When it comes to HDB apartments, buyers have various criteria that are important to them. Mostly it is about MRT stations, shopping malls or the distance to schools.
However, a much overlooked factor is height. One of the best ways to escape the “dense” feeling of HDB projects is to have a unit on the top floor, surrounded by silence (relatively) and unobstructed views. This is how much a unit costs in some of Singapore’s tallest HDB apartments:
The following HDB developments are all 40 stories or higher. If data are “not available”, this could mean that between June 2020 – July 2021 (incomplete) there are no such apartment types or transactions of 40 or more floors.
1. The Pinnacle @ Duxton
Average prices:
| 3 rooms | 4 rooms | 5 rooms |
| Not available | Lowest: $ 1,020,000 Highest: $ 1,186,888 |
Lowest: $ 1,100,000 Highest: $ 1,258,000 |
Location: Kantonsstrasse (central area)
Completion: 2011
Notable highlights:
The Pinnacle @ Duxton is probably the most prestigious HDB development ever built. A review of HDB transaction records shows 48 transactions that exceeded $ 1 million in the past year (21 were 4-bedroom apartments, 27 were 5-bedroom apartments).
With 52 floors, Pinnacle is the tallest HDB project to date; Members of the public even pay admission to visit the Sky Gardens and enjoy the views.
Not only does Pinnacle offer one of the best unobstructed views, it’s also one of the best localized HDB developments to date. The Outram Park MRT is just 440 meters or a seven-minute walk. This gives access to three different train lines: the East-West Line, the North-East Line and the Thomson-East Coast Line.
Pinnacle is located in the CBD and is about 1.7 miles by car (about six minutes) from Raffles Place. All of this makes Pinnacle a real competitor to condominiums in the CBD region.
There is a common misconception that Pinnacle is a Design, Build, and Sell Scheme (DBSS). It’s not – Pinnacle is a unique HDB project built to commemorate the first HDB blocks that used to be in the same spot.
It’s expensive, but you get what you pay for.
2. SkyTerrace @ Dawson
Average prices:
| 3 rooms | 4 rooms | 5 rooms |
| Not available | Lowest Price: $ 826,888 Highest: $ 978,000 |
$ 1,030,000 |
Location: Dawson Road (Queenstown)
Completion: 2016 (actual year of completion was 2015, but rental starts from 2016)
Notable highlights:
Famous for its hanging creepers and terraced gardens, SkyTerrace is often mistaken for a condominium. It is widely considered to be the least HDB looking HDB project in Singapore.
This project was specially commissioned by HDB to highlight the concept of “living in the park”. This is badly needed in the mature but aging area of Queenstown which has a much dreary concrete environment. Another focus was multi-generational living, so you will find scarce 3-Gen apartments here (but remember that your family core has to involve parents in order to buy them).
Dawson Place, an HDB-style mall, is nearby, 330 yards or a seven-minute walk. This covers most of your daily shopping and groceries.
Unfortunately, MRI access isn’t as good as it is often advertised. While many entries claim SkyTerrace @ Dawson is “near” the Queenstown MRT (700 meters), the walking route takes at least 12 minutes at a brisk pace. Not all buyers will find this convenient.
This development is 290 meters from SkyVille @ Dawson (see below).
3. SkyVille @ Dawson
Average prices:
| 3 rooms | 4 rooms | 5 rooms |
| Lowest Price: $ 670,000 Highest: $ 700,000 |
Lowest Price: $ 825,000 Highest: $ 890,000 |
$ 1,138,888 |
Location: Dawson Road (Queenstown)
Completion: 2016 (actual year of completion was 2015, but rental starts from 2016)
Notable highlights:
This is only 290 meters from SkyTerrace (see above), so the location issues are similar.
SkyVille @ Dawson also looks very different from a normal HDB development; Its most prominent feature are the connecting bridges that cross between the three blocks above the ground. Because the blocks are linked in this way, you can get a 360-degree view as you move between them.
As with SkyTerrace, the emphasis is on green; although SkyVille is a bit more crowded on the lower floors. Arriving on the top floors of this 47-story complex, however, you can see a green carpet all the way up to Bukit Timah Hill.
4. Trivelis
Average prices:
| 3 rooms | 4 rooms | 5 rooms |
| $ 530,000 | Lowest Price: $ 715,000 Highest: $ 796,000 |
Not available |
Location: Clementi Avenue 4 (Clementi)
Completion: 2014
Notable highlights:
Okay, let’s talk to the elephant in this room.
Trivelis got off to a bumpy start due to negative media coverage. This was due to a nearby BTO development – Clementi Ridges – which started shortly after Trivelis. Clementi Ridges had units that were both cheaper and larger; This was because Trivelis was a DBSS project.
