Singapore, Johor Regent Agree to Swap 21ha Holland Road Land Plots

The Singapore government and the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, have agreed to a land swap involving prime plots near the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The Johor royal family, which has privately owned 21.1 hectares along Holland Road for generations, will transfer a 13-hectare plot near Tyersall Avenue to Singapore, while receiving an 8.5-hectare state-owned parcel further from the Botanic Gardens in exchange. This swap aims to reposition the Regent's planned residential developments away from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Botanic Gardens, ensuring sensitivity to the surrounding environment. The remaining 8.1 hectares of Johor-owned land between the swapped plots will remain under the Regent's ownership. Future development on the Regent's new plots will be subject to regulatory approval and environmental assessments, focusing on low-rise, low-density residential use. Singapore will keep the 13-hectare plot undeveloped for now but may consider future plans for the area.