Residential Property Prices & Rental Rising

The many developments that have sprouted in the southern corridor have given a boost to property values. These developments range from townships and niche residential enclaves in Puchong, Bandar Kinrara and Seri Kembangan to the intelligent cities of Putrajaya and Cyberjaya.

Zerin Properties chief executive officer Previndran Singhe said that in the past five years, prices of residential properties had appreciated by at least 30% to 40% while rental rates in Cyberjaya were more than RM4.00 per sq ft.

With Puchong fast transforming into a robust residential and commercial address, the iconic Putrajaya and Cyberjaya cities are in line to see a boom next.

The federal administrative capital of Putrajaya with the advantage of a well thought-out master plan incorporating the best of what technology and nature have to offer has shaped up as the country's first intelligent garden city.

The city also benefits from first-class amenities such as the Garden International School, Alamanda Shopping Centre and a medical centre.

Cyberjaya is also shaping up well as a world-class intelligent city for international information and communications technology (ICT) enterprises, complete with residential and commercial enclaves.

IOI Properties Bhd director Datuk David Tan said the garden concept of Putrajaya and Cyberjaya was setting the tone for development in the other parts of the southern corridor with more inclination towards modern aesthetic buildings with lush landscaping.

IOI Properties, which is one of the pioneer property companies that have made it big in the southern corridor, notably Puchong in the early 1990s, still believes in the corridor’s potential.

According to Tan, the company's developments in the Klang Valley have been moving southwards, stretching from Taman Mayang in Petaling Jaya to Bandar Puchong Jaya and Bandar Puteri Puchong.

Having built the 926-acre Bandar Puchong Jaya and 930-acre Bandar Puteri Puchong, the company has gone on to develop the IOI Resort City on 788 acres on the fringe of Putrajaya.

Tan said the next project lined up would be Sierra Puteri on 550 acres at the entrance to Cyberjaya, which has direct access from the LDP-Serdang Interchange.

“Sierra Puteri has been carefully planned after taking into consideration the needs of house buyers. We have gained valuable feedback from our buyers and have new concepts and ideas on housing and environmental designs that will fulfil their more discerning expectations,” he added.

Earthworks for the new township have been completed and infrastructure work is in progress now. Sierra Puteri will comprise terrace and semi-detached houses, bungalows and apartments as well as a town centre fronting the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP) and South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE).

In Puchong, IOI Properties will be launching IOI Boulevard comprising retail/office blocks with lifts and basement carparks next month.

Coming up next will be the Puchong Financial Corporate Centre (PFCC) in Bandar Puteri Puchong comprising Class A office buildings.

At the IOI Resort, which still has 540 acres available for development, plans are underway to build lake-front offices fronting the main entrance into Putrajaya; exclusive bungalows in Diamond Hill that overlook the scenic Putrajaya views; a mega shopping mall and office buildings along the SKVE; and condominiums.

At IOI Resort's Beverly Row, 80 exclusive bungalows will be built for long-term lease to corporate clientele. So far, 37 bungalows have been completed.

SP Setia group managing director and chief executive officer Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin said that with the sophisticated population flocking to Puchong from all parts of the Klang Valley, “the time is ripe for more commercial action in the area.”

SP Setia Bhd's 700-acre Pusat Bandar Puchong has grown into a mature township with 8,000 units of properties and a population of some 32,000.

“Our next challenge is to change the face of Puchong with a niche commercial project, SetiaWalk, that will revolutionise the people's lifestyle experience. The integrated residential and commercial development comprising retail blocks, offices, an entertainment complex, service apartments and residential apartments will appeal to the trend-conscious younger clientele.

“SetiaWalk is set to combine all the elements of live, learn, work and play through a seamless blend of astute planning, imaginative architecture and creative landscaping,” Liew said.

In Putrajaya, SP Setia's associate Setia Putrajaya Sdn Bhd is developing Precincts 9 and 15.

Park Village - a high-end residential private condominium villa complex within a secure, gated compound – will be launched in Precinct 15 in the third quarter of this year.

The project comprising 120 luxury villas in the sky will incorporate contemporary tropical designs.

Source: The Star, 28 April 2008