Turf City Singapore is undergoing a new transformation. Following the announcement that the site’s lease would not be extended beyond 31 December 2023, existing tenants have had to vacate the area to make way for its new incarnation following Turf City’s closing.
Developed on the former Bukit Timah Turf Club site and its racecourse, Turf City currently comprises a 140-hectare (ha) site housing the former commercial and recreational destination The Grandstand, some sporting amenities, and private landed housing.
But all this will soon change, as Turf City is being redeveloped into a residential estate and up to 15,000 to 20,000 HDB flats look set to be built there. These will be Bukit Timah’s first public housing units in about 40 years.
Turf City Singapore: Overview
| Turf City changes you can expect | When |
| Up to 20,000 homes to be built | Over the next 20 to 30 years |
| New Turf City MRT station | Opening in 2032 |
| Walking, cycling and public transport amenities | TBA |
| The potential exit ramp from PIE towards Tuas | Undergoing assessment |
| Preservation of Eng Neo Avenue Forest, Bukit Tinggi and 27 heritage buildings and structures | Ongoing |
The new housing estate will be divided into four neighbourhoods:
- Racecourse Neighbourhood, which will have echoes of the racetracks at the original racecourse
- Stables Commune, which will hearken back to the area’s equestrian past
- Saddle Club Knolls, which will feature hilly forest landscapes
- Tinggi Hills, on a former golf course site that enjoys views of the surrounding greenery
The government plans to boost the area’s transport connections and walking and cycling infrastructure. Residents can look forward to living within a 10-minute walk of either Sixth Avenue MRT station or the upcoming Turf City MRT station.
Without further ado, here are some key changes to look forward to in the coming years.
1. Up to 20,000 Homes to be Built
An expected 15,000 to 20,000 new public housing units will be built on the site of Turf City. These will be the first new HDB flats built in Bukit Timah in the last 40 years.
Bukit Timah is a highly sought-after prime estate on the city fringe, offering easy access to the choice schools on Dunearn Road and Bukit Timah Road. Therefore, these flats are likely to attract great interest from the public.
Development plans are still being studied, and land preparation works were scheduled to begin after 31 December 2023. The flats will be built and available over the next 20 to 30 years.
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2. New Turf City MRT station
Turf City is currently unknown for its accessibility via public transport, but all that will change as the government improves public transport connectivity.
The area’s key public transport project is the future Turf City MRT station, scheduled to open in 2032. It will be on the upcoming Cross Island Line, the MRT network’s eighth line, running from the Jurong Lake District to Punggol and Changi.
All Turf City residents will live within 800 metres or a 10-minute walk from an MRT station—either the new Turf City MRT station or the existing Sixth Avenue MRT station on the Downtown Line.
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3. Walking, Cycling, and Public Transport Links
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has announced that the new housing estate at Turf City will be car-lite, pedestrian-friendly, and have good public transport connections.
To this end, the government will develop walking and cycling connections, including public transport nodes such as MRT stations. Parking will be limited for public amenities, green spaces, and residences.
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4. Exit Ramp From PIE Towards Tuas
To improve access from the new Turf City neighbourhood to the rest of Singapore, government agencies are studying the possibility of building a new exit ramp from the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) towards Tuas.
This new exit ramp would regulate traffic flows in the area since the development of the new Turf City housing estate is likely to result in heavier traffic. In anticipation of future traffic flows, road improvement works are already being undertaken at Dunearn Road, Bukit Timah Road, and Eng New Avenue.
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5. Eng Neo Avenue Forest, Bukit Tinggi, And 27 Heritage Buildings and Structures Retained
Despite the extensive developments in the area, the government hopes to preserve most of the two forested areas located close to Turf City.
To this end, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been conducted to study the impact on these green spaces. The study will be considered in the area’s redevelopment plans.
The EIA identified 177 plant species and 25 animal species that should be conserved. These include endangered species like the straw-headed bulbul and Sunda pangolin.
In line with the study, the government plans to retain Bukit Tinggi and Eng New Avenue Forest and to link them via a new 100-metre-wide planted connection designed to promote ecological connectivity.
A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) has also been carried out to identify elements of heritage significance. In line with the HIA’s findings, 27 heritage buildings and structures are being studied to retain and integrate them with the new housing estate.
Some examples of buildings that have been earmarked for conservation include the North Grandstand and the open space in front of the Grandstands, both of which are a nod to the former racecourse.
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