The upcoming Mount Pleasant housing estate on the Old Police Academy site along Thomson Road will provide 6,000 new homes, 20 per cent more than the 5,000 units originally planned. Spread across four Build-To-Order (BTO) projects, the first development—yielding about 1,350 two- to four-room flats and 270 public rental units—will be launched in October’s sales exercise, according to the Housing & Development Board (HDB).

HDB said the larger supply is aimed at meeting strong housing demand while widening choices for Singaporeans. “(It is also) part of a broader strategy to enhance the geographical distribution of public housing and cater to the evolving aspirations and diverse needs of Singaporeans,” the board noted.

Prime Location, Strong Demand Expected

The 33-hectare Mount Pleasant site, about a third the size of Bidadari, is located in the Core Central Region. It is surrounded by private condominiums and landed homes in Thomson and Whitley, with established HDB estates in Toa Payoh and Balestier nearby. Residents will also enjoy proximity to MacRitchie Reservoir and Mount Pleasant MRT station, which will open in tandem with the new flats.

Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat highlighted that the projects will support young families hoping to live closer to their parents for mutual care and support. Property observers expect the flats to fall under the Plus or Prime categories, given their central location and accessibility. This would mean a longer 10-year minimum occupation period, alongside stricter rules on resale and rental.

Prices are projected to start from about S$450,000 and could rise to S$700,000 for top-floor units with city views. By comparison, resale HDB flats in Toa Payoh have seen median prices climb sharply, with newer four-room flats transacting between S$988,000 and S$1.1 million. Toa Payoh also leads in million-dollar HDB resale deals, recording 210 such transactions so far this year.

In the private property market, Trellis Towers, a resale condominium in Toa Payoh, 3 bedrooms unit of 1162 square feet at was sold for S$2,202 psf or S$2.56 million.

Flexible “White Flats” and Lower Prices

Mount Pleasant will also be the second estate to introduce “white flats”—units built without internal partitions or beams, allowing homeowners to create open-concept layouts. Similar to Crawford Heights in Kallang, launched last year, around 40 per cent of buyers there opted for the flexible design. White flats will be slightly cheaper, by about S$6,000 for three-room and S$8,600 for four-room units.

Heritage and Sustainability

Given the Old Police Academy’s historical significance as Singapore’s first training ground for officers, HDB commissioned a detailed heritage study. Six buildings will be conserved, including four blocks that will be repurposed for uses such as a neighbourhood police station and heritage gallery. The senior police officers’ mess room will also be retained, while another block will be integrated into future development.

Part of the academy grounds will be preserved as a public space for community use. An environmental impact assessment was also undertaken to safeguard the area’s ecological value.

In line with Singapore’s push for sustainable living, Mount Pleasant will be a car-lite estate, featuring dedicated bus lanes, wider footpaths, and cycling paths for better connectivity.

BTO Flats Outlook

With its central location, heritage features, and emphasis on sustainable urban living, Mount Pleasant is poised to become one of Singapore’s most sought-after housing estates. Analysts expect robust demand when the first flats are launched in October, particularly from young families and upgraders seeking affordable homes in the city’s heart.