Hijauan Kiara, Mont’Kiara
We weren’t planning to visit this place, but since we were in the area while visiting some other projects, and we had heard they had some units still available, we decided to drop by for a look. At the moment, 75% of this place has been taken up, and it looks like they are wrapping things up to gear for the new Verve Suites launch (review coming next week, watch out for it).
Most people who are familiar with the Mont’Kiara condo scene will be familiar with Hijauan Kiara. This is the second project for Bukit Kiara Properties (BKP), the first being Aman Kiara. This is actually just across the road from here, it is a gated and guarded community of 19 bungalows and 12 units of duplex condovillas, it was completed 9 months ahead of schedule and has since sold out.
BKP is led by Dato’ Alan Tong Kok Mau and his son NK Tong. Most of you would know Dato’ Alan to be the Malaysian ‘Condo King’ having built Sunrise to one of the most prestigious names in Mont’Kiara. Currently, in his own company BKP, he is targeting the niche luxury market in the same stomping ground. Our associates who have worked with Dato’ Alan before speak very highly of him, a very caring, innovative and driven person.
Location wise, it located next to the future Verve Suites, adjacent to Garden International School and Aman Kiara. It is still a short distance from Plaza Mont’Kiara. As with all the developments here, they suffer from the same disadvantages : traffic congestion, overdevelopment, etc. But Hijauan Kiara has many points that stick them heads above the competition.
There are 7 blocks in here, three 29-storey highrise blocks with single units, and 4 towers of 6 to 13-storeys of duplex and condovillas. The 7 towers enclose the common facilities. With the intent of capturing the niche condo market, they have gone the distance to provide excellent facilities here, like azure pools, spa islands, therapy pavilions, sauna bath, and cascading water feature. There is also the usual stuff like tennis and squash courts, playground, indoor and outdoor gyms, launderette and function rooms. And the landscaping looks to be very extensive and elegant, giving the impression of a tropical haven, or ‘your private oasis’, as they are calling it.
Hijauan Kiara has gone for exclusivity and low density. For the condo units in the highrise towers, it is only 24 to 30 floors high, and get this – there are only 2 units per tower. Each unit has their own private lobby, which is bigger than our kitchen. The units are quite symmetrical, but share a common party wall. They could gone for the bungalow condo concept where you don’t share any party wall like some of the projects we’ve seen, but this design makes the best of the situation. The unit design for Type A is pretty straightforward, with 3+2 rooms, plus a large balcony. Types B and C are more elaborate, with larger spaces. Type C has 4+1 rooms plus a study that can be converted to a room.
For the duplex condovilla (that’s a new word for us! ) Types D & F, they are basically double-up of the Type A unit. As usual, we reckon duplexes are less popular, appealing to larger families and not so much to investors. The more exclusive Type E &G super deluxe condovilla (quite a mouthful, we must say…) are basically penthouse units at 3,673sq.ft. With this unit, you can’t complain about your foreign maids not having enough toilets or windows to clean.
The specs are above average. There is a sunken bath in the master bathroom.
Most people who are go for Hijauan Kiara would be attracted to the name Dato’ Alan Tong. There is more going for it – it’s low density, very exclusive, competitively priced and beautifully landscaped. To us, this place looks like they have put a lot of thought and experience into the design of the units, façade and common areas, and it shows. Some of the minus points are – relatively near to the power lines, and the aforementioned traffic issues. We were forewarned by a lot people about the attitude of the sales people here, but on the contrary, we were treated quite pleasantly. But perhaps it was a slow day…
You are encouraged to check out the following reviews of the other developments in the vicinity.
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 | Hijauan Kiara |
| Location | Mont’Kiara |
| Description | Exclusive 7 midrise and highrise residential condominiums on 5.4acres land |
| Land type | Freehold |
| Price | From RM782,000 to RM2,637,000 (average about RM370 to 720psf) |
| Development size | 5.4 acres |
| Unit size | single unit: 2,090 to 2,735sq.ft duplex condovilla: 2,732 to 3,732sq.ft. super deluxe condovilla: 3,672sq.ft. |
| No of units | 188 |
| Land Encumbrances | Bumiputra Commerce Bank Bhd. |
| Launch Date | currently available |
| Expected Completion | March 2008 |
| Developer | Bukit Kiara Properties Sdn. Bhd. |
| Contact | +603 – 6203 1100 |
| Website | www.bukitkiara.com |
For this price, most would rather buy at MK rather than Oasis at BK. What do you think? WOnder what is the take-up rate at Oasis?
Comment by preacher — March 1, 2006 @ 5:10 pm
the sales at Oasis are a little slow, they haven’t officially launched yet. i suppose townhouses are not popular, but kinrara is trying to offer a diversity of products, sort of covering all the bases…
but ‘Mont’Kiara’ sounds so much cooler than ‘Kinrara’, hor?
Comment by Administrator — March 1, 2006 @ 5:23 pm
Mostly deluxe condovillas left at Hijauan Kiara. Also the concerns about the high tension wires being so nearby is really something to think about. May not be worth it.
Comment by gunner — March 1, 2006 @ 11:53 pm
Checked them out last weekend.
They have 10 units of the duplex condovillas, 2 units of the super condovillas, 3 units each for Type B and C (Bumi units which they are trying to convert). Prices have gone up since the original launch due to the strong demand. Yes, the high tension wires might be a concern depending on the individual. However, doesn’t seem like those buying into Hijauan are too concerned with that as research on the effects of the high tension wires has been inconclusive - just like radiation from mobile phones which can supposedly cause cancer. If buying for investment, it will all depend on whether you believe people will be bothered by the high tension wires or not.
Personally, I’m a very risk adverse so I was concerned about the high tension wires but after looking at the distance from Hijauan, I think it’s quite far away and should be OK.
Is there any government agency in Malaysia who test the amount of electromagnetic fields from the high tension wires? The developer told me that they had tested the levels before buying the land and it was supposedly below the safe limit but I just want to be extra certain that that is the case.
Comment by kiara watcher — March 7, 2006 @ 5:25 pm
so far we have yet to come across any conclusive studies on this in malaysia.
but the thing with buyers is that they want to be safe than sorry, especially if they want to sell it for a profit later… investing in RM1mil homes is not a small matter…
Comment by Administrator — March 7, 2006 @ 5:40 pm
yeah…many ppl do find RM 1M for a condo to be too much (i personally have felt the same way many times). However should u spend that much on a condo, u wouldn’t want a con to be glaring at u in the eye. Generally most investors (whether in Malaysia or in other countries) would stay away from high tension wires for resale reasons (harder to persuade a potential buyer to share the same views as you).
Anyway, thanks for the review on MK condos Kiara Watcher. I personally think that Kiaraville is quite value for money. Have checked it out and found out that Capitaland will be running the management of the condo, which is a plus. If i had the money, that’s where i’ll put it.
Looking forward to launch of Kiaraville 2.
Comment by slam — March 8, 2006 @ 12:03 am
Tiffani by i-ZEN has been reviewed, click on the link to view it…
Comment by Administrator — May 20, 2006 @ 9:41 pm