Among the wide array of housing options, HDB flats and condos stand out as popular choices for residents looking for a new home in Singapore. While standard unit types, such as 4-room HDB flats and 3-bedder condos, across public and private housing are widely known, there is a range of unique options that go beyond what is conventional and bring you a touch of exclusivity.
In this article, we explore nine unique types of units you can find across HDB flats and condominiums, and break down the distinct features and benefits that come with each unit. From spacious lofts to luxurious penthouses, these unique options give you a glimpse of urban living in Singapore.
Let’s dive right in.
HDB Unit Types
Jumbo Flat
Jumbo flats are large, spacious units that are formed by merging two adjacent HDB flats. These units typically have a floor area of approximately 150 to 200 sqm square metres. Additionally, each jumbo flat comes with four to six bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, and some additional living spaces such as family or study rooms.
This unit type was first built in 1989 as a result of a demand for larger living spaces and an oversupply of 3-room and 4-room flats in Woodlands and Yishun. The Housing Development Board (HDB) approached this issue by tearing down the wall between adjacent flats. In doing so, the number of unsold flats were effectively halved and a new unit type was introduced to residents.
While the jumbo flats are highly sought after, they are incredibly rare, with only 2,900 units across Singapore. Take note that they are no longer offered by HDB and are only available in the resale market.
In addition to the purchase of jumbo flats through the resale market, one way you can still technically create your own jumbo flat is through the Conversion Scheme offered by HDB. This is a scarcely-used scheme that allows residents to merge two 3-room or smaller flats into one unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Executive Apartment
An Executive Apartment (EA) is another unique unit type that offers a larger living space for big families or residents looking for a spacious home with room for more amenities. EAs are larger than most of the standard HDB flats but slightly smaller than jumbo flats, starting with a floor area of approximately 130 sqm. These units generally come with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen and dining area, a living room, and extra amenities like a storeroom and balcony.
EAs were first introduced to residents in the 1990s and catered to families that needed more space. Just like the jumbo flats, this unit type is no longer offered by HDB and is available in the resale market across different estates in Singapore, in locations like Bedok, Bukit Panjang, Tampines, Woodlands and many more.
Check out John’s tour of this Executive Apartment unit in Anchorvale Grove:
Executive Maisonette
The Executive Maisonette, or HDB Maisonette, is another unit type no longer in production by HDB that is highly sought after due to its spacious and two-floored layout.
The first floor of this unit type typically comes with a kitchen, dining area, living room and in some cases, an extra bedroom or study room. The second floor is where the bedrooms, bathrooms and balcony are housed. Compared to standard flats, executive maisonettes are known for premium features such as higher ceilings, and a large floor area starting at approximately 150 sqm and going over 200 sqm.
Most executive maisonettes are located in mature estates like Pasir Ris, Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Panjang and Serangoon as they were built before 1999, which was when HDB discontinued the unit type’s production for the Executive Condominium (EC) Scheme.
Loft
Comparable with executive maisonettes, lofts are units that have a high ceiling and two floors. While they have a number of floors in common, many features of the loft make it unique and different.
Loft units are typically larger than standard HDB flats (80 to 120 sqm approx), and can come with three to five bedrooms, one to two bathrooms, and a spacious living area with an integrated kitchen and dining space. If you take a look at the floor plan of a loft, you see that the second floor is much smaller than the first, and the bedrooms in HDB Lofts are located on both floors of the unit.
As they are relatively new with more time left on the lease, lofts are a sought-after unit type. Additionally, there aren’t as many units available in the resale market due to their popularity. Although they are extremely rare, you may find lofts offered in the Built-to-Order (BTO) launches.
Take a look at one of the HDB Lofts at SkyTerrace@Dawson, which was priced at $1.25 million. This is a rare 5-room unit, spanning 122 sqm at the top floor of the development. The 5-Room was initially sold as a 3-Gen flat, with a separate studio unit that came with a separate entrance.
You should take note that while maisonettes fall under a category of their own, the Loft unit type is typically offered as a 3Gen flat by HDB, which we are getting into next.
Three-Generation (3Gen) Flat
The Three Generation Flat, which is more commonly known as the 3Gen flat, is the ideal unit type for large, multi-generational families that want to live under one roof. These flats are typically around 115 sqm, with four bedrooms and three bathrooms (two attached). Additionally, 3Gen flats come with shared spaces such as a living room, kitchen and dining room.
