The very first round of BTO launches in 2021 will be held in February. The February 2021 BTO sales launch will feature an estimated number of 3,700 new flats across 4 estates – Bukit Batok, Tengah, Kallang/Whampoa, and Toa Payoh (Bidadari).
In this in-depth guide, we’ll be analysing the pros and cons of each estate based on the Launch Price, Location & Amenities and Past Subscription Rates to help you come to a verdict!
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General Outlook
Do take note that there will be some changes for this round of BTO sales exercise – from 2021 onwards, application for BTOs, Sales-of-Balance (SBF) flats and open booking of flats will be on the new HDB Flat Portal.
There will be a total of 2 non-mature estates and 2 mature estates in the February 2021 BTO Launch.
Click on the links below to jump to the estate that you’re interested in:
Non-mature estates for the February 2021 BTO Launch:
Mature estates for the February 2021 BTO Launch:
1. Bukit Batok (Non-mature estate)
Launch Prices
For the February 2021 BTO launch, there will be approximately 1,131 new flats that are up for grabs – Community Care Apartments, 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room and 5-room flats.
What are Community Care Apartments?
Image source: HDB
The February 2021 BTO sales exercise will feature the pilot launch of Community Care Apartments, known as Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok, with 169 units up for grabs. These apartments are meant for seniors aged 65 and above. This senior-friendly housing offers care services and social activities to support these independent seniors.
Launch Price For Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok
Image source: HDB
The price of these apartments starts from $52,000 and are sold on leases between 15 to 35 years. For more information on the prices of community care apartments, you can click here.
Launch Price For West Hill @ Bukit Batok
Image source: HDB
There will be 962 units available for West Hill @ Bukit Batok – 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room and 5-room flats. Due to the lack of amenities, this plot of BTO is one of the more affordable ones with the selling price starting from $260,000 for a 4-room flat without grants.
This is a significantly lower price as compared to the August 2017 launch of West Scape @ Bukit Batok.
Also check out on StyleMag: The Ultimate List of HDB Acronyms For Singapore Homeowners
Location & Amenities
Image source: HDB
Located at the intersection of Bukit Batok West Avenue 5 and Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, these new BTO flats are a 15-minute walk away from Bukit Gombak MRT Station.
It’s only 2 stops away from Jurong East MRT station, where you can find plenty of retail and entertainment options. Choa Chu Kang MRT station is only 1 stop away and it’ll be part of the upcoming Jurong Regional Line (JRL).
You can also hop on a 12-minute bus ride to Bukit Batok Central where you’ll find various amenities such as Bukit Batok MRT, West Mall and plenty of supermarkets.
If you have children at home, there are multiple schools for you to choose from – Lianhua Primary School, Dunearn Secondary School, Bukit Batok Secondary School, Millennia Institute and MOE Kindergarten (MK) @ Dazhong.
Image source: Ili Nadhirah Mansor
For nature lovers, you’d be glad to know that the BTO is located right beside Bukit Batok Hillside Park – surround yourself in lush greenery and freshwater streams. The Ministry of National Development announced that the park will reopen in 2024 as a new nature park.
In addition to that, you can also cycle to Bukit Batok Town Park, also known as Little Guilin via the Bukit Batok Park Connector. This place is popular among photographers due to its picturesque landscape.
Other amenities in the area include HomeTeamNS Adventure Centre @ Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak Sports Hall and Bukit Batok Polyclinic.
Past Subscription Rate
As the current plot of BTO is situated closely to Bukit Batok @ West Vista, which was launched in August 2017, we will reference the past subscription rate from there to get a sense of what the competition will be like for this estate.
Image source: HDB
Based on the August 2017 West Scape @ Bukit Batok launch, the subscription rate for these flats aren’t too high. This could be due to the location of these plots being far away from amenities. As the new BTO is located close to the West Scape @ Bukit Batok, the subscription rate for the upcoming BTO will most likely be similar.
2. Tengah (Non-mature estate)
Park Woods @ Tengah Launch Price
Image source: HDB
A total of 767 units of 2-room Flexi, 3-room and 4-room flats will be available in Tengah for the February 2021 BTO launch. As compared to Plantation Village which was launched in November 2019, the plot for February’s launch is located further away from MRT stations. Thus, the price for a 4-room flat without grants starts from $298,000.
