Government Will Take Back Land Occupied By Raffles Town Club When Lease Expires In 2026
In what’s becoming a trend now, several buildings in Singapore have had to make way for future residential development. The latest location to befall this fate is Raffles Town Club along Stevens Road.
They will have to move out in 2026 when their current lease expires.
Source: Raffles Town Club on Facebook
That’s because the land they’re sitting on has been slated for future residential use.
Lease of land won’t be renewed
The news was announced in a joint media release on Monday (20 Nov) by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Singapore Land Authority (SLA).
They said that the land that Raffles Town Club is occupying will not have its lease renewed by the Government.
That means the club will have to move out by 17 Oct 2026, when the lease expires.
Strategic location at Stevens & Dunearn Road
The establishment located at 1 Plymouth Avenue sits at a strategic location at the junction of Stevens Road and Dunearn Road.
It’s just across the road from Stevens MRT station, which is served by two MRT lines.
Source: Urban Redevelopment Authority
According to the club’s website, they officially opened in March 2000.
Site slated for future residential development
Due to the site’s proximity to town and the MRT, it’s no surprise that there are plans for residential development there in the future.
URA said redevelopment will “support future housing demand and enhance the residential character of the precinct”.
It will also enable those fortunate enough to live there to benefit from the connectivity thanks to the transport infrastructure. The authorities added,
This is also in line with the focus of redeveloping brownfield sites as much as possible to meet future demand for land, including housing.
Uncertain whether club will shift to another location
As for Raffles Town Club, they have less than three years left of operations at their current home.
Source: Raffles Town Club on Facebook
After which, they must return the land to the State — an undertaking that SLA will manage.
The club has yet to comment on their impending departure from Stevens. They also haven’t revealed whether they plan to shift to another location after 2026.
If they wish to do so, the two agencies will engage them regarding the availability of suitable state properties via an open tender.
Alternatively, they may look to other options from the open market, the statement read.
Other buildings that have to make way for housing
Raffles Town Club isn’t the only famous local building that has had to make way for residential development recently.
Last year, news emerged that Jurong Regional Library would be relocating to make way for a residential development.
In June, two ministries said that the Singapore Turf Club would shut down by March 2027 so the land can be redeveloped for housing, essentially wiping out horse racing as an activity in Singapore.
On 6 Aug, beloved mall JCube closed down for good, including its skating rink. In its place will be a mixed-use development that has a condominium.
JCube Closed For Good On 6 Aug, S’poreans Head Down To Say Their Last Goodbyes
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Featured image adapted from Google Maps and Raffles Town Club on Facebook.
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