What could Singapore Turf Club’s redevelopment mean for the housing market?

The 120-hectare site will be handed back to the state in 2027.

Real estate experts believe the redevelopment of the Singapore Turf Club in Kranji may bring in around 20,000 to 30,000 new homes. This is if the site has a gross plot ratio of 2.8 and if units will have an average size of 1,000 sq ft, said Ismail Gafoor, PropNex CEO.

“The actual number will certainly vary depending on the government’s plans for the area,” he added.

Huttons’ Senior Director for Research, Lee Sze Teck, underscored that the figures will only be true if the state redevelops the 120-hectare site mainly for housing.

Gafoor said the government’s move to revamp Kranji as a new town will support the ongoing development of the Woodlands Regional Centre, earmarked as the largest economic hub in Singapore’s north region.

“Having more housing and commercial developments in the future in Kranji will enlarge the population catchment, providing more workforce for businesses and industries in Woodlands, Senoko, Lim Chu Kang, and Sungei Kadut,” Gafoor said.

“As there are currently limited amenities in the Kranji area, the provision of more retail, F&B, and childcare options, for example, will be necessary to support and grow the residential population,” he added.

Lee, for his part, said Singapore Turf Club’s closure will “give planners the room to rethink how to position Woodlands.”

“The area may bank on history like the Kranji War Memorial and STC in its future development plans. There may be leisure options like a theme park or sporting facilities since Singapore Sports School is already in Woodlands,” Lee said.

“In terms of infrastructure, the area is already served by Kranji MRT station and the BKE. Some work may need to be done to shield homes from industrial land which are zoned B2. But this can be easily overcome with the placement of non-residential buildings to create the necessary buffer. It may attract people who are keen to stay near the nature reserve,” the expert added.