History of Bidadari
According to the Bidadari Masterplan, many things are in store. But before we go there, it’s important to know what came before.
Bidadari is mostly known for its cemetery grounds which was the burial site for many of Singapore’s early luminaries, including philanthropist Dr Lim Boon Keng as well as unionist Ahmad Ibrahim. It originally served as the island’s main Christian cemetery from 1908 to 1972.
In the following years, the cemetery was overrun by thick vegetation, transforming it into a site with jungle landscapes that became a habitat for over 50 bird species and a destination loved by birdwatchers.
In 1996, the exhumation of the cemetery began, carrying through till 2006 in order to make room for residential redevelopment.
Many have questioned the need to erase parts of Singapore’s history for the sake of progress and some additional land space.
The name of the area was derived from Malay and Sanskrit origins meaning ‘angel’.
What’s in Bidadari
Bidadari has been receiving lots of attention since the first batch of 2,139 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats were launched in November 2015, with over 259 applicants expressing interest in both 4- and 5-room HDB flats on the first day of the sales launch that year.
The subsequent sales launch in November 2016 also attracted many potential buyers, including those who missed out on the first launch held the year before.
More recently, the area has seen some development in its transportation connectivity, with the opening up of a few roads like Bidadari Park Drive, Alkaff Crescent and Woodleigh Link in 2018.
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Bidadari in the next 10 years
With the overwhelming response seen in the last two HDB launches in Bidadari, it is highly likely that the new town will continue to attract interest among many home buyers and investors in the coming years.
One exciting new mixed-use development to look out for is Woodleigh Village. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) project will introduce new amenities to the area, including a hawker centre, childcare centre and resident’s committee centre.
It will be situated on top of the Bidadari bus interchange, which will serve residents of the development and will be the island’s first underground air-conditioned interchange once completed by end-2019.
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Overall, it’s an exciting time for Bidadari. As it is nears its completion in 2019, residents of the area can expect many new residential launches, recreational facilities and educational institutions to bring more buzz to the area.
Moreover, the town is expected to be one of the few test beds to showcase the government’s efforts in transforming HDB estates into car-lite towns, which will make it popular among active couples and young families who enjoy spending time outdoors.
Being a new town, prospective home buyers can expect property prices in the area to be cheaper compared to nearby mature estates like Potong Pasir and Serangoon. However, as the area continues to develop, there will be greater demand for homes in Bidadari and property prices will go up. This will benefit property investors looking to grow their wealth.
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