03
MAY
2017 WEDNESDAY
TRANSFORMING CITY LIVING SkyWorld continues to offer innovative sky-living experience. > P02-03
INSIDE THIS ISSUE www.starproperty.my
HOTEL LIVING EVERY DAY
IT'S LIKE BEING ON HOLIDAY AT THE HILTON-INSPIRED HILL10 RESIDENCE > P04 starproperty.my
StarProperty
HONOURS FOR PROPERTY AGENTS
WAH! YOU CAN WIN A HOME
STARPROPERTY.MY REAL ESTATE AWARDS TO GET OFF THE GROUND > P12
Emag: StarProperty.my (English) / Property Trends (Chinese)
NATIONAL FREE HOME CAMPAIGN STARTS ON MAY 11. > P16 StarProperty
developments
02 high-rise
Datuk Ng Thien Phing, founder and group managing director of SkyWorld.
TRANSFORMING CITY LIVING Open door and teamwork
"I am the eldest sibling and only son. We lived in a small one-bedroom rented house. "Our friends and neighbours would talk about buying new toys, clothes and bicycles. Our family’s priority was to own a home."
SkyWorld continues to offer innovative sky living experience with value for money developments in the city
W
HAT comes easy won’t always last. And what will last, won’t always come easy. This saying reflects the work philosophy of Datuk Ng Thien Phing, the founder and group managing director of SkyWorld. From humble beginnings, he has toiled to become one of today's most promising city developers. And SkyWorld has made a mark with its niche 'sky living' developments. “I was born into a family of five in Kuala Krai, Kelantan. My father was a hardworking lorry driver and my mother a modest homemaker,” said Ng.
Ng is the type of boss who believes in teamwork and keeping his office door open. "At times, being open to new ideas and entrusting my team have its perks. I place much emphasis on staff selection and then see to it that everyone has a positive outlook that is aligned with our vision & mission. "I welcome suggestions from employees on how to further develop the company, taking into account the importance of good location in a practical yet cosy setting for our purchasers. "We end up with unique high-rise homes featuring designs that once existed only in landed properties, such as higher ceilings, bespoke balconies and locker rooms next to your car park. Some of our units even have private car park located next to the unit and our smaller studio units (part of dual-key units) even comes with balconies!"
Making the right move
Ng is a firm believer in getting the right people, and
making the right move at the right time and place. Since young, his inspiration is to create a better communal living space where everyone lives together in harmony. “It took six years to set up a management team comprising top industry personnel, lay the foundation of a strong talent pool, and actively explore quality land banks which SkyWorld now owns," said Ng. Though shaped less than a decade ago, SkyWorld has recorded positive growth and reached new heights. "Our winning formula is location, location, location. We decided to select land banks within KL city, and positioned ourselves as a city developer," explained Ng. Additionally, SkyWorld stands by its three key pillars of value creation, sky living and innovation. The company aspires to be the best city developer in Malaysia that offers sky living within a sustainable environment. The only reason why SkyWorld has opted to build abodes in the air is because all its land banks are inside the city and the only way is to build up.
Competitive Advantage
As a city developer, Skyworld is transforming the skyline and providing exclusive sky living experiences to its purchasers.
STARPROPERTY.MY WEDNESDAY 03 MAY 2017
03
Bennington residences is the first to offer five new elements, with its iconic loop pool, triplex sky gym, rainforest lounge, threetier facility, four-tier security and rooftop facilities.
Ng said: “Not many developers in Malaysia are in a niche position like us. "We have more than 137 acres of quality land bank in Kuala Lumpur. With such a unique and strategic landbank, SkyWorld complements larger township developments through the creation of integrated city developments," Ng concluded.
Get ready to experience A higher Quality of Life
Currently the developer boasts varied projects that are enjoying positive take-up rates which include – Ascenda Residences @ SkyArena, Setapak; SkyAwani Residence @ Sentul; SkyAwani 2 Residences @ Off Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur; Bennington Residences @ SkyArena, Setapak and SkyLuxe On The Park @ Bukit Jalil. Looking to the future, SkyWorld is planning to launch a handful of integrated developments worth an estimated GDV of RM1.6 billion which would be released beginning from the third quarter of this year in Taman Desa, Setapak, Bandar Baru Sentul, and Setiawangsa. Keen registrants, please join us and register on skyworld.my/register.
Our winning formula is location, location, location. We decided to select land banks within KL city, and positioned ourselves as a city developer.
SkyWorld embodies the forefront of innovation by initiating Malaysia’s first two-acre of rainforest themed SkyPark and Garden.
developments
04high-rise
HOTEL LIVING EVERY DAY
It's like being on holiday at the Hilton-inspired Hill10 Residence
3
“Right Brand,
Right Location: Hilton, the No 1 recognised brand in the hospitality industry today has chosen i-City, the No 1 technology city for its hotel location.
1
A
S a township development that utilises cutting-edge technology, i-City has been consistently upgrading its infrastructure to create a 72-acre freehold ultrapolis which combines residential, commercial, retail, entertainment and tourism elements. It became the first private sector development in the country to be awarded the MSC Cybercentre status, and remains the only urban centre in Shah Alam to-date. i-City was also among the first connected communities in the South East Asian region a decade ago to provide fibre connectivity and high speed broadband to the home when dial-ups were still the standard bearers. This visionary intelligent city has transformed into a tentpole of luxurious development. Among the outstanding properties that have emerged is the Hill10 Residence, an upscale smart residential development with its 200 Internet of Things (IoT)-ready homes offering quality hotel living.
