Property Malaysia

We were requested to view this development by one of our friends who was house hunting. Incidentally, this review concludes the five condos we view one fine Sunday (red our reviews for USJ1 Avenue, Dana 1 Residence, Desa Impiana and Tiaraville).

Our very first comment was that the developer and the buyers know fully well that it is a good location (not fantastic, but still good). So what’s the big deal about the location? Firstly, its heaven sent for people looking to stay in PJ. Landed properties are hard to find in this area, unless you head to Kota Damansara, or want to look into second hand homes in the older PJ areas.

Or you can go for apartments, like Sterling@PJ. Its located that the ‘condo central’ of PJ, in Kelana Jaya off the Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong. There are quite a few turnings off the highway, so make sure you take the right one, or else it’s a long loop of a drive to get back. It’s actually quite far deep in, next to the NKVE.

So at this location the perks are being right in PJ, accessibility to Federal Highway, NKVE, Penchala Link, Damansara, etc. However there is only one access, and as it is traffic is usually heavy during peak hours here.

There are two main blocks with multiple interlinked towers, giving you a fairly massive development of 611 units over a 7.6 acre land. There are basically 3 types of units available, 1,902sq.ft., 1,442sq.ft. and 1,259sq.ft. Show units for the former two are available, sales office is before the project site via the same access. All 3 types are built-up on a rather squarish footprint, so the internal layout reflects this limitation. (Please also note some of the floor finishes are not you’ll be getting in the actual unit).

For the largest unit (‘Ashford’, 1,902sq.ft., 4+1 rooms), we have an impressively large foyer/dining/living, suitable for big families. Then there is a split level up to a not-so private study, and access to 4 rooms. Only the master bedroom has a private attached bathroom, two other rooms share a common bath while the last bedroom has a detached bath. The maid’s room/utility has no bathroom either. Some families are quite particular with this, but overall we’re not complaining.

The second unit (‘Belmont, 1,442sq.ft., 3+1 rooms), has a narrower living / foyer, while the dining is set up on a split. Personlly we’re not fond of split levels, it usually means a stubbed foot or minor accidents for children. The interior design for this unit blends the drop quite well, but to emulate it in your unit would mean no small sum. There are only 2 baths in the whole unit.

The smallest unit (‘Chester’, 1,152sq.ft., 3+1 rooms) is a proportionally smaller version of the second type.

Some of the lowest-level units (first floor) come with a private garden.

The units come bare, without any air-conditioning or cabinets or built-ins. This keeps the cost of the unit to an acceptable price, but somehow we’ve seen a few other developers able to package it in at a minimal cost. So you’ll have to factor in these fitting-out costs if you’re moving in.

The common facilities are quite comprehensive, too, with a clubhouse and a good sports complex, swimming pool, high tech security, outdoor jacuzzi, 5000sq.ft. of open lawn area and other serviced apartment-type facilities.

The architecture of the building is also quite remarkable, a slight departure from the tacky pastel colours we’re more accustomed to.

So what’s our view? Good location, basic layout of units, slightly pricey, quite dense development, access a little congested.

The parent corporation is also the people behind Kelana Mahkota, which was in the news recently.