Kiara 1888, Mont’Kiara
We first encountered this development sometime in October last year, when we attended one of those many local property expos. At that time they were taking bookings, not really launching yet. So every now and then since that time, we called them up to check on the progress of their permits (DL? AP? BP?).
Then the other day, we received this fancy promo in the mail from them, saying that the official launch is on, and lo and behold, the next day we saw the full double page ad in the papers, announcing the arrival of Kiara 1888 in the ultra-competitive and slightly congested Mont’Kiara condo market.
OK, talking about Mont’Kiara.
Well, we’ve reviewed quite a few properties in this area, and basically perks and problems are similar. There is a list of properties reviewed earlier at the end of the article, so you are advised to check them out to read our views on them. They are listed at the end of this article, just click on the links.
But in a nutshell, Mont’Kiara is pretty heavily developed, and the roads can’t cope with the heavy traffic. Just drive there during peak hours and you can see what we mean. This is by far the biggest issue in the area. Other than that, competing condos make the pricing attractive, and the developers are offering lots of free packaging and top-notch facilities and landscaping to entice the buyers.
To get to this place, go to past Plaza Mont’Kiara, until you see Jalan Kiara 3. There will be existing condos on your left and right (Aman Kiara and Lanai Kiara respectively), the Garden International School. Further down on your right after Laman Suria (confusing names, eh?) is the site for Kiara 1888.
If you think that this whole area is already congested with too many condominium projects, then you might be right. If you have the opportunity to see a development map of the Sri Hartamas / Mont’Kiara area, you can see that there are rows and rows of small plots owned by private owners and development companies. Sooner or later, the parcels of land that have yet to be developed will be.
Anyway, lot no. 1888 is this project, hence the name. At the moment, Kiara 1888 is at the very edge of Mont’Kiara bordering Segambut. In fact, just a short distance away from the site is the Malay kampong, with the narrow roads and village houses.
Kiara 1888 is offering two types of units – the low rise, larger villa units, and the highrise, smaller condo units. Let’s look at the villa units first.
The villas are 5-6 units high, with the top two floors a penthouse duplex. For the typical units, there are 2,357sq.ft, 2,390sq.ft and 2,314sq.ft. Penthouses are at 3,982 and 3,950sq.ft. For the villa typical units, the prices range from RM920,000 to RM1,600,000, which is about RM370 to RM420psf.
For the highrise condo 26-storey tower, the more affordable units are sized 1,927sq.ft, 1,238sq.ft and 1636sq.ft. Duplex units are sized are 3,272 sq.ft and 3,542sq.ft and penthouse are 3,466 and 2,723sq.ft.The typical units are priced at RM400,000 to RM1,300,000, which calculates to a slightly cheaper RM320 to 350psf.
The villas are of course luxuriously spaced at 2300sq.ft, 3+1 rooms, private lift lobby, and family room. From the 3 unit types available, we obviously prefer type B, which is the corner unit with more windows space for all the rooms. The other intermediate units are not bad either, the dining room overlooks a void airwell for air circulation. There are actually only two typical condo unit types, the larger 1,927sq.ft and smaller 1,239sq.ft. Both types are well-designed, but without the frills found in the villa units.
For common facilities, they are providing almost the same as the competition, it would a disadvantage not to do so. The landscaping is quite impressive, especially the entrance and surrounding the pool deck. There is also a nature park with sprouting showers, adventure playground, zen garden, etc.
Looking at most of the available projects in Mont’Kiara, the average price is about RM350 to 450psf, and they have priced this project thereabouts.
With such stiff competition in this area, the question we always post to developers is: “What are you offering that is above the competition?” What they answer and how they answer tells us a lot about the developer. Anyway, for Kiara 1888, the key selling point is that it is just a few doors away from Garden International School. For the rest of us who can’t afford don’t send our children to that exclusive school, the attraction is the low rise villa units, which are quite reasonably priced. Other than that, we would think that the overall concept of the project is quite appealing, and if you are taken in by the way it is marketed, than this is for you. If not, there are probably 20 other projects waiting for your attention.
