+65 8901 7972
中文 EN
Singapore Commercial Property
Back to Blog
Reviews Published

Novelty BizCentre Review

Industrial & Commercial Property Review — District 13

Novelty BizCentre

A freehold B1 light-industrial address off Howard Road, steps from Tai Seng MRT

SGCPI Research Desk Updated August 2026 18 Howard Road, Singapore 369585 FREEHOLD

Street-level view near Novelty BizCentre, 18 Howard Road, Singapore 369585. Imagery: Google Street View (user-contributed imagery), accessed August 2026.

Project Overview

Building NameNovelty BizCentre
Address18 Howard Road, Singapore 369585
DistrictDistrict 13 (Macpherson / Potong Pasir)
TenureFreehold
Zoning / UseB1 Light Industrial
Built Form11-storey light-industrial block; 3 warehouse levels, sky-terrace facility deck
Land Area / GFA≈4,091 sqm land / ≈9,509 sqm GFA
Completion Year2015
Nearest MRTTai Seng (CC11), MacPherson (CC10), Mattar (DT25)
Key Road AccessPan-Island Expressway (PIE), Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE)
Transacted PSF Range≈S$967 – S$1,357 psf
Sale Price Range≈S$1.05M – S$3.1M per unit
Asking Rent RangeS$4,300 – S$13,998 per unit/month
Occupier BaseLight manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, trade offices, MCST-managed multi-tenant mix

Location & Connectivity

Novelty BizCentre sits along Howard Road, a quiet spur off MacPherson Road in the Tai Seng / Macpherson industrial belt of District 13. This pocket of Singapore has long been a working address for light manufacturing, warehousing and trade-related businesses, and it continues to draw occupiers who want proximity to the city centre and Changi without paying central-area rents. The immediate surroundings mix low-rise factories, newer B1 developments and a scattering of F&B and retail units serving the daytime workforce.

Connectivity is one of the building’s stronger cards. Tai Seng MRT station on the Circle Line is roughly a four-minute walk away, giving direct rail access to Paya Lebar, the Central Business District interchange at Bugis/Dhoby Ghaut, and onward to the wider network. MacPherson MRT (Circle Line/Downtown Line interchange) and Mattar MRT on the Downtown Line are both within reasonable walking or short bus distance, effectively putting the building within reach of three separate stations. For drivers, the Pan-Island Expressway and Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway are both close by, and Upper Paya Lebar Road and MacPherson Road provide direct arterial access, making cross-island trips to Changi Airport, the eastern industrial estates or the CBD straightforward.

Within walking distance, occupiers and their staff have access to a cluster of everyday amenities: coffee shops and food centres in nearby industrial blocks, a Prime Supermarket, and the wider retail options at Upper Serangoon Shopping Centre and Grantral Mall @ Macpherson. This is a practical rather than glamorous location, but that practicality — rail access, expressway access and daily amenities all within a few minutes — is precisely what light-industrial occupiers tend to prioritise.

Location of Novelty BizCentre, 18 Howard Road. Map data: Google Maps, accessed August 2026.

Building & Facilities

Completed in 2015, Novelty BizCentre rises 11 storeys and was purpose-built as a B1 light-industrial development with a deliberate split between warehouse and production use. The lower levels are configured predominantly as warehouse units suited to storage and distribution, while the upper floors from roughly level six upward house single-level and duplex production/factory units. A dedicated sky terrace and shared facility deck around level five gives the building a lifestyle layer that is unusual for an industrial address, with communal areas intended to support staff wellness and informal meetings rather than pure production throughput.

Vertical transportation is served by passenger and goods lifts sized for industrial loading, and the building offers a healthy carpark provision of roughly 87 conventional lots plus handicapped, lorry and motorcycle bays — a detail that matters in this part of District 13, where street parking is limited and many neighbouring blocks are undersupplied on car park capacity. Units are typically handed over in a shell-and-core or lightly fitted condition, with ceiling heights and floor loading suited to light manufacturing, assembly and warehousing rather than heavy industrial processes.

As with any strata-titled B1 building, prospective buyers and tenants should conduct their own due diligence on permitted use, floor loading capacity, power supply, and any additional retrofit requirements before committing to a fit-out. The Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) oversees common facilities, security and estate upkeep, and buyers should review the latest MCST accounts and by-laws as part of their purchase process.

