Feb 2024 BTO: Unit Analysis for Rail Garden @ CCK

The best thing about Rail Garden @ CCK is definitely its location near the Rail Corridor. While the immediate surroundings may not be too exciting, it's still convenient to get to nearby malls via the many bus options available. In this article, we'll explore what else the area has to offer and highlight the best units to consider if you secured a queue number for this Feb 2024 BTO. 

BTO	Rail Garden @ CCK
Location	Rail Corridor along Woodlands Road
PLH model?	No
Total no. of units	465
Unit types	2-room Flexi, 3-, 4-room units
No. of blocks	6
How tall?	5 to 11 storeys
Estimated completion date	3Q 2028
Pricing	2-room Flexi Type 1: $102K - $124K 2-room Flexi Type 2: $128K - $155K 3-room: $202K - $253K 4-room: $300K - $376K

What’s around the site?

The bustling Woodlands Road runs alongside a portion of Rail Garden @ CCK, with the KJE right next to it, so it's not exactly a quiet spot despite being close to the Rail Corridor, a park connector and a future park!

KJE is seen here, located aboveground 

Still, it makes for a great location for those who like being outdoors and who enjoy cycling and jogging. The Rail Corridor, as you may already know, is a green passage that links all the way to Tanjong Pagar, passing through towns like Bukit Timah and Bukit Merah.

The closest amenities will be conveniently located within Rail Green I and II, which were launched last year and are situated right next to this development. Rail Green will offer a supermarket, eating house, and shops on the first floor of their commercial block.

It’s quite a bit of distance to the malls and main amenities in Bukit Panjang however. It will take around an 18-minute walk from Rail Garden to Bukit Panjang MRT station on the Downtown Line, and Junction 10, the closest mall, is just over a 15-minute walk away. Junction 10 may be on the smaller side compared to the other malls in the area, but it offers a Sheng Siong supermarket, various dining options, and a range of retail shops and services.

If you're looking for more shopping options, Hillion Mall and Bukit Panjang Plaza are a bit further away but can be reached in just a few bus stops. Alternatively, you can hop on bus services from the bus stop in front of Rail Garden to get to Choa Chu Kang MRT station that’s currently on the North-South Line and will also be linked with the future Jurong-Region Line.

So although Rail Garden @ CCK is not within walking distance to these MRTs, the fact that it's conveniently located near multiple MRT lines is a great perk.

For primary schools, the ones within a 1-km radius are likely to be Teck Whye Primary School and West View Primary School.

Which unit should I choose for Rail Garden @ CCK?

What I find interesting about this project is that each block is actually staggered in terms of height. For example, the block closest to the KPE in the northwest part of the site is only 5 storeys tall, while the one farthest from the KPE in the southwest part of the site is 11 storeys tall. This variation really impacts the views from each block.

I've noted the number of storeys on the map for reference, but it's definitely worth checking out the 3D model at the HDB hub to fully understand how the blocks are positioned.

2-room

One of the first few considerations when you are getting a 2-room unit is whether to go for a Type 1 or Type 2 unit. Type 1 units are typically smaller, cheaper, whereas Type 2 units are typically larger, pricier. The latter has additional space that can be converted into either a small study or even a small guest room.

When it comes to unobstructed views, I would suggest going with stack 401, which falls under Type 1. It's positioned quite a distance away from the bustling Woodlands Road (about 53 metres by my estimation) and is slightly buffered by the Rail Corridor, so noise levels shouldn't be a major concern. Plus, there are plenty of advantages to this stack. It's conveniently located near the amenities at Rail Green BTO and you won't have to worry about the afternoon sun shining directly into your unit - although you can look forward to getting the morning sun!

Woodlands Road, located to the right of image

If you're leaning towards a Type 2 unit, I would recommend stack 433. The top two floors of that stack offer decent, unblocked views. Even on the lower floors, you'll still have a bit more privacy compared since it doesn’t look straight into the units on the opposite block. Those on the lower floors might not get as much afternoon sun, which can be a plus for some. The only drawback is that this stack’s situated near the lift lobby and rubbish chute area, but fortunately, it's not directly facing them.

3-room

I personally think stack 439 would be a great choice for the 3-room units. It's a corner unit, so you get more privacy, and it also has a nice unblocked view with no other block directly in front of it. Another upside is that it’s on the block that has direct shelter access to the bus stop in front of the estate. This stack may get some afternoon sun though, coming in from the south-west direction during the months between September to March.

For other stacks with more open views, keep an eye out for stacks 437, 461, 463, 473, 475, 490*, 491*, 505*, and 507*. Just keep in mind that they may not offer as much privacy or peace and quiet.

*For these stacks, make sure you go for a unit that’s above the 4th floor if you want unobstructed views.

4-room

There are quite a few 4-room stacks that overlook Sungei Pang Sua, which I think are the most ideal for the 4-room units since it offers a bit more quiet. I used to live nearby and can confirm that Sungei Pang Sua’s more like a canal than a river. However, it's a decent size, so there's some distance between those stacks and nearby buildings as well as the junior college across the canal.

These stacks also face a soon-to-be-built park, which will bring some greenery to our concrete jungle. Just keep in mind that it might be a popular spot, so expect a bit more noise once it's up and running. The other downside to these stacks is that they are definitely going to bear the brunt of the afternoon sun.

If you're looking for more privacy among these stacks that are facing Sungei Pang Sua, you might want to check out the corner stacks like 411, 423, 449, 477, 483, 493, 499, 509, and 515. And if you prefer air-drying your laundry, stacks 413, 425, 451, 483, 499, and 515 have service yards that get plenty of fresh air and some sunshine in the afternoons.

For those who prefer staying out of the afternoon sun, the cooler stacks are likely to be 417, 429, 471, and 487.