Singapore Is Getting 60-Storey HDB Flats at Pearl's Hill, and Yes, That's Taller Than Pinnacle
Singapore just announced its tallest public housing project ever, and it’s going up at Pearl’s Hill in Outram.
The new BTO will exceed 60 storeys. For context, Pinnacle@Duxton has held the “tallest HDB” title since 2009 at 50 storeys. This new development basically says: hold my kopi.
The numbers: 1,700 units across 2-room Flexi, 3-room, and 4-room flat types, plus over 140 public rental units. Launch is slated for the October 2026 BTO exercise. So if you’re planning to apply, start your calculations now.
Location is right next to Outram Park MRT, which already has the East-West, North-East, and Thomson-East Coast lines converging there. Triple-line interchange, door to Pearl’s Hill City Park, walkable to Chinatown. This is genuinely one of the best-connected spots HDB has ever launched in.
It’s also the first public housing development at Pearl’s Hill in over 40 years. The site used to be the Outram Park Complex, which was demolished in 2003. A long wait, but at least they’re going big on the comeback.
Why the skyscraper approach? Minister Chee Hong Tat put it simply in Parliament: a 60-storey block gives 50% more flats than a 40-storey one. With land scarce and demand stubborn, HDB is going vertical as a deliberate strategy. Regulatory changes near airports now permit taller buildings in more locations, so expect this to become less of a novelty and more of a trend.
The design takes inspiration from Shan Shui Hua (山水画), the traditional Chinese landscape style depicting mountains and flowing water. Given the hilltop setting and the Chinatown heritage nearby, it’s a thoughtful nod, not just marketing fluff. There’ll be water features and a tree canopy. Whether that survives execution intact is another question (it usually does, partially).
Amenities inside the development will include a food court, fast food outlet, supermarket, childcare centre, and shops. That’s a solid enough lineup that you won’t need to leave the development for your morning routine.
Who’s this for? The unit mix skews practical: 2-room Flexi, 3-room, and 4-room. No 5-room or executive flats listed yet. That signals a deliberate push for singles, seniors, and smaller households who want central living without private condo price tags. Pricing details aren’t out yet, but Outram in the city fringe will almost certainly mean Plus or Prime classification under the new BTO framework, which comes with income ceilings, subsidies, and the standard resale restrictions.
If you’re an HDB upgrader with your eye on private property, this isn’t for you (yet). But if you want a centrally located flat with serious long-term value, Pearl’s Hill deserves a serious look when October comes around.
More details on classification and pricing will be released closer to the launch. Keep this one on your radar.
