Our neighbourhood
About Chencharu Hills
From its Malay roots to a thriving new town — the story of Chencharu.
The Name
Chencharu is derived from the Malay word for horse mackerel — a type of fish once abundant in the waters around this part of Singapore. The name is a tribute to the area's maritime heritage, when this stretch of coastline and its surrounding kampungs were home to fishermen and their families who made their livelihoods from the sea.
The word is considered archaic in modern Malay, making it a rare living link to old Singapore. That the area retains this name today is a gentle nod to the generations who shaped it long before modern development arrived.
A Layered History
Chencharu was once a vibrant coastal community on the northern fringes of Singapore, home to fish trap kings, crop farmers, and a "ghost fleet" of abandoned vessels that dotted the coastline. The area saw kampung communities cultivate vegetables and raise livestock, while fishermen cast nets in the nearby Strait of Johor.
Over the decades, rapid urbanisation gradually transformed this rural landscape. As Singapore grew, the old kampungs gave way to planned housing estates. The area around Yishun evolved into one of Singapore's established residential new towns, and Chencharu — nestled at its edge — is now poised for its own modern chapter.
Today, remnants of that past linger in the memories of former residents and in the very name of the place — a heritage worth knowing as we begin writing our own chapter here.
HDB Masterplan for Chencharu
In 2024, HDB unveiled a comprehensive masterplan for the Chencharu area, setting out a vision for a well-connected, sustainable, and community-focused district in Yishun. The plan envisions a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces integrated with the natural landscape.
Key highlights of the masterplan include:
- A network of green corridors and parks linking the new residential blocks to the waterfront and surrounding nature areas
- Community facilities such as schools, hawker centres, and childcare services planned for early accessibility
- Improved transport connectivity to the Yishun MRT station and bus interchange
- Pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and cycling paths woven through the estate
- Sensitive integration with the existing Yishun Pond and green spaces
The masterplan reflects HDB's broader Smart and Sustainable estate goals — making Chencharu a place where residents can live, work, and play in a green and connected environment.
Chencharu Hills BTO
1,277
Total Units
10
Residential Blocks
14–15
Storeys
Q4 2028
Estimated TOP
Chencharu Hills is the first Build-To-Order (BTO) project in the Chencharu precinct at Yishun, located along Lorong Chencharu. Launched in June 2024, it comprises:
| Flat Type | Units |
|---|---|
| 5-room | 390 |
| 4-room | 420 |
| 3-room | 82 |
| 2-room Flexi (Type 2) | 303 |
| 2-room Flexi (Type 1) | 82 |
| Total | 1,277 |
The project is expected to reach Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) in Q4 2028. Located just a short distance from Yishun MRT station, Chencharu Hills will benefit from the surrounding amenities at Yishun, including Northpoint City, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, and the upcoming Chong Pang City redevelopment.
Artist Impressions
More information? Read the Official Brochure.
Location
Along Lorong Chencharu, Yishun, Singapore
Coordinates: 1.4164°N, 103.8259°E