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

In contrast to occurring apartments, these “white condos” will have contiguous living and bedroom spot without beams or partition wall structures. The first collection of such white flats are going to be made available at the Kallang-Whampoa BTO plan, with 310 three- and four-room units.

He explains that those who want to renovate their new flat could even see price reductions as they won’t require to demolish partitions, unlike those purchasing the conventional HDB apartments.

“It lets the layout of the HDB flat to be personalized and re-configured as household may need change,” comments Eugene Lim, key executive officer at ERA Singapore.

A good example is Far East Company’s Inessence label of ultra-luxury houses, like Alba, Blvd Vue and Skyline @ Orchard Boulevard in the prime districts of Orchard Road. The “white plan” concept enabled buyers to customise their units.

“Public housing flats that come with the white scheme can be an original for some buyers”, states Sunlight.

However, she adds in that the new layout may have a potential drawback when offering the unit in the future as it may attract a smaller pool of homebuyers.

For example, four-room flats today have 3 bedrooms. Young partners without any children yet may not want all 3 rooms now. A white flat enables them to partition the room with home furniture or glass dividings. Down the road, when they have youngsters, the area could be repurposed, and the rooms created, adds Lim.

Lakegarden Residences Yuan Ching Road

HDB will pilot a new open concept design in the October Built-To-Order (BTO) exercise, reported Desmond Lee, Minister of State Development, at a keynote on May 27.

Despite this, Sun predicts that any potential cost difference would certainly not be significant as the building of non-structural walls is cheaper.

According to the HDB, the non-provision of inside dividers wall structures for such white condos will certainly be factored into the pricing. Property buyers might opt into the new arrangement when they are invited to book their level.

Christine Sun, main investigator & strategist at OrangeTee Group, points out that such “white plan” ideas that give buyers the possibility to personalize the design of their units were offered only in high-end special homes prior to.