Commentary on HDB’s Announcement on Mount Pleasant

SINGAPORE, 3 September 2025 – Amid Singapore’s push for sustainability and heritage conservation, preserving and adapting older structures is both practical and purposeful.

Although there are no conclusive studies proving whether heritage preservation directly drives demand, heritage preservation can help reinforce the identity of a location and help weave a compelling place-making narrative. It may be practical to redesign Block 13 for retail and commercial uses, encouraging more footfall and vibrancy while fostering a stronger sense of community among the residents.

The “white flats” may appeal to younger Singaporeans, allowing the layout of the HDB flat to be customised and re-configured as household needs change.

Having flexible spaces is not a new trend, with homeowners spending money on designing custom layouts. Those who intend to do extensive renovation works for their home stand to benefit greatest from the option for a ‘white flat’.

According to HDB, the prices for the White flats will be lower by $6,000 and $8,600 for 3-room and 4-room flats, respectively, taking into account the non-provision of internal partition walls and some electrical points. While the savings are relatively insignificant, white flats offer convenience for homeowners planning extensive hacking and reconfiguration of space.

Homeowners looking to stay in the long term would want the flexibility for current and future spatial needs. A “white flat” typology will give them the option to customise their layout to cater to their housing needs, allowing for flexibility over the longer term. Moreover, it is much easier to lay out the space as rooms are not dictated by the location of the beams.

Homeowners who plan on designing custom layouts and extensive renovation works for their home stand to benefit greatest from the option of a ‘white flat’. Instead of spending money hacking and demolishing the walls that come with a standard unit configuration, they can instead (re)invest these cost savings into the actual renovation of their house.

As this is offered on an opt-in basis, there is currently no data on its demand. However, the omission of standard walls may present challenges for homeowners when they decide to sell.

Such homes are likely to be highly customised to suit the day-to-day living preferences of the individual, which may not appeal to all future buyers. In the future, they could be harder to sell unless a like-minded buyer is found.

The Mount Pleasant HDB estate is set to see strong demand given its city-fringe location and MRT connectivity. Positioned as an extension of Toa Payoh, it will benefit from nearby amenities in Toa Payoh, Balestier, and Thomson, even if the immediate estate is currently underserved.

Its central location and direct MRT access suggest it will likely be launched as a Plus or Prime project, with tighter rules such as a 10-year MOP and subsidy clawback. Demand will be further supported by Toa Payoh’s strong resale track record – consistently among the top towns for million-dollar HDBs. With this, Mount Pleasant is expected to mirror Toa Payoh’s appeal, drawing buyers who value convenience, connectivity, and long-term capital appreciation.

 

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