HDB pilots new open concept ‘white flats’ in October BTO exercise
According to the HDB, the non-provision of inside dividing wall structures for such white apartments will definitely be factored right into the rates. Homebuyers may choose into the new style when they are invited to reserve their flat.
Unlike remaining condos, these “white apartments” will definitely have contiguous living and room spot without beams or partition walls. The first set of such white flats are going to be featured at the Kallang-Whampoa BTO plan, with 310 three- and four-room units.
An example is Far East Company’s Inessence brand of ultra-luxury houses, for example, Alba, Boulevard Vue and Skyline @ Orchard Boulevard in the prime districts of Orchard Roadway. The “white plan” concept permitted customers to customise their units.
Despite this, Sun forecasts that any possible price difference would certainly not be substantial as the construction of non-structural wall surfaces is cheaper.
“It gives the layout of the HDB flat to be tailor-maked and re-configured as family requires modification,” remarks Eugene Lim, primary executive officer at ERA Singapore.
Christine Sun, main analyst & strategist at OrangeTee Group, explains that such “white strategy” ideas that provide homebuyers the possibility to customise the design of their units were offered just in upscale private homes before.
For instance, four-room apartments today have 3 bed rooms. Young couples without children yet might not want all 3 bed rooms currently. A white flat allows them to partition the space with furniture pieces or glass partitions. Down the road, when they have youngsters, the space can be repurposed, and the rooms added, adds Lim.
HDB will pilot a brand-new open concept format in the October Built-To-Order (BTO) activity, declared Desmond Lee, Minister of State Development, at a speech on May 27.
Nevertheless, she includes that the brand-new design may have a possible drawback when offering the unit in the future as it can interest a smaller pool of buyers.
He mentions that those who wish to renovate their brand-new level could even see cost savings as they won’t need to have to dismantle wall surfaces, unlike those purchasing the common HDB flats.
“Public housing flats that come with the white scheme can be a novelty for some investors”, claims Sunlight.