed to reflect Singapore’s multi-racial society. For instance, when the Jurong Industrial Estate was opened in 1968, the roads were renamed/translated into Malay, Chinese, and Tamil words, such as Neythal Road, Fan Yoong Road, and Jalan Tukang.
Today, Singapore still follows British naming conventions for street suffixes; streets and roads refer to main roads between two places; ways for major roads; avenues, lanes, drives, and walks for residential roads; and promenade, esplanade, and walk for public walkways.
Shortly after gaining independence, The Advisory Committee on the Naming of Roads was set up in 1967 and tasked with renaming Singapore’s streets, buildings, and estates.
Years later, in 2003, the Committee was then renamed to the Street and Building Names Board (SBNB). Since 2010, the URA has taken over the secretariat role from the SBNB and now holds the responsibility of providing and approving streets with appropriate names according to attributes such as location, and physical attributes of the buildings and streets.
Kay Poh Road is located close to Orchard and off River Valley Road. Contrary to what the name suggests (a busybody in Hokkien), the street is actually named after Wee Kay Poh, who was a former apprentice at A.L. Johnston & Company, the first merchant firm in Singapore. Kay Poh later went on to establish his own business and became a managing partner of an opium and liquor farm.
Ironically, Kay Poh Road is a cul-de-sac road that’s actually perfect for you if you want privacy. Furthermore, it’s also close to Robertson Quay, Orchard as well as Great World Shopping Mall. Properties along the road are Kasturina Lodge and The Aston, while The Montana, Mutiara Crescent, and RV Suites are around the area.
Find properties for sale/rent near Kay Poh Road on PropertyGuru.
Those living along Pending Road in Bukit Panjang are probably used to receiving jokes about things that are...pending.
Fortunately, the area is well developed with a good number of HDB blocks and amenities, including places to eat. Furthermore, Pending LRT station and Bukit Panjang Community Club are located along the road.
Pending in Malay means ‘waist buckle’, which is how the road got its name.
Find properties for sale/rent near Pending Road on PropertyGuru.
Named after Wong Cheow Keng, a Hainanese businessman, Cheow Keng Road sounds very similar to ‘Chow Keng’, a Hokkien term commonly used to describe a malinger, i.e. someone who feigns illness or injury to avoid duty/responsibility, typically in the army and at the workplace.
Cheow Keng Road is located off East Coast Road in the Katong area, with several landed properties located along the road.
Find properties for sale/rent near Cheow Keng Road on PropertyGuru.
Jalan Sedap is translated as ‘tasty’ or ‘delicious’ in Malay, although there’s nothing quite tasty about the road, as it’s a tranquil landed housing enclave. However, it’s located in the Katong area, a popular place known for good food and Peranakan cuisines. Moreover, it’s also close to East Coast Park.
Find properties for sale/rent near Jalan Sedap on PropertyGuru.
Lorong Sesuai is located at the corner of Bukit Batok Nature Park, which was once a quarry site until 1988. At the highest point of the road is the Bukit Batok War Memorial, a site dedicated to fallen Japanese and British soldiers in World War 2.
‘Sesuai’ in Malay means ‘suitable’ or ‘appropriate’ in English, which is befitting, considering the road’s steep slopes make it a popular training trail among hikers and cyclists.
Hume Heights, a landed residential development, is also located along the road, and there are several condo developments nearby such as The Hillside, Hume Park 1, and Hume Park 2.
Find properties for sale/rent near Upper Bukit Timah Road on PropertyGuru.
Yes, you read that right, there’s a Ho Ching Road in Taman Jurong; but it’s not named after the PM’s wife. The story goes that when Taman Jurong was first developed, the streets were named with numbers, from Taman Jurong 1 to 12 (11 was exempted for some unexplained reason).
The Advisory Committee on the Naming of Roads then renamed the Taman Jurong streets sometime between the late 60s to the 70s, including Taman Jurong 8, which was renamed to Ho Ching Road. Ho Ching or ‘Hé jǐng’ in Chinese translates to ‘river scenery’, which could be because of the road’s proximity to the Jurong Lake Gardens.
Find properties for sale/rent near Ho Ching Road on PropertyGuru.
Students of LASALLE College of the Arts or patrons of Rochor Original Beancurd in Bugis would be familiar with this street in the Rochor area. The road begins at the junction of Selegie Road, Wilkie Road, and Middle Road, and connects to Rochor Canal Road.
The origin of its name is shrouded in mystery, and there are two different accounts of the road’s name. One source says that the road is named after Septimus Short, who spoke on issues related to railways and docks, while according to another source, the street is named as such because the road was simply short.
Find properties for sale/rent near Short Street on PropertyGuru.
According to the Street and Building Names Board (SBNB), all public streets, including buildings, underpasses, and private roads, will need to get approval from SBNB. SBNB will look at several attributes for the naming of the street, such as location, heritage, physical attributes, spelling, and developments in the area.
Inche Lane was renamed twice; first in 1910 when it was renamed to Jalan Tambah and again in 1927 to Veerasamy Road. The road is named after Dr N. Veerasamy Naidu, one of Singapore’s first Indian doctors.
Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) is the shortest expressway in Singapore, at 10km.
This article was written by Victor Kang, Digital Content Specialist at PropertyGuru. When he's not busy churning out engaging property content* or newsletter copies, he's busy being a lover of all geeky things. Say hi at: victorkang@propertyguru.com.sg
*I mean, I'll try