Masterplan draws on strong partnership with police community to preserve heritage of Old Police Academy

HDB had earlier announced the conceptual development plans to transform Mount Pleasant into a distinctive new housing estate that interweaves modern new homes, conserved heritage buildings, and lush green spaces. Following further detailed planning studies, the 33-hectare site will yield about 6,000 new HDB flats across four projects, up from the previously announced 5,000 units. The increased supply will help to meet strong housing demand and offer Singaporeans more housing options. These plans are part of a broader strategy to enhance the geographical distribution of public housing and cater to the evolving aspirations and diverse needs of Singaporeans, including young families who wish to live near their parents for better mutual care and support.

Aerial perspective of Mount Pleasant

Aerial perspective of Mount Pleasant.

2 The first BTO project, Mount Pleasant Crest, will launch in October 2025 with about 1,350 units of 2-room Flexi to 4-room flats. There will also be 270 units of public rental flats. More details on the project, including its classification, will be announced at the October 2025 sales exercise. HDB will progressively launch the rest of the projects in the coming years.

Artist’s impression of Mount Pleasant Crest, the first BTO project in Mount Pleasant

Artist’s impression of Mount Pleasant Crest, the first BTO project in Mount Pleasant.

Mount Pleasant – A Rich Tapestry of Homes, Heritage and Nature

3 Earmarked for residential development in URA’s Master Plan since 1998, the Mount Pleasant site was formerly home to the Old Police Academy (OPA) from 1929 to 2005. Given the site’s historical significance as Singapore’s first police academy, HDB worked closely with Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and National Heritage Board (NHB) to carry out a detailed heritage study. An Environmental Impact Assessment was also conducted to assess the ecological value of the area. Together, the findings guide HDB’s development plans to mitigate the potential impact to both its natural and built environment.

4 As part of the consultation process, HDB, URA and NHB engaged various heritage groups, including the Heritage Advisory Panel ^[1], Heritage and Identity Partnership ^[2], All Things Bukit Brown, and the Singapore Heritage Society.

5 An OPA Workgroup was also formed in November 2021, chaired by then-Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, and co-led by HDB and the Singapore Police Force (SPF). The workgroup also comprised members from URA, NHB, the police fraternity and architectural heritage specialists. Their recommendations focused on integrating OPA’s heritage into the new Mount Pleasant estate to enhance its distinctiveness and identity.

6 Thoroughly considering feedback from these stakeholders, HDB formulated a Heritage Interpretation Plan to guide how the area's policing history and identity can be woven into the new housing area, such as via road names and use of retained items from the Old Police Academy.

Distinctive Homes Reflecting Mount Pleasant’s Heritage

7 Six buildings at Mount Pleasant identified as the most significant representations of Police heritage have been conserved. Of these, four blocks (Blocks 1, 2, 27 and 28) will be repurposed for alternative uses, such as a Neighbourhood Police Post and SPF Heritage Gallery in Block 1. Block 153 will continue to serve as the Senior Police Officers' Mess, while Block 13 will be integrated into future developments. Beyond these buildings, part of the former OPA parade square will be retained as a public space for community use.

Artist’s impression of future public space at the former parade square of the Old Police Academy [Credit: URA]

Artist’s impression of future public space at the former parade square of the Old Police Academy. [Credit: URA]

8 An urban verandah forms a sheltered pedestrian thoroughfare that seamlessly connects the various precincts in Mount Pleasant. Drawing inspiration from OPA’s buildings, its distinctive design elements include a clay-coloured roof, white-painted columns, louvred ventilation details, latticed panels, and archways that are reminiscent of tropical colonial architecture.

Artist’s impression of the urban verandah

Artist’s impression of the urban verandah.

9 Additionally, HDB will incorporate significant physical structures of the OPA into the design of Mount Pleasant Crest. HDB will repurpose the starter blocks from the OPA swimming pool as seating at the drop-off porch, while trusses and columns from the Old Drill Shed will be re-used in the precinct pavilion. More information on how these items have been repurposed are in the Annex.

Artist’s impression of the drop-off porch, with swimming pool starter blocks repurposed as seats

Artist’s impression of the drop-off porch, with swimming pool starter blocks repurposed as seats.

Artist’s impression of the new precinct pavilion, which will also feature the signature pitched roof of the Old Drill Shed

Artist’s impression of the new precinct pavilion, which will also feature the signature pitched roof of the Old Drill Shed.

