What does ‘new’ look like in one of Singapore’s earliest HDB towns?
As the first town to be comprehensively planned and developed by HDB, Toa Payoh was once a vision of a new kind of town. It pioneered several concepts familiar to us today, from planning neighbourhoods around a central Town Centre to being one of the first HDB towns to undergo rejuvenation under the Estate Renewal Strategy.
Today, Toa Payoh continues to evolve — and its next chapter is already taking shape.
Launching this October, the upcoming Toa Payoh West Build-To-Order (BTO) project will bring around 1,600 new homes with Caldecott MRT, an interchange for the Circle and Thomson-East Coast Lines – right at its doorstep.
Put together, these developments show how one of Singapore’s most established HDB towns is finding new ways to meet the needs of its residents.
But new homes are only one part of the story. Residents can also look forward to:
More room to enjoy the outdoors
A new 1.1-hectare neighbourhood park will offer spaces for exercise, play and rest, bringing more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors closer to home. A future park connector will also link the area towards the Toa Payoh Integrated Development.
More support for ageing well
Toa Payoh’s first Community Care Apartments (CCAs) will give seniors another option to live independently with care and support nearby. The nearby Active Ageing Centre will also offer an avenue and programmes to help seniors stay active and connected.
Everyday conveniences within easy reach
More food options, a supermarket, shops and a childcare centre will make daily errands that little bit easier, while a future mixed-use development will bring even more amenities to the area.
More ways to live, play and connect
Just down the road, the upcoming Toa Payoh Integrated Development will bring sports, healthcare, community and lifestyle facilities together in one place. The adjoining Toa Payoh Town Park will also get a refresh, with more greenery and recreational spaces while retaining its familiar heritage features.
The integrated hub will feature a 10,000-seater stadium alongside community amenities such as a town park, library and polyclinic. There will also be an indoor sports hall, aquatic centre and other sports facilities on the 12ha site.
A town for different generations
New homes don’t just mean more residents. They also bring new households and younger families into the neighbourhood, adding fresh energy to an established town.
At the same time, more housing options can help long-time residents continue living in the community as their needs change. Toa Payoh’s first CCAs, for instance, will offer seniors another option to age within a familiar neighbourhood. This is especially timely, with the minimum age to apply for a CCA set to be lowered from 65 to 55 from the October 2026 BTO exercise.
Something new, while keeping what is familiar
Toa Payoh’s next chapter isn’t just about adding more homes. It’s also about creating new parks, community spaces, amenities and connections while retaining the places and features that have shaped the town’s identity over the years.
After all, a town doesn’t have to start from scratch to become new again.
Nearly six decades on, Toa Payoh continues to grow with the times while remaining a familiar home for generations of residents.