Property Malaysia

It’s been awhile since we returned to Mont’Kiara, and quite a lot have been happening since. We saw some signs pointing to this newly launched condo, and we found it on Jalan Kiara 5, right next to the the Verve Suites by Bukit Kiara Properties. Actually both projects are in direct competition, if you drive on the road you can see both projects competing fiercely for banner space, each of the two projects alternating neatly in close spacing. Perhaps not intentionally, but while Casa Kiara II has just been launched, Verve Suites is also launching a newly completed show unit.

Jalan Kiara 5 is one of the shortest (at the moment) road in the area, and there are only the two condos here. Casa Kiara II is directly behind the earlier launch (aptly named Casa Kiara) which has been handed over. Next to Casa Kiara is one of the International Schools which almost all the condos around here include in their marketing brochures.

There is but a single tower block, with 37 floors altogether housing 206 units, with 6 units per floor. They are marketing it as semi-D and bungalow units, however paradoxical that sounds (but we should not be so particular about it, almost every other luxury condo are using these terms nowadays).

There are 4 basic types of units, two types of the ‘bungalows’ (A1 and A2) and two for the semi-D type (B1 and B2). Let’s with A1 and A2 first. These two types do not have any adjoining neighbouring units, hence the ‘bungalow’ moniker. The units are oddly ‘L’ shaped, with a narrow and long (for A2) corridor from the front door to the rest of the unit. Although having slightly more privacy, the units here are smaller – 1,375sq.ft. and 1,432sq.ft. But that’s a good size for a small family condo. There are 3+1 rooms and 3 baths.

The B1 and B2 unit type (1,500 and 1,574sq.ft.) are larger but still with the same number of rooms and baths. The layout here is more sensible, and the extra build-up is well space out all around, making it seem more attractive.

Of the four types, we find B2 the most well-balanced one. It’s not really because of it being the biggest, but the almost-square footprint makes a better proportion in this case, we think. There are six units per floor, made up of one A1 and A2, and two each of B1 and B2.

All units come with a small balcony, only B2 has a longer ‘L’ shaped balcony that sounds better than it looks. Units also come with a private foyer before the main door. It would have been better if there was a service entrance from the wet kitchen out to the foyer, instead of having to use the main door.

There are adequate facilities for the residents, with sports courts and a good security system. With the proximity to the commercial areas of Mont’Kiara and Sri Hartamas, there isn’t much to complain about. But as you know, condos here in Mont’Kiara are perpetually locked in a ‘who can do better’ struggle, so it mostly benefits the buyer, with the maintenance fee as a limiting factor.

So did we like it? We suppose so. It’s good in the sense that there is only one tower, making it lower density than some of the competition here. But it’s all relative here, there are too many condos around here to make it count, anyway. Other than that, they are gunning for an affordable luxury market here, the price starts from RM657k. It’s more expensive but bigger than studio units, but obviously not as big and pricey as those super large units above 2000sq.ft.

At the end of the day, a lot of condos here in Mont’Kiara boils down to the numbers game – build-up, price per square foot, final price, number of units per development. There isn’t much to differentiate in terms of location, partly due to the rate of new condos appearing everywhere. But relatively speaking, it’s location is pretty good.

Some of the other projects in this area that have been reviewed by Property Malaysia are:
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
10 Mont’Kiara