Novena, Singapore

The Novena Planning Area (Simplified Chinese: 诺维娜, Traditional Chinese: 諾維娜, Pinyin: Nuòwéinà, Malay: Novena, Tamil: நொவேனா) is one of the central planning areas of Singapore. Located within the Central Region, Novena covers about 8.98 square kilometres and had a resident population of around 56,000 as of 20201. With its strong identity as a healthcare and residential hub, Novena is also known for its educational institutions, heritage sites, and retail centres, making it a vibrant and well-connected neighbourhood.

History of Novena

The history of Novena is closely tied to the establishment of the Novena Church, formally known as the Church of Saint Alphonsus, built in 1950 by the Redemptorist priests. The name “Novena” itself comes from the Latin word for “nine,” referring to the devotional practice of saying prayers over nine consecutive days. Over time, the church became so well-known that the surrounding area adopted “Novena” as its official name, a rare case in Singapore where a Catholic landmark shaped the identity of an entire district.

Name and Pronunciation

The name “Novena” is pronounced /noʊˈviːnə/ in English. In Mandarin Chinese, it is translated as Nuòwéinà (诺维娜 / 諾維娜), while in Tamil it is written as நொவேனா. The Malay usage follows the English form. Its etymology highlights the strong religious and cultural roots that shaped the district’s development.

Geography and Boundaries

Novena is situated in the Central Region of Singapore. It is bordered by the Toa Payoh Planning Area to the north, Bishan Planning Area to the northeast, Serangoon Planning Area to the east, Rochor Planning Area to the south, and Bukit Timah Planning Area to the west. Its location places it strategically near the Downtown Core, giving residents convenient access to the city centre.

Subzones of Novena

  1. Balestier
  2. Dunearn
  3. Malcolm
  4. Moulmein
  5. Mount Pleasant

Transport and Accessibility

Novena enjoys excellent connectivity, particularly via MRT lines. The key station is Novena MRT Station on the North South Line, located beneath Novena Square. Surrounding areas are also served by nearby stations such as Newton (on the North South and Downtown Line) and Toa Payoh (on the North South Line). Major roads such as Thomson Road, Moulmein Road, and Balestier Road run through the area, linking it to the rest of Singapore.

Land Use and Development

Novena is designated as Singapore’s premier healthcare hub. The HealthCity Novena initiative integrates Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, and other institutions into a cohesive medical and research precinct. This development reflects Singapore’s long-term vision of strengthening its healthcare infrastructure.

Residential Character

Residential estates in Novena include a mix of public and private housing, with condominiums, landed homes, and serviced apartments. Property values here are among the higher in Singapore due to the area’s centrality and amenities. As of mid-2025, condominiums in Novena typically cost between SGD 2,000–2,600 per square foot (21,528–27,986 per sq m)2. A standard three-bedroom unit of 1,200 sq ft (111 sq m) can cost between SGD 2.4 million and SGD 3.1 million. Rentals range between SGD 5,000 and SGD 7,500 monthly, depending on size and location. This positions Novena among the more premium residential enclaves outside of the Downtown Core.

Commercial and Retail Amenities

Novena is also known for its retail centres. Prominent malls include:

Education and Institutions

Novena is home to several educational and religious institutions, including the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (jointly established by NTU and Imperial College London). The presence of convent schools, international preschools, and religious schools adds to the district’s cultural and educational diversity.

Heritage and Cultural Sites

One of the defining cultural landmarks is the Church of Saint Alphonsus (Novena Church). It underwent extensive renovation in 2017 and continues to attract large congregations every week. Nearby, Balestier Road preserves a heritage of shophouses, traditional bakeries, and hawker stalls, blending old-world charm with modern living.

Fun Facts

Novena is one of the few places in Singapore where a Catholic devotion practice directly influenced the naming of a district. Additionally, HealthCity Novena, when completed by 2030, will be one of the largest integrated healthcare complexes in Southeast Asia.

Map of Novena, Singapore

MRT Stations in Novena

  1. Botanic Gardens MRT Station (GPS: 1.32008, 103.8259)
  2. Bukit Brown MRT Station (GPS: 1.33401, 103.83065)
  3. Stevens MRT Station (GPS: 1.32008, 103.8259)

Apartments, Condominiums and selected HDB Flats in Novena

  1. 1 Moulmein Rise (GPS: 1.31918, 103.84717)
  2. Adria (GPS: 1.31637, 103.84627)
  3. Amaryllis Ville (GPS: 1.31492, 103.84192)
  4. Parc Centennial (GPS: 1.31315, 103.84376)
  5. Thomson Euro-Asia (GPS: 1.31988, 103.84394)
  6. The Mezzo (GPS: 1.32057, 103.85251) 205 Balestier Rd, S 329682
  7. Whampoa Dew (GPS: 1.32505, 103.85555) 78 Lor Limau, S 320078

Government Buildings in Novena

  1. Revenue House (GPS: 1.3197, 103.84222) 55 Newton Rd, S 307987

Hospitals in Novena

  1. Tan Tock Seng Hospital (GPS: 1.32138, 103.84583) 11 Jln Tan Tock Seng, S 308433; P: +65 6256 6011

Hotels in Novena

  1. Citadines Balestier Singapore (GPS: 1.321, 103.85257) 207 Balestier Rd, S 329683; P: +65 6434 8888
  2. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Singapore Novena, an IHG Hotel (GPS: 1.32012, 103.85251) 201 Balestier Rd, S 329926; P: +65 6355 9988
  3. ST Residences Novena (GPS: 1.31852, 103.84768) 145A Moulmein Rd, S 308108; P: +65 6500 3188

Parks and Recreational Areas in Novena

  1. Thomson Road Playground (GPS: 1.31636, 103.84386) Thomson Rd, Singapore
  2. Whampoa Park (GPS: 1.32552, 103.8562) Whampoa Road, Singapore

Religious Buildings in Novena

  1. Church of Saint Alphonsus (GPS: 1.32165, 103.84265) 300 Thomson Rd, S 307653; P: +65 6256 2133
  2. Hakka Methodist Church (GPS: 1.31556, 103.84065) 1B Evelyn Rd, S 309298; P: +65 6256 2225
  3. Newton Life Church (GPS: 1.314, 103.84087) 16 Newton Rd, S 307995; P: +65 6252 4206
  4. Masjid Hajjah Rahimabi Kebun Limau (GPS: 1.3261, 103.85471) 76 Kim Keat Rd, S 328835; P: +65 6255 8262

Schools in Novena

  1. Singapore Chinese Girls' School (GPS: 1.32129, 103.82887) 190 Dunearn Road, S 309437

Shopping malls in Novena

  1. Novena Velocity (GPS: 1.31988, 103.84394)
  2. Royal Square at Novena (GPS: 1.3206, 103.84323) 101 Irrawaddy Rd, S 329566
  3. United Square Shopping Mall (GPS: 1.31718, 103.8436) 101 Thomson Rd, S 307591

Streets in Novena

  1. Akyab Road
  2. Balestier Road
  3. Jalan Ampas
  4. Jalan Rajah
  5. Kampong Java Road
  6. Keng Lee Road
  7. Pan Island Expressway
  8. Thomson Road

Quick Facts

References

  1. Singapore Department of Statistics – Population Data
  2. Urban Redevelopment Authority – Planning Areas
  3. NLB Infopedia – Novena

Page Details

This page was created on 8 September 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.

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