Location & Amenities
Image source: HDB
This round of BTO flats is located at the intersection of Tengah Drive and Tengah Boulevard. These new flats are rather close to 3 MRT stations – Tengah MRT Station, Tengah Plantation MRT Station and Hong Kah MRT Station. You can look forward to a convenient travelling experience once the Jurong Regional Line (JRL) is fully completed in 2028.
These flats are also situated close to the upcoming Jurong Innovation District (JID) and Jurong Lake District (JLD), also known as the second Central Business District (CBD).
Dubbed as a “forest town”, Tengah is perfect for those of you who love basking in nature. This car-free estate is surrounded by greenery, with its large central park, community farmways and family-friendly amenities.
As mentioned in our November 2020 BTO Analysis, Tengah is a developing town so there aren’t many amenities and facilities for you to enjoy at the moment. However, you can expect these flats to be near at least 1 neighbourhood centre and 2 health and medical care facilities.
For retail and entertainment options, you’d have to travel out of the estate to Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang or Jurong East. Shopping malls such as West Mall, Lot One and JEM are available in those areas.
There’s also Bukit Batok Swimming Complex and Civil Service Centre @ Bukit Batok for the fitness junkies out there.
In terms of education, there are plenty of schools for you to choose from – Dazhong Primary School, Jurong Primary School, Dunearn Secondary School and Millennia Institute.
Past Subscription Rate
With multiple recent launches in Tengah, we will be referring to the August 2020 and November 2020 launch to gauge people’s interest in this estate.
Image source: HDB
Image source: HDB
Tengah has been gaining popularity since the Jurong Regional Line (JRL) was announced. Based on the tables above, the demand for 5-room flats in Tengah among second-timers is relatively high. If you’re looking to ballot for a 5-room flat, you can expect stiff competition.
Food For Thought
Disclaimer: This section only represents the thoughts and opinions of forum and discussion group members, and does not represent our views.
The flats in Tengah are located close to the Tengah air base, which will eventually expand to accommodate the current Paya Lebar air base. Potential homeowners might want to take the noise levels into consideration before purchasing these flats.
3. Kallang/Whampoa (Mature estate)
McNair Heights Launch Price
Image source: HDB
In this round of BTO sales launch, Kallang will offer an estimate of 626 units – including 2-room Flexi, 3-room and 4-room flats. The price for McNair Heights is about $28,000 to $30,000 lower as compared to the May 2019 BTO Sales Launch of Kempas Residence as it’s located further away from Boon Keng MRT Station.
Location & Amenities
Image source: HDB
The main highlight for the Kallang BTO launch would be the proximity to Boon Keng MRT Station, which is only a 3 to 5-minute walk away. You can easily access Downtown Line (DTL), North-South Line (NSL) and Circle Line (CCL) as they’re only a few stops away.
Farrer Park MRT station is also a walking distance away and there are buses available in the vicinity to bring you straight to the Central Business District (CBD) area. These factors make this BTO plot an ideal location for those who don’t drive.
For those of you who drive, you’d be glad to know that this development is located near Central Expressway (CTE) and Pan Island Expressway (PIE) which allows you to access different parts of Singapore easily. However, do take note that Balestier Road is a busy road, so you can expect some heavy traffic.
Image source: City Square Mall
There’s no lack of retail and entertainment options in this mature estate. Just a 10 to 15-minute walk away, you can find City Square Mall and Mustafa Centre. There’s also Jalan Besar Plaza, Bendemeer Shopping Centre and Kitchener Complex for you to choose from.
If you have children at home, you’d be pleased to know that there are many schools around the area such as Bendemeer Primary School, St. Andrew’s Junior School, Hong Wen School and Bendemeer Secondary School.
Past Subscription Rate
The upcoming BTO plot is just a stone’s throw away from Kempas Residences, which was launched during the May 2019 BTO sales exercise. We’ll refer to that subscription rate to get an idea of what the competition like for these flats.
Image source: HDB
Kempas Residences was a popular choice among home buyers, with their 4-room flats having a subscription rate of 15.6 applicants vying for 1 unit. With only 620 units available, you can expect stiff competition for a unit in this round of BTO launch exercise.
Food For Thought
Disclaimer: This section only represents the thoughts and opinions of forum and discussion group members, and does not represent our views.
Singaporeans online shared the same sentiments – they believe that the Kallang plot will be the most popular for the February 2021 BTO exercise due to the central location and proximity to MRT stations.
