Property Malaysia

Segambut just got an addition to its real estate landscape - the Serai is a very limited number of semi-D (28) and only 2 bungalows.

The temptation for projects in this area is to be marketed as Mont’Kiara even though its not located there, and sometimes its not even nearby. But well, even though this is a pretty upmarket development, they are wise to concentrate on the strengths of their design rather than tag along on the perceived glamour of an address like Mont’Kiara.

The Serai is actually located opposite Anjung Tiara, another upmarket semi-D development that was launched more than 2 years ago. You can read the review for Anjung Tiara here. While Anjung Tiara had a more distinctive architectural design (with the red fin-like roof), the Serai differs in the sense that they have opted for conventional but luxurious layout and look. Plus unlike Anjung Tiara which is located on a hillside (a few ppl have noted this dominant feature of that development), the Serai is on flat ground.

Getting to this place is a bit tricky, the route from Mont’Kiara is heavily trafficked by dump trucks and lorries servicing all those luxury condominiums there under construction. In the past 2 years some upgrading works have been carried out on the roads around this area making it a little more convenient to get in and out, but due to the fact that this is an area predominantly surrounded by kampung, there are limitations to how much road reserve that there can be. There are 3 proposed links that are still yet to be completed, one is to Desa Parkcity, another is a shortcut directly to Jalan Segambut and the third one is to Persiaran Prima Pelangi. Actually talk about these connecting roads have been going on for many years, but the salespeople couldn’t really tell us when these roads can actually be open for public use. Certainly when these new road are open, it’ll really make access to this area much better, but as an alternative at the present, Alternatively, you can use the old roads in Kepong and Menjalara to reach the LDP or out to KL.

The 30 units are arrange in two facing rows on one main street, the 2 bungalows are located at the cul-de-sac (which is more expensive version of a dead-end).

The only thing we can say about the Serai is that it is exclusive, and beautiful. All the 28 semi-D units come with three stories of 5 rooms and 6 baths, and 4,632sq.ft. of space. The top floor is taken up entirely by the masterbedroom and its ensuite bathroom. There is a large deck balcony at the front and a smaller one facing the back. The plot size varies from 3,111sq.ft. to 3,908sq.ft. for the semi-D and for the bungalow its 7,632sq.ft. and 7,912sq.ft. The first two semi-D units nearest to the guardhouse are the ones with the largest plot sizes, they are considered the ‘corner’ units.

What else do we like? The double volume living room, the earthy look and colour scheme, and the clever use of planter box to soften the facade. Full length glass windows especially at the ground floor dominate the view. Unfortunately the ‘intermediate’ units don’t have much garden space compared to what is usually found for semi-Ds. Since the lots are closely spaced, ventilation could be a problem, not view is nothing much to speak of either.

This is the first project for the developer.