The One North district is about to get a lot more connected. Three new MRT stations are coming to the area as part of the Circle Line extension, and they’re set to transform how residents move around Singapore. For anyone considering a home at The Hill at One North or already living in the neighbourhood, this is a game changer.

What the Circle Line Extension Brings to One North

The Land Transport Authority announced the Circle Line extension back in 2019, and construction has been moving steadily since then. The three new stations will fill a significant gap in the MRT network, connecting One North directly to the existing Circle Line at HarbourFront.

Right now, residents in One North rely mainly on bus services or need to walk to Buona Vista MRT. That’s about a 10 to 15 minute walk for most people living near The Hill at One North. Once the extension opens, the new Cantonment station will be just a short stroll away.

The new stations are:

• Cantonment: Located near Cantonment Road and Keppel Road, serving the southern edge of the CBD
• Prince Edward: Positioned close to Prince Edward Road, right in the heart of One North’s business park
• Maju: Situated near the junction of Ayer Rajah Expressway and Pasir Panjang Road

Prince Edward station matters most for The Hill at One North residents. It sits practically on your doorstep, turning what used to be a bus dependent journey into a simple train ride.

How Your Daily Commute Changes

Let’s talk about real travel times. Before the extension, getting from One North to Raffles Place typically meant taking a bus to Buona Vista, boarding the Circle Line, transferring at Bayfront to the Downtown Line, then arriving at your destination. Total time? Around 35 to 40 minutes on a good day.

After the extension opens, you’ll board at Prince Edward station and reach Marina Bay in about 20 minutes. No transfers needed. Raffles Place becomes a 22 minute ride. Orchard takes roughly 18 minutes.

Here’s a breakdown of key destinations:

Destination	Current Travel Time	After Extension	Time Saved
Raffles Place	38 minutes	22 minutes	16 minutes
Marina Bay	35 minutes	20 minutes	15 minutes
Orchard	28 minutes	18 minutes	10 minutes
Dhoby Ghaut	32 minutes	23 minutes	9 minutes
Harbourfront	15 minutes (bus)	8 minutes	7 minutes

Those minutes add up. Over a five day work week, you save about 2.5 hours just on your commute to the CBD. That’s time you can spend with family, at the gym, or simply sleeping in a bit longer.

Property Value Impact

MRT stations have a well documented effect on property prices in Singapore. Data from past extensions shows that homes within a 400 metre radius of new stations typically see price increases of 8 to 12 percent within the first two years of operation.

The Thomson East Coast Line opening in 2020 provides a recent example. Properties near the new Napier and Orchard Boulevard stations saw values climb by an average of 10.3 percent between 2020 and 2022, according to Urban Redevelopment Authority transaction data.

For The Hill at One North, the proximity to Prince Edward station puts it squarely in that sweet spot. The development sits approximately 350 metres from the planned station entrance, well within the prime radius that property analysts watch.

“Developments within walking distance of new MRT stations consistently outperform the broader market. The convenience factor translates directly into buyer willingness to pay a premium, especially in areas like One North where the demographic skews towards working professionals who value time savings.” — Property market analyst at a major Singapore bank

Rental yields also tend to improve. Tenants, particularly expatriates working in the business parks, pay more for MRT accessible units. Expect rental rates to edge up by 5 to 8 percent once the stations open and word spreads.

Access to Business Hubs and Employment Centers

One North has always been Singapore’s science and tech hub, home to companies like Fusionopolis, Biopolis, and the national research institutes. But getting to other business districts required multiple transport modes.

The Circle Line extension changes that calculation. Alexandra Technopark becomes a 5 minute ride away. The financial district at Shenton Way? About 20 minutes door to door. Even Changi Business Park becomes more accessible through a single transfer at Paya Lebar.

For dual income families, this matters enormously. If one partner works at Fusionopolis and the other at Marina Bay, you’re both on the same train line. No more coordinating complex bus schedules or fighting over who gets the car.

The new connectivity also opens up job opportunities. Professionals living at The Hill at One North can now consider positions across multiple business districts without worrying about brutal commutes. That flexibility increases the neighbourhood’s appeal to a broader range of buyers.

Schools and Family Amenities

Families with school age children will appreciate the improved access to educational institutions. Several popular schools become significantly easier to reach:

• Singapore Polytechnic: 12 minutes via Prince Edward to Dover
• National University of Singapore: 8 minutes to Kent Ridge station
• Queenstown Secondary School: 10 minutes to Queenstown station
• CHIJ St. Theresa’s Convent: 15 minutes to Toa Payoh station

Enrichment centres and tuition classes concentrated in areas like Bishan and Toa Payoh also become more accessible. Instead of driving through evening traffic, older children can take the train independently.

The weekend family routine gets easier too. Science Centre Singapore sits just two stops away at Jurong East (after a transfer at Buona Vista). VivoCity and Sentosa are a straight shot to HarbourFront. The Southern Ridges walking trails become a spontaneous Saturday morning option rather than a planned expedition.

