If you always thought that HDB builds only flats, you will be surprised. HDB used to build landed properties too, shortly after Singapore’s independence. Also referred to as HDB terraces, these terrace houses were built by HDB’s predecessor, the Singapore Improvement Trust, in the 1960s and 1970s. In case you have never heard of the Singapore Improvement Trust, they were set up in 1927 by the British colonial government to address Singapore’s early housing needs. Today, these highly sought after landed HDBs they built can be found in Whampoa and Queenstown.
The appeal of these terrace houses lie in their short supply, and their significantly lower prices compared to landed properties of a similar size. Boasting two storeys, a front porch, and a sloped roof, there are only 285 of these terraces in Singapore. Given Singapore’s land constraints, it is not surprising that HDB has not been building any more of these properties.
So how are these landed HDBs different from their landed property counterparts? HDB terraces are not freehold. This means that homeowners do not own the deed. The government is therefore entitled to take back the land on which these terraces are built after the 99-year land lease is up.
Where you can find a HDB Terrace?
These landed HDBs can be found in Whampoa and Queenstown, complete with the HDB block numbers on them.
So where exactly are these rare properties located in Queenstown and Whampoa? In Queenstown, they are located at Stirling Road. These were built in the 1960s. In Whampoa, the landed HDBs can be found at Jalan Bahagia and Jalan Ma’mor. These are slightly newer, having been built in the early 1970s.
The HDB terraces in Queenstown are a mix of 3 and 4-room units. Those at Whampoa and Ma’mor are all 3-room units.
How much do these HDB Terraces cost?
These landed HDBs cost anywhere from $600,000, to just over $1,000,000. This can be considered a steal compared to the price of terrace houses of an equivalent size.
In 2016, a 4-room unit at Queenstown built in 1968 sold for $980,000. At 1,163 square feet, this works out to about $843 psf. The unit has since been the most expensive HDB terrace and 4-room flat sold in Queenstown. In 2015, a 3,014 square feet terrace house in Whampoa sold for $1.06 million, or $350 psf.
Between a HDB terrace or a normal landed property, a HDB terrace may be a more viable option if you have a limited budget. You can get to enjoy the luxuries that come with a terrace house, such as your own garden, at a more economical price.
Curious about what HDB terraces are currently available on the market? You can take a look at this cosy and impressively furnished HDB terrace up for sale in Jalan Ma’mor. Jalan Ma’mor also has a unit with a modern-looking interior with designer furnishings.
Aside from this article, you may also want to browse our resale HDB flats or private condos for sale or rent. If you want to know about future property hotspots in Singapore that will benefit from ambitious government plans, check our AreaInsider.
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