Property Malaysia

Touted as the first landed property phase in Damansara Perdana (DP), MK Land have decided to go for the high end market first. All this while the products in DP have either been apartments (like Armanee Terrace), shops (lots of them), office (also lots of them) or serviced apartments (like Metropolitan Square).

To get the secluded enclave feel, this precinct of 90 homes are situated further up from the main road of Damansara Perdana, nearer to Damansara Permai. If you drive in through the main entrance of the complicated interchange on the LDP, you will first pass the apartments, commercial areas, then swing around the hill and then you will come to the site for The Rafflesia.

As with most other large scale mixed development, the strategy here is to first build the population with mass market cheaper apartments (like Flora Damansara) and linkhomes (but not here), make sure the commercial areas are fully matured to sustain the market (yes it does here) and then after a few years, start with the higher bracket luxury units. Here Rafflesia is definitely luxury in terms of pricing – units are from RM1.5million to over RM3million.

Rafflesia is 88 units of 3-storey semi-D units with a guarded community. The built up ranges from 3,800sq.ft. to about 4,600sq.ft. and the finishing here is quite befitting the price tag and overall feel of the unit. The façade and exterior of the unit has a contemporary feel that is widely used in most semi-Ds and bungalows launched these few years, with the pastel colours, large wrapping sills and hoods, louvers, etc. Units come with your own plunge pool in your garden, along with some green area. We actually like the outlook of the unit, although it looks a bit on the thin side considering the footprint and plot size is not as big as expected. The plot size is about 35′ x 80′, with some variations for the different types. Generally it is smaller than the usual 40′ x 80′ that is offered for semi-Ds.

But with three floors contributing to the build-up size, there is lots of room internally to maneuver the design. In fact, the master bedroom takes up the entire 3rd level, with a huge walk in wardrobe and bath.

Of course the design is nice, with so much space. But ultimately, there are probably two main factors that will decide whether one would consider to buy it or not – price and location. Price-wise, the RM1.4mil price tag makes it accessible to a certain niche of buyers available out there in the market. And these people would also be looking around for other similar units available in other competing areas – like Mont’Kiara, Damansara Heights, Ara Damansara, those kind of places. Which links to the second factor, location. If you like the area, with all the convenience of shopping and accessibility, then it goes without saying these are available.

The gated enclave is really nice, with green hills and a lake. As with all other launches in Damansara Perdana, tenure is leasehold. There are no planned clubhouse or facilities for Rafflesia, save for the security. Proximity to NKVE and power lines may be of concern.