The former Tanglin Halt Neighbourhood Centre will become the new site for the development. This centre houses the Tanglin Halt Market, and the Commonwealth Drive Food Centre.

Tan Kiat How said that, on Thursday, the redevelopment would provide housing for future generations. It will also allow young families to be near their parents.

In 2014, the estate of 3,480 houses was designated for the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme. The majority of former residents have moved into new homes in Dawson. The old buildings are also being demolished.

Housing Board plans to redevelop Tanglin Halt in Queenstown, one of Singapore’s oldest estates, will result in the construction of up to 5,500 flats.

Housing Board revealed on Thursday that the estate will have an integrated development where HDB apartments will be linked to shops, a market and a local hawker centre. The Queenstown Polyclinic at Stirling Road, which is currently located in Stirling Road, will be moved to the new complex.

The integrated development construction will be divided into two phases. Starting with the former Commonwealth Drive Food Centre, the first phase of construction is scheduled for the second half in 2024.

As soon as the first phase is complete, stallholders will be able to move from the adjacent Tanglin Halt Market and begin construction on the vacant market. HDB explained that the move was made to minimize disruptions to the market stallholders.

The Straits Times was told by HDB that the rest Tanglin Halt will be redeveloped within the next 10-15 years.

Mr Tan said that the authorities will implement redevelopment projects with care and respect the history and heritage of the estate.

HDB says the integrated development design will incorporate elements such as the hexagonal shape of Tanglin’s Halt Market and the barrel vault form of the food centre. It will also feature courtyard spaces similar to the former neighbourhood center.

Tanglin Cascadia – the first Build to Order project in the estate – was launched during the October sales event under the Prime Location Public Housing Model (PLH). The 973 unit project had an application rate for first-timers of less than 1, meaning that all first time home buyers will get the chance to pick a property.

HDB has said that, for example, the Commonwealth Drive blocks 69 & 70, built by Singapore Improvement Trust (now defunct), could be converted into community spaces, as part of a new park.

Queenstown’s facelift will begin in 2025 with the introduction of new parks and exercise trails. Cycling paths and therapeutic garden are also planned.

There will be landscaping and recreational amenities along the Rail Corridor, which runs alongside the Tanglin Halt. In addition, there will be a park that will serve as a space for community and a pitstop for the residents.

HDB says the plans for Tanglin Halt compliment broader revitalization plans for Queenstown.

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HDB has announced plans to rejuvenate the fourth group of towns in the Remaking Our Heartland program – Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Meah, Choa Chu Kang, and Queenstown.

Around 79,000 residents of Queenstown and Farrer Road will benefit from these improvements.

Commonwealth Drive, which will become a pedestrian-friendly area with bicycle and pedestrian footpaths, will be converted into a pedestrian zone.

Mr Tan responded that authorities are considering the possibility of renting out flats in Tanglin Halt. He also said that they are aiming for a neighbourhood with a mix of social groups.