Other properties in Mont’Kiara and Sri Hartamas that have been reviewed by Property Malaysia :
Changkat View
Hartamas Regency 2
Kiara 1888
Kensington Park
Kiaraville
Kiaramas Ayuria
Hijauan Kiara
The Verve Suites
Tiffani by i-ZEN
Boulevard Tower, Solaris Dutamas
Mont’Kiara Meridin
| Project Name | Kiara1888 |
| Location | Mont’Kiara, Kuala Lumpur |
| Description | Low rise villas and high rise condos with common facilities |
| Price | RM455,964 to RM1,926,077 Villas:RM370 to RM420psf. (RM920k to 1.6m) Condos:RM320 to RM350psf. (RM400k to 1.3m) |
| Unit size | Condos: 1,927sq.ft and 1,239sq.ft. Villas: 2300sq.ft (Duplex and penthouses available) |
| No of units | 182 (52 villas and 130 condos) |
| Type of development | Residential apartment units on freehold land |
| Encumbrances | Nil |
| Launch Date | currently available |
| Expected Completion | December 2008 |
| Developer | Prisma Melody Sdn. Bhd.) (subsidiary of Mitraland Goup) |
| Contact | 603 - 6204 1188 |
| Website | www.kiara1888.com |
Visited the site. Too near the Malay kampong. In fact, the Malay kampong is literally at the entrance to the development which will limit the upside potential as it will not be as exclusive as the developments along Kiara 1, i.e. the Sunrise row.
Comment by kiara fan — February 27, 2006 @ 11:35 pm
hello again…im stuck to this website..great job…have u done review on Royal Domain, it’s along Jalan Kuching..huge signboard ‘For Sale Fr.RM150K’..but it looks a bit deserted.
Comment by Dr.Riz — February 28, 2006 @ 11:57 am
Loved what you guys did with the “can’t afford” thingy above. Anyway, suppose if one could buy Kiara 1888, sending their kids to Garden International School should not be a problem.
Btw, remember my request for some info on Taman Bukit Mewah by Metro Kajang, you guys said that you might be sending me an e-mail? Dr Riz asked for a review on Royal Domain. Hmm…. interesting
Comment by preacher — February 28, 2006 @ 1:20 pm
dr.Riz,
we’ll send you a reply in a day or two via e-mail, regarding royal domain… thanks for being patient!
preacher,
so sorry about that, i’ll send a mail to you too. please give me a day or two, kind of pre-occupied these days…
Comment by Administrator — February 28, 2006 @ 3:44 pm
What you you all think about the location of Kiara 1888? Too near the kampung? Anyone have any idea on how Laman Suria and Casa Kiara is doing? A friend told me that those properties do not have a high occupancy rate and are hard to rent out because they are too near the kampung and that Jalan Kiara 3 is very congested with lots of heavy vehicles going through to Segambut - is this true?
Any news on the YNH project next to Kiara 1888?
Comment by kiara watcher — March 2, 2006 @ 11:46 am
about the heavy vehicles, yes they are using it to move materials in and out of the project sites in Mont’Kiara. hopefully it will be reduced in a year or two’s time.
actually we feel its really near the kampung.
so far, there hasn’t been any announcement on the YNH project…
Comment by Administrator — March 2, 2006 @ 12:21 pm
I’m interested to hear what’s your comment on Royal Domain & Changkat View.
Comment by Amin — March 6, 2006 @ 12:49 pm
Amin,
we have not seen or reviewed royal domain. But for changkat view, you can read it here…
http://propertymalaysia.blogsome.com/2005/11/08/changkat-view-condominium-sri-hartamas/
Comment by Administrator — March 6, 2006 @ 1:05 pm
Dear Amin,
I would like to see more of Kiara 1888 to certain my decision of buying, but the web gives very little detail of plan layout. Is there other website where I could see more.
By the way, is there any left for
Comment by Kenny — August 29, 2006 @ 3:08 pm
Kenny,
the best people to ask is the developer themselves, at their site kiara1888.com. Usually developers don’t put layout plans and too much details on the websites bcoz of copyright issues. Besides, they would much better prefer to see prospective clients face to face to explain better.
Comment by Administrator — August 29, 2006 @ 3:35 pm
Too near to the Kampung. It is cheaper compared to the other projects. Your potential tenants are probably from the kampung. It is safer to bet on projects over at Mont’Kiara or Kiaramas or by Bukit Kiara Prop.
Comment by Tan — September 18, 2006 @ 11:25 pm
Perhaps a little comment on the Casa Kiara condo. Overall, the unit I purchased has appreciated about 10-30% depending when you purchased the unit. Many units are up for rent but for those who have managed to rent it out, it is fetching RM3500-4000 fully furnished, partially furnished ones go for RM2500 and above, depending how desperate the owners are. I’d rate the management office average and developers (Dijaya and Suncity) slightly above average for their decent finishing and good layout i.e. in comparison with Sunrise.
Comment by casa kiarian — September 19, 2006 @ 7:46 pm
Do you guys think that Kiara1888 is too close to the highway? And what about the developer? Mitra are a low end developer trying to break into the high end. Will they understand what the high end users really want?
Comment by jono — May 21, 2007 @ 2:03 pm
whatever you people may say abt the kampung but i believe all the purchasers who bought it must be laughing their way to the bank considering the current 30% up in raw materials and holding back of new launches!Prices are to go up further than to ever take a dip!! Grab while you can!
Comment by lim — July 18, 2008 @ 4:23 pm