27 FEBRUARY 2019 WEDNESDAY
this mature suburb is endowed with simple charms that attract property buyers
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orn & Bred People, food and culture of OKR > 04
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XPLORE Be delighted by the oldest road in Klang Valley > 08
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TORY Of rejuvenation, qi and security > 04
RANSACTION New coat of paint over the old > 05
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Featured Development
OLD KLANG ROAD 27 FEBRUARY 2019 WEDNESDAY
JUST RIGHT FOR URBANITES Platinum Arena to make its mark along vibrant Old Klang Road
Towering above the lively city, Platinum Arena offers friendly amenities, functional layouts and inviting ambience.
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ISTORICALLY, Old Klang Road was the first major link from Kuala Lumpur to Port Klang. Today, it is a busy, mature and self-sustaining area with a wealth of amenities as well as direct access to major expressways. From a variety of residential types and buzzing shopping malls to recreational attractions and the latest culinary hotspots, Old Klang Road continues to prosper and grow in value as it offers infinite options for a satisfying lifestyle. Slated as an exciting contribution to this vibrant township is the stylish 36-storey Platinum Arena, a mixed development comprising two towers of 728 serviced apartments and a curated commercial hub at its base. Its location along Old Klang Road gives residents of Platinum Arena a telescopic view of a robust thoroughfare and the lives that thrive beside it. Buyers can choose from five layout types within both residential towers. Smart two-bedroom units are suitable for young families, while roomier units are designed for multigenerational living. Balancing privacy and sociability, all layout types have family-friendly spaces for residents to feel at home. Residents will enjoy access to plenty of exclusive amenities that sets Platinum Arena apart from other high-rise developments. Parents can let their hair down at the infinity pool while children amuse themselves at dedicated outdoor and indoor playgrounds. Other well-thought-out spaces, including urban lounge, workout studio and library, add to the vibrancy
of Platinum Arena. With retail shops offering a range of indulgences, residents will have the convenience of a cosmopolitan life right at their doorstep. An abundance of businesses, parks, restaurants, and educational and cultural institutions are within easy reach. It is easy to get in and out of Old Klang Road to almost anywhere in Kuala Lumpur or Selangor because the area is linked to major roads and highways. Developer Platinum Victory expects to launch Platinum Arena within 2019. This leasehold project, comprising strata serviced apartments and commercial lots, is ideal for growing families. Enquiries can be made at the Platinum Victory Sales Gallery in Old Klang Road. Call 03-7773 1099 or visit platinumvictory.com to register your interest.
Beautiful rooftop views.
Dynamic workout studio.
Cool urban lounge.
Cosy undisturbed library.
Wednesday 27 February 2019
Starproperty.my
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orn&Bred
OLD KLANG ROAD 27 FEBRUARY 2019 WEDNESDAY
By Viktor Chong, Ng Pau Ling, KEVIN EICHENBERGER
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EING one of the most mature neighbourhoods in the Klang Valley, Old Klang Road offers some of the finest in food, culture and the arts. Here are some highlights and crowd favourites:
Food
1. Boiling
hotpot at Coco Steamboat
Coco Steamboat’s speciality and claim to fame is a collagen-rich soup base that is made with generous chunks of pork bones, but there are two other variations including the clear fish-head soup and tomato broth.
2. No-frills
traditional Thai restaurant
Rayong Thai’s Tom Yam soup comes with either seafood or chicken and is available in clear or cloudy varieties – with varying degrees of spiciness. Its Green
Chicken Curry with aromatic coconut milk is a crowd favourite.
3. Antiquated
charm of LCY Wooden House
Arts & culture
5. Art of life,
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life of art
LCY Wooden House isn’t just a watering hole. The place is a veritable relic, capturing a moment in the past for all to see and appreciate, especially the younger generation.
Initiated by the Elken Foundation in 2010, the Oriental Arts and Cultural Centre (OACC) is a community art space located in Old Klang Road. The centre is a platform for artists to gather and share ideas. For the public, it provides awareness, education and enjoyment of the arts.
4. Seafood
6. Luxurious
noodles for the living for pets When it comes to luxury pet hotels, pescatarian Cocomomo Urban Pets Hotel takes
Woo Pin Fish Head Noodles specialises in mee hoon and soup-only variations of dishes containing fish paste and fresh or fried heads of bighead carp ( 松 魚 ), or one of the local species of grouper (kerapu), in addition to sizeable freshwater prawns with their heads and shells kept intact to preserve their sweet flavour.
