SINGAPORE – Raffles Town Club will have to vacate its premises in Plymouth Avenue when its lease ends on Oct 17, 2026, with the site slated for future residential development.
In a statement on Nov 20, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said the redevelopment of the site near Stevens MRT station will support future housing demand.
The agencies said the redevelopment is in line with the Government’s focus on redeveloping brownfield sites as much as possible to meet future demand for land, including housing.
A brownfield site is land that has been cleared for urban or industrial use.
The redevelopment of the 12,317.8 sq m site – the size of nearly two football fields – will also “enhance the residential character of the precinct”, and allow future residents to benefit from the transport infrastructure and connectivity to the city and other parts of Singapore, added the authorities.
Raffles Town Club can continue operating at the site until its lease expires in October 2026, upon which it must return the land to the state, said SLA and URA.
SLA will work closely with the club on the return of the land.
The agencies said that if the club wishes to continue operations after its lease expires, it can move to other available state properties.
“Agencies will engage Raffles Town Club on the availability of suitable state properties through open tender, or (the club) can explore other options from the open market,” added SLA and URA.
Asked if the site would be set aside for private or public housing, URA said it could not provide more details.
Opened in March 2000, Raffles Town Club has 14,000 active members, according to its website.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, a spokesperson for the club said the authorities had notified its management team of their decision on Nov 20.
The club said it had always known its lease would expire in October 2026.
It did not answer ST’s question on whether it plans to relocate. But the club’s spokesperson said: “The management will continue to provide services to our members, who may enjoy the club facilities until the lease expiry date in October 2026.”
The club has facilities such as a gym, a rooftop tennis court, an aerobics room and a bowling alley. It also offers guest rooms for overnight stays, and houses a MindChamps pre-school and a car grooming centre.
Property analysts noted the site’s strategic location for housing.
Mr Eugene Lim, key executive officer of real estate agency ERA Singapore, said the site, which is at the intersection of Whitley Road and Dunearn Road, is surrounded by housing plots that are mostly landed or with masterplan plot ratios of 1.4.
But there is a possibility that a higher plot ratio, such as 1.6 or 2.1, would be permitted for the site, he added. This would allow a taller development to be built there, to serve as a landmark at the intersection, said Mr Lim.
The plot ratio refers to the number of times the total floor area of all buildings constructed exceeds the size of the land itself, which determines the intensity – or height – of the development allowed for that piece of land.
Mr Lee Sze Teck, senior director of data analytics at property agency Huttons, said the site is in a private housing enclave. Hence, the likelihood is that it would be set aside for private homes.
The prime district site is near the Singapore Chinese Girls’ School, Nanyang Primary School and the Singapore Botanic Gardens, he noted.
Nevertheless, Mr Lee said the site could be ascribed a plot ratio of 1.4, since its surrounding developments are low-rise.
Based on these potential parameters, he believes it could be developed into a luxury project with 160 to 190 units, each averaging 85 sq m to 100 sq m.
Club members said the site’s redevelopment was a pity, given that it played a significant role in their lives.
A member for the past 23 years, curriculum developer Jocelyn Lim said her children, now 17 and 21, practically grew up there, having had their birthday celebrations and family bowling sessions at the club.
The 53-year-old has been attending weekly taiji sessions there, fostering friendships with other members.
Among the other things she will miss about the club are the amiable employees whom she has become familiar with over the years, and the noodles at the cafeteria.
Retired engineer Daniel Cheong has been exercising daily at the club’s gym since he recovered from a stroke several years ago.
The club is a five-minute drive from the 79-year-old’s home in Dunearn Road, so he has also been having meals there for the past 15 years.
“Everything is located in one place here, with nice staff and free parking, and all sorts of facilities... I’ll miss it a lot, but I have to look for a new club to go to,” he said.
