High property value sites also used to house foreign workers


The list of state land properties to be converted to temporary foreign worker housing includes Chancery Court—an unoccupied 136-unit condo in prime District 11 that was collectively sold to developer Far East Organization in 2018 for $401.78 million.

According to a Business Times article, Far East Organization decided against building a new condo on the site after the en bloc. Instead, it planned to monetise the the existing development by renovating and renting out the refurbished units.


An aerial view of Chancery Court. Credit: OrangeTee

Located in prime District 11, the Chancery Court site and the site of the former Swiss Cottage School have the highest property value amongst the state properties chosen as temporary foreign worker housing.

According to data from property portal 99.co, rent for condos around the two sites averaged $3.70 per square foot in the past quarter—working out to around $4,500 in monthly rent for a unit the size of a typical four-room HDB flat.

The area is also home to high-end condos, landed homes as well as Good Class Bungalows (GCBs). In 2017, a two-storey GCB near Chancery Court was purchased as the residence for the Ambassador of Ireland for $26.5 million.

Also notable is the fact that the Chancery Court site is located next to the ACS (Barker Road) secondary school, whereas the former Swiss Cottage School site is located next to Singapore Chinese Girls’ School.


The former Swiss Cottage School at Dunearn will be used to house foreign workers.