179 Piccadilly In Seletar: Multi-Sports Facility With At Least 8 Pickleball Courts

Multi-sports hub at 179 Piccadilly

If you’ve been finding it Mission Impossible to book a pickleball court, you’re not alone. The good news is that there will soon be a lot more, and if you’re a Northie, these upcoming courts at 179 Piccadilly will be right in your ‘hood when the space has been transformed into a multi-sports facility.

All you need to know about 179 Piccadilly

Former station HQ of the British Royal Air Force

exterior of the facility Image credit: @singaporelandauthority via Instagram

Originally built in the 1930s, 179 Piccadilly was part of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) Seletar Station, which was founded in 1928. Seletar Station was the largest RAF station in the Far East, and 179 Piccadilly was a reinforced concrete, Art Deco-style military building that was the RAF’s Station Headquarters.

Fun fact: the RAF Seletar Station hosted the actor Charlie Chaplin not once, but twice, and Amy Johnson, AKA the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia.

surrounding field near the facility Image credit: Singapore Land Authority

During the Japanese invasion of Singapore in 1941, the building was badly damaged by bombs, and was then occupied by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during the Japanese Occupation. After their surrender, it was restored by the RAF for use until they withdrew in 1971.

Used by Singapore Armed Forces until 2011

facility once in use as a Camp Commmandant's Office by the SAF Image credit: Singapore Land Authority

After the British left Singapore, our Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) inherited 179 Piccadilly, and used it as the Camp Commandant’s Office until 2011. The building, as well as 450 Piccadilly and 32 other bungalows in the former air base, were gazetted for conservation in the 2014 Master Plan.

Opened for tenders to convert 179 Piccadilly into a sports destination

Less than a month ago, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) opened up 179 Piccadilly for tenders, stipulating that the property was to be transformed into a multi-sports facility, with a compulsory 8 pickleball courts at least.

What can I expect at the new multi-sports facility?

abandoned interior Image credit: Singapore Land Authority

Bidding for the site will close on 22nd October 2025, so it remains to be seen what other sports facilities there will be at 179 Piccadilly. What we do know for sure is that there will be those 8 pickleball courts – as stipulated in the brief.

Apart from those 8 pickleball courts, the brief states that tenders have to be for multiple sports that promote social integration and community bonding, with environmentally friendly operations and accessible booking rates.

Image credit: @singaporelandauthority via Instagram

Besides the sports facilities, the 179 Piccadilly tender states that the development will also have the capacity to house a small number of F&B options, so you can rest assured on that count.

Play pickleball at 179 Piccadilly in Seletar

We don’t have the full picture of what 179 Piccadilly has to offer down the line when its transformation is complete, but for now, pickleball addicts, your courts are definitely on the way. We’ll update this article with more information when we have it.

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Cover image adapted from: @singaporelandauthority, @racket_jungle_ via Instagram