This August 2021 BTO launch reveals long-awaited projects in two popular estates, so keep your eyes (and fingers) ready to snatch up these units! This August 2021, you can expect a whopping 4,989 HDB BTO units available across five sites: Hougang (two projects), Jurong East, Kallang/ Whampoa, Queenstown and Tampines (two projects).
Read on to find out the most important things to note, such as the price, location, amenities of each location to help you make the best decision for your family.
General Outlook
Click on these links to direct you to the location of your interest:
Non-mature Estate
- Hougang (2 projects)
- Jurong East
Mature
- Kallang/ Whampoa
- Queenstown
- Tampines (2 projects)
1. Hougang (Non-mature estate)
One of the most popular estates since 1995, August 2021’s sales launch presents you with two projects, with 586 and 749 units at each location respectively. 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room are up for grabs for both, with only the plot at Hougang Avenue 3 having a 5-room flat option.
Launch Price
Note: The table below is just a general indication of the starting prices for the 2 plots. Do click on the individual links below to get a more accurate price of each project and flat type.
Image source: HDB
Location & Amenities
Plot 1: Kovan Wellspring, Beside Kovan MRT Station
2-room Flexi, 3- and 4-room are available, totalling up to 586 units. Prices for a 4-room BTO (without grants) starting from $413,000.
Image source: HDB
This prime plot is located between Upper Serangoon Road and Tampines Road, right next to Kovan MRT station on the North-East Line. It’ll also be near the upcoming Defu MRT Station (Cross Island Line), which is estimated to be completed in 2029.
The nearest shopping mall beside this plot is Heartland Mall, located just beside Kovan MRT for your convenience. Besides that, you’ll have loads of food options at Kovan-Hougang Market & Food Centre, and along Upper Serangoon Road such as the famous Ponggol Nasi Lemak.
Or, head to Hougang MRT, which is just one stop away from Kovan MRT station, and take a short walk to Hougang Mall for more shopping options.
Plot 2: Hougang Citrine, Along Hougang Avenue 3
2-room Flexi, 3-, 4- and 5-room flats are available, totalling up 749 units. Prices for a 4-room BTO (without grants) starts from $324,000.
Image source: HDB
On the other hand, this project at Hougang Avenue 3 is further down and is closer to Bartley MRT station on Circle Line, which is a 20-minute walk or a 17-minute bus ride away. Alternatively, reach Hougang Mall directly with a 15-minute bus ride.
There are plenty of options for schools around for both projects a short walk or bus ride away, such as Maris Stella High School (Primary & Secondary), Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Primary and Secondary), and Xinmin Primary School.
Sports enthusiasts can enjoy sports facilities such as a swimming complex, stadium, sports hall and Punggol Park on the weekends, and Hougang Polyclinic is a convenient 20-minute bus ride away.
Food For Thought
Disclaimer: This section only represents the thoughts and opinions of forum and discussion group members, and does not represent our views.
Due to an abundance of food options and close proximity to public transport, the plot near Kovan MRT seems to be very popular on forums. Prepare for stiffer competition if you plan to opt for this one! Keep in mind that this project only has 2-room Flexi, 3-room and 4-room plans, so if you have a larger family or need more space, you might want to consider the other project at Avenue 3 instead.
However, as compared to other projects at estates like Jurong East that hasn’t had a launch in a decade and Queenstown which is seen as one of the prime locations to live since it’s at the city fringe, there should be less competition.
2. Jurong East (Non-mature estate)
This plot is located along Toh Guan Road, and is a stone’s throw away from the heart of Jurong East, home to a huge variety of entertainment, job opportunities and sports facilities. In this project, you can choose from 560 units, consisting of 2-room flexi, 3-room and 4-room flats.
Toh Guan Grove Launch Price
The last BTO project at Jurong East was a decade ago during the September 2011 launch at Teban View. A 4-room flat starts from $347,000 without grants.
