'Million-dollar view': Sengkang resident shares her experience living in award-winning HDB estate

'Million-dollar view': Sengkang resident shares her experience living in award-winning HDB estate
Rivervale Shores recently won both the construction and design awards at the HDB awards 2024.
PHOTO: AsiaOne/Claudia Tan

When Farah Charles was selecting a flat in 2017, one of her main considerations was being able to live near her mother and sister, who both have homes in Punggol. 

She decided to buy a four-room Build-to-Order (BTO) flat for $317,000 at Sengkang's Rivervale Shores, an estate which was completed in 2023. 

Farah and her husband are currently staying in their new flat over the weekends with their five-year-old daughter. The family plan to officially move into their new home when the school holidays begin next month. 

Rivervale Shores comprises 2,500 two-room Flexi, three-, four- and five- room flats across 16 residential blocks on 10-hectares of land, making it HDB's biggest BTO project to date. 

Speaking to AsiaOne, the 32-year-old homemaker shared that she was drawn to the estate.

Farah and her husband. PHOTO: Farah Charles

Farah said that her flat on the 11th floor faces Sungei Serangoon, giving her a "million-dollar view". 

"Our flat also faces Paya Lebar Air Base, which allows us to see the military planes take off. The noise might be bothersome to some but we enjoy it," she said. 

Rivervale Shores was designed by Surbana Jurong to seamlessly integrate with Sungei Serangoon's waterfront, said HDB. 

In order to maximise residents' views of the river and landscaped spaces, the residential blocks were strategically oriented and staggered. Sky terraces and sky gardens were also built into the residential blocks as vantage points for scenic views. 

About 45 per cent of Rivervale Shores' surface area is made up of green spaces, which help to soften the urban environment and reduce the heat island effect, HDB said.

Another highlight of the project is the elevated environmental deck (e-deck) connecting all 16 blocks.

The estate's car park also lies beneath the e-deck, which allows better spacing between residential blocks. 

"We like the fact that the car park is below us, and that there's a vehicle-free space for residents on the second floor," said Farah. 

One of the three playgrounds at Rivervale Shores. PHOTO: AsiaOne/Claudia Tan

Her family also enjoys the halal food court as well as the various playgrounds within the premises. 

"My daughter is in absolute awe of the playgrounds our estate has, she has three playgrounds to choose from, and even one with an actual sand pit!" 

While she's excited and pleased about the design and amenities in her estate, Farah hopes to see an ATM and a 24-hour convenience store in the future. 

Award-winning estate

For its design and innovation, Rivervale Shores bagged both the Construction and Design Awards at the HDB Awards on Oct 20. 

The annual awards recognises the work of architects, engineering consultants and building contractors in public housing projects. 

This year, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee presented a total of 26 Design, Construction and Engineering awards to various industry members. 

Addressing the attendees during the ceremony, he reiterated the need to maintain a stable supply of homes to help more Singaporeans fulfil their homeownership aspirations. 

He also announced plans to build another 14,000 homes in Sembawang North and Woodlands North.

"There is a lot of work ahead of us. To all our industry partners here tonight, I seek your continued support so we can deliver more quality homes for Singaporeans in the coming years," said Lee. 

HDB's CEO Tan Meng Dui also noted: "This year’s HDB Awards is especially significant, as it takes place at a time where HDB is close to completing all the pandemic-delayed BTO projects in the next five months." 

To recognise the efforts of three construction companies which overcame challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, HDB also presented them with the inaugural Construction Resilience Recognition. 

"This recognition demonstrates both the strength and depth of the BTO construction ecosystem, as well as the ingenuity and resilience of our contractors in overcoming adversity and emerging stronger.

HDB is proud of the exceptional standard of excellence demonstrated by our building partners and humbled by their strong commitment to our mission of delivering quality homes to Singaporeans," Tan said. 

READ ALSO: HDB unveils development plans for Sembawang North and Woodlands North Coast, including 12,000 flats

claudiatan@asiaone.com

For more original AsiaOne articles, visit here.

homepage

trending

trending
    Man arrested for killing 66-year-old woman and driving without licence after ramming into Geylang pasar malam
    PCF holds family day event to celebrate SG60, sets new Singapore Book of Records
    I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons
    'Like a ghost town on some days': Some JB shops hit by drop in Singaporean visitors after VEP enforcement
    Malaysian man strikes $4m lottery after betting on his, girlfriend's IC numbers for 3 years
    Car overturns in Joo Koon collision; 2 taken to hospital
    'Can we have a date?': 'Task force man' Gan Kim Yong invites Punggol North residents to dinner
    This revamped Raffles City food court has Michelin-recognised and cult-favourite brands - here's what to try
    4 women arrested in Yishun for allegedly offering sexual services disguised as massages
    Missing registration plates, non-working brakes: LTA impounds 151 active mobility devices in last 2 months
    Singaporean who defaulted on NS obligations used fake Malaysian passports at checkpoints over 800 times
    Man who killed 5-year-old daughter gets life sentence after he appeals against 35-year jail term