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What the locals say 8. Gallen Low Chen Yik, 34
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the lead with its range of services to pamper one’s furry friend.
7. Keeping arts
and crafts alive
Kongsi KL’s purpose is to curate, develop and host programmes that rediscover old trades or crafts, injecting new life into them. Kongsi also means the sharing of resources to enrich lives and promote social cohesion among local communities.
Occupation: Consumer sales specialist Years living in OKR: 27 Likes: Convenience and accessibility Dislikes: Traffic jam 9. Amutha Thandaiyuthapani ,28 Occupation: Sales support executive Years living in OKR: 4 Likes: A food haven nestled within a network of conveniences Dislikes: Traffic jam 10. Chong Yon Yam, 67 Occupation: Rattan furniture maker Years living in OKR: More than 40 Likes: Traffic jam (slow-moving traffic) boosts his furniture business Dislikes: Nil
tory
OF REJUVENATION, QI AND SECURITY Mature suburb that’s busy and yet a little rundown at some places
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N trying to delve deep into the essence of Old Klang Road, we have sought the insights of Savills Malaysia managing director Datuk Paul Khong, Environology dot com Sdn Bhd consultant and director Stephen Chin, and Crime safety specialist Shamir Rajadurai. Here’s what they have to say:
Savills Malaysia managing director Datuk Paul Khong Old Klang Road is a neighbourhood that has become a mature suburb located on the fringes of Kuala Lumpur leading to Port Klang. In recent years, we have seen many new areas being rejuvenated and rebuilt with high-rise condominiums including Seputeh 9, The Verve Suites, The Petalz, Southbank Residence, Saville, Miller Square, Scott Gardens, and The Sands Residences. Commercial properties are interspersed with dilapidated industrial developments and mature residential
neighbourhoods nearby such as Taman Desa, Taman OUG, Taman United, Taman Sri Sentosa, and PJS 5.
Environology dot com Sdn Bhd consultant and director Stephen Chin Taman Bukit Desa has houses, condominiums and a large furniture mall. Overall, the landform here is quite good. The area is embraced by a confluence of highways and backed by a hill. However, there are some minuses, namely the relative location of the Klang River to this area, the presence of railways and the orientation of the East-West Link nearby. These dilute the positive aspects. The ideal facing direction is northwest. Unfortunately, most properties here face north, south, east or west. Hence, this area will do relatively well but comes with a mix of good and bad. It is busy and yet feels
a bit rundown.
Crime safety specialist Shamir Rajadurai The most common crimes in Old Klang Road are snatch thefts, motorcycle thefts and home breakins. A proper Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) analysis should be done to maximise security and reduce breakins. As a certified practitioner, I have worked on projects to implement CPTED and it has shown a reduction in crime. Another factor to consider is traffic anticipation. If it is a highdensity project, ample parking lots should be provided. The allocated two lots per unit is no longer enough because every year about 500,000 cars are sold in Malaysia. The lack of parking space causes people to park their vehicles at roadsides which then results in congestion. In case of an emergency, the police or ambulance will not be able to arrive in time.
Interesting facts about OKR 1. Old Klang Road is 111 years old. 2. It is the oldest and first significant road in the Klang Valley. 3. OKR was built before the Federal Highway. 4. Traffic congestion is common in Old Klang Road. Bumper to bumper is the norm, especially during peak hours. 5. A major road-widening project costing RM359mil was carried out in 2010. But due to the increasing number of vehicles and residents, traffic woes have not been solved.
ransaction
OLD KLANG ROAD 27 FEBRUARY 2019 WEDNESDAY
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NEW COAT OF PAINT OVER THE OLD Integrated and mix-use developments help to uplift the face of Old Klang Road
By Viktor Chong viktorchong@thestar.com.my
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HE strategic location of Old Klang Road between Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya has paid dividends for its redevelopment potential. Being near the self-contained mix-use integrated development of Mid Valley City and the transportation hub of KL Sentral, the mature locality of Old Klang Road continues to transform. According to Research and Consultancy Knight Frank Malaysia, this mature city fringe area has seen many new high-rise developments in recent years due to the scarcity of residential land. The projects are generally well received because more people are looking for lifestyle facilities at locations that offer easy accessibility and good connectivity. Developers have come up with integrated or mix-use projects where the lower levels usually feature commercial and retail components for the convenience of residents. Endusers occupy the higher floors within the developments. The newer projects generally command higher price points due to the development concept, unit specifications, level of facilities and amenities offered, and other factors. They are targeted at professionals, young couples and families. Knight Frank Malaysia has identified several completed high-rise projects along Old Klang Road such as Southbank Residence (completed in 2017), Avantas Residence (2016) and The Petalz (2016). Notable on-going projects that will add to the future supply include The Nest Residences (2019), Avara Seputeh (2020), Millerz Square (2021) and Kuchai Sentral (2022). In the short term, Knight Frank Malaysia claims that the property market in the locality is expected to remain relatively stable.
