A vibrant district is about to take shape over at Woodlands Regional Centre in the next 15 years with enhanced connectivity to Johor Bahru via the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. We give you the quick low-down on this gateway district to Singapore. By Khalil Adis Living in Woodlands is about to get even more exciting as Woodlands Regional Centre will be developed into a sizeable commercial hub and bring jobs closer to homes in the northern region of Singapore. Comprising 100 hectares of land, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) envisages Woodlands Regional Centre to become home to new spaces for industry, research and development, learning and innovation over the next 15 years. Just last month, the URA released a white site for sale under the reserve list of the second half of 2018 Government Land Sales (GLS) Programme. A white site means it can be used for different functions such as commercial, residential and industrial. The sale of the site is especially momentous as it will provide a seamless connection for commuters travelling to Johor Bahru via the RTS Link by 2024 at Woodlands North MRT station before disembarking at Bukit Chagar station. Here are a few quick facts on the site: #1: Located next to popular shopping mall, Causeway Point The site is located within Woodlands Regional Centre which comprises two complementary precincts - Woodlands Central and Woodlands North Coast. The white site itself is located at Woodlands Central which the URA said will be transformed into a bustling commercial and community node with a mix of office, retail, residential and attractive public spaces for live, work and play. #2: A vibrant mixed-use site with a GFA of 115,000 m2 The mixed-use site measures 2.75ha and can potentially generate some 115,000 m2 of gross floor area (GFA) for office, residential, retail and entertainment uses. At least 45,000 m2 of the maximum permissible GFA of the development will be set aside for office use. Meanwhile, the URA said the remaining GFA can be for additional office, retail, entertainment and residential uses. #3: 27,000 households in northern Singapore set to benefit According to the URA, the new public spaces planned for the precinct can be enjoyed by more than 27,000 households in the vicinity. Woodlands Central will also serve as a community gathering point for the residents in Woodlands and the rest of the north region. #4: Strategically located above the upcoming Woodlands Thomson East Coast Line (TEL) station, (TE2) The site is planned to be seamlessly connected to the existing Woodlands MRT station. As such, the site will enjoy a direct connection to both the Thomson East Coast Line (TEL) and the North South Line (NSL) via the Woodlands TEL station, (TE2). From the TE2 station, commuters can hop onto the RTS Link at Woodlands North MRT station located one stop away to Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru. #5: Direct basement connection to TE2 station The new development will have a direct basement connection to the future Woodlands TEL station, providing shoppers and commuters with easy access to the rest of the stations under the TEL. This includes the Central Business District, Marina Bay and the shopping, dining and entertainment options at Orchard Road. #6: 100,000 new jobs When fully developed, Woodlands Regional Centre will have about 700,000m2 of commercial space and offer approximately 100,000 new jobs. #7: Innovation district at Woodlands North Coast Meanwhile, a mixed-use business cluster will be coming up at Woodlands North Coast which will include future industrial and business park spaces. Woodlands North Coast will be served by the Woodlands North MRT station The URA has envisioned it to provide flexible workspaces that encourage experimentation and innovation and are geared towards the needs of both small to medium enterprises and multinational companies. Summary As we can see from the infographics above, prices of HDB resale flats across the board have fallen except for executive flats.
However, the upcoming TEL and developments at Woodlands Regional Centre will act as a property booster for homes in the area. The opening of Woodlands TEL station and Woodlands North MRT station will be the first property booster followed by the rest of the developments that are being planned. Homeowners of 3-, 4- and 5-room HDB flats should hold on tight to their properties in the next 15 years before selling. Meanwhile, it is a good opportunity for home buyers to start their property hunt in Woodlands and wait for the capital appreciation as Woodlands Regional Centre becomes more mature. As for the RTS Link, the Malaysian government has remained committed on completing this project. In fact, this is one of the major infrastructure project that will be carried on under the newly elected Pakatan Harapan government. For a detailed master plan of Woodlands Regional Centre, do check out the URA site here
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Khalil AdisAn independent analysis from yours truly Archives
July 2023
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