A collaboration with DoubleTree
In December 2014, I-Bhd signed an agreement with Hilton Worldwide to develop the DoubleTree by Hilton in i-City as part of the township's RM9bil master plan. The hotel commands 300 elegant rooms and has a gross development value (GDV) of RM250mil. In a recent interview, Hilton
Worldwide vice-president of operations for South-East Asia and India William Costley was quoted as saying that the hotel chain’s position is to choose the right brand at the right location. He said the location of DoubleTree by Hilton need not be in the heart of a city because Hilton's brands were suited to fit different target audiences in various locations. As in the case of DoubleTree by Hilton in i-City, the hotel can be at a strategic location in Shah Alam, yet the guests will be able to enjoy the same quality service of Hilton. Occupying the same tower block and above DoubleTree by Hilton is the Hill10 Residence. Both hotel and the residences share a double-volume entrance driveway on the ground floor. Coupled with Hill10's own cantilever rooftop infinity pool at level 43, there are just some of
2
– I-Bhd executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong.
1 Residents coming home to Hill10 Residence will be greeted by a double-volume entrance driveway. 2 Hill10 Residence presents a seamless transition from luxury hotel to private home. 3 Those who wish to unwind can relax at the cantilevered rooftop infinity pool. 4 The residential units, from levels 22 to 43, will be fully fitted and furnished with interior design concepts similar to DoubleTree by Hilton. 5 DoubleTree by Hilton and Hill10 Residence will be equipped with state-ofthe-art technology. 6 DoubleTree by Hilton has 300 elegant rooms with state-of-the-art technology and modern guestroom management system.
STARPROPERTY.MY WEDNESDAY 03 MAY 2017
05
4
the many world-class facilities on offer. DoubleTree by Hilton will occupy the ground floor to Level 22, while the Hill10 Residence will occupy the upper floors from Level 22 Mezzanine to Level 43. Extending the prestige of Hilton Worldwide, Hill10 Residence will be fully fitted and furnished with interior design concepts similar to the hotel rooms. The stylish suites will be complemented by modern conveniences, making them the ultimate dream homes for those who enjoy a lifestyle of luxury. Despite its elegant design and prestigious pedigree, Hill10 suites are priced from RM500,000 each, making it a steal considering buyers and investors will be able to acquire a home that is crafted to match the opulent lifestyle that can only be found in a worldwide hotel chain.
At home on top of the world
Residents of Hill10 suites will be able to come home to attentive room and housekeeping service as well as a 24hour coffee house. After being greeted by the doublevolume driveway, residents can unwind and relax at the cantilevered rooftop infinity pool, the landscaped gardens, a recreation zone, a gym and other world-class facilities that complete the dream of owning a home on top of the world. Upon entering the room, residents may not be able to stop themselves from jumping on the bed as children do in a hotel room. Don't worry about messing up the bed – Hill10 promises round-the-clock services and top-notch living experience. Similarly, those looking for a place to relax or work in the middle of the night can head for the 24-hour coffee house. Residents need not have to worry about cleaning the house. Their living space will be neat and tidy when they return from their activities.
Hilton-inspired holiday living
Simply put, Hill10's residents own “the luxury, the world and the moment”. The exclusive suites come at an enviable price for those who desire the concept of holiday living. One of the defining features of Hill10 Residence will be the application of IoT. DoubleTree by Hilton and subsequently Hill10 Residence will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, such as a guestroom management system with efficient and centrally-managed energy consumption and room services. This system will promote environment sustainability while enhancing the living experience. At the hotel, rooms will be precooled once a guest checks in at the concierge. Upon entering the room, the guest will discover more user-friendly intelligent features. At Hill10 Residence, some of the home-sharing features are to be found in its basic structural layouts. The development offers Standard,
6
Right from the beginning, i-City has been conceptualised as a modern master-plan development that offers the latest technology to its commercial and residential projects.
5
Deluxe and Executive suites, with builtups of one bedroom, one study room and one bath, as well as two bedroom and two baths. This not only caters to the demands of modern life but also enables investors to rent out the rooms with little hassle. For those interested in owning a luxurious suite to let, directly or through home-sharing services, they can assure their tenants of privacy. Each floor has only 11 suites which are serviced by four lifts. With the establishment of the
three worldwide brands in the likes of Hilton Worldwide, the Central Group of Thailand and the currently-operating Best Western Hotel, coupled with the unveiling of Hill10 Residence, i-City’s stature as a beacon of leading-edge developments in the vicinity of Greater Kuala Lumpur shines ever brighter. The Hill10 Residence and DoubleTree by Hilton tower block is expected to be completed in 2020. For more information, call 0355218811 or visit i-city.my.
events
STARPROPERTY.MY WEDNESDAY 03 MAY 2017
06highlights
MORE NEW HOMES IN 2H2016
Developers launch affordable properties to meet demand www.starproperty.my StarProperty.my StarProperty
EDITORIAL
editor@starproperty.my
Assistant General Manager ERNEST TOWLE ernest@thestar.com.my
Content Coordinator LEE YAN LI lylee@thestar.com.my
Content Writers LEE YAN LI VIKNESH ASHLEY JONATHAN ROBERTS GOH OOI HWA YOGANESWARI VELLUSAMY Designers KWONG CHEE OON QUEENY YONG SHARUMMATHY SUNDARALINGAM
MARKETING & SALES Head of Customer Engagement & Support IVY LEONG 03 7967 1347 ivyleong@thestar.com.my
Property Business Head of Sales JACKY CHENG 03 7967 1388 (ext 1244) jackycheng@thestar.com.my
Acting Head, Sales (Agent Business) KENT THEW
03 7967 1388 (ext 1861) kentthew@thestar.com.my
W
HILE house prices in most states remained at the same level in the second half of last year (2H2016), most developers chose to launch houses below RM500,000 to meet market demand. It comprised 40% of residential units launched in this price range, compared with the first half (1H2016) when 37% of new launches were within RM250,000 to RM500,000. Developers in general launched more units above RM500,000 in the second half of 2016 compared with the first half of the year. According to a recent survey by the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda), 47% of new launches in the second half of 2016 were below RM500,000 while the first half recorded 51%. In the recently held “Property Industry Survey 2H2016 and Market Outlook 1H2017”, Rehda president Datuk Seri FD Iskandar said there were more new launches in 2H2016, accounting for 13,276 units which was nearly double the 7,172 units recorded earlier that year. Sales of the new launches saw a slight improvement of 6% throughout the year, recording 2,829 units sold in 1H2016 and 5,973 in 2H2016.