Convenience and challenges Both landed and high-rise residential units in Old Klang Road have continued to appreciate in value over the years due to its strategic location and ease of accessibility. New developments with improved products and better specifications that come with higher prices help to raise the profile of the area. The established locality is further supported by a wide range of amenities and facilities available in the immediate surroundings. The upcoming MRT Line 2 with a station at nearby Kuchai Lama is expected to further spur demand for
David Ting
Adeline Teh Seok Khim
Source: JPPH / Knight Frank Research
housing in Old Klang Road. Slated to be operational by 2022, it will enhance connectivity to the city centre and other areas in the Klang Valley. Traffic congestion has been the norm in Old Klang Road, especially during peak hours. According to Knight Frank Malaysia, an increase in the number of high-density developments could worsen the traffic situation in the future. Road dividers along the two-way Old Klang Road have inconvenienced motorists who need to travel some distance before making a U-turn to change direction. This weakness may
be mitigated when the MRT Line 2 is completed. Maxxan Realty Sdn Bhd senior negotiator David Ting Boon Hoe said that potential buyers or investors should consider housing units at the inner region of Old Klang Road instead of those along the main road. “We have a surplus of high-rise developments offering units of less than 1,000sf coming up in the area, hence house prices will not be going up anytime soon,” he said, adding that capital appreciation is a viable goal but in the long term. Ting looks to Kuchai Lama as a
“It is estimated that Old Klang Road has around 20% undeveloped land left; this scarcity is an indication that property prices will rise.
– David Ting
growth area, stating that the prices of medium-size units of 1,500sf to 2,000sf should appreciate quickly due to limited supply. As for property transactions, he said condominiums (depending on their age) could fetch an average price of RM450psf to RM620psf at Taman OUG and Kuchai Lama. Ting sees Seringin Residence, a luxury condo of about RM920,000 to RM1.6mil (1,523sf to 2,638sf), at Happy Garden as a good buy because of its layout. “It is estimated that Old Klang Road has around 20% undeveloped land left; this scarcity is an indication that property prices will rise,” he added. According to Tech Realtors Properties Sdn Bhd senior negotiator Adeline Teh Seok Khim, Old Klang Road attracts buyers mostly from other areas such as Petaling Jaya, Subang and Cheras. She attributes this to its location which gives residents easy access to highways such as the NPE, Federal Highway, North-South Expressway and Kesas. Amenities are also plentiful, such as vernacular Chinese schools, a medical centre and the reputable Mid Valley Megamall which is just a few minutes’ drive away. However, tenancy rates for office spaces along Old Klang Road will be affected because they are unable to compete with those offered at Mid Valley Megamall. “Usually, it’s the small and medium enterprises that set up shop in Old Klang Road,” Teh said, adding that multi-national corporations prefer a high-end location. Kuchai Lama and Taman OUG are predominantly Chinese while Taman Desa enjoys a diverse community, including Japanese and Korean expats. In Taman Desa, Teh recorded average transactions for high-rise units at RM550psf to RM730psf and landed houses from RM1.2mil to RM1.45mil (1,870sf to 1,980sf). She observed that leasehold commercial spaces in Danau Desa and the Kuchai Business Park enjoy good tenancy rates and a steady supply of customers. This is mainly due to the scarcity of commercial spaces in the surrounding area. On property types, Ting said that Taman Yarl, for example, consists mostly of old bungalows while Taman OUG is made up of landed properties. Happy Garden maintains a mix of condominiums and landed properties. “Now is probably the best time to buy property because prices are low,” he said, adding that the market should recover soon and prices will pick up again.
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Featured Development
OLD KLANG ROAD 27 FEBRUARY 2019 WEDNESDAY
The floating walkway is a unique feature at the pool facility.