Retail and Lifestyle Upgrades

One North has always been a bit light on retail options. Sure, Rochester Mall and Star Vista provide the basics, but for serious shopping or dining variety, residents typically head to Orchard or town.

The Circle Line extension brings you closer to major lifestyle hubs:

1. HarbourFront and VivoCity: 8 minutes on the train, perfect for weekend shopping or catching a movie
2. Chinatown: 18 minutes away, ideal for hawker food runs or cultural events
3. Dhoby Ghaut: 23 minutes to access Plaza Singapura and the Orchard Road shopping belt
4. Marina Bay Sands: 20 minutes for dining, entertainment, or waterfront walks

The improved connectivity also means One North itself may see more retail development. Developers and F&B operators typically wait for MRT stations to open before committing to major projects. Expect new cafes, restaurants, and service providers to set up shop near the station entrances within the first year of operation.

Construction Timeline and What to Expect

The Land Transport Authority targets late 2025 for the extension’s opening. Construction is currently in the advanced stages, with tunneling completed and station structures taking shape.

Here’s what residents should know:

• Testing phase: Trains will run empty along the new stretch for about six months before public opening
• Station facilities: Each station will have lifts, escalators, and barrier free access
• Bus route adjustments: Some bus services may be reduced or rerouted once the MRT opens
• Temporary disruptions: Expect some road closures near station entrances during final works

The good news? Most of the heavy construction noise and road diversions are behind us. The remaining work focuses on interior fit outs and systems testing, which causes minimal disruption to residents.

Investment Considerations

If you’re weighing whether to buy at The Hill at One North now or wait, consider these factors:

Buying before the MRT opens:
– Prices reflect current accessibility, not future potential
– You lock in before the anticipated price jump
– You can secure better unit choices while availability lasts

Waiting until after opening:
– You pay the post MRT premium, likely 8 to 12 percent higher
– The convenience factor is proven, not projected
– Competition for units increases as word spreads

For investors, the rental market tells an interesting story. Current gross rental yields in One North hover around 3.2 to 3.5 percent. After the MRT opens, that could climb to 3.8 to 4.2 percent as tenant demand increases and rents rise.

The capital appreciation potential looks solid too. One North’s status as a key employment hub isn’t going anywhere. The government continues investing in research facilities and tech infrastructure. Combined with improved transport links, the area ticks multiple boxes for long term value growth.

How Other Neighbourhoods Changed After MRT Arrivals

Looking at past MRT extensions provides useful context. When the Downtown Line opened stations at Bencoolen and Jalan Besar in 2013, those previously overlooked neighbourhoods saw rapid transformation.

Bencoolen went from a quiet stretch of shophouses to a vibrant mix of boutique hotels, cafes, and co working spaces. Property prices in the immediate vicinity rose by 15 percent within three years.

Similarly, the Circle Line’s own earlier phases brought dramatic changes to areas like Bartley and Serangoon. What were once car dependent suburban pockets became well connected residential hubs with thriving town centres.

One North already has strong fundamentals: employment density, green spaces, and modern infrastructure. The MRT extension simply removes the last major friction point. That combination tends to produce sustained, stable property value growth rather than speculative spikes.

What This Means for Current Residents

If you already own or rent at The Hill at One North, the extension brings immediate quality of life improvements. Your home becomes more valuable, your commute gets shorter, and your access to the rest of Singapore expands significantly.

For those who drive, you might find yourself using the car less often. That means lower petrol costs, reduced wear and tear, and one less thing to think about during the morning rush.

Families with elderly parents will appreciate the easier access too. Instead of arranging car rides or navigating multiple bus transfers, visiting becomes as simple as a single train journey. That convenience factor shouldn’t be underestimated.

Making the Most of Your New Connectivity

Once the stations open, take time to explore your expanded neighbourhood. That hawker centre in Tiong Bahru you’ve heard about? It’s now 15 minutes away. The weekend farmers market at Telok Ayer? Easy Sunday morning trip.

Consider adjusting your daily routines. Maybe you can finally join that gym near your office because the commute home doesn’t feel like a marathon anymore. Or perhaps you can meet friends in town more often without the hassle of driving and parking.

The Circle Line extension doesn’t just save you time. It opens up possibilities that weren’t practical before. That’s the real value of improved public transport: it expands your effective living radius without requiring you to move.

Your One North Life, Enhanced

The Circle Line extension represents more than just three new train stations. It’s a fundamental upgrade to how One North connects with the rest of Singapore. For residents at The Hill at One North, that means shorter commutes, better property values, and access to a wider range of amenities and opportunities.

The stations will be here before you know it. Whether you’re already living in the area or considering a move, now’s the time to understand how this infrastructure upgrade reshapes one of Singapore’s most dynamic neighbourhoods. The One North you know today is about to get a whole lot more convenient.