Unit Types & Floor Plan Notes

Novelty BizCentre comprises 86 strata units in total — a mix of standard production units, production units with mezzanine levels, warehouse units and a single ancillary staff canteen unit. The spread of sizes gives both owner-occupiers and investors reasonable flexibility, from compact single-level production spaces to larger duplex configurations suited to businesses that want office and production space under one roof.

Production Unit

≈1,033 – 1,841 sqft

Single-level production/factory units forming the bulk of the upper-floor stock, suited to light assembly, workshops and small-scale manufacturing.

Production Unit + Mezzanine

≈1,173 – 2,325 sqft

Duplex-style units with a mezzanine level, popular with occupiers wanting a separate office or storage tier above the working floor.

Warehouse Unit

≈1,119 – 1,389 sqft

Lower-floor warehouse space with loading access, geared toward storage, distribution and light logistics operators.

Ancillary Canteen Unit

≈2,616 sqft

A single dedicated staff canteen unit serving the wider development, part of the building’s lifestyle/wellness facility offering.

Total strata units: ≈86 (66 production/factory + 19 warehouse + 1 canteen)
Floors: 11 storeys, with 3 warehouse levels and facilities deck at level 5
Carpark provision: ≈87 conventional lots, 3 handicap lots, 4 lorry lots, 14 motorcycle lots
Handover condition: Typically shell / light fit-out, subject to unit history
Permitted use: B1 Light Industrial, subject to URA and MCST guidelines

Investment Case

Novelty BizCentre’s core appeal rests on its freehold tenure — a rarity among B1 stock, most of which is sold on 30- or 60-year leasehold terms — combined with a well-connected District 13 address and a diversified unit mix that appeals to both owner-occupiers and yield-focused investors.

What Works

  • Freehold tenure removes the depreciating-lease overhang common to most B1 stock
  • Within a four-minute walk of Tai Seng MRT, with two further stations nearby
  • Direct access to PIE and KPE for cross-island logistics
  • Diversified unit mix (production, mezzanine, warehouse) broadens the buyer and tenant pool
  • On-site sky terrace and canteen facilities differentiate it from bare-bones industrial stock

What to Weigh Carefully

  • Building is over a decade old; mechanical and electrical systems will need ongoing capex
  • B1 zoning caps occupier types and restricts owner-occupier eligibility rules
  • Strata-industrial resale liquidity is thinner than for commercial or residential assets
  • Carpark supply, while reasonable, can tighten during peak occupancy periods
  • Rental spread (S$4,300–S$13,998) reflects wide unit-size variance, complicating like-for-like comparison

