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.
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.
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.
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.
Image credit: @singaporelandauthority via Instagram
In March 2026, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), together with Sport Singapore, awarded the tender for 179 Piccadilly to Arina International Holding Pte Ltd. Under the tender requirements, the property will be transformed into a multi-sports facility, with at least 8 compulsory pickleball courts.
You might already know the company from other sports venues around the island. Arina International Holding also operates the Singapore Badminton Hall, The Sports Arina at Singapore Expo, and The Sports Arina at Jalan Kayu, another multi-sports facility featuring pickleball, padel and futsal courts.
Image credit: @singaporelandauthority via Instagram
The completed development will be a sheltered, weather-proof sports destination designed for all-day use. Besides the minimum of 8 pickleball courts required under the tender, visitors can also expect facilities for padel, tennis, badminton and futsal.
Image credit: @singaporelandauthority via Instagram
The conserved building will also house a selection of F&B offerings, adding to the visitor experience while preserving the property’s distinctive Art Deco features.
Beyond its sports facilities, the development will also feature community amenities including a free-to-use running track and playground, creating spaces for visitors of different ages to enjoy.
Although an opening date has yet to be announced, plans for 179 Piccadilly are now taking shape. 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
Originally published on 22nd September 2025. Last updated by Celine Wee on 5th August 2026.
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