For the May 2022 BTO launch, two Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) locations are offered: Bukit Merah Ridge in Bukit Merah and Ghim Moh Ascent in Queenstown. This is the first time two PLH locations have been offered in the same launch, giving potential BTO buyers a rare chance to choose between two prime locations.
For some, the classification of Bukit Merah and Queenstown as PLH may be surprising. However, they are not entirely unexpected given their distance to the city centre. Past two PLH locations have been located near the Central area at Rochor (Central) and Lavender (Kallang/Whampoa).
For interested applicants or property watchers, here’s a run-down of the pros and cons of both PLH locations (Bukit Merah Ridge and Ghim Moh Ascent) offered in the May 2022 BTO launch.
The Obvious Cons: Recap Of The Restrictions On Prime Location Public Housing (PLH)
For both BTO projects, there are the obvious cons of buying a PLH BTO flat which is the restrictions on PLH. Flat owners will be subject to a subsidy recovery upon the first sale of the flat. This will be 6% for both Bukit Merah Ridge and Ghim Moh Ascent. They would also be subject to a 10-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) and will not be allowed to rent out the entire flat even after MOP.
These restrictions are specific to PLH flats and are on top of any existing HDB restrictions.
Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) #1 – Bukit Merah – Bukit Merah Ridge
Source: HDB
This is the largest development offered during the May 2022 BTO launch with 1,669 units of 3- and 4-room flats. The development will have lush landscaping and roof gardens inspired by the greenery at Telok Blangah Hill Park, Mount Faber Park, and the nearby Tiong Bahru Park. Future residents may also have a view of the Southern Ridges from the 5 residential blocks that range from 29 to 48 storeys.
Location: Taking its name from the nearby Southern Ridges, Bukit Merah Ridge is bounded by Bukit Merah View, Henderson Road, Tiong Bahru Road, and Lower Delta Road. It is within a 7-min walk to Tiong Bahru MRT and a short 10 to 15 mins direct drive to Raffles Place.
Amenities: Within Bukit Merah Ridge, there will be a childcare centre and a residents’ network centre. Additionally, there are two more areas within the common areas for future facilities/ amenities that are not yet determined. The development will also have typical features of other HDB developments such as children’s playgrounds, fitness stations, and multi-purpose courts. The roof gardens will be located on top of the multi-storey carparks.
Future residents will enjoy the closer proximity to Tiong Bahru, a mature estate that has gentrified in recent years. The development is right next to the existing Henderson Community Club and Neighbourhood Police Centre. It is also well served by the nearby Bukit Merah View neighbourhood centre with its market and food centre. The nearby Tiong Bahru Plaza also provides further retail and F&B options for future residents.
Schools: Alexandra Primary School, Gan Eng Seng Primary School and Zhangde Primary School are within the 1-km intake zone while Blangah Rise Primary School, CHIJ (Kellock), Radin Mas Primary School and River Valley Primary School are within the 1-2 km distance. APSN Tanglin Special School, Bukit Merah Secondary School, Crescent Girls’ Secondary School, Gan Eng Seng Secondary School are other nearby schooling options.
Price: Subsidy recovery is 6%.
| BTO Launch | Unit Type | Number of Units | Estimated Price Range |
| Bukit Merah Ridge | 3-Room | 443 | $377,000 – $509,000 |
| 4-Room | 1226 | $540,000 – $737,000 |
Units And Subscription: As of end of 29 May 2022
| BTO Launch | Unit Type | No. of Units | Overall | First-Timers | Second-Timers |
| Bukit Merah Ridge | 3-room | 443 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 8.7 |
| 4-room | 1226 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 21.9 |
Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) #2 – Queenstown – Ghim Moh Ascent
Source: HDB
Ghim Moh Ascent is the second Prime Location Public Housing development offered during the May 2022 BTO Launch. The development is named ‘Ghim Moh Ascent” due to the location and the staggered height of the blocks. Two blocks will be 40 storeys high and the other two blocks will have varying heights ranging from 8 to 31 storeys. The development will house a total of 867 units of 3- and 4-room flats.
Location: This development is bounded by Ghim Moh Road, Ghim Moh Close, and the Rail Corridor. It is an 8-min walk to Buona Vista MRT and about 15 to 18 mins drive to Raffles Place.
Amenities: Within Ghim Moh Ascent, there will be a childcare centre and residents’ network centre. An additional common area set aside for future facilities/ amenities. Residents will also be able to enjoy the roof gardens on the 9th storey of some residential blocks and atop the multi-storey carpark. Other features include playgrounds for children, fitness stations for adults and elderly, and a hardcourt.