Download E-mag at: STARPROPERTY.MY(English) PROPERTY TRENDS (Chinese)
Iskandar also said there were more strata launches in the second half of 2016, which indicated a strategy adopted by developers to lower house prices because landed properties were often priced higher. According to the survey, a total of 72% in accumulated unsold units throughout the years was recorded in the second half of 2016, a slight increase from the 71% unsold units recorded in 1H2016. “Among the unsold units, 30% were within the price range of RM250,000 to RM500,000
STARPROPERTY.MY EVENT HIGHLIGHTS Propwall CORE • May 7 (Sunday) • 1.30pm - 4pm • Menara Star, Petaling Jaya Investing for retirement is across generations. What do investors from different generations have in common? How do they differ? Propwall Core will be inviting legal and insurance consultant K.Karunamoorthy to speak at this month’s Propwall Core event titled “Securing Your Property Investment across Generations”. To register, log on to: bit.ly/Propwallcore4 scan to register
1
Rehda president Datuk Seri FD Iskandar presenting the Property Industry Survey and Market Outlook.
while 42% of unsold units were mainly from RM500,000 to RM1mil,” said Iskandar. The difficulty of end-financing was a major factor of units remaining unsold, said Iskandar, adding that most banks tend to approve a margin of financing at 70%, which meant purchasers have to fork out 30% as down-payment. In his opinion, most young Malaysians would be able to pay the monthly loan installment. However, those who worked less than five years are usually unable to pay the 30% down-payment, resulting in the need to ask for financial help from the family to buy a house. Rehda remains optimistic for the coming months, citing the positive sentiment of most developers when it comes to the property market outlook in the second half of 2017. Iskandar said this was due to the fact that developers in most states were expecting to retain or lower the unit prices of their launches. Rehda’s survey indicates a high level of buying interest from the public because many young people still live with their parents. “In 2H2016, 43% of purchasers were firsttime home-buyers and 83% of them bought houses for themselves to live in,” Iskandar added.
“Malaysia’s Most Exceptional Developments 2017/2018” To celebrate the prestigious StarProperty.my Awards 2017, StarProperty.my has compiled a host of quality projects from the award-winning developers into a book, available on The Star Online Bookstore at bit.ly/ctb2017. scan to order
Star-925 • May 20 (Saturday) • 9am - 12pm • Menara Star, Petaling Jaya Star-925 will be hosting Strategic Property Investor programme founder Ahyat Ishak. In his talk entitled “5 Trends that will change the Property Market Forever”, Ishak will share his experiences and insights of property investment. For registration, log on to bit.ly/ may925 .
This month, StarPropertyTV shares some tips on various aspects including securing one’s property, growing in the workplace and building wealth from different expertise. • Malaysia Real Estate Promoting Association vice-president Ronald Pua shares his views on the prospect of OBOR and the effects of China’s recent policy. • Crime Safety Specialist Shamir Rajadurai gives advice on living safe in one’s own neighbourhood. • Malaysia's business growth expert Jeevan N. Sahadevan reveals his secrets on growing in the workplace and building wealth. • Vacation rental entrepreneur Ikhram Merican explains the characteristics of a successful home-sharing practice, such as setting up and maintainence costs, tips to generate more leads, and more. Log on to bit.ly/starpropertytv to watch the videos.
scan to watch
STARPROPERTY.MY WEDNESDAY 03 MAY 2017
OCR opens Isola@ KLCC sales gallery
O&C Resources Bhd has unveiled the signature sales gallery and show unit of its latest luxury service residence project, Isola@KLCC at Jalan Yap Kwan Seng. The freehold development offers 140 units with layouts from one to three bedrooms. Built-up areas range from 636 to 3,390 sq ft. With a gross development value of RM240mil, Isola@KLCC is targeted for completion by 2021.
news
latest happenings07 Sunsuria City Celebration Centre opens in style
Sunsuria Bhd marked the grand opening of its Sunsuria City Celebration Centre in style, welcoming 4,500 visitors at its inaugural Sunsuria City Fest on Saturday. The new Celebration Centre includes Sunsuria’s new sales gallery and Celebration Plaza event hosting venue, where residents and visitors can find out more about the concept and values of Sunsuria City and Xiamen University Malaysia, China’s first overseas university. In conjunction with Sunsuria City Fest, Sunsuria also announced the launch of its Bell Suites SOHO and serviced apartments. Named after American inventor Alexander Graham Bell, the development includes 478 units between 450 and 970 sq ft.
JKG Land launches The Era@Duta North
Tropicana Metropark's Paisley gets under way
Tropicana Corporation launches the third and last residential phase of Tropicana Metropark, Paisley Serviced Residences. Located at the heart of Tropicana Metropark, the development consists of two iconic towers with a total of 587 units with built-ups ranging from 601 to 1491 sq ft. The layouts of 1+1, 2+1 and 3+1 bedroom units are designed to maximise views and natural lighting.
JKG Land Bhd launched the first phase of The Era@Duta North, offering 921 units within two blocks of residential towers named Dawn. With a gross development value (GDV) of RM583mil, the units offered range from 614 to 2,928 sq ft. The project is expected to be completed within four years. Located in the mature township of Segambut, The Era is a freehold mixed development spanning 11 acres of land. The first three phases – Dawn, Noon and Eve – consist of six residential towers from 53 to 63 storeys, a three-storey retail development, six acres of landscaped Forest Village and wetlands.