Location & Amenities
Image source: HDB
This project will be a 5-minute walk away from the upcoming Toh Guan MRT station on the Jurong Regional Line, which will be ready in 2028. This line will link you to Jurong East MRT as well for more shopping and dining options in the surrounding malls like Westgate, JEM, IMM and JCube. You could also take bus service 52 to these malls before the completion of the new MRT line.
Maintaining fitness won’t be an issue too, with plenty of greenery nearby, whether it’s a brisk walk in the nearby neighbourhood park or a jog along the Jurong Park Connector. Healthcare facilities like the Ng Teng Fong hospital are also located close by (between Westgate and IMM) for any emergencies.
There are also schools like Yuhua Primary School, Crest Secondary School and Fuhua Secondary School located nearby for the convenience of your kids. Jurong Regional Library is also right beside JCube, with separate floors for kids, teens, and research material for all the bookworms out there!
Food For Thought
Disclaimer: This section only represents the thoughts and opinions of forum and discussion group members, and does not represent our views.
Due to the fact that the last launch was ten years ago, there will be much higher competition for this plot than the projects in other estates. If you do manage to snag a unit here, expect more job opportunities that are much closer to home since Jurong East will soon be home to the second Central Business District. However, a con of living in this estate is that it’s a long distance from the central area.
3. Kallang/ Whampoa (Mature estate)
A total of 310 units of 3-room and 4-room BTO flats will be launched this August, with the project situated along Towner Road.
Towner Residence Launch Price
This August BTO plot is right next to McNair Heights, launched recently in February 2021. The selling price for a 4-room flat starts from a price of $500,000 without grants.
Location & Amenities
Image source: HDB
The Kallang/ Whampoa BTO for August 2021 is located between Boon Keng MRT station on the North-East Line and the central expressway, making it great for both types of people who frequent public transport and those who drive. While Boon Keng MRT is the nearest option for you, at an 8-minute walk away, others like Bendemeer and Farrer Park MRT are also only a 15-minute bus ride away.
You won’t have to worry about a lack of dining options, either! Bendemeer Shopping Mall has a selection of delectable food at their food courts, or drive/ take a bus further down Serangoon Road to arrive at City Square Mall and Mustafa Centre.
As for schools, Hongwen and Northlight Schools are right next to this project, and Bendemeer Primary and Secondary Schools are also nearby.
Past Subscription Rate
With only 310 units up for grabs, expect stiff competition amongst the second timers based on past subscription rates at McNair Heights in February 2021.
Image source: HDB
Food For Thought
Disclaimer: This section only represents the thoughts and opinions of forum and discussion group members, and does not represent our views.
Don’t worry if you don’t manage to snatch a unit here just yet, HDB has announced another series of 2-room Flexi and 4-room flats in the Kallang/Whampoa area to be released in November this year, although the exact location hasn’t been confirmed. Stay tuned for our November 2021 analysis to find out more details!
4. Queenstown
Another launch that many are keeping an eye on this August is in Queenstown, although there are only 3-room and 4-room plans and 610 units available for grabs.
Queen’s Arc Launch Price
The last BTO launch at Queenstown was in 2012, at Ghim Moh Edge. Prices started from $450,000 for a 4-room flat without grants. With this August BTO plot being right next to Queensway Shopping Centre and distance from the Queenstown MRT station, prices start from $540,000 for a 4-room flat without grants. This is the most expensive plot for this August 2021 BTO sales launch.
Location & Amenities
Image source: HDB
Built along Queensway Road, this project is a 10-minute bus ride away from the nearest MRT station, Queenstown MRT.
Despite the MRT station being a considerable distance away, this launch has plenty of redeeming bonuses, in terms of good food and shopping centres nearby. Think IKEA Alexandra for cost-effective furniture and food, Anchorpoint Shopping Centre and Queensway Shopping Centre for your grocery and other shopping needs being a 10 minute walk away. There is also Mei Ling Market & Food Centre 8 minutes away by foot for budget-friendly options.
