Four niche market projects

Property developers are constantly coming up with new ideas to meet the expectations of a discerning house-buying public. They have to come up with creative ideas, meet the challenges or perish.

We shall look at four residential developments that target very niche markets and have their unique selling points.

The Regent Residences Kuala Lumpur: Themed “high living re-imagined”, it will be the capital’s newest strata titled and freehold luxury hotel residences schduled for completion in 2011.

The developer KL Landmark Sdn Bhd (an associate company of Dutaland Bhd) has positioned this very high-end project akin to the best in Manhattan and Hong Kong.

It also developed the recently completed K Residences, Kuala Lumpur’s first luxury designer residence and Malaysia’s tallest condominium and is adjacent to the Regent Residences.

The 40-storey hotel residences will comprise of a 230-room Regent Kuala Lumpur and 115 units of Regent branded, 1 to 3-bedroom serviced apartments plus two levels of sprawling penthouse units.

Sizes range from 464 to 2,495 sq ft while the penthouse range from 2,634 to 3,719 sq ft.

The idea is to offer city dwellers with the experience of high living in the privacy of discreet comfort, while having access to the amenities and services of a 5-star luxury hotel.

The Regent Kuala Lumpur will be managed by Carlson Hotels Worldwide-Asia Pacific, one of the world’s largest privately-owned hotel companies, which is expanding its luxury Regent brand into key gateway cities across the region.

The interiors of the serviced apartments will be designed by Sir Terence Conran, one of the world’s best known designers, restaurateurs and retailers, and founder of Conran & Partners.

The design firm has revitalised architectural landmarks such as Michelin House, Butlers Wharf and Bluebird Cafe. Its recent portfolio includes Roppongi Hills and Motoazabu Apartments in Tokyo, and The Great Eastern Hotel in London.

The Regent Residences Kuala Lumpur will be the city’s only luxury residential development with a sky pool, offering panoramic view of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) development.

Kenny Heights: Dutaland Bhd, through its 100% owned subsidiary KH Land Sdn Bhd, has also been quite bold and innovative with its plans for its 88-acre freehold Kenny Heights project in Kuala Lumpur.

I recently viewed its Kenny Heights Estate (one of the phases) show villa (next to the Hartamas Shopping Centre). It comprises 49 units of luxurious four-storey town villas with built-up from 5,300 to 6,700 sq ft. Prices start from RM4.5mil.

Its signature feature is a 36ft-long private swimming pool in a garden of the master bedroom. It has a private lift. The villas are designed by Kengo Kuma.


The doube-storey bungalow that boasts 14 rooms in EduSquare in Taman Tasik Semenyih

EduSquare: BTS Land Capital Sdn Bhd (formerly Bandar Tasik Semenyih Sdn Bhd) has built hostel-style homes in a security guarded precinct called EduSquare in its Taman Tasik Semenyih.

The homes can accommodate students at the Nottingham University (Malaysian campus) just next door.

It has built 18 two-storey semi-detached terrace houses (10 units of 11 to 14 rooms each from 3,199 to 4,169 sq ft and eight units with nine to 15 rooms each from 3,340 to 4,790 sq ft) and a two-storey bungalow with 14 rooms and a big 5,229 sq ft built-up area.

Every room has an attached bathroom.

The unique selling point is that those who buy the fully furnished houses also enjoy guaranteed yield of 7% per annum from rental to students over two years.

Since the varsity came into operation a few years ago, the student population has increased and there is a need for more student accommodation.

The old Broda road has also been widened into a dual carriageway.

Taman Tasik Semenyih is surrounded by greenery with a peaceful, mountain backdrop. It boasts of a nice clubhouse.

Residency @ Park 51: The main feature of this proposed four-block condominium is its huge 132,000 sq ft clubhouse that will feature a large banquet hall, a function centre, gymnasium, food and beverage outlets, a supermarket, retail shops, business function rooms and a near Olympic-size swimming pool/children’s wading pool.

It is part of the Park 51, a five-component mixed residential cum commercial development in Section 51, Petaling Jaya by the Taipan Group.

There is a choice of 15 designs for the 664 units with sizes of 662 to 2,443 sq ft, from studio units to duplex penthouses.

Prices start from RM254 per sq ft compared to nearby offerings of RM300 per sq ft.

By The Star (by S.C.Cheah)