Suntrack introduces The Riyang in Kuchai Lama
Suntrack Development Sdn Bhd launched its latest residential development, The Riyang, in the neighbourhood of Happy Garden, Kuchai Lama. The Riyang sits on 2.03 acres of freehold land and comprises 212 exclusively residential units sized between 1,477 and 1,884 sq ft, with one dual-key unit measuring 2,798 sq ft. With a GDV of RM251mil, the condominium features a 35-storey tower with eight residential units on each level.
Gamuda Land unveils township sales gallery
Gamuda Land recently unveiled the sales gallery of its latest township, twentyfive.7. Located at Kota Kemuning, twentyfive.7 is an avantgarde township focussing on community interaction. The first phase comprises 181 superlink homes and 98 semidetached units.
Setia Ecohill launches last phase of superlink houses
Setia EcoHill recently launched the Gloris Collection, the third and final phase of the Horizon Residences. With just 77 units of double storey superlink houses in the freehold neighbourhood, Gloris provides the exclusivity and privacy amid the natural environment and beautifully landscaped parks. Within Setia EcoHill, the 80 units of the three-storey shops that are linked to EcoHill Walk are also open for sale now. EcoHill Walk is an integrated commercial project that comprises the first lifestyle mall in Semenyih.
Damansara Realty unveils Kuantan residential units
Damansara Realty Bhd has unveiled its 5.75-acre Damansara Hills project in Kuantan comprising terrace and semi-detached residential homes. Damansara Hills will have 39 terrace and 10 semidetached units, each with built-up areas of 2,404 sq ft and 2,659 sq ft respectively.
Platinum Victory opens up new condo project
Platinum Victory Development Sdn Bhd recently introduced its condominium project Platinum Splendor Residence by offering over 2,000 units along Jalan Semarak. The development has four unit types with sizes ranging from 926 to 1,184sq ft. The project has enjoyed a take-up rate of over 70% since its soft launch in January.
developments
STARPROPERTY.MY WEDNESDAY 03 MAY 2017
08 high-rise By VIKNESH ASHLEY
vikneshashley@thestar.com.my
1
SPLENDOR OF A HIGH-RISE GEM
Enjoy the pulse of bustling Kuala Lumpur with Platinum Group's affordable offer
P
1 This development features a range of condominium facilities, including a swimming and wading pool for residents to enjoy.
LATINUM Victory Group (PVG) has for the past 15 years catered to the bread-and-butter property segment of Kuala Lumpur, with the successful completion of about 30 developments throughout the Klang Valley. Among the popular developments by PVG are Platinum Suites in Jalan Sultan Ismail as well as PV20 Platinum Lake Condominium and PV2 Platinum Hill Condominium in Setapak. Some of the areas now flagged by the developer include Sentul, Taman Melati, Danau Kota and even within Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle. PVG has decided to make its mark along the bustling Jalan Semarak locale, just four km from the Kuala Lumpur city centre. The latest addition to PVG’s impressive portfolio is the Platinum Splendor residences, which are selling for between RM300,000 and RM600,000 each and in a variety of configurations ranging from 882 to 1,184 sq ft. This property is targeted at the city frequenter because of its proximity to the Kuala Lumpur Central Business District (CBD) as well as being just six km to Ampang, nine km to KL Sentral, 12km to Mont Kiara and just 15km to Petaling Jaya. The mid-range property is served by major roads as well as the DutaUlu Kelang Expressway (Duke) for unparalled access to all major Kuala Lumpur destinations. The Duke provides access from Platinum Splendor to popular areas such as Wangsa Maju, Setapak, Ampang and even Setiawangsa, through the Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway (Duke 3). In addition, those living within Platinum Splendor residences may even enjoy MRT facilities as there are proposed plans for MRT expansion that may be located close to the aforementioned property. The proposed lines include the westeast link (Subang Jaya-Petaling Jaya –
2 Residents will have majestic views of the city centre, which is a short distance away. 3 Platinum Splendor residences are available in a variety of configurations priced from RM300,000.
3
Kuala Lumpur-Hulu Ampang) and a North-East and South-West link (Setapak – KL – Genting Klang – OUG). In addition, a 25-acre public park has been proposed within the vicinity for the recreational needs of the community including the residents of Platinum Splendor residences. Despite a practical price tag, Platinum Splendor does not skimp on quality, offering an all-inclusive range of condominium facilities to the future homeowners of this aspirational Kuala Lumpur property. The comprehensive list includes an outdoor exercise station, a playground, a pavilion, a surau, a multi-purpose hall, shops, a management office, a cafeteria, public resident toilets as well as a kindergarten, which can all be found within block A. Located within block B and C are a swimming and wading pool, another playground, a management office, shops, a multi-purpose hall, a cafeteria, games room, toilets, sauna, surau, pavilion, a barbecue area, a gym and a kindergarten. For the education-conscious, Platinum Splendour enjoys unmatched access to popular education institutions
2
such as University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), TM Multimedia College, Alliance Francaise and Sekolah Sri Inai. Also close by is a myriad of shops, banks, restaurants and transport facilities. For those seeking retail therapy, the property is just a short drive away from some of Kuala Lumpur’s most vibrant shopping destinations including Pavilion Kuala Lumpur Shopping Mall, Suria KLCC, StarHill Gallery Kuala Lumpur in Bukit Bintang, Berjaya Times Square, as well as Sungei Wang Plaza and Low Yat Plaza Shopping Mall for IT needs. Residents of Platinum Splendor will also get to enjoy Mid Valley Megamall and The Garden, one of Malaysia’s
largest shopping centres located nearby Bangsar. Platinum Splendor also offers basic property management services such as garbage collection, cleaning of common areas, 24-hour security, maintenance of landscaped areas as well as a CCTV system. The Platinum Splendor project is developed by Total Solid Holdings Sdn Bhd, a member of the PVG group of companies. The long-established housing developer holds an impeccable track record, crafting unique homes that stand out in terms of affordability, quality and excellent after-sale service. For more information, log on to www.platinumvictory.com .
