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Bukit Merah Ridge is a HDB BTO project launched in May 2022. Located at 132A Bukit Merah View, the flats occupy a highly convenient location on the very fringe of the city centre, in between Tiong Bahru and Redhill MRT stations.
Due to its highly central location, Bukit Merah Ridge falls under the Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) model, which places owners under more stringent restrictions, including a longer Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) of 10 years.
Bukit Merah Ridge BTO Review (Summary Table)
| Bukit Merah Ridge BTO | Details |
|---|---|
| MOP/ TOP Date | March 2038 / March 2028 |
| Location | 132A Bukit Merah View Singapore 151132 |
| Showflat | - |
| Balance Units | - |
| Launch Price | 3-room - $377,000 to $509,0004-room - $540,000 to $737,000 |
| Current Price | - |
| Total units | 1,669 |
| Freehold/ Lease | 99-year leasehold |
| Amenities | - |
| MRT | Tiong Bahru |
| Bus service | 16, 16M, 32, 33, 33A, 63, 63A, 64, 120, 132, 145, 145A, 851 |
*Information from 99.co, PropertyGuru, and other property listing websites is accurate as of time of writing.
Bukit Merah Ridge BTO Price
At its launch in May 2022, 3-room flats at Bukit Merah Ridge were priced at $377,000 to $509,000, while the indicative pricing for 4-room flats was $540,000 to $737,000.
These are some hefty prices for a BTO flat, but unsurprising given the highly central location of the Bukit Merah Ridge BTO project.
As the flats have not obtained their TOP yet, let alone fulfilled their 10-year MOP, their resale prices remain to be seen.
But we can have a look at other HDB flats in the area to get a rough idea of the possible resale prices the Bukit Merah Ridge flats could eventually enjoy.
4-room flats located on 95 and 96 Henderson Road, about 12 minutes’ walk from Tiong Bahru MRT, are currently being put up for sale on PropertyGuru for $950,000 to $1,150,000. The flats received their TOP in 2018.
Given the sky-high prices commanded by nearby flats, it looks like the first owners of Bukit Merah Ridge might enjoy good capital gains when they sell their flats.
That said, we don’t yet have data on how the resale prices of flats under the PLH model will be affected. The more restrictive rules could well have a dampening effect on demand.
Street view of the upcoming Bukit Merah Ridge BTO under construction. Screengrab from Google Maps.
Bukit Merah Ridge BTO Feng Shui
According to geomancers, Bukit Merah Ridge occupies a site that promotes resilience and determination, meaning that it is a good place for those who wish to have support when facing pressure.
The North- and South-facing flats, comprising about half of the total units, are the most auspicious ones until the year 2063.
As the blocks are located quite close to each other, potential buyers should look out the window, check for sharp edges directed towards the flat and avoid buying such units if necessary.
It is also advisable to avoid flats on lower floors that are near or facing the multi-storey car park, as there could be sound and light disturbances that harm residents’ quality of life. Residents in such units should consider protecting their windows with blinds.
Bukit Merah Ridge is a 14 minute walk from Tiong Bahru MRT Station. Screengrab from Google Maps.
Bukit Merah Ridge BTO Location
Bukit Merah Ridge is located at 132A Bukit Merah View, right next door to Henderson Community Club and bounded by main thoroughfare Tiong Bahru Road.
It is located about 6 minutes’ walk from Tiong Bahru MRT station and about 12 minutes’ walk from Redhill MRT station, only three and four stops respectively from Raffles Place MRT station in the CBD. This is fabulously close to the city, so it’s really no wonder the HDB decided to place the project under the PLH model.
Not only is Bukit Merah Ridge in a highly convenient location, it also enjoys a generous range of amenities in its immediate vicinity, including Tiong Bahru Plaza, Henderson Community Club, Delta Sports Hall and Delta Swimming Complex. The chic cafes and eateries in the Tiong Bahru area are also within walking distance. The Alexandra Canal with its park connector is not far away, offering a nice scenic area for a stroll or bike ride.
Families with children also have access to quite a good selection of schools located within walking distance, including Zhangde Primary School, Gan Eng Seng Secondary School, Alexandra Primary School, Gan Eng Seng Primary School and Bukit Merah Secondary School.
Overall, if, like me, you like the convenience of living near the city centre, Bukit Merah Ridge is as good as it gets.
Bukit Merah Ridge BTO Floor Plan
Bukit Merah Ridge consists of 443 3-room and 1,226 4-room flats. You can find the Bukit Merah Ridge floor plans here.
3 Room Flats
The 3-room flats measure 66 sqm, inclusive of air-con ledge. These look like typical 3-room flats, except that the kitchen and utility spaces are seamless and customisable. Owners can choose whether to add a partition to wall off the utility space or service yard, or to leave it open.
3 Room Flats
The 4-room flats measure 89 sqm, inclusive of air-con ledge. This layout, too, is quite typical in my opinion, with the three bedrooms lined up in a row and an L-shaped living/dining room.
Overall, there aren’t too many surprises here when it comes to the flat layouts, but I think the customisable service yard is a nice touch for those who want to expand their kitchens outwards.
Bukit Merah Ridge BTO under construction, aerial view. Image from Google Maps.
Bukit Merah Ridge BTO Rent
Bukit Merah Ridge is still a long way away from the end of its first wave of MOPs, which will be fulfilled in 2038.
Nonetheless, let’s try to get an idea of the kinds of rents HDB flats in the area are currently commanding by taking a peek at listings. On PropertyGuru, 4-room flats at 6 to 9 Boon Tiong Road, about 6 or 7 minutes’ walk from Tiong Bahru MRT station, are being put up for rent for about $4,500 to $4,700 on PropertyGuru.
This is a great rental yield that can probably cover home loan repayments, even for those who bought their flats on the resale market.
For those looking to rent in the area, the rents are pricey but still lower than those of nearby condos. I think renting HDB flats is the most cost-effective way to gain access to an attractive area. And in the case of Bukit Merah Ridge, the area is so incredibly convenient that it might be worth the price.
Bukit Merah Ridge BTO Review
Location is king when it comes to Bukit Merah Ridge. There’s everything to like about the location—it’s got great public transport connectivity, is very near the city centre and also has a great array of amenities within walking distance.
It also looks likely to be a decent investment in terms of rental yield and potential capital gains for the first batch of BTO flat buyers.
However, the PLH model does introduce a great deal of uncertainty as we don’t yet know how it will affect demand. The first batch of owners will only be able to sell or rent out their flats in 2038, and a lot can happen in the intervening years. So, I think it would be a much safer bet to buy a Bukit Merah Ridge unit as a home to live in, rather than bank on its investment potential.