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Can Your HDB/Condo Really Last 99 Years?

Have you considered what your condo or HDB flat will look like, after 99 years? This question is partly inspired by Life After People, which is a series I highly recommend. And while the scenario isn't quite the same, one thing stands out: the way built environments change after a single century. Buildings are partly

This question is partly inspired by , which is a series I highly recommend. And while the scenario isn’t quite the same, one thing stands out: the way built environments change after a single century.  Buildings are partly overgrown with weeds, parts of the underlying structure are exposed, and all semblance of original colour is gone. In other words, pretty much Peace Mansion at any point past 2010 (it’s a great mercy that it’s finally being redeveloped). To use another example, consider People’s Park Complex. This was built in 1973, so it’s 51 years old. And yet, as far back as 2017, there were news reports of due to breakdowns (nice ceiling stain in that picture by the way), and tenants – commercial as well as residential – have told me about that weird smell which permeates curtains and carpets. Golden Mile, before it went up for redevelopment, also had of deterioration.  People’s Park Complex doesn’t have to maintain a pool and landscaped areas; and even in its heyday, facilities at Golden Mile were quite bare-bones (Golden Mile actually had a pool by the way, which they emptied in around 2003). Peace Mansion/Peace Centre also had no facilities, and even then upkeep was a struggle.  (I would know. My first office was there, and directly across from the toilet. I still see that restroom in my darkest nightmares). So given that those projects were so simple, what’s going to happen to more complicated projects? Projects like 1,000+ unit mega-developments with “10 billion square feet of facilities” or what have you?  In 99 years, what would the struggle be to upkeep multiple pools and tennis courts, or an elaborate novelty like a rock-climbing wall, actually look at? As is, we already have condos that have permanently shut down jacuzzis, steam rooms, or parts of a clubhouse before even 30 years are up.  The fact is, most of us have never dealt with the upkeep of a property that’s past 50, let alone one that’s reaching the full 99 years.  So as much I gripe about how quickly we tear down residences – a practice I consider wasteful and ecologically damaging – I’m forced to admit that it may be a practical reality; especially for condos that have very elaborate facilities.  Follow us on Stacked for in-depth reviews of new and resale condos alike.