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DBSS projects are created by private developers and are supposed to have better processing. This also turned out to be not the case, as numerous complaints prompted the developer to offer a goodwill package. To round off the chaos, a chunk of concrete fell 40 stories on the playground in 2017.
Even so, Trivelis has some outstanding qualities. The most important of them is 470 meters from the Clementi MRT station. This is an eight minute walk and it’s protected all the way. Note that Clementi Mall, the area’s main retail hub, is also where the train station is.
Since it is Clementi, Trivelis is only a kilometer away from numerous schools. Nan Hua, Pei Tong, Clementi Primary, and Clementi Town Secondary are all within 450-550 meters (Pei Tong is the closest with a six-minute walk).
Despite the negative press, Trivelis has excellent views and is close to the center of Clementi; both factors worth considering.
5. The Summit @ Toa Payoh
Average prices:
| 3 rooms | 4 rooms | 5 rooms |
| Not available | Lowest Price: $ 839,000 Highest: $ 888,000 |
$ 1,160,000 |
Location: Lorong 1A Toa Payoh (Toa Payoh)
Completion: 2012
Notable highlights:
Another DBSS project, The Peak @ Toa Payoh, has some standout units on the top floor. Some of these units have high ceilings to create a loft apartment feel and the use of electronic key cards provides more security. Aside from improving security, the project feels more like a condo than an HDB.
However, these alone would not justify the high prices. What you mainly pay for is access to three train lines: Braddell MRT (North-South Line) is the closest station, just 490 meters or an eight-minute walk away.
Caldecott MRT Station is just 600 meters away. This is an 11-minute walk, admittedly a bit on the other side; However, Caldecott is on the Circle Line and the Thomson – East Coast Line.
The other attraction is the number of prestigious schools within a kilometer. CHIJ Primary and Secondary are both within 550 to 600 meters, while Marymount Convent is 670 meters away. It’s often advertised that the Raffles Institution is nearby – but be aware that RI is actually just above the 1-mile mark; We’re not sure if this will affect your chances of registering.
6. Cityscape @ Boon Keng
Average prices:
| 3 rooms | 4 rooms | 5 rooms |
| Not available | $ 880,000 | Not available |
Location: Boon Keng Road (Kallang / Whampoa)
Completion: 2011
Notable highlights:
City View is a DBSS development and was one of the first to break the million dollar mark after the initial five-year minimum usage period (MOP). The standout feature is a view that includes the iconic Sports Hub and Marina Bay Sands (visible from most, but not all, of the top floor units).
As we saw on The Peak @ Toa Payoh, the upper floors have high ceilings; This is on the balcony and in the living room.
The location is excellent, the Boon Keng MRT is only 350 meters away (a 6 minute walk). This is on the northeast line. Alternatively, the MRT Bendemeer is only 400 m away and offers access to the Downtown Line.
The Bendemeer Shopping Mall, an HDB retail space, is practically next door at 260 meters. This includes most groceries and everyday retail. Otherwise, City Square Mall is only a six-minute drive away.
Overall, one of the currently best-located HDB projects in Kallang / Whampoa.
7. City Vue @ Henderson
Average prices:
| 3 rooms | 4 rooms | 5 rooms |
| $ 680,000 | Lowest Price: $ 910,000 Highest: $ 1,000,000 |
Not available |
Location: Henderson Road (Bukit Merah)
Completion: 2018
Notable highlights:
This is one of the more interesting HDB projects as it has a heavy focus on recreating the feel of the former Redhill Close. City Vue was one of the replacement options for Redhill residents evicted through a Selective En-bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS).
This culminates in some interesting options, such as: B. Skyparks that are deliberately designed to mimic HDB common areas normally on the ground (imagine void decks or HDB park benches, but from the 27th floor).
This is the opposite direction most DBSS projects have gone; most of them want to differentiate themselves from HDB apartments by looking like condominiums. Still, it’s unique and works well.
We know that Sentosa is visible from some units on the top floors.
In terms of location, City Vue has access to the North South Line via the Redhill MRT (half a mile or 10 minute walk). The Tiong Bahru Plaza is a little closer at 750 meters; This has a large retail center close by. Incidentally, IKEA Alexandra is a five-minute drive from this project.
Other high-story HDB developments to consider:
| Project | Lowest 4-room price | Highest 4-room price | 5 room price |
| 152 Lor 2 Toa Payoh | $ 840,000 | $ 840,000 | – |
| Central horizon | $ 730,000 | $ 838,000 | – |
| Commonwealth view | $ 810,000 | $ 810,000 | $ 985,000 |
| Pin Moh Valley | $ 855,000 | $ 855,000 | $ 1,050,000 |
ALSO READ: Inheriting an HDB or Condo? Here are 5 simple guidelines to help you decide whether to sell or keep
This article was first published in Stackedhomes.
