Kallang Distripark to Be Redeveloped for Thousands of New Private Homes

Kallang Distripark, a privately owned disused rubber factory converted into a warehouse site, is being prepared for redevelopment into private housing. The site has been zoned for housing since as early as 2003 and is currently owned by entities associated with Lee Rubber Company, whose founder was Chinese entrepreneur and philanthropist Lee Kong Chian.

A portion of the 13-hectare site is freehold, while the rest sits on a 99-year lease that expires in 2067. The URA on 14 August published a proposed amendment to its Master Plan, which involves carving up the site into several housing plots and a new neighbourhood park, as well as introducing new roads. A URA spokesperson confirmed the proposed amendments are to facilitate a private development proposal that the agency had received.

Three housing plots will be introduced at the site under the proposed plans. The larger residential plot, located adjacent to Kallang Bahru, is about 3.6 hectares in size and sits largely on freehold land. Property analysts estimate that this plot can yield about 1,200 condominium units.

The second residential plot, which abuts Pelton Canal, is about 1.6 hectares and is also largely freehold. At least 450 to 550 condo units can be built on this site, according to analysts.

The proposed zoning for the third housing plot, which is about 2.4 hectares on leasehold land, includes commercial use on the first storey. Analysts estimate that it can contain about 600 to 800 condo units.

The rest of the site includes a 2-hectare neighbourhood park, new roads to facilitate access to the planned housing developments, as well as a 1.8-hectare reserve site for which a specific use has yet to be determined.

The site includes three iconic octagonal buildings known as the Lee Rubber Godowns, rubber warehouses designed by the late pioneer architect Victor Chew of Kumpulan Akitek. The URA spokesperson said that the agency has engaged the owner on the potential to retain one of the warehouses as a heritage marker within the proposed future park, adding that studies on this proposal are ongoing.

“Where physical retention is not possible, agencies will work with the owner and relevant stakeholders to document and commemorate the history of the place through heritage interpretation initiatives, such as digital documentation or storyboards,” said the spokesperson.

Veteran architect Hoong Bee Lok, whose bachelor’s thesis in 1981 was centred on pioneer architect Chew’s work, suggested that the octagonal warehouses could be used for sports, such as sheltered courts for racket games. He noted that Chew had designed the warehouses to be modular, such that new warehouses could easily be added to the site.

Kallang Distripark was among several upcoming neighbourhoods along the waterfront that were showcased in URA’s latest master plan, which was gazetted in 2025. Eugene Lim, key executive officer of ERA Singapore, said that in addition to the site being on the waterfront, its central location and nearby amenities such as Geylang Bahru MRT station and Geylang Bahru Market and Food Centre mean the upcoming homes will likely draw high demand.

Christine Sun, chief researcher and strategist at Realion Group, which comprises property firms OrangeTee and ETC, said the planned redevelopment of the industrial site can help inject new vibrancy into the area. Meanwhile, the neighbouring 6-hectare Geylang Bahru Industrial Estate, located next to Geylang Bahru MRT station, is also zoned for housing on a 99-year lease that expires in the mid-2070s.

Nicholas Mak, chief research officer at Mogul.sg, noted that the plot of land earmarked for the park is the most valuable in Kallang Distripark, as it is where two streams converge, and will command good waterfront views. Plans to redevelop Kallang Distripark for housing were first showcased by the URA in 2017, as part of an exhibition on turning areas along the 10-kilometre Kallang River into a lifestyle hub.