The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has announced plans to rezone land in Media Circle for residential use, reflecting the strong housing demand in the one-north area. The move is expected to further enhance the district’s appeal as a vibrant mixed-use hub, catering to residents, businesses, and educational institutions nearby.

New Residential Developments in Media Circle

A key land parcel opposite Infinite Studios, originally zoned for business park use, is now proposed for residential development with commercial spaces on the first storey. This site, bound by Media Walk and Media Circle, is slated for a plot ratio of 3.7.

Another irregularly shaped parcel along Portsdown Road, currently designated as a white site, is also being considered for residential with commercial use, pending detailed planning. Additionally, a land plot along Portsdown Avenue is expected to be allocated for mixed-use development, potentially with a plot ratio of 4.3. A fourth parcel in the vicinity has been earmarked solely for residential development.

According to URA, these high-density residential developments will support the increasing demand for housing in one-north while contributing to the district’s mixed-use vibrancy.

Rising Demand for Housing in One-North

One-north, originally planned as a hub for media and technology industries, has seen an increasing shift towards residential development. Industry analysts note that its proximity to major educational institutions—such as the National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore Polytechnic, and NUS High School—as well as the Science Park business area, makes it a desirable location for both buyers and tenants.

Christine Sun, chief researcher and strategist at OrangeTee Group, emphasized that the strong demand for private housing in one-north stems from its strategic location near key employment hubs and schools.

Lee Sze Teck, senior director of data analytics at Huttons, pointed out that the supply of homes in one-north has not kept pace with demand, resulting in stronger rental growth compared to nearby areas like Dover. He estimated that the new residential projects could yield more than 1,500 dwelling units.

Recent Land Sales and Upcoming Developments

Over the past few years, the Government Land Sales (GLS) programme has released multiple residential sites in Media Circle.

Qingjian Realty and Forsea Residence acquired a 10,632.1-square-meter plot for S$395 million, translating to S$1,191 per square foot per plot ratio (psf ppr), which is the land for Bloomsbury Residences. They also won the bid for another site, Media Circle GLS Parcel A, which will yield approximately 325 units. The bid for this 99-year leasehold site, measuring 82,125 square feet, came in at S$315 million, reflecting a land rate of S$1,037 psf ppr.

The consortium plans to develop two high-rise residential towers with commercial spaces on the ground floor, contributing to the area’s mixed-use character.

Strong Market Response to New Launches

The last major condominium launch in one-north was The Hill @ One-North in April 2024. The project saw robust demand, selling 43 units on the first day at an average price of approximately S$2,595 psf. The site was originally purchased by Kingsford Development’s co-owner, Gao Xiuhua, for S$162.4 million (S$1,210 psf ppr) in 2021.

With increasing demand for housing in the area, the newly proposed developments in Media Circle are expected to attract strong interest from both investors and homebuyers. More details on the development plans will be revealed as URA finalizes its proposals.