New Heartland Homes Set To Come In Canberra Estate

An upcoming private residential project is set to inject about 375 new homes to the Canberra estate in Sembawang - a lively town that is expected to flourish further in the years ahead. The new project launch is within walking distance to the Canberra MRT station, which will bring all the conveniences to residents.

In the recent tender that closed on 18 June 2024, the Canberra Crescent plot garnered 2 bids, with the top bid placed by a joint venture between Peak Nature Pte Ltd (an entity of Kheng Leong Company) and Huatland Development Pte. Ltd. (an entity of Low Kheng Huat) which placed a bid of $279 million (equivalent to a land rate of about $793 psf per plot ratio). The land bid at this tender is significantly higher than the last GLS tenders in the area at Canberra Drive (Parcel A and Parcel B). In November 2019, the tender of Parcel A (The Commodore) was awarded to a land bid price of $129.2 million or $644 psf ppr. Meanwhile, Parcel B (Watergardens at Canberra) with a bigger land size was awarded for $270.2 million, translating to $650 psf ppr.

Pent up demand for housing

Given that the last project launch in the north region was The Commodore in November 2021, this project in Canberra should attract a significant number of buyers' attention. There is a host of other reasons why these they might catch buyers' fancy, a key one being its close proximity to the Canberra MRT station on the North South Line.

Connectivity and Education

The upcoming projects will be well-served by public transport. The opening of the Canberra MRT station in 2019 has shaved commuting times for residents, providing a direct connection to retail and employment centres in Orchard Road, City Hall, and Raffles Place, as well as mature towns such as Bishan and Ang Mo Kio. In addition, they also enjoy easy access to main roads, including Sembawang Road, Yishun Avenue 2, and the Seletar Expressway.

Future residents will also be able to look forward to the 21.5-km long North-South Corridor (NSC). It has been dubbed the longest Transit Priority Corridor that will transform the way people travel between the Northern Region and the City. The long corridor will integrate various travel modes such as dedicated bus lanes, cycling routes, and pedestrian paths. The expressway is expected to be completed by 2026, and should further improve connectivity in the area.

Families with school-going children or couples planning to have kids in the future will be glad to know that the development is near to many schools. Some of the nearby schools and institutions include Sembawang Primary School, Sembawang Secondary School, Wellington Primary School, Canberra Primary School, and Endeavour Primary Schools.

Suburban living made convenient

The project is conveniently accessible to a number of malls such as Canberra Plaza, Sembawang Shopping Centre, Sun Plaza, and North Point City. These malls offer a wide range of dining, shopping, entertainment and leisure options. Some of the dining choices include Astons Specialities, Burger King, A&W, Killiney Kopitiam, KFC, McDonald's, and more. There are also supermarkets Giant Hypermarket and NTUC Fairprice for residents' daily necessities.

For a better variety of retail options, residents can head to a number of commercial nodes along the North-South line that are a short MRT train ride away - from Ang Mo Kio Hub to Junction 8 in Bishan, Square 2 and Velocity @ Novena, and the Orchard Road shopping belt. For foodies who enjoy local delicacies, they can check out the hawkers and eateries located along Canberra Link, Canberra Drive and Jalan Tampang. The upcoming project is also a stone's throw from the Chong Pang City Wet Market & Food Centre, which is home to affordable and popular stalls like Wan Xing Nasi Lemak, Chuan Kee Boneless Braised Duck, and many more hawkers.

Recreation at your doorstep

In late 2023, Bukit Canberra, a one-stop destination for sporting, wellness, and lifestyle needs, was unveiled. The newly completed sports and community hub was developed to meet the evolving demands of residents in the area and provide easier access to recreational amenities and facilities. Some of the features include a polyclinic, senior care centre, hawker centre, swimming pools, and an indoor sports hall.

The new project is also a short distance from well-loved attractions in Mandai: Singapore Zoo; River Safari; Night Safari. and the newly opened Bird Paradise, which was relocated to Mandai from Jurong as part of the new eco-tourism hub in the north of Singapore.

Cycling enthusiasts can also ride along the Canberra Sembawang Park Connector. The 1.6-kilometre route starts from Canberra Link and joins Sembawang Park, where cyclists can take a break and enjoy the view of the Johor Straits. Alternatively, residents can head to Sembawang Hot Spring Park to enjoy a relaxing foot soak in the foot baths.

Leveraging on Woodlands and Yishun

Canberra estate - located between Yishun and Woodlands - can potentially benefit from the ongoing transformation in the two towns. For instance, the Northpoint City integrated development in Yishun, which is merely one stop from the Canberra MRT station offers a vibrant lifestyle, recreation and transport hub.

Woodlands, meanwhile, is envisioned as the largest economic hub in the North region - which will create new job opportunities, amenities and improved connectivity such as via transport hubs at Woodlands Central and Woodlands North Coast. In addition, the completion of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link connecting the Bukit Chagar Station in Johor Bahru with the Woodlands North Station sometime in end-2026 will enable a more seamless journey to JB.

For comprehensive and quality healthcare needs, residents can look forward to the Woodlands Health Campus, which is expected to open progressively from 2023. It will comprise various facilities including a fully integrated acute and community hospital, specialist outpatient clinics, and long-term care facilities.

About the Developer

Kheng Leong Company was incorporated in 1949 and has evolved to become an investment group with interests in property development and real estate investment. Among its residential projects are Meyer House, 15 Holland Hill, Principal Garden, 18 Nassim Hill, Nassim Park Residences, and The Minton.

Low Kheng Huat (Singapore) Limited is a distinguished real estate developer and contractor based in Singapore, with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Established in 1969, the company has built a solid track record of excellence in the construction and development sectors. Among its notable projects are Twin Regency, One-North Residences, Uptown Farrer.