District 3 (Tiong Bahru, Queenstown) — July 2023 Digest

District Digest Last reviewed

For digest readers, the four numbers that matter for District 3 (Tiong Bahru / Queenstown) in July 2023 are: (a) transacted volume relative to trailing-12-month averages, (b) median PSF for the comparable-quality sample, (c) gross rental yield (where applicable), and (d) the segment-mix composition that influenced the headline aggregate. Cross-reference the chart in this digest against URA REALIS for verified caveat-level detail, and against the URA Property Price Index for the quarterly cycle-level benchmark.

The transacted activity reading for District 3 (Tiong Bahru / Queenstown) reflects the interplay between (1) the policy environment (IRAS ABSD rates for buyer-side cooling, IRAS BSD rates for the standard upfront stamp), (2) the financing cost environment (MAS SORA dashboard for the floating-rate benchmark plus typical 0.6–0.85% bank spread = ~4.0% all-in), and (3) the MAS TDSR / cooling measures explainer that caps debt-servicing at 55% of gross income. Each of these levers can shift period-to-period readings independently.

The July 2023 monthly market digest digest for District 3 (Tiong Bahru / Queenstown) sits within a defined cycle context. District 3 sits within the broader Singapore private residential cycle. This digest reads the period’s data alongside the structural framework set by Singapore’s post-April-2023 cooling-measure regime — foreigner ABSD at 60%, Singapore Citizen second-property ABSD at 20%, 3M SORA in the 3.0–3.5% band — that shapes how the raw figures translate into actionable buyer or seller decisions (as of 2023-07).

For: First-time buyersHDB upgradersInvestors
Source: URA REALIS
Data as of June 2026

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Key Takeaways
  • Sales volume: 65 transactions
  • Average PSF: $2,383 psf (↑ 15.5% MoM)
  • Rental volume: 443 leases, avg $5,778/mo
  • RCR · D3 (Tiong Bahru, Queenstown)

Monthly Overview

District 3 (Tiong Bahru, Queenstown) recorded 65 sales transactions in July 2023 at an average PSF of $2,383 psf. The rental market saw 443 new leases.

property's $1,155 psf average surged 15.5% year-on-year — a pace that typically signals strong demand pressure. Transaction volume of 65 in this period was broadly in line with historical norms.

Notable Transactions

The highest-value transactions in District 3 during July 2023.

Notable transactions D3 — July 2023
PropertyPricePSFTypeSale Type
RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTS$11,750,000$5,569 psf5 BRResale
RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTS$11,500,000$5,553 psf5 BRResale
ONE PEARL BANK$7,880,000$2,928 psf5 BRNew Sale
ONE PEARL BANK$7,500,000$2,701 psf5 BRNew Sale
ONE PEARL BANK$6,800,000$2,589 psf5 BRNew Sale

Most Active Condos

Condos with the highest transaction volume in District 3.

Most active condos D3
PropertyTransactionsAvg PSF
ONE PEARL BANK19$2,787 psf
THE LANDMARK5$2,639 psf
RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTS5$3,207 psf
PRINCIPAL GARDEN4$2,033 psf
COMMONWEALTH TOWERS4$2,036 psf
🧮Check what you can afford in D3 — try the Affordability Calculator

Recent PSF Trend (6 Months)

6-month PSF trend D3
PeriodVolumeAvg PSF
2023-0272$2,256 psf
2023-0388$2,238 psf
2023-0478$2,282 psf
2023-0561$2,155 psf
2023-0658$2,064 psf
2023-0765$2,383 psf

Bedroom Distribution

1 BR units dominated with 26.2% of transactions in District 3 during July 2023.

Bedroom distribution D3 — July 2023
Unit TypeTransactionsAvg PSF
1 BR17$2,578 psf
3 BR14$2,353 psf
2 BR13$2,124 psf
Studio7$2,104 psf
4 BR6$1,926 psf
5 BR3$2,739 psf
ℹ Market Context
District 3 averaged $2,383 psf in July 2023, which is 20% above the city-wide average of $1,986 psf.

The July 2023 period’s transacted activity for District 3 (Tiong Bahru / Queenstown) reflects specific micro-level drivers. Within the aggregate figure, individual sub-segments (different unit types, floor bands, tenure types) typically move at different rates — the period’s ‘top movers’ are units or sub-cohorts whose performance deviated meaningfully from the mean. For investors and sellers, identifying these movers is more useful than the headline average because the mean smooths out the dispersion that creates actual buying or selling opportunities.

