More than 1,100 people had applied for 714 condominium-like flats in Boon Keng by 6pm on Saturday - Day One of the application period.

Over 8,000 people packed the showflat, with some showing up as early as an hour before the 9am opening time. And this in spite of it not making a difference to their chances of getting a unit as the flats will be sold by an online ballot.

The development, called the City View @ Boon Keng, is the second public housing project to be built and sold by private developers.

The units cost between $349,000 and $727,000 and are designed with built-in wardrobes, timber flooring, wall-to-wall balconies and air-conditioning. They do not have more expensive common facilities like swimming pools.

Read the full story in The Sunday Times.