HDB pilots new open concept ‘white flats’ in October BTO exercise

Christine Sun, main researcher & strategist at OrangeTee Group, explains that such “white plan” concepts that offer property buyers the option to customise the design of their units were available only in upscale exclusive homes before.

He points out that those who wish to remodel their new level could even see cost benefits as they will not need to have to break walls, unlike those purchasing the conventional HDB apartments.

For instance, four-room flats nowadays have 3 bedrooms. Young pairs without children yet may not want all three rooms now. A white flat allows them to dividing the room with furniture or glass dividers. In the future, when they have kids, the area could be repurposed, and the bed rooms put in, adds Lim.

HDB will pilot a brand-new open approach design in the October Built-To-Order (BTO) activity, revealed Desmond Lee, Minister of Nationwide Development, at a spiel on May 27.

Regardless of this, Sun predicts that any possible rate difference would certainly not be considerable as the design of non-structural wall structures is less costly.

Nevertheless, she includes that the brand-new design may have a possible drawback when selling the unit in the future as it can interest a smaller pool of buyers.

“It allows the layout of the HDB flat to be personalized and re-configured as household wants adjustment,” remarks Eugene Lim, primary executive officer at ERA Singapore.

According to the HDB, the non-provision of inner partition walls for such white condos will definitely be factored right into the prices. Buyers might opt right into the new style when they are welcomed to book their level.

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Compared to existing condos, these “white flats” are going to have contiguous living and room area without columns or parting walls. The initial series of such white flats will be presented at the Kallang-Whampoa BTO venture, with 310 three- and four-room units.

An example is Far East Company’s Inessence label of ultra-luxury houses, such as Alba, Boulevard Vue and Skyline @ Orchard Blvd in the prime districts of Orchard Road. The “white plan” concept enabled purchasers to personalise their units.

“Public housing flats that feature the white scheme can be a novelty for some buyers”, states Sun.