Typical top-mover categories in any digest period include: (a) freehold units in 99-year-dominated districts that command a meaningful tenure premium, (b) high-floor units in projects with strong views or panoramic orientation (5–15% PSF premium vs low-floor in same project), (c) recently-renovated stock that commands ~5–10% premium over comparable un-renovated transacted PSF, and (d) units close to recently-opened MRT lines or new developments that create proximity-premium uplift. For District 3 (Tiong Bahru / Queenstown) in July 2023, the dispersion across these categories is the more informative reading than the headline median. Use District 3 page for cross-reference.

Conversely, soft-mover categories typically include 99-year leasehold stock approaching financing-window thresholds (lease <30 years), units with unfavourable orientation or noise exposure, and developments where MCST management quality has degraded. Cross-reference URA REALIS for the per-project caveats and assess which projects in District 3 (Tiong Bahru / Queenstown) fall into which category.

The embedded chart for this monthly market digest digest of District 3 (Tiong Bahru / Queenstown) in July 2023 visualises the transacted activity trajectory. The two readings to focus on are (1) the absolute level versus the trailing-12-month mean, and (2) the direction of change across the most recent 3–4 periods. A single-period spike or trough is rarely informative; sustained directional movement across multiple periods signals a structural shift worth acting on.

For comparative context, place District 3 (Tiong Bahru / Queenstown)’s July 2023 reading against (a) the corresponding national-level URA Property Price Index figure for the segment, and (b) the equivalent reading in adjacent districts or towns. The relative positioning — whether District 3 (Tiong Bahru / Queenstown) is leading or lagging the national segment — informs whether the period’s reading is geography-specific or part of a broader cycle move. Use price heatmap for district-level visual comparison and district comparison for direct numeric benchmarking.

Looking ahead from July 2023, the forward variables for District 3 (Tiong Bahru / Queenstown) transacted activity are (a) the URA Government Land Sales pipeline within a 1km radius, which determines new-supply pressure, (b) the SORA trajectory over the next 2–4 quarters, which shapes mortgage-driven affordability, and (c) any local infrastructure changes (new MRT stations, school openings, redevelopment of neighbouring plots) that could shift relative attractiveness. Track these via URA REALIS and the MAS SORA dashboard (as of 2023-07).

FAQ

How many transactions were recorded in District 3 in July 2023?
District 3 (Tiong Bahru, Queenstown) recorded 65 sales transactions in July 2023.
What was the average PSF in District 3 in July 2023?
The average price per square foot was $2,383 psf in District 3 during July 2023.
Which condo had the most transactions in District 3?
The most active condo was ONE PEARL BANK with 19 transactions.
What does the July 2023 monthly market digest reading for District 3 (Tiong Bahru / Queenstown) indicate?

The reading is a snapshot of transacted activity in July 2023 for District 3 (Tiong Bahru / Queenstown) on the transacted activity dimension. Single-period readings are most informative when read against trailing-12-month and same-period-prior-year benchmarks. Pull verified caveats from URA REALIS for transaction-level detail (as of 2023-07).

How was this transacted activity figure computed?

The figure is derived from URA REALIS caveats for District 3 (Tiong Bahru / Queenstown) filed during July 2023. transacted activity computations follow standard methodologies: gross yield = annual rent / purchase price for the same unit cohort; transacted PSF = price / floor area; volume = caveat count for the segment. For HDB digests the equivalent source is the HDB resale portal.

How does this period compare to the same period a year ago?

Year-over-year comparison strips out seasonality. The most informative read is whether July 2023’s transacted activity reading is materially above or below the equivalent period one year earlier, controlling for the broader Singapore property cycle. Use the URA Property Price Index for cycle-level context.

What policy environment shaped this reading?

The reading sits within the post-April-2023 cooling-measure regime: foreigner ABSD 60%, SC second-property ABSD 20%, TDSR 55% per the MAS TDSR / cooling measures explainer. SORA-linked mortgage rates near 4.0% effective shape the affordability ceiling. These structural variables affect demand-side composition across all digest periods since 2023.

Should I act on this digest?

Honest answer: depends on holding horizon and buyer profile. For owner-occupiers with 10+ year horizons, single-period digest readings rarely trigger action. For sellers or short-horizon investors, sustained directional moves across 3–4 periods may indicate timing windows. Cross-reference your specific buyer profile via the IRAS BSD rates and CPF home ownership rules alongside the digest data.

Methodology & Sources

Figures below are drawn from July 2023 and revised every month.

Transaction data sourced from URA REALIS.

We report medians (not means) so a single outlier transaction cannot skew district-level figures. PSF = price per square foot.