Stop trend of building shoebox units

[reporter2]

Stop trend of building shoebox units

Apr 15, 2018


The current collective sale fever in Singapore is a cause for concern (En bloc effect: Smaller shoebox units?; April 11).

Developers are bidding for land at ridiculously high prices, with the hope of reaping huge profits when they sell the units. But, as bigger units are generally unaffordable, they are building smaller units to fit the budgets of Singaporeans.

Some developers build only units that are 70 sq m. The Government should not allow this, but ask developers to build apartments of various sizes to suit the needs of the various buyers.

We cannot let the greed and profit motive of developers set the trend now and for the future. Once such a trend becomes the norm, public housing will also follow. The net effect will be public flats that are even smaller than 70 sq m.

In the long run, this will create social problems and discontent. Is Singapore really so short of land that we have to build such small units? Do we have to follow the Hong Kong model in our housing development?

I hope the Urban Redevelopment Authority can comment on this.

Koh Ban Aik

[Arcachon]

Must be living in the well for too long.

Shoe box is getting smaller and it is going to be a norm.

New PC Kitchen is just beside the TV console.

[Tony Blair]

Get real.This is 21st century.HK already embracing 200 sq ft nano apartments.They want 10M ppl in SG.

[Arcachon]

Get real.This is 21st century.HK already embracing 200 sq ft nano apartments.They want 10M ppl in SG.

Yes this is Real, more will be coming don't say they never warn you.

LKY die already, new blood only want more blood.

[bargain hunter]

singapore already has the average size of 70 sq m for any project outside of the central region i think? without which, it would have been much worse by now.

[tonymontana]

Must be living in the well for too long.

Shoe box is getting smaller and it is going to be a norm.

New PC Kitchen is just beside the TV console.

actually recently they have stopped building really small MM <400sft.

[bargain hunter]

actually recently they have stopped building really small MM <400sft.

that precisely is because of the 70 sq m average rule. they found that optimum sizes are 4xx sq ft for 1 bd, 5xx for 1+S, 6xx for 2 bd 7xx for 2+S, 8xx for 3 bd compact, 9xx for 3 bd "premium". Twin Vew is already one of the more "generous" developments with 1,0xx sq ft 3 bd premium.

[august]

that precisely is because of the 70 sq m average rule. they found that optimum sizes are 4xx sq ft for 1 bd, 5xx for 1+S, 6xx for 2 bd 7xx for 2+S, 8xx for 3 bd compact, 9xx for 3 bd "premium". Twin Vew is already one of the more "generous" developments with 1,0xx sq ft 3 bd premium.

That is mass market. Luxury grade you will still get 9xx to 10xx for a 2 bedder.

[bargain hunter]

That is mass market. Luxury grade you will still get 9xx to 10xx for a 2 bedder.

yes. they will be positioned either way as there is no restriction. those roxy type may go for 5xx sq ft 2 bedder (to provide a "Affordable luxury") while the more reputable ones will go for bigger units.

[Arcachon]

https://www.ura.gov.sg/-/media/User%20Defined/URA%20Online/circulars/2012/sep/dc12-13.pdf?la=en

Was wondering why they always use 70sqm.

[tonymontana]

https://www.ura.gov.sg/-/media/User%20Defined/URA%20Online/circulars/2012/sep/dc12-13.pdf?la=en

Was wondering why they always use 70sqm.

70 sqm is the sweet spot between affordability and space. We have a few 70 sqm apartments. SOmehow it just ended up that way, it wasn't a conscious decision to exclusively buy units with that floor area.

[tonymontana]

https://www.ura.gov.sg/-/media/User%20Defined/URA%20Online/circulars/2012/sep/dc12-13.pdf?la=en

Was wondering why they always use 70sqm.

70 sqm is the sweet spot between affordability and space. We have a few 70 sqm apartments. SOmehow it just ended up that way, it wasn't a conscious decision to exclusively buy units with that floor area.