Former Serangoon Gardens South School to Be Converted Into Health and Wellness Hub

The Singapore Land Authority announced on Jun 29 that through a Price-Quality tender, the former school site at 49 Kensington Park Road has been awarded to local construction company Top Pave. The site exceeds 78,000 sq ft and the original school was built in 1955, making it a familiar landmark in the neighbourhood.

The complex includes a three-storey building, a row of two-storey buildings, three single-storey buildings and 24 car park spaces, with a total floor area of approximately 36,853 sq ft. The state land has been vacant since 2007, and the tender, which opened in January and closed in March, is for a five-year lease with a four-year extension option.

Under Top Pave’s proposal, the space will be converted into a “health-led lifestyle hub” through adaptive reuse, preserving the heritage character of the old school buildings while injecting new purpose. The quality evaluation component accounted for as much as 60 per cent of the tender assessment, reflecting the Government’s emphasis on community spirit and heritage preservation.

Top Pave director Poh Wei Jie told Zaobao the project is built around three core concepts. “Move” will provide children’s physical education and adult fitness facilities. “Recover” will house physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment and rehabilitation services. “Wellness” will offer yoga, Pilates, dance workshops, rentable private teaching spaces, and meditation and mindfulness courses.

The multi-generational design will incorporate shared courtyards, playgrounds and sensory gardens in the central areas to bring young families and elderly residents closer together. The project will continue to serve the whole Serangoon Gardens community by hosting elderly activities, preventive healthcare programmes and intergenerational events.

This is Top Pave’s first foray into the health and wellness sector. Established in the 1990s, the firm has over 30 years of experience in construction and civil engineering, including major public infrastructure projects such as Thomson-East Coast Line MRT stations. Poh noted that gyms and fitness studios already operating in the Serangoon Gardens area demonstrate strong demand for health facilities in this neighbourhood.

The project is part of a growing trend of SLA using Price-Quality tenders to promote adaptive reuse of state properties. Other examples include the conversion of former military buildings at Dempsey Hill and heritage buildings along Cavanagh Road.

The renovation is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with trial operations targeted for December and the hub officially opening to the public in January 2027. The broader Serangoon Gardens neighbourhood, known for its low-rise landed housing and established community character, stands to benefit from the addition of integrated wellness amenities within walking distance of residents.