What makes this unit type unique, apart from its size, is its flexibility and accessibility. Families have the option to customise rooms and spaces in these flats to make study rooms, playrooms, or other functional spaces. Moreover, the layout of 3Gens takes into account the comfort and accessibility of older generations by including wider doorways and wheelchair-friendly elements in the flat’s design.
There are some eligibility criteria that must be taken into account when applying for a 3Gen flat. For instance, applicants must form a multi-generational family that comprises a married couple with children and parents, a divorcee with children and parents, or a widow with children and parents. Furthermore, at least one of the parents or married children must be a Singaporean Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident.
Unlike some of the other HDB unit types mentioned in the article so far, 3Gen flats are very new as they were first launched in 2013. They have since become very popular among larger families with a need for spacious homes. However, it is crucial to note that 3Gen flats have a limited buyer pool within the resale market due to the fact that this unit type can only be sold to multi-generational families. Additionally, homeowners are not permitted to rent spare rooms to anyone else, even after the Minimum Occupancy Period (MOP).
Condominium Unit Types
Now that we have gone over 5 different types of HDB units, let’s explore the unique condominium unit types Singapore’s housing market has to offer.
Penthouse
A Penthouse is a luxury condo unit type that is situated on the top floor of a condominium development. These unit types are usually larger than standard units and can be designed with a multi-level layout that offers a more spacious living area with separate spaces for bedrooms and bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining area and other functional rooms. Some penthouses come with private roof terraces with Jacuzzis or barbecue pits as well.
In fact, penthouse units can come in different shapes and sizes. To learn more about the different types of penthouses you can find in Singapore, check out our previous article.
Of course, what makes this unit type so unique and exclusive is not just limited to the extra space and multi-level design. Some penthouse units may offer breathtaking views of the city skyline, landscapes, and even the sea, depending on the location. These units are also designed with high-quality, premium fittings featuring materials such as hardwood and marble, along with high-end furniture and kitchen appliances.
As penthouses are located on the top floor, residents are typically accorded a higher level of privacy compared to the rest of the units in a condo.
Dual-key
A Dual-key condo is a unit type that is designed with two self-contained living spaces within a single condominium unit. Each living space comes with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living room. Furthermore, each living space in this unit type has its own entrance and is connected by a shared foyer, basically like having two homes under one address.
In a dual-key condo, the larger unit is called the main unit, whereas the smaller one is referred to as a sub-unit. This unit type is typically catered to multi-generational families as well as buyers in search of rental investment opportunities. Because the condo unit is divided into two units, the smaller unit can be rented out, used as a guest house for extended family and friends, or transformed into a home office.
Flexi
The Flexi unit types available in condominiums offer residents flexibility, as the name suggests, in terms of usage and layout. This unit type is designed to enable residents to customise the living space according to their needs and in order to maximise space in an efficient manner. This is done through the use of modular furniture and storage solutions.
Modular furniture allows residents to easily reconfigure or rearrange pieces as and when they need to. Storage solutions such as hidden storage compartments and floor-to-ceiling compartments are also considerable additions integrated into the unit’s layout to optimise the use of space.
Another aspect of the flexi feature in a condo, which we have previously discussed in our article on the Altura EC New Launch, is the option to remove a wall to expand a space or to create a new room/space for different functions. For instance, residents could remove a wall to expand space for the living room or use one of the smaller rooms as a study or home office.
CoSpace
The final unit type we are going over in this article is the CoSpace unit. CoSpace units are pioneered by Qingjian Realty, a reputable developer in Singapore known for its practical yet innovative design concepts that aim to elevate housing.
CoSpace condo units are similar to the flexi units mentioned above, as they are designed to optimise space efficiently and enable residents to customise the layout as per their preferences and needs.
These units feature movable partitions and flexible walls that can be used to transform living spaces into functional spaces such as study areas or offices, and even into a bedroom. Just like the flexi units, these come with storage solutions and modular furniture.
Final Words
We hope you enjoyed learning about the 9 unique types of units found in HDB flats and Condos in Singapore.
The wide array of unit types that are available in Singapore offers residents the option to search for a unique space to call home, with each unit offering distinct features and amenities within different price ranges. Whether you desire a luxurious lifestyle with penthouse views or a large but cosy place to call home that you can share with your parents, there is a unique unit out there for everyone in our diverse housing landscape.
If you are in search of a dream home and are interested in one of these exclusive unit types, do reach out to us here and we will be glad to assist you on your property journey. Until then, stay tuned for more articles on all things real estate in Singapore. See you in the next one.
