BUKIT JALIL: Having been rather quiet over the last two years, property developer Berjaya Land Bhd is expecting a busy 2019 with several development projects planned for launch this year.

Slated for launch on Feb 23 right after the Chinese New Year festive period will be its latest condominium development in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur called The Tropika.

With a total of 868 units spread across four towers, the 6.5-acre freehold project offers a golf course view and has a gross development value of slightly over RM700 millions.

Only one tower offering 229 units will be launched first with unit sizes ranging from 732 sq ft to 1,318 sq ft. Price psf ranges from RM750 psf to RM820 psf. All units come with two car park bays.

Berjaya Land CEO Datuk Pee Kang Seng told EdgeProp.my that The Tropika has been designed to meet current market demands and needs in line with the government’s aspiration for homeownership for all Malaysians.

“We want to focus on the demographics of homebuyers today especially middle-income purchasers. We want to make sure houses are affordable. As we know, banks are very strict with loans, thus we want to make sure that the entry level is not too difficult.

“We have units with built-up sizes from 732 sq ft and bigger units for those who need a bigger space for their families,” Pee said, adding that almost 58% of the total 868 units are less than 1,000 sq ft.

He added that Berjaya Land has gone one step further by taking the time to talk to banks to impress upon them that they will indeed deliver the project as a responsible developer.

Although the project is scheduled to be completed by 2023, Pee believes that it can be completed earlier as it will be using the Industrialised Building System (IBS).

As most purchasers are usually in their mid to late-30s with young children, the developer has also thoughtfully put in 68 facilities in the development meant to create a vibrant and interactive community amongst the residents.

Berjaya Land senior general manager for property marketing Tan Tee Ming said there are plans to bring in facilities such as coin-operated laundry washing machines and vending machines.

“The landscape on the facilities podium was inspired by a biophilic design (design that incorporates natural materials, natural light, vegetation, nature views and other experiences of the natural world into the modern built environment), where the crowns of fully stocked trees do not touch each other, hence forming a beautiful canopy that has canal-like gaps. You can also have activities with your family or throw gatherings at the 2.9-acre facilities podium,” Tan said, adding that maintenance fee is expected to be around 40 sen psf.

Below the residential units are nine retail shop units and an allocated 23,000 sq ft space for a grocer which the developer plans to bring in for the convenience of the residents.

“If you look at Bukit Jalil as a whole, there are no grocers around. I know Pavilion is coming up [in Bukit Jalil] but why not do your shopping where you live where there is free parking and it is less hectic? Besides, we are hoping to bring in food and beverage outlets for the retail lots adjacent to the grocer,” said Tan.

The development is accessible via major highways such as the Damansara-Puchong Expressway, Maju Expressway, Shah Alam Expressway and New Pantai Expressway. Meanwhile, there are also several Light Railway Transit (LRT) stations within a 3km radius including the Awan Besar, Sri Petaling and Bukit Jalil stations.

“In fact, from Berjaya Times Square (Jln Imbi, KL), it only takes 15 minutes to get here. We also built a golf course in Bukit Jalil with low rise bungalows surrounding it. The 400-acre golf course is something very special in this area. All the high-rises we built has dual frontage of the park greenery and the golf course,” said Tan.

Aside from The Tropika, Berjaya Land has a few other upcoming projects which they are looking to launch this year and next.

“We hope to launch a 1,500-unit aged-care facility residential project in Bukit Jalil this year just next to The Tropika and some 580 units of condominium in Shah Alam.

“We are also working on a retirement sanctuary at Berjaya Hills, Bukit Tinggi which comprises about 450 affordably priced apartment units with built-ups of 300 sq ft to 600 sq ft. This is among the first few projects in Malaysia to address the needs of our ageing population but it is not a nursing or retirement home,” Pee reveals.

Plans are also being made to revive some bungalow lots at Berjaya Hiils and some bungalows at The Peak development in Ampang, Selangor. “There will be a lot of excitement in Berjaya Land this year,” Pee concluded.

This story first appeared in the EdgeProp.my pullout on Feb 15, 2019