4. Toa Payoh: Bidadari (Mature estate)
Alkaff Breeze, Bartley GreenRise & ParkEdge @ Bidadari Launch Price
Image source: HDB
For the February 2021 BTO sales launch, Toa Payoh (Bidadari) will offer a total of 1,216 new flats at 3 sites.
The first site is situated along Bartley Walk and it’s split into 2 developments. The first development is Bartley GreenRise with 387 units of 3-room and 4-room flats – it’s bounded by Bartley Walk, Bidadari Park Drive and Bartley Road.
The second site is ParkEdge @ Bidadari with 476 units of 4-room and 5-room flats – it’s bounded by Bartley Walk, Mount Vernon Road and Sang Nila Utama Road.
The third site is Alkaff Breeze – it’s located along Upper Aljunied Road with 353 units of 4-room and 5-room flats.
The launch prices for these new flats are similar to the November 2020 launch, with the price of a 4-room flat without grants starting from $464,000.
Location & Amenities
Image source: HDB
Site 1 & 2: Bartley GreenRise and ParkEdge @ Bidadari
Located only a 5 to 10-minute walk away from Bartley MRT station (CCL), which gives you direct access to areas such as Marina Bay and Botanic Gardens. You’re also able to change to the other 4 MRT lines – North-South Line, Downtown Line, East-West Line and North-East line – in just a few stops.
Image source: LTA
The nearest shopping mall is NEX, the biggest shopping mall in the North-East. There are plenty of retail and dining options and it’s only 1 stop away from Bartley MRT station.
Site 3: Alkaff Breeze
Woodleigh MRT station is a 10 to 15-minute walk away from the new flats at Upper Aljunied Road. The station sits along the North-East line and you can reach Dhoby Ghaut in 5 stops for more shopping and dining options!
Artist’s impression of The Woodleigh Mall, Image source: The Woodleigh Residences
If you opt for this plot, the nearest shopping mall would be The Woodleigh Mall which is a 10-minute walk away. Slated to be completed by 2022, this mall is a mix of residential and commercial development which will include an integrated community club, Woodleigh MRT station and Singapore’s first underground bus interchange.
Artist’s Impression of Bidadari Park, Image source: HDB
All the flats in this launch are adjacent to Bidadari Park, which will be completed in 2022. This 20-metre wide greenway features Alkaff Lake and plenty of commercial and communal facilities. You can look forward to the 700-m Heritage Walk showcasing Bidadari’s history and contributions from prominent people.
Some of the schools that are available in the vicinity are Cedar Primary School, Bartley Secondary School, Cedar Girls’ Secondary School and Maris Stella High School (Primary/Secondary).
Past Subscription Rate
For the flats along Bartley Road, we’ll be referencing the subscription rate of Woodleigh Hillside which was launched in the May 2017 BTO exercise.
Image source: HDB
As for the flats located along Upper Aljunied Road, we’ll look at the subscription rate of Parkview @ Bidadari that was launched in the November 2020 BTO exercise.
Image source: HDB
Due to its central location and proximity to MRT stations, the demand for these houses is relatively high. So if you’re looking to apply for a house in Toa Payoh (Bidadari), you can expect some stiff competition.
Food For Thought
Disclaimer: This section only represents the thoughts and opinions of forum and discussion group members, and does not represent our views.
Chatter online shows that some Singaporeans believe that the houses in Toa Payoh (Bidadari), especially the plot offering 470 units will be less popular as it’s built directly above a former columbarium.
They found that the plot next to Maris Stella High School is the only one worth applying for this round of Toa Payoh (Bidadari) BTO launch.
Summary
The February 2021 BTO sales launch provides a good mix of options across mature and non-mature estates. There are different options for different families – for example, if you have a bigger family, you might want to opt for Bukit Batok or Toa Payoh (Bidadari) as they offer 5-room flats. Tengah might be an ideal location for you if you prefer living amidst greenery. If you depend on public transport for travelling, Kallang/Whampoa is the perfect option for you.
This article will be updated as more information about the February 2021 BTO launch comes in. In the meantime, check out our Ultimate BTO Guide where we’ll guide you through the process of purchasing a new BTO!
HDB’s New Flat Portal
Image source: HDB
You can also check out HDB’s new Flat Portal – it’s an integrated platform that streamlines the process of buying and purchasing new flats. It features a customised calculator to calculate your financial needs as well as flat listings for current and upcoming BTO launches.
