HDB pilots new open concept ‘white flats’ in October BTO exercise
HDB is going to pilot a new open concept format in the October Built-To-Order (BTO) event, revealed Desmond Lee, Minister of Nationwide Development, at a keynote on May 27.
Christine Sun, primary analyst & strategist at OrangeTee Group, points out that such “white scheme” approaches that provide homebuyers the possibility to customise the layout of their units were available only in upscale special homes prior to.
“It allows the design of the HDB flat to be personalized and re-configured as family needs change,” remarks Eugene Lim, primary executive officer at ERA Singapore.
However, she adds in that the new format might have a possible drawback when marketing the unit in the future as it can interest a smaller pool of buyers.
Grand Dunman SingHaiyi Group Ltd
An example is Far East Company’s Inessence label of ultra-luxury residences, for example, Alba, Boulevard Vue and Skyline @ Orchard Boulevard in the prime districts of Orchard Roadway. The “white plan” strategy permitted customers to customise their units.
According to the HDB, the non-provision of internal dividers wall structures for such white flats will definitely be factored right into the pricing. Homebuyers may decide into the brand-new style when they are invited to book their level.
“Public housing apartments that come with the white scheme can be a surprise for some investors”, says Sunlight.
Unlike occurring apartments, these “white apartments” will definitely have contiguous living and bedroom area without beams or dividers wall surfaces. The very first set of such white apartments are going to be made available at the Kallang-Whampoa BTO plan, with 310 three- and four-room units.
He mentions that those who want to renovate their brand-new level can also see price reductions as they won’t require to demolish wall surfaces, unlike those purchasing the typical HDB flats.
In spite of this, Sun anticipates that any type of possible rate contrast would not be considerable as the building of non-structural wall surfaces is more economical.
As an example, four-room flats today have three bed rooms. Young couples without any young children yet might not require all three rooms currently. A white flat lets them to partition the room with home furniture or glass partitions. Down the road, when they have children, the space can be repurposed, and the bedrooms put in, adds Lim.
