Of the 37 families living there, 30 have already found alternative housing, while the remaining seven are “considering renting another property in the interim”, noted the SLA. Image: Google Street View
The families living in the 191 two-storey terrace homes at Geylang Lorong 3 are set to be the first to hand back their houses to the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) upon the expiry of the units’ 60-year lease on 31 December this year.
The Straits Times reported that the houses will be handed over to the authorities without compensation and will be demolished to make way for future public housing.
Demolition works for the houses, which were sold in 1960, are expected to start in Q3 2021, and will be completed by Q1 2023, said The Straits Times report citing tender documents.
“As a general policy, leasehold land will return to the State upon lease expiry to allow the land to be rejuvenated to meet the changing social and economic needs of Singaporeans,” said the SLA in response to queries from The Straits Times.
Recommended article: What are the Options for a Leasehold Property Owners when their 99 years Tenure is about to End?
Of the 37 families living there, 30 have already found alternative housing, while the remaining seven are “considering renting another property in the interim”, noted the SLA.
“SLA will continue to provide assistance to the owner-occupants with their transition to their new homes,” it said.
The Straits Times reported that five units have been returned voluntarily to authorities by families who have already moved out. The other 149 units are primarily rented out to foreign workers as well as for religious activities.
SLA shared that it worked with the Ministry of Manpower to contact the employers of the foreign workers to make relocation arrangements for such workers.
Occupants conducting religious activities, on the other hand, have been advised to consider renting suitable spaces in industrial or commercial premises or co-locate with religious organisations in other areas.
Suggested read: The decaying HDB lease: myth or reality?
The SLA had announced in June 2017 that the two-hectare site would be returned to the government with no extension.
The government built the housing units to accommodate people displaced from attap homes within the nearby Kampung Kuchai that were destroyed in a fire in the 1950s.
While several long-time residents had expressed sadness, they said that they had expected this to come.
In fact, 76-year old Madam Koh Peck Choon said she is ready to move out since “the time is up”. She will be moving to a one-room rental flat in Whampoa in weeks.
“It’s a little sayang (pity) to leave because I won’t be able to grow flowers outside my house anymore but there’s no choice. The lease is up and I know we all have to move out eventually,” said the retired seamstress.
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“Will I be rich?” My 14-year-old child asked me when we were going for a walk after dinner. I know the answer from her Zi Wei Dou Shu (紫微斗数) chart. But I can’t tell her. I could only reply with a model answer. “If you work hard, save religiously and invest prudently, you will be... [read more]
Wing Tai To Preview River Green: A Connected, Inclusive, Sustainable Luxury Home
Wing Tai will preview its new sustainable development, River Green (嘉溪绿苑), on Thursday, 17 July 2025, with sales booking starting on 2 August 2025. The 99-year leasehold project consists of 524 residential units in a 36-storey tower and offers various unit types, including one- to four-bedroom options ranging from 420 sq ft to 980 sq ft. The development, which will include full condominium facilities, is scheduled for completion in 2030.
The Right Address Connects You Everywhere
River Green is situated in District 9, within the River Valley area of the city. It has direct access to the Great World MRT Station through a sheltered walkway and an underground linkway to the Great World shopping mall. The location is one MRT stop from Orchard and within walking distance of Robertson Quay, Clarke Quay, and Boat Quay, providing access to various shopping, dining, and entertainment options. River Green is also close to the Central Business District and Marina Bay Financial Centre. Additionally, several educational institutions, such as River Valley Primary School, Anglo-Chinese School (Junior), and St. Margaret’s Primary School, are located nearby.
River Green is connected to Great World MRT station, offering residents unparalleled connectivity and convenience
Occupying an exceptional location with unmatched convenience, Mr Edmund Cheng, Deputy Chairman of Wing Tai Holdings says, “River Green captures the perfect balance of urban vibrancy and natural tranquility. It is a refined sanctuary where residents can retreat from the fast pace of city life, reconnect with nature, and unwind amidst the purposefully designed spaces that inspire wellbeing. We are confident that River Green will meet the evolving expectations of today’s homebuyers, offering not just homes of exceptional quality, but a lifestyle that’s both dynamic and holistic for years to come.”
River-Inspired Architectural Design Meets Urban Living
Influenced by the appearance of the Singapore River, River Green’s architecture incorporates curves reminiscent of waves and ripples. The structure includes a crown at the top with peaks and troughs that align with the surrounding urban area and greenery. In the lobby, there is a mirrored ceiling designed to resemble ripples. At 10 metres high, this ceiling reflects the greenery below and contributes to the overall spatial effect upon entry.
Adds Mr Cheng, “Given the location, we wanted the architecture of River Green to pay homage to the Singapore River – the curves on the building façade, the sweeping crown at the top and the meandering form of the stardust pool and arrival lobby – all mirror the rhythmic flow of the river.”
Shaping a Sustainable Tomorrow for River Valley
In line with Wing Tai’s commitment to build high-quality and sustainable developments, River Green is proud to be the first residential development in Singapore to achieve the Building and Construction Authority Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy) certification, with five sustainability badges – Health & Wellbeing, Whole Life Carbon, Maintainability, Resilience, and Intelligence. Features that contribute to this sustainability certification include the focus on residents’ wellbeing through the development’s design and construction practices, use of advanced precast concrete systems for greener and more efficient construction, and the adoption of smart technologies such as electronic notice boards and smart parcel systems.
River Green demonstrates a strong commitment to be future-ready by providing 150 bicycle lots to encourage a car-lite and sustainable lifestyle, along with designated EV charging and EV-ready lots. In addition, solar panels will generate renewable energy for 30% of the common areas, contributing to more environmentally responsible operations.
The landscaping at River Green is purposefully designed to ensure sustainability and care for the current ecosystem. Over 50% of the landscaping consists of carefully selected native and riverine plants to protect and enhance the existing biodiversity and natural habitat. Lush green respites are thoughtfully integrated to create a harmonious and contemplative environment that prioritises wellbeing. Four distinct nature zones featuring curated herbs and blooms, and direct access to Kim Seng Linear Park via a side gate, offer residents a serene haven to escape the bustle of urban life.
An Inclusive Home for All
Central to River Green is the vision of creating an inclusive, barrier-free home for all. Thoughtfully designed with the seven principles of Universal Design, the development ensures accessibility and convenience for everyone. It features resting areas with varied seat heights, barrier-free routes and a universal pool entrance accessible for wheelchair users.
A unique highlight of River Green is The Sound Sanctuaries – quiet rooms designed as tranquil spaces nestled within lush greenery. These sanctuaries offer unobstructed views of a curated natural landscape, allowing residents to rest, rejuvenate, and reconnect in a private setting.
The vision of inclusiveness at River Green extends beyond the development. Wing Tai has partnered with Pathlight School to transform the construction hoarding of River Green into a vibrant community art canvas. This canvas features 30 inspiring artworks by students from Pathlight School, showcasing their unique interpretations of River Valley and the Singapore River, and will be displayed throughout the construction of River Green. This initiative not only provides a platform for neurodivergent students to display their talents but also fosters social inclusivity by creating awareness of this special group of individuals and the value they bring to the community, encouraging more people to embrace diversity and inclusivity.
The sales gallery is located at Leonie Hill and opens from 10am to 7pm daily.
Grand Dunman is a mega-development located along Dunman Road. In this article, we write a love letter to Dunman Road and shine a spotlight on Grand Dunman condo and its surrounding neighbourhood.