WEDNESDAY 3 MAY 2017
STARPROPERTY.MY
9
developments
STARPROPERTY.MY WEDNESDAY 03 MAY 2017
10 township
By VIKNESH ASHLEY
vikneshashley@thestar.com.my
FOR THOSE SEEKING AN URBAN LIFESTYLE
Paramount Property presents its newest instalment Urbano
1
D
EVELOPED by Paramount Property Sdn Bhd, Urbano is a freehold project located at Glenmarie in Shah Alam. It is designed to provide the best of urban living within a contemporary community. Inside Urbano, residents will get to enjoy an environment that meets one's expectation of comfort and style. This property is surrounded by a vibrant community living within a thriving development consisting of retail, hotel and educational components. Just a few steps away from Urbano is a 120,000 sq ft marketplace, showcasing a vibrant retail and commercial hub that offers residents every convenience including the services of a boutique hotel. The residence is further brought to life by a university college campus situated within walking distance.
Personal outdoor spaces
Designed for those mindful of compact living but appreciate space-efficient interiors, Urbano comes with many property configurations. The living spaces are prescribed in various layouts between 797 and 1,202 sq ft each. Urbano's practical layouts feature full facilities, making it suitable for couples and young families. In addition, some of the units have dual-key access which gives homeowners the privacy of their own space with the opportunity for rental income. The uniqueness of Urbano lies in the developer's effort to create outdoor spaces almost half the size of the interiors. The personal outdoor spaces attached to intermediate units range from 144 to 401 sq ft. This feature is exclusive to all second floor units.
2 1 Residents of Urbano will get to enjoy a range of facilities that caters to different recreational needs.
Urbano’s facilities are resort-like and cater to your every need for relaxation and recreation. Indulge in a refreshing swim, work out at the gym, throw a BBQ party or simply relax under the stars. Other facilities include a launderette, a daycare centre, surau, changing rooms, a reading room, wading pool, community hall and a management office.
2 Landscape details merge in harmony to create a relaxing atmosphere. 3 The new upand-coming urban boutique hotel provides a comfortable stay for business entrepreneurs or visiting family and friends.
Chic urban hospitality
Paramount Corp Bhd plans to set foot into hotel development and ownership through joint venture by building a four-star Mercure Hotel located next to Urbano. This up-and-coming boutique hotel hopes to offer urban hospitality at its best. It presents itself as a suitable option for a comfortable stay for business entrepreneurs or even visiting family and friends. Stylish interiors complemented by excellent service are what guests can expect from checkin to check-out. The hotel, which is expected to open its doors by 2019, is part of the developers’ integration plan. Urbano is self-contained and gifted with a strategic location. The residence can boast about excellent connectivity within the township as well as to other areas. Its close proximity to Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya allows it to enjoy a host of amenities and facilities. All the residential, commercial and educational components are seamlessly connected to each other, promoting high walkability and ease of moving around. With the proposed LRT Line 3 coming up soon, this township offers high accessibility to and from any destination within the Klang Valley. Residents and visitors will have peace of mind within Urbano because it places much emphasis on safety including having round-theclock security.
4 As an extension of living spaces, the facility deck will become a place for leisure activities.
3
4
WEDNESDAY 3 MAY 2017
STARPROPERTY.MY
11
developments
STARPROPERTY.MY WEDNESDAY 03 MAY 2017
12 township
TOP AWARD FOR UNIV360 PLACE
F3 Capital's Serdang South project raises the benchmark for green living
1 F3 Capital has used a hybrid design that incorporates plants and materials peculiar to Malaysia’s cultural scene. 2 The tree-filled surroundings evoke the feeling of a forest canopy. 3 The biophilic design reconnects the high-rise urbanites with nature. 4 Among the green features is an 18-storey vertically landscaped wall. 5 A panoramic view of UNIV360 Place. 1
I
N the heart of Serdang South lies an extraordinary development that merges and elevates the concept of urban green. Designed for first-time homebuyers and investors, UNIV360 Place by F3 Capital focusses on the key aspects of space utilisation, landscaping, architectural elements and avant garde master plan. The development offers studios and units with two or three rooms. The well-crafted contemporary urban designs of UNIV360 Place complement the minimalist industrial ambience, making the residences stand out among the developments in the Seri Kembangan locality of Serdang. The four-acre development offers a 58% green area which creates a pleasant and refreshing environment. The green areas include the mid-level and rooftop sky gardens, an 18-storey vertically landscaped wall and large vertical planter boxes, all of which embody the indigenous biophilic design concept. The indigenous design incorporates the local characteristics of the neighbourhood and the environment,
2
while the biophilic design adopts multifunction green architecture features to reconnect the high-rise urbanites with nature. To satisfy our longing for nature and "kampung living", F3 Capital has used a hybrid design that incorporates plants and materials peculiar to Malaysia’s cultural scene. Among the localised concepts in the design are padi fields that reflect kampung life and the kaki lima of traditional shophouses. The tree-filled surroundings evoke the feeling of a forest canopy, while anyone going through the main gate will get a sense of visiting a tea plantation because of the shrubs at the entrance. The elements of forest, water and beach are all presented in the podium grove, pool water cascade, swimming pool with pebble stones, and the naturalistic playground. Residents will also be able to enjoy a water splash walk, sun-lounger, reflective pond, water jets, wading pool, yoga pavilion and more. The minimalist design is reflected in the simple natural finishes that include galvanized steel mesh, pebbles and concrete. Located within the established Serdang Jaya and Seri Serdang areas, UNIV360 is a short drive away from
Mines, University Putra Malaysia, Perdana Medical University and University Tenaga Nasional. The proximity of major universities and colleges means the area has a large student population. The neighbourhood is well served by public transportation and is accessible via several highways including KLSeremban, Besraya and SKVE. There is also an upcoming MRT station for SSP Line 2. Poised to be one of the bestdesigned affordable projects in the Seri Kembangan and Serdang neighbourhood, this one-of-a-kind development recently grabbed the StarProperty.my Niche & Unique Honours Award. This winner of PAM 2016 Commendation Award for Commercial High-Rise has also earned Project of the Year Award at the recently held Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards (MLAA) 2016. It is a well-deserved recognition for F3 Capital's effort in providing visionary homes that merge urban life with nature.