Singapore

Singapore
    • NDP tank hits traffic light: NSF responded with the appropriate SOP, says Mindef
    • 'We should not prejudge him': Ex-diplomat Bilahari Kausikan weighs in on Trump's ambassador-nominee to Singapore
    • OCBC Group CEO Helen Wong to retire end-2025, Tan Teck Long appointed successor
    • Fulfilling a childhood dream: RSAF pilot enlists after JC, takes part in first NDP
    • Organised crime groups pushing drug-laced vapes in Asia including Singapore: UN
    • 'He was jealous': Woman allegedly slashed with knife for chatting with 2 men below Jurong West block
    • Geylang petrol station employee, 77, dies after being hit by reversing car
    • All 12 government parliamentary committees to get new chairpersons, 19 first-term PAP MPs included as members
    • Can Singapore run without air-conditioning or fossil fuels? We break down the innovations Temasek Foundation is backing for $2m
    • Economic Resilience Taskforce unveils new business grant, support for workers amid global trade jitters

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • 'I was so excited I wanted to cry': Fans spend up to $50k in auction to experience a day with Jackson Wang
    • Who doesn't forget easily and who doesn't gossip? Hong Huifang, Cynthia Koh and Pierre Png, cast of new Singapore-Thai thriller, talk people politics
    • Ex-NCT member Taeil sentenced to 3.5 years of jail for sexual assault
    • Sheila Sim takes haircutting course after giving daughter bad trim
    • Michael Jackson's daughter Paris 'concerned' about payments made by his estate
    • Vanessa Hudgens pregnant with second child
    • Jennifer Aniston reportedly dating hypnotist
    • Bella Thorne accuses Charlie Puth of lying 'to the entire world' after she refused to sleep with him
    • US singer Chris Brown pleads not guilty to lesser assault charge in UK court
    • Tori Kelly reveals she is expecting her first baby

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Kaya toast, extra cute please: Breakfast-themed plushies with a local twist at Marina Square pop-up
    • Singapore coffee brand Alchemist debuts 2 outlets in Japan, marking first overseas venture
    • Now you can get Springleaf prata in a cup - with curry - from a vending machine
    • Orh Gao Taproom, popular bar by night and kopitiam by day in Serene Centre, to shutter
    • Little red dot, big bold ideas: 60 Singapore innovations shaping our future
    • Best buffet dining promotions in Singapore: Carousel, Colony, Edge, Peppermint, The Line buffet prices (July 2025)
    • A 10,000 sq ft freehold landed home in the east is on the market for $10.8m: Here's a closer look
    • Life lessons I learnt from being my 92-year-old atuk's caregiver
    • 'Definitely a big improvement': How Chery went from cheap joke to become a competitive automotive player
    • I try Springleaf prata in a cup from a vending machine - how does it compare to the real deal?

Digicult

Digicult
    • Slim, sleek, but slightly too short-lived: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review
    • World's best Dota 2 teams to compete for $1m prize pool in Singapore in November
    • 'Give a positive review': Hidden AI prompt found in academic paper by NUS researchers
    • 'Report 1 shop, another 10 appear': Hoyo Fest artists on copyright struggles
    • NTU penalises 3 students over use of AI tools; they dispute university's findings
    • Australia social media teen ban software trial organisers say the tech works
    • Disney, Universal sue image creator Midjourney for copyright infringement
    • Initiative by IMDA, AI Verify Foundation tests AI accuracy, trustworthiness in real-world scenarios
    • Under siege? Helldivers 2's latest city to be invaded by aliens could be spoof of Singapore
    • Honor 400 Series launches in Singapore with first free in-device AI image-to-video tool

Money

Money
    • Best credit card promotions in Singapore (June 2025): Citibank, DBS, HSBC, UOB and more
    • 9 best personal loans in Singapore with lowest interest rates (July 2025)
    • Best fixed deposit rates in Singapore (July 2025): Minimum deposits from $500, rates up to 2.45%
    • Temasek sees $45b rise in net portfolio value to record high of $434b amid global uncertainties
    • 'It's our grandfather's company, we won't sell', says Wong family as shareholders reject GE delisting bid
    • Japan, South Korea hit with 25% tariffs as Trump ramps up trade war in letters to leaders
    • Trump says alignment with BRICS' 'anti-American policies' to invite additional 10% tariffs
    • Regulators warned Air India Express about delay on Airbus engine fix, forging records
    • Higher seller's stamp duty a 'light touch' to curb property flipping: Experts
    • Trump tax bill averts one debt crisis but makes future financial woes worse

Latest

Latest
  • Australia will not commit troops in advance to any conflict, minister says
  • North Korean leader Kim reaffirms support for Russia in Ukraine conflict, KCNA says
  • What are the fuel switches at the centre of the Air India crash probe?
  • South Korean medical students to return to school, urge education reforms
  • Bavaria's fairy-tale palaces granted world heritage status
  • Russia's Lavrov meets North Korea's Kim, praises ties as 'invincible brotherhood'
  • Trump threatens to revoke Rosie O'Donnell's US citizenship
  • Gaza truce talks faltering over withdrawal; 17 reported killed in latest shooting near aid
  • Trump intensifies trade war with threat of 30% tariffs on EU, Mexico

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Climbers battle torrential waters after flash floods hit Mount Kinabalu; all 155 persons safe, says park
  • Jail for ex-auxiliary police officer who loaded 1 bullet and accidentally discharged revolver
  • Woman injured on SMRT bus after bottle thrown at vehicle shatters window
  • Singaporean drivers rack up over $17k in fines for VEP violations in 5 days
  • Roblox avatar and lantern: Star Awards 2025 looks that made us go 'huh?'
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.