Bedok, Changi, and Pasir Ris are some of the most popular (and populated) residential areas in Eastern Singapore, but only one of them – specifically, Tampines – has the unique distinction of being a United Nations World Habitat Award winner.
In 1992, the town was recognised for being “a timely lesson to a rapidly urbanising world on excellence, economy and efficiency in the provision of high-rise housing”. That’s high praise, considering that recipients of the same UN award also include renowned cities such as Perth and Brussels.
Since then, Tampines has flourished into a mature estate, though it still sees constant growth and renewal. This is best exemplified by the Government’s plans to transform Tampines North into “a holistic environment for residents to live, work, learn, and play”.
Here are all the upcoming changes in Tampines North, and also, reasons why aspiring homeowners should keep an eye on it.
Connectivity and transport options in Tampines North
As part of its transformation into a liveable New Town, Tampines North is slated to have its own namesake MRT station on the Cross-Island Line, which too is a part of a larger plan to give Singapore’s eastern corridor a facelift.
The opening of Tampines North station in 2030 will give residents (and commuters from other parts of the island) the freedom to travel between their homes and key destinations in the area. At present, these include COURTS megastore, Giant Tampines, and of course, IKEA Tampines. Swedish furniture and meatball lovers, rejoice!
Current and future Tampines residents who travel by bus will be delighted to know that a new interchange is coming to the neighbourhood as well. The wait, however, will be much shorter as Tampines North bus interchange is slated to open on 27 Nov this year.
Available buses at the interchange, such as 18 and 129, will provide both feeder and trunk services, allowing locals to travel within as well as outside of Tampines with relative ease.
For those who prefer getting around on their own pair of wheels, they can rest assured knowing that plans are in place to add more biking paths – 13km to be exact – between Tampines East and Tampines North, making it even easier to cycle from one side of town to another.
Future employment opportunities near Tampines North
Similar to future residents of Tengah, another up-and-coming new town in Singapore, those living in Tampines North will likely stand to benefit from fresh job opportunities arising from future industrial developments located within the neighborhood and in adjoining planning areas.
Some signs that point to this being the case include the launching of tenders for industrial sites in Tampines North, and more notably, the development of major employment hubs in other parts of Eastern Singapore, including Pasir Ris and Paya Lebar.
However, the biggest changes are set to take place in Changi, where a masterplan will capitalise on its strategic location near Changi Airport.
Of note are three major developments, namely Changi Aviation Park, Changi East Urban District, and Changi Business Park – all of which will come together to form an innovative economic hub where businesses can collectively flourish and prosper.
Schools within or near Tampines North
To be fully considered an all-encompassing live-work-learn-and-play town, Tampines North will require more than just transport connectivity and job opportunities. For that, and also in anticipation of future residents’ education needs, Tampines North will have not one, but two primary and secondary schools each.
But that isn’t to say there aren’t any educational institutions already located in the vicinity. To name a few, schools within a 1km radius of the residential estates at Tampines North Street 62 include Meridian Primary School, Park View Primary School, Elias Park Primary School, as well as Angsana Primary School.
In addition, Tampines is also home to numerous tertiary institutions, such as Tampines Junior College, ITE College East, Temasek Polytechnic, and finally, the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) – as well as its 150,000 sqm campus “that will serve as a testbed for sustainable and smart living ideas”.
Entertainment options in and around Tampines North
All work and no play make for a dull boy, or in this case, town. Thankfully though, Tampines has its fair share of entertainment options, both within and around the area.
The neighborhood is host to Our Tampines Hub, Singapore’s first integrated community and lifestyle building, which houses sports facilities, a regional library, a community club, and a hawker center all under one roof.
To quote Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong himself: “There is also a whole range of other services and retail outlets, so residents can just drop by Our Tampines Hub on their way home from work and get all you need here.”
Located further away, but still within reasonable traveling distance, are entertainment options like Timbre+ Eastside at Expo Drive, as well as Wild Wild Wet and Downtown E-Hub at Pasir Ris. But even if they don’t catch your fancy, no worries, there is always IKEA.
Where can you buy a home in Tampines North?
Needless to say, a new town without homes wouldn’t be much of a town at all. Thankfully, the master plan to transform Tampines North includes the construction of an estimated 21,000 new residential units, giving future residents plenty of housing options to choose from.
Meanwhile, parties who desire the condominium life, but at a pocket-friendlier price, have the option of purchasing a home in an upcoming Executive Condo (EC) development located within the area.
Jointly developed by Qingjian Realty, Santarli Realty, and Heeton Holdings, Tenet is a 618-unit EC with the potential for substantial future investment upside. Interested to find out more? Feel free to approach a trusted ERA advisor today!
Comments