You’ll have many schools to choose from too, with Queenstown Primary and New Town School a 10-minute bus ride away, as well as others like Crescent Girls’ School and MDIS in the vicinity.
Other amenities like Alexandra Hospital are also just across the road and the Alexandra-Queensway Park Connector will be at your doorstep for a quick jog whenever you need one.
Food For Thought
Disclaimer: This section only represents the thoughts and opinions of forum and discussion group members, and does not represent our views.
Expect higher than average prices and competition, considering this project is the first one in the estate in 9 years. It’s also at the city fringe and is much closer to the Orchard district than others when you take a bus.
5. Tampines
If you’re looking for a home on the east side, this is for you. You’ll be looking at two launches in this estate, one with 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room and 5-room plans, and another with just 4-room and 5-room plans.
Launch Price
Note: The table below is just a general indication of the starting prices for the 2 plots. Do click on the individual links below to get a more accurate price of each project and flat type.
Location & Amenities
Plot 1: Tampines GreenJade, Beside Bedok Canal
Image source: HDB
The project near Bedok Reservoir has 546 units in total, and you can choose between the 4-room or 5-room flats. Prices for a 4-room flat excluding grants start from $342,000.
Plot 2: Tampines GreenQuartz, Along Tampines St. 96
Image source: HDB
The other project is located just diagonally across the first one, at Tampines Street 96 (under construction). This launch, however, has 1613 units in total, consisting of 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room and 5-room flats. Prices for a 4-room flat excluding grants start from $352,000, which is around $10,000 more than the first plot near Bedok Canal.
For both projects, the nearest MRT stations are Tampines West MRT station and Bedok Reservoir MRT Station, which are about a 10 minute walk away from each project.
Moreover, Tampines Central is located at Tampines MRT station, just one stop from Tampines West station, or a 15 minute bus ride away. There, a cluster of bustling malls (Tampines Mall, Tampines Hub, Tampines 1, Century Square) with endless shopping and food choices awaits. Fitness junkies would be excited to know that there’s a SAFRA clubhouse to squeeze in a workout session nearby too.
Should you require medical attention, Changi General Hospital is a 6 minute drive away, while Tampines polyclinic can be found at Tampines central. Meanwhile, you’ll also have many choices for schools, with St. Hilda’s Primary and Secondary School, Temasek Polytechnic and Tampines Primary and Secondary School among the many in the area!
Past Subscription Rate
Based on the subscription rate for 4-room and 5-room units in November 2020 for Tampines GreenEmerald, expect some competition amongst second-time buyers for these launches.
Image source: HDB
Food For Thought
The many options for schools and the close proximity to Tampines West MRT station make these two projects a winner for those who want to stay in the east. However, forum users seem to prefer the one at Street 96 as it’s slightly closer to the MRT station. On the other hand, you’ll get to enjoy better views from the units nearer to the reservoir.
Summary
August 2021’s launch has the highest number of estates and units thus far this year, and rarer estates at Jurong East and Queenstown are now made available. However, the rest expressed disappointment at the high prices of some units despite being further from public transport, especially those at Queenstown.
Despite this, Queenstown is still expected to have the highest competition given its prime location and the small number of available units, so other estates (especially Hougang and Tampines) are a safer bet if you want to increase your chances of snagging a unit.
When getting a BTO and planning timelines (of moving in, renovation etc.), remember to consider the delay that the pandemic will most likely cause. The wait time for construction to be completed is about 3-4 years normally, so expect to wait a little longer as long as COVID-19 ensues.
If you’re new to BTO purchasing and balloting, make sure to check out our comprehensive series of guides to the process below so you’re better prepared for it!
- 2021 Ultimate BTO Guide: Part 1 – Eligibility & Location
- 2021 Ultimate BTO Guide: Part 2 – Grants & Loans
- The Ultimate List Of HDB Acronyms For Singapore Homeowners
- HDB BTO Flat Selection: 6 Things You Must Consider + Feng Shui Tips
