Special Feature: Jurong Lake District GLS Site

The Jurong Lake District has officially kick-started its transformation as the second largest business district in Singapore, with the tender closing of one of the largest Government Land Sale (GLS) sites. This 6.5-hectare white site comprising of three plots, situated at the heart of Jurong East, will be developed by a master developer who will oversee the planning of the area. The mega development holds the potential to accommodate around 1,700 residential units, 146,000 square meters of office space, and 73,000 square meters of gross floor area for complementary uses. According to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), this proposed integrated development is slated for progressive completion over the next 10 to 15 years. The initial phase mandates the master developer to construct a minimum of 70,000 square meters of office space and 600 private residential units (approximately 51,000 square meters residential GFA).

In a tender which closed on 26 March 2024, the Jurong Lake District plot garnered 2 bids, submitted by a five-party consortium comprising of CapitaLand Development, City Developments Limited (CDL), Frasers Property, Mitsubishi Estate and Mitsui Fudosan. This would mark the second master sale site to undergo phased development, the first being a 3.55-hectare site within the Marina Bay Financial Centre, which was sold in 2005.

With the recent sales launch of J’den, a 99-year leasehold condominium situated on the former J’cube site, it witnessed robust sales, with 88 percent of its 268 residential units being sold on the launch day. The robust response was driven by the perceived potential of the Jurong Lake District amongst buyers who have confidence in the anticipated benefits of future developments in the area.

Largest Business District outside City Centre

The Jurong Lake District (JLD) white site is strategically positioned in close proximity to over 3,000 multinational companies concentrated in the International Business Park, Jurong and Tuas Industrial Estates, and Tuas Port. Enterprises within JLD have the advantage of leveraging the talent pool drawn from nearby tertiary institutions and research hubs, including Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, One-North, and the Science Parks.

By 2028, the upcoming Jurong Region Line station and the Jurong East Integrated Transport Hub will be complete. The integrated hub will feature more residential housing, offices, community spaces, and retail amenities. This expansion of the commercial hub will gradually and seamlessly extend southwards into a 120-hectare precinct through elevated pedestrian linkages and streets adorned with lush greenery. With enhanced zoning flexibility, the expanded JLD also provides companies a test-bed to try out novel concepts, which will further integrate living, working, and recreation into a green and car-lite environment.

With a resident population exceeding a million in the West region, businesses in JLD can readily tap on a substantial workforce and consumer base from the neighbouring towns of Clementi, Bukit Batok, Jurong East, Jurong West, and Tengah. In its full development trajectory spanning over 20 to 30 years, JLD is poised to generate 100,000 new job opportunities and establish 20,000 new residences.

A Community To Live, Work and Play

The Jurong Lake District will offer residents proximity to the revamped Jurong Lake gardens which is set to encompass over 100 hectares of parks and green spaces. At the core of the gardens is the sprawling 70-hectare Jurong lake which features 17 kilometres of vibrant waterfront. Over 40 percent of the JLD will be designated for park use, green spaces, and water features, creating a harmonious blend of natural elements. A central green spine will also seamlessly connect each development to the periphery of Jurong Lake, integrating parks and forests to provide a cooling effect for urban spaces. Residents can also enjoy explore birdwatching and nature walks amidst the expansive grasslands and revitalized wetlands at Jurong Lake Gardens.

There will also be other attractions complementing the array of recreational and water activities available around Jurong Lake District. Between 2023 and 2028, the revitalized Chinese and Japanese Gardens, the New Science Centre, and other upcoming tourism projects will be gradually completed, enriching the district and providing various leisure and entertainment options for families and residents.

Future residents will be spoiled for choices, with a plethora of lifestyle and retail choices within minutes at their doorstep. Shoppers can get their retail therapy from nearby prominent shopping malls like JEM, Westgate, IMM, Jurong Point. For other daily necessities, other neighbourhood centres such as Taman Jurong Shopping Centre, and Taman Jurong Market and Food Centre, can cater to their needs.

The district is also home to several schools, appealing to families with school-going children. Notable educational institutions nearby include Lakeside Primary School, Rulang Primary School, Jurong Secondary School, River Valley High School, Fuhua Secondary School, Millennia Institute, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) , and the Canadian International School (Lakeside Campus). Furthermore, the presence of Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Jurong Community Hospital in Jurong East ensures that residents have access to comprehensive healthcare services.

Seamless Connectivity

Jurong Lake District benefits from excellent connectivity facilitated by two new train lines, the Jurong Region Line and the Cross Island Line which will be completed in the 2029 and 2030 respectively. Alongside the existing East-West Line and North-South Lines, these additional rail connections ensure that individuals can reach major business centers and educational hubs in the West and Central regions within a 30-minute commute. Upon completion in stages for the next 10-15 years, the site will also enjoy direct connectivity to four MRT lines: the North-South Line, East-West Line, Jurong Region and Cross Island Line.

The district also boasts convenience to prominent academic, research, and innovation hubs, including the Nanyang Technological University, the Jurong Innovation District, and the Punggol Digital District. Furthermore, JLD enjoys convenient access to major expressways such as the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) and Pan-Island Expressway (PIE), enhancing overall accessibility and transportation options.

Jurong Lake District is also designed to feature communities where amenities, green spaces, and public transport nodes are conveniently reachable within a 10-minute walk, cycle, or public transport journey. A thorough network of elevated, ground-level, and underground pedestrian connections will seamlessly link buildings to public transport nodes. This comprehensive system ensures smooth first and last mile connectivity, making walking not only convenient but also a pleasant and comfortable experience for commuters, regardless of the weather.

About the Developer

CapitaLand is one of Singapore’s leading public-listed property developers. CapitaLand’s portfolio focuses on real estate investment management and real estate development, and spans across more than 260 cities in over 40 countries. CapitaLand Development (CLD) is the development arm of CapitaLand Group, with a portfolio worth S$21.9 billion as at 31 March 2023.  Focusing on its core markets of Singapore, China and Vietnam, across various asset classes, including integrated developments, retail, office, residential, business parks, industrial, logistics and data centres. Some notable recent projects include Jewel Changi Airport, One Pearl Bank, CapitaSpring, Canninghill Piers.

SGX Mainboard-listed City Developments Limited is an established and reputable developer in Singapore – a trusted name behind many residential projects here, including Tembusu Grand, Piccadilly Grand, Echelon, St. Regis Residences, Gramercy Park, South Beach Residences, and Nouvel 18, among others.

Frasers Property is one of Singapore’s largest private property developer. Since its establishment in 1980 as a shopping centre property company, Frasers Property has since become a multi-national company listed on the SGX-ST, with businesses across five asset classes and a global hospitality footprint that spans over 80 cities. Some of its projects in Singapore include Sky Eden @ Bedok, Riviere, Centrepoint, Northpoint City, Waterway Point amongst others.

Mitsubishi Estate. is a leading Japanese real estate development and property management company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. With a rich history spanning over a century, Mitsubishi Estate has established itself as a key player in the global real estate industry, renowned for its innovative urban development projects, including iconic skyscrapers such as Tokyo's Marunouchi Building and the Otemachi Tower. Beyond its domestic presence, the company has expanded its reach internationally, with significant investments and developments in key cities including Singapore, Thailand, Australia.

Mitsui Fudosan is a one of Japan's leading real estate companies. Through strategic partnerships, they have invested in the development of several residential projects in Singapore. Among them, The St. Regis Singapore Hotel & Residences, The Oceanfront @ Sentosa and the Optima @ Tanah Merah, One North Eden, Forest Woods, The Brownstone EC.