GOING LOW DENSITY IN KUCHAI LAMA Freehold genKL caters to multi-generational living in a mature and dynamic neighbourhood
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HE Old Klang Road area has been a popular residential choice over the years because of its mature surroundings, local amenities and strategic location that connects to Klang, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur. However, the shortage of housing land in this locality has resulted in high-rise developments with highdensity layouts. This is where genKL differentiates itself from the rest. Developed by Asiana Agresif Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between CapitaLand and Juta Asia, genKL is a relatively low-density project with 325 condo units and
seven villas within 3.3 acres. The units come with homogenous tiles for living and dining area, timber laminated flooring for all bedrooms, fitted kitchen and bathroom, storage system for water heating and airconditioning. Priced from RM800,000 to RM1.51mil, this freehold development is expected to be handed over by the end of this year.
Catering to an urban society The development meets the spatial demands of growing families and a multi-generational community
through its generously sized apartments of between 1,150sf and 1,894sf. The developer targets family-centric home buyers and middle-upper class upgraders who appreciate a low-density residential block within a mature neighbourhoood. The contemporary design of genKL, with lush greenery encircling a modern architecture, includes an infinity pool. Children’s pool, landscaped garden and gym are among the 30 facilities in genKL that its occupants can look forward to. The residents will also get to enjoy the range of amenities available around the township.
Close to the city centre
A 24-hour guardhouse and patrolling system offers maximum security.
Located within the commercial enclave of Kuala Lumpur known as Kuchai Lama, genKL is just 8km from the city centre and accessible via an array of key transportation networks including the Federal Highway, Kesas or the Shah Alam Highway, and New Pantai Expressway. For those who prefer public transportation, the Kuchai Lama MRT station is within driving distance. Being close to mature townships
such as Taman Continental, Taman Goodwood and Taman Kuchai Jaya, genKL families can choose from various educational outlets such as Choong Wen Primary School, Sri Setia Primary School, Sri Sentosa Secondary School, Taman Desa Primary and Secondary School or the Desa Perdana Secondary School. Other nearby conveniences include the popular Mid Valley Megamall, Pearl Suria shopping mall and Pearl Point mall. Developed within a gated compound, genKL promises a threetier top-notch security system that will give its dwellers peace of mind.
The genKL project offers a mix of highrise and landed units within a tastefully landscaped compound.
Wednesday 27 February 2019
Starproperty.my
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xplore
OLD KLANG ROAD
Federal Highway
27 FEBRUARY 2019 WEDNESDAY
KTM Mid Valley
legend Mid Valley
Expressway KTM Port Klang line KTM Seremban line old klang road klang river
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ay Federal Highw
Retail Experience
Exp
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SMK Taman Desa
Vikas International School
Administration 30. DBKL Office
Cultural & Arts 11. Chin Nam Temple 12. Nanyang Thong Hong Siang T’ng Temple 13. Kongsi KL 14. Oriental Art & Cultural Centre 15. Wisma Buddhist 16. ISKCON - Sri Jagannatha Mandir
Woo Pin Fish Head NoodleS
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New Pantai Expressway
The Scott Garden
17. genKL 18. Platinum Arena
26 SJKC Choong Wen
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13 Kongsi KL 5 COCO STEAMBOAT
DBKL Office
Pearl Point Shopping Mall
Jalan Gembira
10 Plaza OUG
X ME
SJKC Yoke Nam
4
LCY Wooden House
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16 Sri Sathya Sai Bhajan 27
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ISKCON Sri Jagannatha Mandir
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20 SK Seri mega
Jalan Mesra Ria
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Platinum Arena
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SJKC Yuk Chyun
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19 SK Seri Setia
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FEATURED DEVELOPMENT
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KTM Jalan Templer
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7. The Scott Garden 8. Mid Valley 9. Pearl Point Shopping Mall 10. Plaza OUG
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Food
Nanyang Thong Hong Siang T’ng Temple i Expr essway
19. SK Seri Setia 20. SK Seri Mega 21. SMK Saujana 22. SMK Taman Yarl 23. SMK Taman Desa 24. SJKC Yuk Chyun 25. SJKC Yoke Nam 26. SJKC Choong Wen 27. Sri Sathya Sai Bhajan 28. Vikas International School 29. Oasis College
Pant a
Education
1. Taman Desa Medical Centre 2. O3 Lifetron
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Chin Nam Temple
North Sout h
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