Senja Close and Woodlands Drive 17 EC tenders draw strong developer interest – Here’s what to expect next

The Executive Condominium (EC) market continues to tighten, with fewer than 250 unsold new EC units available across Singapore. In this landscape of limited supply and steady upgrader demand, two recently closed EC tenders, Senja Close and Woodlands Drive 17, are poised to play a key role in the next wave of launches.

On 5 August 2025, the Housing & Development Board (HDB) closed both sites for tender. Each attracted five bids from notable developers, a clear signal that confidence in the EC segment remains high.

[Editor’s note: The EC sites at Senja Close and Woodlands Drive 17 have not yet been awarded. This article is based on the publicly released list of tenderers and bid prices as of 5 August 2025. It will be updated once the official site awards are announced.]

At a glance: Senja Close and Woodlands Drive 17 EC tender summary

City Developments Limited (CDL) submitted the top bid for both EC sites. Notably, CDL sets a new benchmark for EC land with S$782 psf ppr bid for the Woodlands plot. If both bids are eventually successful, CDL could launch the two EC projects within the same development cycle, tapping into distinct demand segments in the north and west regions.

Senja Close EC: Estimated 295 new units in Bukit Panjang

Located in the mature town of Bukit Panjang, the EC site at Senja Close received five bids, with the top offer of S$252.9 million submitted by CDL Constellation Pte. Ltd.. That works out to approximately S$771 psf ppr, based on the site’s maximum Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 30,478 sqm.

The Senja Close EC site is relatively small, with an estimated yield of around 295 units. This more compact scale may appeal to buyers seeking a quieter, less dense living environment compared to mega-projects elsewhere. Adding to the appeal, Bukit Panjang hasn’t seen a new EC in over a decade; the last one was Blossom Residences, launched in 2011.

What to expect from the upcoming Senja Close EC launch

Assuming CDL secures the site, buyers can likely expect a mid-rise EC development with strong family-oriented amenities. The URA tender conditions require the inclusion of a childcare centre (minimum 500 sqm) serving up to 100 children, now a common feature in ECs to support young families.

Senja Close EC sits a short walk from Jelapang LRT, which connects to the Downtown Line (DTL) via Bukit Panjang MRT. While it doesn’t have direct MRT access, the connectivity is practical, especially for buyers familiar with the area.

Amenities are within easy reach: Senja Hawker Centre, Sheng Siong, and Greenridge Shopping Centre are nearby, while malls like Hillion, Junction 10, and Bukit Panjang Plaza are just a few LRT stops away.

There is one potential design consideration: a proposed Chinese temple will be sited adjacent to the EC plot. Developers will likely introduce buffer zones (such as green landscaping or car park structures) to ensure sufficient separation between residential blocks and the temple.

Market-wise, the EC project should attract strong interest from upgraders in Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang, where around 9,000 HDB flats have recently completed their MOP. Given the long absence of EC supply in this area, pricing is expected to be competitive but accessible.

Woodlands Drive 17 EC: A wellness-focused Northern enclave

In the north, the Woodlands Drive 17 EC site also drew five bids, with the highest offer of S$360.9 million coming from CDL Divine Pte. Ltd. This works out to around S$782 psf ppr, based on its maximum GFA of 42,853 sqm.

It’s a larger site than Senja Close, with an estimated 420 units, and located in Woodlands South, just a short walk from Woodlands South MRT station on the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL).

The runner-up bid came from Sim Lian Land and Sim Lian Development at S$360.3 million, followed closely by TID Residential, Hoi Hup-Sunway, and EL Development. The narrow spread among the top bids suggests developers see strong value in the location and are pricing in long-term transformation of the Woodlands region.

What to expect from the new Woodlands Drive EC

What sets this EC apart is its integration with the broader “Wellness District” planning vision under URA and HDB. The project will be closely linked to the Woodlands Healing Garden, a therapeutic green space developed by NParks, and connected to the Woodlands Park Connector Network.

Tender documents stipulate that developers must incorporate wellness-driven design features, such as greenery-focused buffers, calming communal areas, and car-lite planning principles. Units facing the park may offer garden views, which could become a key marketing angle.

An Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) is also required as part of the development, reinforcing the family-friendly nature of the project.

Accessibility is another strength: Woodlands South MRT is within walking distance, and major developments like the Woodlands Health Campus and North Coast Innovation Corridor are set to bring jobs and infrastructure upgrades to the area. These factors will appeal to both owner-occupiers and long-term investors.

What happens next?

While the tender bids are now public, HDB has not yet awarded the sites. The evaluation process typically takes a few weeks, after which the winning developers will be announced. Once awarded, the developers will move forward with design planning, followed by launch preparations.

Realistically, both ECs are expected to launch sometime in late 2026 or early 2027, depending on construction and planning approvals.

In the meantime, the EC supply crunch continues. With only a handful of units left unsold islandwide — and the next EC launches (Jalan Loyang Besar and Tampines Street 95) not expected until 2026 — these two sites represent the next major wave of EC offerings for buyers to watch.

Looking for new launch ECs in 2025? Check your options here.

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