Who This Suits

Novelty BizCentre is best suited to owner-occupiers running light manufacturing, assembly, trading or warehousing operations who value a permanent freehold base with strong rail and expressway access, and who can make productive use of a mezzanine or duplex layout for combined office-and-production needs. It also appeals to investors seeking industrial exposure without the lease-decay risk that dogs most B1 assets, particularly those targeting SME tenants who need affordable, well-connected space near Tai Seng and the eastern business corridor. It is less suited to businesses requiring heavy industrial processes, large single-floor plates, or purely showroom/retail-facing operations, given the building’s production-and-warehouse orientation and strata-managed common areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can a unit at Novelty BizCentre legally be used for?
Novelty BizCentre is zoned B1 Light Industrial under URA guidelines, meaning units may be used for permitted light manufacturing, assembly, processing, warehousing, workshops and ancillary office space that directly supports these activities. Pure retail, F&B beyond the on-site canteen, residential use, or standalone showroom operations are generally not permitted without specific approval. Ancillary office space is usually capped at a percentage of total floor area, so buyers running an office-heavy business should confirm the exact allowable ratio before purchase. Always verify current permitted use conditions directly with URA and the MCST before signing, as guidelines and individual unit conditions can vary and change over time.
Can foreigners buy a unit at Novelty BizCentre?
Yes. Unlike residential property, Singapore does not restrict foreign ownership of B1 industrial units under the Residential Property Act, so foreign individuals and foreign-owned companies can generally purchase strata industrial units such as those at Novelty BizCentre without needing Singapore Land Authority approval. However, foreign buyers should still confirm financing eligibility with local banks, as loan-to-value ratios and interest rates can differ for non-residents. Corporate structuring, tax residency and repatriation of rental income are separate considerations that typically warrant advice from a Singapore-qualified accountant or lawyer. Buyers should also check whether their intended use requires any additional business licensing tied to nationality or company registration.
Does Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) apply to industrial purchases here?
No. ABSD in Singapore applies specifically to residential property purchases and does not extend to commercial or industrial assets such as the units at Novelty BizCentre. This is one of the structural advantages of industrial property for both local and foreign buyers, since it removes a significant upfront cost layer that residential buyers face. Standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) still applies on industrial purchases, calculated on the higher of purchase price or market value using the prevailing tiered rates. Buyers should not assume this exemption extends to other duties or holding costs, and should always confirm current rates with IRAS or a conveyancing lawyer before completing a purchase.
Is Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) a concern when reselling?
Industrial properties in Singapore, including strata units at Novelty BizCentre, are subject to Seller’s Stamp Duty if sold within three years of purchase, with rates on a declining scale depending on the holding period. This is designed to discourage short-term speculative flipping of industrial assets. Investors planning a shorter hold horizon should factor SSD into their exit-price modelling, as it can meaningfully erode returns on a quick resale. Beyond the three-year mark, SSD no longer applies, which is one reason many industrial investors adopt a medium-term holding strategy. Always confirm current SSD rates and holding-period thresholds with IRAS, as policy settings can be revised.
How is Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) calculated on a unit here?
BSD on an industrial unit at Novelty BizCentre is calculated on a tiered percentage basis applied to the purchase price or market valuation, whichever is higher, following IRAS’s standard non-residential property schedule. This applies uniformly regardless of buyer nationality or company structure. Buyers should build BSD into their total acquisition cost alongside legal fees, valuation fees and any financing charges, since it is payable upfront upon exercising the option to purchase. Corporate buyers should also check whether the purchasing entity structure affects any duty treatment. For an exact figure ahead of a purchase, buyers should run their intended price through IRAS’s current BSD calculator or consult a property lawyer.
Does GST apply when buying or renting an industrial unit here?
GST treatment on industrial property depends on the seller or landlord’s GST-registration status rather than the property type itself. If the vendor is GST-registered, GST is typically chargeable on the sale price or rental of a unit at Novelty BizCentre, whereas individual, non-GST-registered sellers or landlords would not charge it. Buyers intending to lease out units to GST-registered business tenants may be able to register for GST themselves and claim input tax credits, which can be advantageous but adds compliance obligations. This is a nuanced area that varies by transaction structure, so buyers and investors should seek advice from a tax professional or accountant before finalising a deal.
How does financing differ for a freehold industrial unit versus a leasehold one?
Because Novelty BizCentre is freehold, it avoids the loan-to-value restrictions that many banks apply to industrial properties with shorter remaining leases, where financing can taper off sharply once the remaining tenure falls below certain thresholds. This generally gives freehold industrial buyers more consistent access to financing across a longer holding period and can support stronger resale value later in the asset’s life. That said, industrial property loans overall carry more conservative loan-to-value ratios than residential loans, typically in the 70–80% range depending on the bank, buyer profile and whether the purchase is made through an individual or corporate entity. Buyers should compare in-principle approvals across several banks before committing.
