Executive condominium (EC) sites are not always located close to an MRT station. This is what makes the upcoming EC in Canberra Drive one to note. The project which can yield 185 new EC units is minutes' walk to the Canberra MRT station and within easy reach of schools and daily amenities.

In a land tender that closed on 1 October 2026, the Canberra Drive EC site attracted 13 bids with the top bid of $163.9 million from a tie-up that includes Santarli Realty, Heeton Holdings, and Kay Lim Realty - which works out to a land rate of $825 psf per plot ratio (psf ppr).

The site also happens to be the first EC plot to be launched for tender since the new EC measures were announced on 8 May 2026, which made it one of the more closely watched GLS parcels. Under the new EC rules, the minimum occupation period (MOP) has been extended to 10 years from 5 years, the deferred payment scheme will be removed, and there is greater priority given to first-timer buyers.

Are ECs still an attractive option?

With the terms of ownership changing, prospective buyers may be asking whether an EC remains an attractive option for their next home. Generally, ECs remain an appealing option for buyers who are comfortable with the longer ownership commitment.

ECs offer the opportunity to own a condominium-style home with private facilities, while potentially offering a more accessible entry point than a comparable new private condo. For eligible buyers, this can provide a pathway to private homeownership, particularly for households looking to upgrade from an HDB flat.

For first-timers, the new rules are broadly in their favour. There is far less competition from second-timers during the early sales period, and the 90% quota over a two-year priority window will give households more time to sort out financing without being rushed into a launch-weekend purchase decision.

The revised 10-year MOP means EC buyers will need to take a longer-term view of their homeownership journey, making the location and attributes of the EC all the more important. In this regard, Canberra Drive EC's site offers several factors for prospective buyers to consider.

Connectivity and convenience

Canberra MRT station on the North-South Line is within walking distance, giving residents a direct rail link towards Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Toa Payoh, Orchard and the city centre, as well as northwards to Woodlands, which is an interchange with the Thomson-East Coast Line.

The plot sits next to Jalan Sendudok Park, and the Bukit Canberra integrated hub - where the hawker centre, polyclinic, and swimming complex are located - is also a short walk away. Meanwhile, more retail and F&B offerings can be found at Canberra Plaza, Sembawang Shopping Centre and Sun Plaza.

School proximity

The availability of schools in the Sembawang and Canberra neighbourhood adds to the project's appeal for families. There are two schools within 1km from the Canberra Drive EC site, being Sembawang Primary School and Wellington Primary School.

In the 1-2km range, more primary school options open up, including Canberra Primary School, Endeavour Primary School, Ahmad Ibrahim Primary School, and Yishun Primary School, amongst others.

Long-term transformation: Sembawang Shipyard

Beyond the immediate neighbourhood, the planned redevelopment of Sembawang Shipyard nearby provides a longer-term development story for the locale.

The shipyard area is expected to be progressively transformed into a mixed-use waterfront destination, with a combination of housing, amenities and recreational offerings. If implemented as planned, the redevelopment could introduce a new dimension to Sembawang's identity and enliven the entire area.

For residents of Canberra Drive EC, the potential benefits could include greater access to waterfront spaces, additional lifestyle amenities and a broader mix of recreational and community offerings.

Why Canberra Drive EC might see positive interest?

Apart from the strong location attributes, the Canberra Drive EC also falls on the right side of a recent policy change. At the National Day Rally on 23 August 2026, the Government announced that the EC household income ceiling would be raised from $16,000 to $18,000 a month. It applies only to EC sites with tenders closing on or after 24 August 2026.

The higher income ceiling widens the pool of eligible households who are able to purchase new ECs, and could give buyers more room on financing.

About the developers

A subsidiary of the home-grown Santarli Group established since 1983, Santarli Realty has undertaken a range of building projects from institutional to industrial, carrying out engineering works in both the private and public sectors. Some residential projects in their portfolio include Executive Condominiums Tenet and Altura, boutique projects like Sanctuary @ Newton, and the DBSS project Adora Green.

Heeton Holdings is a Singapore-based company listed on SGX with a focus on property development, investment and management. Their global portfolio extends across Thailand, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam and The United Kingdom, and comprises of residential, commercial properties and hotels. Past projects include Sun Plaza shopping mall, and boutique residential projects like DLV at Dalvey Road and The Element at Stevens Road.

Kay Lim Realty is a subsidiary of the Singapore construction group Kay Lim Holdings, with 33 years of experience in construction and a solid track record in property development since 2010. Their residential portfolio includes the DBSS project Pasir Ris One, Executive Condominiums like The Vales and CityLife @ Tampines, and boutique condominium projects like Rangoon 88 and Sanctuary @ Newton.