White Flats Layout

10 To give home buyers greater flexibility in configuring their living spaces, HDB will offer the White Flat layout at the first BTO project at Mount Pleasant. Flat buyers of Mount Pleasant Crest will have a choice to opt for the open-concept layout, which provides a contiguous living and bedroom space without partition walls, when they are invited to book a flat. This will be the second BTO project to offer the White Flat layout. The White Flat layout was first piloted at the Crawford Heights BTO project in October 2024, with about four in 10 flat buyers opting for the layout.

Well-Connected Precincts with a Wide Range of Amenities

11 Future residents of Mount Pleasant will enjoy seamless transport connectivity. New roads will be constructed to enhance accessibility throughout the estate. In tribute to the area’s heritage, one of the main thoroughfares will be named “Old Police Academy Road”, complementing other gazetted roads in the area, such as Onraet Road and Wong Chin Yoke Road, which are named after significant figures in the history of the Police Force.

12 Mount Pleasant, which will be car-lite, will also be well-served by the new Mount Pleasant MRT station on the Thomson-East Coast Line, as well as bus services to ensure smooth travel within and beyond the estate. Additionally, Transit Priority Corridors with dedicated bus lanes, wider footpaths and cycling paths will create a more pleasant environment for residents to walk, cycle and ride.

A key thoroughfare within the upcoming Mount Pleasant housing estate will be named “Old Police Academy Road”, in tribute to the heritage of the area

A key thoroughfare within the upcoming Mount Pleasant housing estate will be named “Old Police Academy Road”, in tribute to the heritage of the area.

13 Beyond the main roads, an extensive network of cycling paths and pedestrian walkways will weave through the estate, providing safe and convenient access to amenities and transport facilities. Residents will enjoy a pleasant cycling and walking experience along tree-lined paths as they explore Mount Pleasant, visit amenities in the nearby Toa Payoh town, and access the extensive green spaces and recreational facilities at MacRitchie Reservoir.

14 As Mount Pleasant progressively develops, residents will benefit from a variety of retail and dining options, as well as healthcare and transport services within the estate. The upcoming Toa Payoh Integrated Development will provide even more amenities close to home, including shops, polyclinic, library, town park, and sporting facilities.

Nature and Greenery within a Smart and Sustainable Estate

15 Residents will enjoy ample spaces for recreation at Mount Pleasant, with green spaces interspersed throughout the estate. For example, a new north-south pedestrian spine lined with greenery will create seamless connections between Mount Pleasant MRT station along Old Police Academy Road, and Mount Pleasant Avenue. In addition, the top of an existing hillock between the conserved Blocks 27 and 28 will be retained and reimagined as a community space.

Artist’s impression of the lush greenery along the north-south spine (left) and in between Blocks 27 and 28 (right)

Artist’s impression of the lush greenery along the north-south spine (left) and in between Blocks 27 and 28 (right).

16 In line with Singapore’s vision to be a green and sustainable city, the development of Mount Pleasant is guided by sustainable design strategies. Where feasible, blocks will be oriented in the north-south direction to improve natural ventilation and minimise solar heat gain. Where applicable, environmental studies on wind flow, temperature, solar irradiance, and sun-shadow analysis will be conducted to inform the blocks’ design and to create a comfortable living environment.

17 Homes in Mount Pleasant will be designed with smart and sustainable features to promote green living. For example, units will include provisions to support the adoption of smart home solutions, while dedicated bicycle racks and electric vehicle charging points in all car parks will encourage green commuting.

A Wide Range of Housing Options to Meet Different Needs

18 These new homes will add to the wide range of housing options to meet Singaporeans’ different aspirations, budgets, and needs. HDB will continue to incorporate the rich heritage and unique features of each area into its planning and design, to preserve its unique character and identity while creating a quality living environment.

19 The public can find out more about the exciting plans for Mount Pleasant at the exhibition held at HDB Hub, Level 1 from 24 September 2025 onwards.

^[1]The Heritage Advisory Panel comprises experts across different disciplines. The Panel was set up in 2015 to advise on NHB’s work in areas of tangible heritage and intangible cultural heritage. It is part of ongoing efforts to consult widely and to seek advice from various experts on heritage matters.

^[2]The Heritage and Identity Partnership serves as a platform for regular dialogue between URA and its members of diverse backgrounds, including individuals from the building industry, arts and heritage sector, journalism, business and property owners and academia. The Heritage and Identity Partnership provides feedback and suggestions on ways to sustain and manage built heritage and identity, and to promote greater public understanding of built heritage.

HDB Unveils Masterplan for Mount Pleasant: A Rich Tapestry of Homes, Heritage and Nature