3
4
5
WEDNESDAY 3 MAY 2017
STARPROPERTY.MY
13
news
STARPROPERTY.MY WEDNESDAY 03 MAY 2017
14 events
By VIKNESH ASHLEY
vikneshashley@thestar.com.my
HONOURS FOR PROPERTY AGENTS
Nomination period: 1 May - 30 June 2017
StarProperty.my Real Estate Awards to get off the ground
F
OR the first time, StarProperty.my will host an awards event to reward and highlight the endeavours of real estate agents who go the extra mile for their
clients. The StarProperty.my Real Estate Awards 2017 has been created by a team from StarProperty.my and Propwall.my members who believe that property markets can have a huge bearing on economies worldwide. Agencies and agents will be assessed on a broad spectrum of criteria, most of which are overlooked by clients before they decide to get in touch with a property agent. Besides focussing on the performance of agents, the awards will also honour those who achieve sales success by generating impressive
By GOH OOI HWA
annual figures. The property agents will be judged on whether they meet the highest standards over a number of months to ensure continuity and stability. To be a good real estate negotiator (REN), one has to show good qualities as a leader in self-management as well as reflect positive agency practices that meet industry standards. They must exhibit substantial achievements in listings, sales, marketing and after-sales services. For agencies, it is important to train and develop staff members to achieve their true potential, while providing fair incentives to those who have consistently achieved outstanding performance. The inaugural awards encourage
practitioners to stay fair and transparent, while aiming to boost awareness of the region’s real estate industry and highlight top agencies, agents and services. In addition, the StarProperty.my Real Estate Awards 2017 will shine a spotlight on the high-calibre work within Malaysia’s real estate industry from the aspects of performance, development and achievement. By serving as a platform to honour the best industry practices, the awards hope to inspire RENs and agencies to keep delivering quality services while pursuing excellence in their profession. The awards will celebrate the achievements of the agencies and agents whose responsibility is to shape and steer the market by being
motivated to continue developing their businesses. Key objectives of the awards include promoting excellence and stimulating positive competition among agencies and agents; highlighting and rewarding excellence within Malaysia’s residential property sector; and providing accolades that can be trusted and used by consumers to help them make the right decisions in the property market. Nominations are open from May 1 to June 30. Log on to http://srea.starproperty.my/ to register. An awards night will be held on Aug 8. For more information, contact StarProperty.my at 03-79671388 (ext 1861) or 014-9385078.
ooi.hwagh@mystar.com.my
CONNECTIVITY TO PROPEL AFFORDABLE LIVING
Prospective home buyers visiting the Mapex exhibition held at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur from April 14 to 16.
From left: Ernest Towle, Elvin Fernandez, Pretam Singh, Ng Seing Liong, and Wan Hashimi Albakri at the Mapex panel discussion.
H
OW good is a development's connectivity? One rule of thumb to measure its efficiency is 30 minutes by car and an hour by public transport when going to work. “Anything above that and your quality of life will be compromised,” said Malaysia Property Exposition (Mapex) organising chairman and Real Estate & Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda) past president Datuk Ng Seing Liong. “The Government has been extending the LRT network, building the MRT, and expanding the bus and train services.
In future, public transport must be efficient; walking distance from home to public infrastructure should take five to 10 minutes only. Anything more is not efficient. “Therefore, the place you live should be within walking distance of public transport or there should be a feeder bus service to take you to the transportation hub. From there, you can travel to your workplace,” said Ng, who was one of the panelists at the Mapex discussion held by Rehda. The session, titled “Affordable Housing and Connectivity”, was moderated by Star Media Group Bhd property business unit
assistant general manager Ernest Towle. The other panelists were Sime Darby Property Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Wan Hashimi Albakri, Nor & Co partner Datuk Pretam Singh and Khong & Jaafar group of companies managing director Elvin Fernandez. Fernandez spoke about a shift in demand from higher-range products to the affordable market. He said: “If your annual income is about RM100,000 a year, your house should be about RM400,000, whereas if your house is from RM700,000 to RM800,000, the average of your household income should be about RM200,000.”
“Developers have played their part in building affordable homes. The banks should come forward to help the industry and the nation. –Ng
According to Wan Hashimi, the pressure and demands from buyers will determine the state of the property market. Ng suggests that changing the requirement for amenities could help in providing more affordable housing in a cost-effective way. One of the examples cited by him is reducing the number of car parks provided to owners of high-rise units so as to optimise space. “In terms of housing developments in the cities, Malaysia is considered one of the most successful countries in SouthEast Asia,” said Ng. However, he thought there was lack of support from financial institutions when it came to housing loans. “There is a huge demand for affordable housing but banks are holding back on lending. “Developers have played their part in building affordable homes. The banks should come forward to help the industry and the nation,” said Ng.
