Bidadari HDB BTO History: From palace, cemetery, to residential estate!

Bidadari, located in Singapore’s Central Region within the Toa Payoh planning area, has undergone a remarkable transformation from a royal estate to a cemetery, and now into a modern residential estate.

Istana Bidadari (1800s)

The origins of Bidadari trace back to the mid-19th century when British civil engineer Henry Minchin Simons acquired a 45-acre estate in 1855. He constructed a residence between 1855 and 1861, which he later exchanged with William Napier for the Tyersall estate.

Subsequently, the estate was sold to Sultan Abu Bakar in the mid-1860s. He gifted it to his second wife, Zubaidah binti Abdullah (born Cecilia Catharina Lange), a Danish woman.

The estate and house became known as Bidadari and Istana Bidadari, respectively, referencing the beauty of Zubaidah akin to that of fairies. After Abu Bakar was proclaimed Sultan of Johor in 1885, Sultana Zubaidah moved to Johor, and the palace was rented out to various parties until its demolition in 1915.

Bidadari Cemetery (1908)

In 1902, the Municipal Commissioners acquired 26 hectares of the estate to establish a cemetery due to the lack of burial space at Bukit Timah Cemetery.

Bidadari Cemetery officially opened on 1 January 1908, initially serving the Christian community. Subsequent additions included sections for Muslim (opened on 14 February 1910), Hindu, and Sinhalese burials. The cemetery continued to accept burials until 31 October 1972. It was one of Singapore’s largest cemeteries, housing approximately 147,000 graves.

Mount Vernon (1956)

Not to be mistaken, Mount Vernon is not located within Bidadari. Mount Vernon and Bidadari are adjacent areas in central Singapore, each with distinct yet interconnected histories concerning the nation’s burial and cremation practices.

In 1962, the Mount Vernon Crematorium was established as Singapore’s first state-run crematorium, initially featuring a single service hall. As cremation became more prevalent, the facility expanded over the years to include additional service halls and a columbarium complex with thousands of niches.

Notable additions included a 9-storey pagoda and a two-level “church-style” building to accommodate various religious practices.

The crematorium ceased operations on 30 June 2004, and the columbarium closed on 30 September 2018 to make way for the development of the Bidadari housing estate.

Bidadari HDB BTO Estates

In 1996, the Singapore government announced plans to redevelop the former cemetery site into a residential estate. Between 2001 and 2006, all known graves were exhumed to make way for development. The Housing & Development Board (HDB) unveiled plans in 2013 for a new housing estate, incorporating both public and private housing. The first Build-To-Order (BTO) flats were completed in 2021.

To commemorate the area’s rich history, the National Heritage Board established the Bidadari Memorial Garden in 2004 at Mount Vernon. This garden features relocated cemetery gates and twenty tombstones of notable individuals, serving as a reminder of Bidadari’s past.

As of May 2025, Bidadari estate comprises 12 Build-To-Order (BTO) projects spread across four districts: Alkaff, Bartley Heights, Park Edge, and Woodleigh. These developments were launched progressively from November 2015, with the majority of flats completed and occupied. The remaining units are on track for completion by 2025.

1. Alkaff CourtView
2. Alkaff LakeView
3. Alkaff Vista
4. Alkaff Oasis
5. Alkaff Breeze
6. Bartley Beacon
7. Bartley GreenRise
8. ParkEdge @ Bidadari
9. Woodleigh Glen
10. Woodleigh Village
11. Woodleigh Hillside
12. ParkView @ Bidadari

These projects offer a mix of 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room flats, catering to diverse household needs. The estate is designed with integrated amenities, including the recently opened Woodleigh Mall (Woodleigh Residences), the upcoming Woodleigh Integrated Transport Hub, and the 10-hectare Bidadari Park.