SINGAPORE: The first Build-to-Order (BTO) project in the new Sembawang North housing estate will be launched in the July sales exercise, said the Housing and Development Board (HDB) on Sunday (Jul 6).

The Sembawang Beacon project will have 775 units on offer, with a range of flats from two-room Flexi to five-room and 3Gen, and a wait time of around three years.

These units are part of around 5,500 BTO flats that will go on sale this month, including those in Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Clementi, Tampines, Toa Payoh, and Woodlands.

HDB said the upcoming project marks the first step in its plans to "transform Sembawang North". 

Bounded by Admiralty Link, Admiralty Lane and Canberra Road, it is in the vicinity of Sembawang MRT station, Sembawang Mart and a neighbourhood park, giving residents easy access to existing amenities and public transport, it added.

Sembawang Mart comprises a supermarket, food court and retail shops, while there are also various shops and dining options nearby. 

Other amenities like a neighbourhood centre, a 1ha park with playgrounds and fitness stations, and a network of cycling paths and walkways will also be introduced in the future.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said: "HDB and NParks are working closely with partner agencies to ensure that residents can enjoy convenient access to various amenities, lush green spaces, and well-connected public transport nodes."

SEMBAWANG BEACON

In October last year, HDB announced that Sembawang North will be a 53ha site within Sembawang town, delivering about 10,000 housing units - 8,000 BTO flats and 2,000 private housing units - when fully developed.

"When fully developed, homes in Sembawang North will be well-served by a comprehensive range of amenities, green spaces, and public transport," it said on Sunday. 

According to HDB, Sembawang Beacon's design is inspired by the area's rich maritime heritage. It was once home to the British naval base in the 1920s, where black-and-white houses served as quarters for naval officers.

"The residential blocks and drop-off porches of Sembawang Beacon are designed to incorporate elements reminiscent of these colonial houses, featuring white facades outlined by bold black frames," HDB said.

"Blue accents on the block facades echo the colour of the sea, paying homage to the area’s heritage."

On the ground floor, black-and-white downhang screens will not only offer shade but mirror the drop blinds typically found in colonial corridors and verandahs. In addition, recreational spaces, including a playground featuring nautical motifs and elements such as a lighthouse play structure, will reflect the maritime theme.

Meanwhile, the project's landscaping will "bring nature closer" to residents’ doorsteps, with several green spaces such as a roof garden and an open lawn, as well as native plants "carefully selected to beautify" the environment, and attract fauna such as birds and butterflies, HDB said.

Plants such as the Sembawang tree will also be planted in the common areas to create gathering places that "capture the spirit of old Singapore", it added.

Additionally, features like rain gardens will be incorporated to cleanse rainwater from surface runoff. 

HDB said that it will continue to incorporate each town’s heritage and distinct features into the planning and design of new housing areas, so that their "unique character" and identity can be preserved for future generations of Singaporeans.

About 19,600 BTO flats will be launched in 2025, as part of the government's efforts to boost public housing supply and meet rising demand. 

"We remain committed to ensuring a strong public housing supply, with at least 50,000 new flats to be built in the next three years to meet Singaporeans’ housing needs," Mr Chee added on Sunday.