events
STARPROPERTY.MY WEDNESDAY 03 MAY 2017
forum15
By YOGANESWARI VELLUSAMY yoganeswari@mystar.com.my
BRAIN BEFORE HEART WHEN INVESTING
T
HE mantra “follow your heart” is often used when making decisions. But when it comes to property investment, REI Group of Companies chief executive officer and co-founder Dr Daniele Gambero suggests otherwise. He says young Malaysians should stay focussed, and be more logical while being less emotional. Owning a home has always been one of the major concerns among young adults. The rising trend of house prices may put most properties beyond the reach of many Malaysians, especially young people just entering the workforce who have to consider their commitments and expenses. “When it comes to affordability, young adults are often pessimistic about home ownership due to the rising cost of property," said Gambero. "There is always a concern for the
‘locked out’ generation. They have no idea how and where to start,” he said in an interview with StarPropertyTV. However, Gambero said there were still plenty of promising properties for young homebuyers, if they could be smart and realistic about the situation. “The affordable houses in Kuala Lumpur are priced between RM700,000 and RM800,000 while the minimum value of affordable houses within the state of Selangor is around RM395,000,” he said, adding that the younger buyers have to understand the current real estate conditions and be realistic in their expectations when househunting. Dr Daniele Gambero
“Ample knowledge about strategic locations together with a keen eye on the market will go a long way in spotting a promising piece of property. “Gen Y should educate themselves on the fundamentals of financial knowledge and be positive when dealing with market forces. Trust your brain more than your heart,” said Gambero. Investing in property may sound scary at first, but it isn’t as devilish as some people make it out to be. It is still one of the safest investments one can make. “The demand for real estate is still high, therefore the younger generation should be quick when it comes to investing in property. There is no 'right time' – except to act fast in a rising economy,” said Gambero. According to the National Property and Information Centre, property prices across Malaysia have been on an uptrend despite the 2008 global financial crisis. The highest increases in house prices are seen in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and Johor.
For the full interview, visit bit.ly/ propenomygambero
By YOGANESWARI VELLUSAMY yoganeswari@mystar.com.my
BATU KAWAN BECKONS
Jalan-jalan Cari Property tour offers insights into up-and-coming development hotspot
O
NE of the most intenselydebated topics in Penang is the investment and purchase of properties between the island and mainland. And the town of Batu Kawan, strategically located off Seberang Prai, has become the centre of attention among property investors due to its major industrial park innovation by the state government. The Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Penang Bridge, also known as the second Penang Bridge, provides accessibility and connectivity from Penang Island to Batu Kawan. It also gives an edge to investors eyeing properties nearby. Potential investors are often treated to upcoming attractive developments within the vicinity of Batu Kawan when driving along the North-South Expressway towards Penang. Moreover, the land cost on the mainland is about half of that on the island. There are three major reasons to invest in a property at Batu Kawan – lower land cost, abundant job opportunities and a rapidly growing population. The high-price, modest-size condominiums on the limited land of Penang Island are an indication of the growing difficulty among the middle-
income population to purchase a property. So it would be wise of buyers and investors to look at what Batu Kawan has to offer. As an industrial park driven by local government (plus its incentives and total investment value), Batu Kawan has managed to attract major manufacturing companies such as Haemonetics Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Boon Siew Honda Sdn Bhd, Hewlett-Packard Malaysia Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, Sandisk Storage Sdn Bhd and Robert Bosch Sdn Bhd. As a budding manufacturing haven, Batu Kawan has abundant quality job opportunities. According to the Ministry of Human Resources, manufacturing is the most sought-after industry in Penang with Strategically-located Batu Kawan was among the areas highlighted during the Jalan-jalan Cari Property tour, which was organised 64.8% job vacancies available. by Propwall MarketPlace (propwall.mart). The estimated number of quality job vacancies is more than 24,500. It is expected to grow even larger with new middle-income population, Batu Kawan Village Penang at Bandar Cassia. manufacturing companies showing properties present themselves as ideal Batu Kawan was among the areas interest in the near future. investments. highlighted during the Jalan-jalan Cari The total The total investment value of Institutions of higher learning such Property tour which was organised by investment the Batu Kawan Industrial Park has value of the Batu as KDU University College (ranked 53rd Propwall MarketPlace (propwall.mart). Kawan Industrial reached more than RM6bil. The result by Britain) and University of Hull (ranked The tour from Menara Star in Petaling Park which has is a significant population shift from 38th) have found their way to Batu Jaya, Selangor, to Batu Kawan, Penang resulted in a Seberang Prai Selatan to Batu Kawan. Kawan, providing world-class education on Feb 25 provided development insights population shift The double formula of higher job to students. in the Batu Kawan vicinity to potential from Seberang opportunities and increasing population Batu Kawan has attracted major investors. Prai Selatan to the leads to a soaring demand for homes brands to its locale, such as Ikea and The tour was sponsored by Eco town. catered to single families. For the the newly-launched outlet mall Design World Development Group Bhd.
