We might not have flying cars just yet, but the tech sector has come far in the past decades. From IT to manufacturing, innovative industries are not only shaping hiring trends, but also where people choose to live. And if there is one place where you can see this transformation, it is one-north.

Originally, it was announced in 1998 that the government planned on building a science hub in the Buona Vista area. Two years later, JTC Corporation was appointed as the lead agency for the development. From then on, one-north continued to mature as a district, supporting three promising industries: Biomedical science (BMS), IT and Communication (Infocomm Technology or ICT), and Media, thus becoming Singapore's very own Silicon Valley.

But as technology grows rapidly, reshaping industries at unprecedented speed, where is one-north heading next? And what does that mean for the people who work, live and invest around it?

The one-north site covers an area of roughly 182 hectares and is a 10-minute drive away from the downtown CBD. Being close to research and tertiary institutions such as the National University of Singapore, National University Hospital, the Singapore Science Parks, and Singapore Polytechnic was ideal as it promotes the collaboration between industry and research. Not to mention the district also enjoys strong connectivity via major roads and MRT lines. Plus, it's supported by established residential catchment in the surrounding private and public housing estates.

Eventually, the development is divided into precincts serving different purposes. Today, there are eight of those precincts.

Source: JTC

One-north isn't staying still. Under the URA Draft Master Plan 2025, new developments will be built in the greater one-north area to make it a better place to live, work, learn and play. Multiple new neighbourhoods are earmarked for future public and private residential developments, particularly around Dover-Medway and the Mediapolis precinct. These new homes are being thoughtfully integrated with transport options, green spaces and community amenities so that people can stay close to where they work and study, rather than face long commutes from afar.

Source: URA

The Draft Master Plan also envisions enhanced connectivity around transport nodes such as Kent Ridge, including studies to link the Jurong Region Line with the Circle Line. All these will help people move within the district and to neighbouring job nodes, making walking, cycling and public transport more seamless.

Many people have also been wanting more places to connect and linger in the area, not just to commute through. In response to that public feedback, URA is planning to add a mix of recreational and community spaces like parks and lifestyle nodes that strengthen social vibrancy.

But beyond URA's plans for the future, there's something else that could boost interest for tech spaces like one-north, and that is none other than Artificial Intelligence (AI).

That's right, the government is pushing for AI to be adopted in Singapore. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong even considered it a "decisive factor for success" as it plays a critical role in staying competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.

So to drive this agenda, the government announced plans for a larger AI park in the district, building on earlier pilot initiatives such as Lorong AI. The new facility, to be developed by JTC, is intended to bring together start-ups, researchers and established companies in a shared environment where ideas can move more quickly from experimentation to commercial use.

This stronger AI focus is expected to drive sustained demand for high-specification business park space, particularly in established innovation clusters like one-north and nearby Singapore Science Park. In practical terms, that means actual office take-up, hiring, and long-term occupation, not just headlines about funding.

Historically, sustained job growth around decentralised employment hubs has supported surrounding housing demand, especially those that have better connectivity since many expats and other professionals prioritise shorter commutes. So if one-north continues to attract tech firms, AI start-ups, and research institutions, it could increase purchasing power. Over time, this may place gradual upward pressure on resale prices, and based on transaction data, that trend has already begun.

The average price of resale condos located within 1 km of selected MRT stations in the greater one-north area (Holland Village, one-north, Kent Ridge, Haw Par Villa, Queenstown, Commonwealth, Buona Vaista) has been steadily climbing in the past five years. In fact, from 1Q2020 to 4Q2025 prices went up by 39%.

Source: PropNex Investment Suite

On top of that, more workers in the district could translate into stronger leasing demand in nearby residential enclaves. Rental demand in well-connected developments within walking or cycling distance may benefit first. And although this doesn't guarantee rental spikes, it could still strengthen the tenant base in general.

Furthermore, with URA's plans for Greater one-north to introduce more recreational developments, the district could evolve from primarily an employment hub into a fuller live-work neighbourhood.

However, there is also a balancing factor. Increased housing supply could moderate price acceleration even as demand grows. So perhaps the more realistic implication is stability rather than sharp appreciation.

If you're a buyer or investor

If you're looking at purchasing in the greater one-north area, you're essentially buying into an employment hub. In general, employment nodes tend to support surrounding housing demand through sustained workforce inflows. When supported by infrastructure, transport connectivity and amenity expansion, this demand can translate into greater price resilience. And the fact that the government is pushing an AI agenda may suggest further growth in the district.

But whether or not one-north sees long-term resilience will depend on employment density over the next 10 to 15 years. If the job market is healthy, then surrounding residential property could benefit from sustained demand rather than speculative spikes.

If you're a landlord

For landlords, proximity to employment nodes is a great plus point. Tenants working long hours in tech, research or healthcare sectors often prioritise shorter commutes. If one-north continues expanding, especially with new AI facilities, the tenant pool may broaden, especially from expats.

That said, future supply under URA's Greater one-north plans means competition may also increase. Landlords will need to differentiate (through layout, furnishing quality, or pricing discipline), and not rely solely on location. The opportunity is definitely there, but so is the competition.

If you're a prospective tenant

If you're planning to work in the district, living nearby can mean shorter commute times, greater flexibility for hybrid work, and better work-life balance

With new residential precincts already planned, your options may expand over time. Early movers could secure homes before additional demand materialises. But it's also worth weighing rental trends and upcoming supply to avoid overpaying during peak leasing cycles.

The tech ecosystem is rapidly progressing and one-north is a testament to that. What was once a bold idea in 1998, now stands as a very real and growing district. URA's plans to expand the district and the continued push into AI and research-intensive industries all point to one direction: one-north is evolving.

But ultimately, successful property ownership in such districts requires a structured approach. Whether you're buying your first home, managing rental assets, or building a diversified property portfolio, it's important to understand what drives demand (jobs, connectivity, amenities) and evaluate long-term positioning.

That's exactly the kind of mindset we encourage with the Property Wealth System (PWS) framework. For readers who wish to deepen their understanding of strategic property planning, our upcoming masterclass explores these frameworks in greater detail.