A unique point about Ghim Moh Ascent is that it is within the Health District @ Queenstown, which aims to create an inclusive community that leads healthy, active and productive lives across their life course in a quality living environment, and enables ageing-in-place. This is a collaborative effort between HDB, National University Health System (NUHS), and National University of Singapore (NUS), together with many other agencies and partners.
Additionally, residents of Ghim Moh Ascent will be able to enjoy the close contact with nature with good connectivity to the Rail Corridor and the Ulu Pandan Canal and Park Connector.
Residents are also well-served by 2 nearby neighbourhood centres: Ghim Moh Neighbourhood Centre and Holland Village Neighbourhood Centre. Ulu Pandan Community Club will also serve to fulfil the residents’ community needs. On the other side of Buona Vista MRT, Star Vista provides more retail and F&B options.
Schools: Henry Park Primary School is likely to be within the 1-km intake zone. Fairfield Methodist School (Primary) and New Town Primary School are within the 2-km distance. Other schooling options include Anglo-Chinese School (International), Anglo-Chinese Junior College and Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary).
Prices: Subsidy recovery is 6%.
| BTO Launch | Unit Type | Number of Units | Estimated Price Range |
| Ghim Moh Ascent | 3-Room | 196 | $369,000 – $481,000 |
| 4-Room | 671 | $511,000 – $691,000 |
Units And Subscription: As of end of 29 May 2022
| BTO Launch | Unit Type | No. of Units | Overall | First-Timers | Second-Timers |
| Ghim Moh Ascent | 3-room | 196 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 8.6 |
| 4-room | 671 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 13.3 |
Choosing Between Bukit Merah Ridge And Ghim Moh Ascent
Location: Both BTO projects have similar accessibility. Both are with 10 mins walk to the nearest MRT and fringe CBD locations with Ghim Moh Ascent being slightly further west. Bukit Merah Ridge edges slightly ahead as it is more centrally located.
Amenities: The area around Bukit Merah Ridge is likely to remain the same by the time the BTO project is completed. The area is well-established with few areas for new development. As a mature estate offering, the development is well-served by amenities with one neighbourhood centre nearby. Families with young children also have a choice of 3 primary schools within the 1-km intake zone.
Whereas residents of Ghim Moh Ascent are similarly well-served with established amenities, having access to two neighbourhood centres. They may also have more interesting developments to look forward to being located within the Health District @ Queenstown. There are also 3 nearby sites slated for future high-rise development which may bring more vibrancy to the area. Families with young children may also choose to ballot here as Henry Park Primary School is likely to be within the 1-km intake zone. The close proximity to the Rail Corridor may be more appealing for nature lovers.
Prices: Both PLH BTO projects are subject to the same subsidy recovery of 6%. However, Ghim Moh Ascent is slightly more affordable. On the higher end, 4-room flats at Ghim Moh Ascent will cost $691,000 compared to $737,000 at Bukit Merah Ridge, a difference of 6.6%
Units And Subscription: While Bukit Merah Ridge has more units offered (almost double that of Ghim Moh Ascent), it is also more highly subscribed. While the subscription period is still open, the current subscription rates are lower for Ghim Moh Ascent. In general, your chances are better for a 3-room flat than for a 4-room flat and at Ghim Moh Ascent than at Bukit Merah Ridge.
| Bukit Merah Ridge | Ghim Moh Ascent | |
| Location | 7-min walk to Tiong Bahru MRT. 10 to 15 mins drive to Raffles Place | 8-min walk to Buona Vista MRT. 15 to 18 mins drive to Raffles Place |
| Amenities | Bukit Merah View Neighbourhood Centre, Tiong Bahru Plaza, Henderson Community Club and Neighbourhood Police Centre | Ghim Moh Neighbourhood Centre, Holland Village Neighbourhood Centre, Ulu Pandan Community Club, Star Vista |
| Schools | Alexandra Primary School, Gan Eng Seng Primary School and Zhangde Primary School in 1-km intake zone | Henry Park Primary School in 1-km intake zone |
| Price | $377,000 to $737,000 | $369,000 to $691,000 |
| Subsidy Recovery | 6% | 6% |
| Units Offered | 1,669 units of 3- and 4-room flats | 867 units of 3- and 4-room flats |
Cover image source: HDB
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