How S’pore builder’s careful planning around MRT structures kept MacPherson BTO project on track

When home owners at MacPherson Blossom collected the keys to their new flats last year, one group felt a lot more relief than others. 

For the elderly residents under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers), the eight-month completion delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic had added to their uncertainties about leaving the familiarity of their homes for new Housing Board (HDB) Build-to-Order (BTO) flats. 

Empathetic to their plight, Wee Hur Construction, the home-grown builder in charge of the project, went out of its way to help the seniors settle in as quickly as possible.

Chief executive officer Andy Lu explains: “Many residents under Sers were elderly, with some living alone in two-room flexi flats. 

“During the Defect Liability Period (DLP), our Building Service Centre (BSC) team not only rectified defects but also patiently guided them on using new home features such as the cooker hob, TV point, shower mixer and light fittings.” 

Wee Hur’s team also shared simple maintenance tips, such as clearing floor traps, which went a long way towards helping seniors live more safely and comfortably. 

Feedback about the DLP service from the residents was positive – and the plaudits did not stop there. 

While visiting the BTO project in March 2024, adviser to MacPherson Grassroots Organisation Tin Pei Ling acknowledged Wee Hur’s efforts.

With the amenities completed at the same time, residents could enjoy the environment and ready facilities. The amenities include a childcare centre, two playgrounds, elderly facilities, fitness stations, a roof garden, commercial spaces and a multi-storey carpark.

In Wee Hur’s 45 years of building homes in Singapore, the firm – which counts developments such as Bartley Vue, Orange Grove Residences and Tanglin Trust School in its portfolio – considers MacPherson Blossom to be more challenging than normal residential projects. 

“To tackle these extraordinary challenges, we put in place a well-structured plan covering site sequencing, timely material procurement, smooth trade coordination, close progress monitoring, and swift corrective action for any delay,” says Mr Lu.

Wee Hur’s efforts paid off, winning it the Certificate of Merit – Construction under the housing category of the HDB Awards 2025. This award honours contractors and builders who do outstanding work in building public housing – from quality construction to smooth project delivery and well-run work sites.

The firm’s strategic project management and proactive initiatives helped minimise completion delays, maintain quality standards, save costs and reduce safety risks.

Overcoming hurdles with sense and sensibility

Wee Hur faced a few key challenges during the construction of MacPherson Blossom, as the site was constrained on three sides by MRT tunnels, with the remaining side adjacent to existing HDB blocks.

The proximity to the MRT tunnels required in-depth discussions with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and qualified persons (QPs). A QP, typically an architect or engineer, makes sure the design and construction of a project meet safety rules and government requirements.

“We held early kick-off meetings with the QPs and rail officers in charge to understand LTA’s safety, geo-engineering concerns and regulatory requirements,” says Mr Lu. 

This paid off, as Wee Hur could prioritise the construction sequence, streamline the LTA submission sequence, complete the pre-condition survey on time and obtain the required LTA railway-related permits – all without delays.

Wee Hur also faced a time crunch because the Automatic Tunnel Monitoring System (ATMS) specialist could not complete the instrumentation in time due to limited access to the MRT tunnel.

To make up for time, the team worked closely with LTA and brought in more piling rigs to speed up the works.

Another turning point came when the team had to change the approved construction method – from building on-site to using precast components from the 16th storey upwards.

Due to height controls set by the Republic of Singapore Air Force, which limited the use of tall tower cranes to install precast components, the project was originally planned with on-site construction.

Wee Hur made the extra effort to consult a crane specialist and came up with a workable proposal to overcome the height limit constraints and successfully secured approval to use tower cranes, which sped up the project. 

“By maximising usage of the tower crane, we minimised hoisting using a crawler tower crane, which not only saved time but also reduced safety risks,” says Mr Lu. 

To further streamline construction, Wee Hur made the difficult decision to replace underperforming subcontractors during the Covid-19 pandemic. While this meant slightly exceeding the allocated budget and – more importantly – straining some trade relationships, it was a decisive step to ensure the timely delivery of the project for stakeholders.

“Our priority was to meet the deadline and give the newly appointed subcontractors a reasonable time frame for them to catch up,” explains Mr Lu, adding that the company had to pay a higher premium for the new partners due to cost surges post-pandemic.   

All the work and extraordinary measures were worth it.

Mr Lu says: “Knowing that residents will be able to enjoy the common greenery and facilities such as fitness stations for the adults and elderly, as well as the playground for kids the moment they move into their flats, is Wee Hur’s greatest achievement for this project.” 

Learn how the Housing Board and its partners work to deliver homes Singapore residents love returning to.