HDB pilots new open concept ‘white flats’ in October BTO exercise
Christine Sun, main researcher & strategist at OrangeTee Group, points out that such “white scheme” concepts that give homebuyers the possibility to customise the layout of their units were offered only in luxury special homes before.
For example, four-room apartments nowadays have three bedrooms. Young couples without children yet might not require all 3 rooms currently. A white flat allows them to dividing the space with home furniture or glass dividings. Later on, when they have kids, the spot can be repurposed, and the rooms added, adds Lim.
“Public housing flats that provide the white plan can be an original for some prospective buyers”, states Sunlight.
In spite of this, Sun forecasts that any type of potential rate variation would not be substantial as the construction of non-structural wall structures is more economical.
He points out that those who wish to renovate their brand-new flat can even see price reductions as they will not need to demolish partitions, unlike those purchasing the conventional HDB flats.
An example is Far East Company’s Inessence brand of ultra-luxury houses, such as Alba, Blvd Vue and Skyline @ Orchard Blvd in the prime districts of Orchard Road. The “white plan” strategy permitted purchasers to customise their units.
Unlike remaining condos, these “white apartments” will definitely have contiguous living and room spot without beams or dividers walls. The very first series of such white apartments are going to be offered at the Kallang-Whampoa BTO project, with 310 three- and four-room units.
“It gives the layout of the HDB flat to be personalized and re-configured as family requires alteration,” comments Eugene Lim, primary executive officer at ERA Singapore.
According to the HDB, the non-provision of inner dividers walls for such white condos will be factored into the rates. Buyers may opt right into the new arrangement when they are invited to book their flat.
HDB will pilot a new open idea design in the October Built-To-Order (BTO) event, announced Desmond Lee, Minister of National Development, at a spiel on May 27.
However, she adds that the new design might have a potential drawback when offering the unit in the future as it may attract a smaller pool of investors.
