More housing options are set to open up for Singaporeans in central locations like Newton and Paterson Hill, as well as new neighbourhoods in Dover within the Greater one-north area. The plans were unveiled on 25 June by the Minister for National Development, Chee Hong Tat, as part of the government’s Draft Master Plan 2025 (DMP2025).
The new housing projects in the DMP2025 will give residents more opportunities to live closer to the city centre, says Catherine He, head of research at Colliers Singapore. She adds that the plans also support the government’s efforts to meet rising housing demand and ease pressure on the transport network.
In Newton, housing development will focus on three distinct clusters: Newton Road, Scotts Road, and Monk’s Hill. Future housing in Paterson Hill, off Orchard Road, will see a new integrated development above Orchard MRT Station. Meanwhile, a mixed public and private residential neighbourhood will be developed at Dover-Medway.
The Newton and Paterson neighbourhoods reflect an alignment with the government’s ‘live-play-work’ strategy, and the areas are already well-supported with a range of amenities, says Chua Yang Liang, head of Southeast Asia research at JLL.
These new housing proposals add to the government’s earlier announced plans to redevelop Bukit Timah Turf City, Pearl’s Hill, Marina South, Mount Pleasant, and the former Keppel Golf Course site.
Urban village
URA describes the new Newton neighbourhood as a mixed-use ‘urban village’. Future development sites near Newton MRT Station will see new housing introduced progressively around key clusters at Newton Circus, Scotts Road and Monk’s Hill.
Based on the previous master plan, the plots earmarked for development in the DMP2025 are currently reserve sites, with the maximum gross plot ratio of most plots up to 4.9. Notable existing developments include the former UOB Kay Hian Building and the Kheng Leong Co. Building, which was located at 8 Anthony Road. Both buildings had 15-year land leases that expired in 2023.
Under the Draft Master Plan 2025, three land plots off Winstedt Road in the Monk’s Hill area will also be rezoned for residential use with a gross plot ratio of up to 3.5. (Picture: URA)
The DMP2025 proposes to rezone the area as white sites and develop a new ‘Village Square’ anchored by a high-density mixed-use development next to the MRT station. Monk’s Hill Road will also be turned into a linear park connecting Newton MRT Station to Emerald Hill.
Lee Sze Teck, senior director of data analytics at Huttons Asia, says the land rezoning will give developers greater flexibility in how the sites are used. One of the new residential plots, announced under the 2H2025 Government Land Sales (GLS) programme, is expected to be launched for sale in August.
Under the Draft Master Plan 2025, three land plots off Winstedt Road in the Monk’s Hill area will also be rezoned for residential use with a gross plot ratio of up to 3.5. The land plots were previously reserved for future use.
New mixed-use project above Orchard MRT Station
The largely private residential enclave along Paterson Hill will be transformed into a mixed-use hub, with more retail fronting the street to connect the Orchard Road shopping belt with the River Valley area. New public spaces, pedestrian-friendly zones and cycling paths will support the area’s revitalisation.
Development proposals in the DMP2025 include a new integrated development above Orchard MRT Station. The future project will comprise residences, offices, F&B and retail elements.
Up to 1,000 private homes, along with retail, F&B and office spaces, could potentially be developed in the Paterson area. (Picture: URA)
Christine Sun, chief researcher and strategist at OrangeTee says up to 1,000 private homes, along with retail, F&B and office spaces, could potentially be developed in the Paterson area. She notes that new government land sites in prime locations are becoming increasingly scarce. “Expanding the residential landscape in the Orchard Road precinct is a good move due to the scarcity of available land in prime areas.”
Previously zoned as ‘residential with commercial at 1st storey’ in the previous master plan, the land parcel above Orchard MRT Interchange will be rezoned as a white site with an increased plot ratio of up to 5.6, says Hutton’s Lee.
He adds that the rezoning presents a “prime opportunity” for a residential and shopping project. The last time a Government Land Sales (GLS) site was launched directly above the interchange was in 2005, which led to the development of ION Orchard and The Orchard Residences.
Residential transformation at one-north
A mix of public and private homes will be added to the Dover–Medway area along Dover Road in the Greater one-north precinct, with more housing also set to come on stream in Mediapolis. Already an established hub for business and R&D, the precinct has seen growing efforts from the government and private developers to boost residential supply.
Market watchers like PropNex and OrangeTee expect around 6,000 public and private homes to roll out in phases at one-north. Orange Tee’s Sun believes that the introduction of more residential developments could potentially support the development of more businesses in the future. “The change is important as more businesses could be set up in future, becoming a bigger hub for various industries like biomedical sciences, info tech, media, education and technology,” she adds.
Market watchers like PropNex and OrangeTee expect around 6,000 public and private homes to roll out in phases at one-north. (Picture: URA)
The DMP2025 highlights the Dover–Malway area, which will include public housing and private residential developments supported by new amenities and recreational spaces. The neighbourhood’s urban design will promote active mobility through cycling paths, sheltered walkways and access to public transport.
New private residential launches have emerged in the area, including CapitaLand Development’s Lydenwoods along Science Park Drive, set to preview on June 28, and Bloomsbury Residences on Media Circle, launched by Qingjian Realty and Forsea Holdings in March. — With additional reporting by Timothy Tay