What kind of rental yield can an investor expect?
Based on current asking rents of roughly S$4,300 to S$13,998 per month across different unit sizes, and sale prices in the region of S$1.05 million to S$3.1 million, gross rental yields for B1 industrial units in this cluster typically fall in the range of ≈4% to ≈6% per annum, though actual returns vary significantly by unit size, floor level, fit-out condition and prevailing market conditions. Investors should stress-test yield assumptions against vacancy periods, MCST fees, property tax and maintenance costs rather than relying on headline asking rents alone. Speaking with a research desk familiar with recent comparable transactions is the most reliable way to validate realistic achievable rent for a specific unit.
How does the building’s age affect its investment appeal?
Completed in 2015, Novelty BizCentre is now around a decade old, which places it past the newest wave of B1 developments but still well within a serviceable lifespan for an industrial asset, particularly one on freehold land. Buyers should factor in likely upcoming capital expenditure on common mechanical, electrical and lift systems as the building ages, and should review recent MCST sinking fund statements to gauge how well-prepared the estate is for major repairs. Freehold tenure means the building’s age affects running costs and fit-out decisions more than it affects the underlying land value, which is a meaningfully different risk profile compared with a decaying leasehold industrial asset of similar age.
What are the chances of an en-bloc sale or redevelopment?
En-bloc potential for strata-titled B1 developments like Novelty BizCentre depends on factors including plot ratio headroom, unit owner consensus (typically requiring at least 80% approval by share value and unit count for developments over ten years old), and developer appetite for industrial redevelopment in the area. As a relatively young, freehold, fully-tenanted-capable asset, the probability of a near-term en-bloc attempt appears low, since owners are unlikely to be motivated to sell while the building continues generating steady income. Longer term, freehold status does make eventual redevelopment more commercially straightforward than for leasehold sites nearing lease expiry. This should be treated as a very long-horizon consideration rather than a near-term investment driver.
Is parking and loading access adequate for industrial operations?
Novelty BizCentre offers approximately 87 conventional car park lots, 3 handicap lots, 4 dedicated lorry lots and 14 motorcycle lots, which is a reasonably generous provision for a strata-industrial building of this size and gives it an edge over some older, more car-park-constrained blocks in the immediate vicinity. The dedicated lorry lots support loading and unloading for warehouse and logistics tenants, though operators running frequent large-vehicle deliveries should confirm loading-bay access hours and any MCST-imposed restrictions before committing to a unit. As with any multi-tenant building, parking availability can tighten during peak hours, so businesses with heavy daily vehicle traffic should visit at working hours to assess real-world conditions.
What are MCST or maintenance fees typically like here?
As a strata-titled development, Novelty BizCentre is managed by a Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST No. 4158), which levies monthly maintenance fees on unit owners based on share value to cover common area upkeep, security, cleaning, lift servicing and sinking fund contributions for major repairs. Exact fee levels vary by unit size and are set annually at the MCST’s AGM, so prospective buyers should request the latest maintenance fee schedule and sinking fund statement directly from the managing agent before purchase. Buildings with well-managed sinking funds are generally better positioned to handle major repairs without imposing special levies on owners, so reviewing recent MCST minutes is a worthwhile part of due diligence.
How liquid is the resale market for units at Novelty BizCentre?
Resale liquidity for strata-industrial units, including those at Novelty BizCentre, is generally thinner than for residential or even commercial property, since the buyer pool is narrower and largely restricted to businesses with a genuine operational need or investors comfortable with industrial income streams. That said, freehold tenure, proximity to three MRT stations and a diversified unit mix all help support a broader and more consistent pool of interested buyers than a typical leasehold B1 block would attract. Recent transaction data showing sales as recently as 2025–2026 suggests the building continues to see active resale interest. Sellers should still expect a longer marketing period than for residential property and should price in line with recent comparable transactions.
What kinds of businesses are best suited to occupy this building?
Given its B1 zoning and unit mix, Novelty BizCentre suits light manufacturers, product assemblers, electronics and precision workshops, trading and logistics companies, e-commerce fulfilment operators, and service businesses that need warehousing paired with modest office space. The mezzanine-equipped production units are particularly well suited to businesses wanting a small showroom, design studio or administrative office directly above their working floor. It is less appropriate for heavy industrial processes requiring high floor-loading capacity, large single-span factory floors, or businesses needing direct at-grade container access, which are typically better served by purpose-built heavy-industrial estates such as those in Tuas or Jurong. Prospective occupiers should always confirm floor loading and utilities capacity for their specific equipment needs.

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax or investment advice. Figures, ranges and estimates (marked with ≈ where applicable) are based on publicly available data and reasoned estimates at the time of writing and are subject to change without notice. Prospective buyers, tenants and investors should conduct independent due diligence, including verification with URA, IRAS, the relevant MCST and qualified professional advisors, before making any purchase, lease or investment decision. SG Commercial Property Insights makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented.

© 2026 SG Commercial Property Insights. All rights reserved.

Back to Blog
WhatsApp