RM6bil
events
STARPROPERTY.MY WEDNESDAY 03 MAY 2017
16 fair
HIGHLIGHTS By VIKNESH ASHLEY
Hartanah: Edisi Wanita
vikneshashley@thestar.com.my
May 11 (Thursday)
PROPERTY TALKS TO CATER TO BUMIPUTRAS
• 10.45am-11.30am Michelle Tan: Be Seen, Be Heard, Be Remembered • 11.30am-12.15pm Norizan Ahmad: Memiliki “Dream Homes” – Realiti Atau Fantasi? • 12.15pm-1.00pm Carmen Soon: Highlight Your Home’s Strengths, Downplay its Weaknesses • 1.00pm -1.45pm Jessie Lee: The Art of Harmonious Living – Personal And Career
May 12 (Friday)
• 10.45am-11.30am Michelle Tan: Colours That Outshine, Outclass, Outlast • 11.30am-12.15pm Norizan Ahmad: Rahsia Wonderwoman untuk Memiliki Hartanah Impian Anda • 12.15pm-1.00pm Carmen Soon: How Does the Home Environment Affect Your Sleep? • 1.00pm-1.45pm Jessie Lee: In Your Face-Reading Between The Lines
Konvensyen
Hartanah
Anjuran bersama
KL SOGO, Level 7
11-14 May 2017
S
10:30am-9pm
TARPROPERTY.MY will soon organise a property fair that will educate and inform bumiputra homebuyers about the ins and outs of purchasing properties. Featuring 16 talks that focus on various aspects of life, career and property investment, the four-day Konvensyen Hartanah will be held from May 11 to 14 (Thursday to Sunday), 10.30am till 9pm, at level seven of KL Sogo. To empower woman in property investment and encourage their participation, another series of small events specially for women will be organised under the title “Konvensyen Hartanah – Edisi Wanita”. The fair is targeted at those who are enthusiastic about leveraging on your career to fund property investment, growing your wealth through property investment, and adding value to your home with stylish living. The talks will feature an impressive lineup of speakers who have vast experience, knowledge and resources
Konvensyen Hartanah Talks May 13 (Saturday)
to ensure that the individual workshop sessions will be enjoyable for members of the public. Topics that will be discussed during the convention include “Highlight Your Home’s Strengths, Downplay its Weaknesses” by Carmen Soon, “6 Simple Ways to Boost your income and Property Portfolio” by Mark Chua, and “Stop Buying. Start Investing. Where to Invest in 2017?” by Vicky How. Several other sessions will be conducted in Bahasa Malaysia to serve the needs of bumiputra visitors. The uniqueness of this event lies in the convention’s Edisi Wanita, which will take place on May 11 and 12 (Thursday
and Friday). Women can look forward to topics such as, “Knowing your skin tone category”, “Accessories mix and match with your outfit and tudung” as well as “Bun your hair, and look Pro instantly” conducted by Professional BrandImage Consultant. Some of the popular developers that will be present throughout the four days of the convention are IJM Land Bhd, LBS Bina Group Bhd, Macly Equity, Berjaya Land Bhd, Maju Kuala Lumpur, MRCB and Sunsuria Bhd. One million Sogo shopping points are up for grabs for home purchasers. For more information, visit fair. starproperty.my .
• 11.00am-12.00pm Mohd Ali Majis: Asas Dan Strategi Pelaburan I.K.O.N • 12.00pm-1.00pm Khalil Adis: Panduan Hartanah Bagi Gen Y Membeli Rumah Pertama Di Kuala Lumpur or Greater Kl • 2.00pm-3.00pm Aziz Ahmad: Teknik Killer Langsai Hutang Rumah 10 Tahun • 3.00pm-4.00pm Mark Chua: 6 Simple Ways To Boost Your Income And Property Portfolio • 5.00pm-6.00pm Datuk Nazri Mustafa: Guaman Hartanah Subsale • 6.00pm -7.00pm Harith Faisal: Hipster Hartanah-Bajet Orang Muda Beli Rumah Pertama
May 14 (Sunday)
• 11.00am-12.00pm Azizul Azli: Gen Y Dan Rumah Pertama Kita • 12.00pm-1.00pm Fadhilah Aziz: Urus Risiko Hartanah Di Peringkat Awal • 2.00pm-3.00pm Amsyari Shakur: Cukai Dalam Hartanah, Adakah Anda Perlu Tahu? • 3.00pm-4.00pm Norisah Ibrahim: Mengapa Perlu Membuat Perancangan Harta Islam • 5.00pm-6.00pm Vicky How: Stop Buying. Start Investing. Where to Invest in 2017? • 6.00pm-7.00pm Khairul Anuar: Tanah Rezab Melayu Dan Hartanah Bumiputra
WAH! YOU CAN WIN A HOME National free home campaign starts on May 11
M
ost people dream of owning a home, and they will definitely need a helping hand in their quest. Members of the public now stand a chance to become a proud homeowner by taking part in the Win A Home (WAH) campaign. Up for grabs is a home at bustling Seksyen 13 in Petaling Jaya. Homebuyers who purchase any property offered at upcoming StarProperty.my fairs will have a chance to double their spoils by vying for a PJ Midtown serviced suite worth over RM550,000. During the launch of the campaign, Sime Darby Property chief operating officer Richard Ng Choon Seng handed over the home giveaway token to Star Media Group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai. Present as witnesses
were Sime Darby Property chief transformation officer Datuk Wan Hashimi Albakri, IOI Properties Group chief operating officer Teh Chin Guan, Brunsfield International Group founder and group managing director Tan Sri Dr Gan Thian Leong and executive director Gan Tien Chie. Located at Section 13, PJ Midtown is a product of a collaborative partnership between IOI Properties Group and Sime Darby Brunsfield.
Those who are still looking for their dream home can also join in the fun by registering at wah. starproperty.my and completing a few simple steps. Participants who are able to come up with creative photos of the fair as the background will have a chance to win the grand prize. The campaign runs from May 11 to Dec 12, 2017. Participants must be Malaysians aged 18 years and above, and who are not bankrupt at the point of submission and winning. So join in the excitement of trying to become the winner of the WAH campaign. For starters, those who would like a shot at winning the house can like & follow the StarProperty. my Facebook page, register online at wah.starproperty.my and submit the most creative photo with a background at any StarProperty.my fair, forum or event with a caption
Launching of the Win A Home (WAH) joint campaign between StarProperty.my and PJ Midtown Development. From left: Teh, Wan Hashimi Albakri, Wong, Ng, Gan Thian Leong and Gan Tien Chie.
of less than 50 words: “Why I should win this house.” The photo should be posted on the participant’s personal Facebook page, tagging StarProperty.my FB page with dedicated hashtag #WAHStarProperty. Alternatively, you can participate by booking with any developer at StarProperty.my fairs from May 11 to Dec 31. With proof of purchase, each booking entitles the purchaser to
submit three entries. Those who make bookings with IOI Properties Group, Sime Darby Property and Brunsfield during the StarProperty.my fairs will be entitled to five submissions. Konvensyen Hartanah, the first fair by StarProperty.my from May 11 onwards, will be the first event that features the WAH campaign. For more information, visit wah. starproperty.my