A Major Vote of Confidence in Hougang Central
Hougang Central is poised for a major transformation following the close of the Government Land Sale (GLS) tender for a 99-year mixed-use site, with a $1.5 billion top bid submitted by a joint venture between UOL Group, CapitaLand Development (CLD), and CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT).
The winning land rate of $1,179 psf per plot ratio (ppr) places this site among the more competitively priced integrated developments in recent years, reflecting strong developer confidence — not just in mixed-use concepts, but specifically in Hougang’s long-term growth story.
If awarded, the development will introduce around 830 residential units atop what is expected to become Hougang’s largest mall, anchored by retail, lifestyle, F&B offerings, and a sheltered civic event space.
📊 Infographic: Why Hougang Central Stands Out
📍 True Transport Integration
- Direct link to Hougang MRT Station
- Future interchange for North-East Line & Cross Island Line by 2030
- Seamless connection to the bus interchange
🏙️ Scale & Rarity
- Approx. 835 private homes
- About 430,000 sq ft of commercial space
- First integrated transport-linked mixed-use project in Hougang
📈 Strong Developer Signal
- Top bid only 2.1% higher than second bid
- Indicates shared confidence among major developers
- Land rate higher than recent OCR mixed-use sites
🏫 Family-Friendly Catchment
- Montfort Junior School directly opposite
- Multiple primary schools within 1km
- Close to parks, sports facilities, and community amenities
Why Developers Are Willing to Bet on Hougang
Market watchers note that Hougang has seen very limited private housing supply in recent years. It has been:
- Over a decade since the last private residential GLS site in Hougang
- 11 years since the last GLS mixed-use site was released in the area
Since 2022, only two boutique condominium launches — Jansen House and Kovan Jewel — have entered the market. Larger developments such as The Florence Residences and Riverfront Residences, both redeveloped from former HUDC estates, are now fully sold.
With close to 60,000 HDB homes in Hougang and rising resale prices for newer flats, the upgrader pool remains deep and under-served — a key reason developers expect strong take-up when the project launches.
Integrated Living Gains Momentum
This isn’t the first time CapitaLand and UOL have demonstrated confidence in integrated developments. Their earlier project, ParkTown Residence in Tampines North, is already 93% sold, reinforcing demand for homes that combine convenience, connectivity, and daily amenities under one roof.
For Hougang Central, the integrated nature of the site — combined with MRT connectivity and town-centre positioning — places it in a different league from conventional standalone condos in the area.
Industry observers expect buyer interest from:
- HDB upgraders in Hougang, Sengkang, and Punggol
- Right-sizers from nearby landed estates
- Buyers prioritising convenience and long-term liveability
What This Means for Buyers
While pricing will only be confirmed closer to launch, analysts widely expect the future development to command a premium over surrounding projects, reflecting its scale, integration, and rarity.
More importantly, this project marks a structural upgrade for Hougang Central — positioning it as a true live-work-play node in the Northeast, rather than just a transport stop or neighbourhood centre.
✅ Key Takeaways (Summary Highlights)
✅ $1.5 billion top bid signals strong confidence in Hougang Central
✅ First transport-integrated mixed-use development in the town
✅ Large-scale project with private homes and Hougang’s biggest mall
✅ Long gap in private housing supply supports pent-up upgrader demand
✅ MRT interchange and amenities strengthen long-term liveability appeal
Thinking About What This Means for You?
Whether you’re an HDB upgrader, a right-sizer, or simply tracking upcoming integrated developments, Hougang Central is a project worth watching closely.
If you’d like early insights, future launch updates, or a comparison with other integrated developments across Singapore, feel free to reach out for a no-obligation chat.