Long abandoned eyesore in the heart of Kuala Lumpur downtown has finally opened for business. Formerly part of Vision City, it has been left abandoned for about a decade.

Happy New Year 2013.

Last Year: Patchay.Com Property Picks 2010

PROPERTY OF THE YEAR 2011

Winner:
The Capers, Sentul East

Developer:
By YTL Land & Development Bhd

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PROPERTY PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Winner: Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin
(President and CEO, S P Setia Bhd)

PROPERTY DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Mah Sing Group Bhd
(Surpassed full year sales target of RM2 billion)

PROPERTY DEAL OF THE YEAR
Winner: Sime Darby Bhd and Eastern & Oriental Bhd
(Sime Darby bought a 30% stake in E&O)

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF THE YEAR
Winner: Pavilion REIT
(Listed on Bursa Malaysia on December 7)


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LOCATION HOTSPOT OF THE YEAR
Winner: Kuchai Lama, Kuala Lumpur

UPCOMING HOTSPOT OF THE YEAR
Winner: Section 13, Petaling Jaya

BEST GREEN BUILDING NEWCOMMER OF THE YEAR
Winner: First Avenue, Bandar Utama
(Gold-rated by Green Building Index Malaysia)

BEST DEVELOPMENT MASTERPLAN OF THE YEAR
Winner: KL Metropolis, Sri Hartamas
(Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP)

BEST SITE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR
Winner: Banyan Tree Residences, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
(Redevelopment of former Wisma MISC site)

PROPERTY SUBSALE OF THE YEAR
Winner: Titiwangsa Sentral, off Jalan Tun Razak


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BEST INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT NEWCOMMER OF THE YEAR
Winner: KL EcoCity, Mid Valley City

BEST HIGHRISE RESIDENTIAL NEWCOMMER OF THE YEAR
Winner: The Capers, Sentul East

BEST AFFORDABLE RESIDENTIAL NEWCOMMER OF THE YEAR
Winner: AMARA Service Residences, Batu Caves

BEST LANDED/TERRACE RESIDENTIAL NEWCOMMER OF THE YEAR
Winner: PENTAS @ Alam Impian, Shah Alam

BEST BUNGALOW RESIDENTIAL NEWCOMMER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Peridot Hilltop Residence, Emerald Rawang

BEST CONCEPT GATED COMMUNITY NEWCOMMER OF THE YEAR
Joint Winners: Sunway Rymba Hills, Sunway Damansara and The Glades, Putra Heights

BEST SOHO/SOVO/SOFO NEWCOMMER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Atria SOFO Suites, Damansara Jaya

BEST OFFICE SUITES NEWCOMMER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Vista Tower, The Intermark Kuala Lumpur

BEST SHOPLOT NEWCOMMER OF THE YEAR
Winner: TTDI Dualis Business Centre @ Equine Park, Seri Kambangan

BEST RETAIL CENTER/PODIUM NEWCOMMER OF THE YEAR
Winner: The Scott Garden, Old Klang Road

BEST SHOPPING MALL NEWCOMMER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Publika @ Solaris Dutamas, Desa Sri Hartamas

BEST INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY NEWCOMMER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Surian Industrial Park, Kota Damansara

BEST HOTEL NEWCOMMER OF THE YEAR
Winner: St. Regis Hotel & Residences, KL Sentral

BEST SHOWUNIT/SHOW VILLAGE OF THE YEAR
Winner: Icon City, Petaling Jaya

BEST REFURBISMENTS & MAKEOVER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Viva Home Mall, Jalan Loke Yew

NOTABLE LIFESTYLE OFFERING OF THE YEAR
Winner: The expansion of Chatime retail outlets

NOTABLE DEVELOPMENT OUTSIDE KLANG VALLEY
Winner: 1 Medini Residences, Iskandar Malaysia

NOTABLE OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT BY MALAYSIAN DEVELOPERS
Winner: OKIO, Balestier Road in Singapore
(Developed by Selangor Dredging Bhd)

The End.

A Special Presentation

Developer: Naza TTDI (Naza Group is Malaysia's largest luxury car importer)

Phased: 3

Size: 75.5 acre or 30.2 ha

GDV: 15 billion ringgit (approx. US$5b)

Architect: Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (New York)

Location: As depicted above covering a large area off Jalan Duta, next to the current Matrade building

Proposition: Malaysia's business, trading and convention hub

Tagline: "A city inspired by vision"

Brief:
- A total of 23 towers including a supertall tower,
- 2 retail centres including one 2 million sq ft shopping mall,
- and a 100,00 sq m (1 million sq ft) exhibition and convention space

Phase 1: 2011-2015
The first phase of the KL Metropolis development involves an estimated GDV of RM6 billion and will see the construction of the new Matrade HQ, an exhibition centre, a retail space offering more than two million sq ft, a residential tower, two hotels and two office buildings.

Matrade Centre will open in 2015.

Landmark: Matrade Centre and a landmark tower expected to be between 90 to 120 storeys depending on economic situation from 2015

Components:
- Residential and mixed residential,
- Commercial and corporate offices,
- Retail,
- M.I.C.E. facility,
- Business and boutique hotels,
- a Business School,
- Healthcare-wellness precinct, and
- Arts/cultural precinct

Connectivity: The proposed MRT Circle Line (MY Rapid Transit 2nd Line)

Certifications: Malaysia Green Building Index (GBI) and US-based LEED for Neighbourhood Development

Status: Construction has begun. Piling for Matrade Centre is 60% completed since it began in May 2011.

Completion: The whole project is expected to finish in 2025.

Official Website: http://www.klmetropolis.com

How would you like to have stunning waterfalls greet you by your front door every day?

With Setia Eco Cascadia, it is now a possibility.

A new eco concept by renowned developer S P Setia

The concept of Setia Eco Cascadia is simple, yet surprisingly unexplored. It is about implanting a world of eco-living into the heart of a city centre. As the name implies, Setia Eco Cascadia is an abundant green wonderland where cascading waterfalls are the key element, literally bringing a fresh of breath air to modern living.

A development where Mother Nature is a nurturing companion, an inspiring space where we can live, learn, work and play; not merely an inevitable victim of urbanisation. Here, the existing environment and natural ambience serve as a vibrant canvas for exploration, untouched by the destructive force that humankind is so willing to muster in its quest for progress.

The luxurious houses are dotted along the natural, cascading landscapes, each strategically located to provide an optimum view of the waterfalls and priceless privacy to the dwellers.

Designed with you and the environment in mind

The linear gardens of Setia Eco Cascadia are the one of main essences of this development. A rare commodity in townships elsewhere, this unique concept links the rear gardens of all residences into a network of dazzling green park connectors. These connectors serve as a refreshing walkway where resident are able to take a quiet, tranquil walk from their back gardens through natural greenery all the way to the fully-equipped communal clubhouse and waterfall locales. This green network also effectively separates the pedestrian pathways from the vehicular circulation, ensuring both a safe environment for those who prefer to travel on foot and a smooth, enjoyable ride for vehicles.

Another signature feature of Setia Eco Cascadia is the Bioswale, a unique ecologically-attuned facility that filters rainwater before discharging it into the drainage system. It also doubles up as an attractive aesthetic monument that flows along the central green landscape towards the main waterfall park.

Setia Eco Cascadia is actively seeking ways to give back to Mother Nature. The entire development is built on natural terrains that are left uncompromised. Trees and fauna are well-preserved and cultivated. Here, the existing environment and natural ambience serve as a vibrant canvas for exploration, untouched by the destructive force that humankind is so willing to muster in its quest for progress. The cascading landscapes of Setia Eco Cascadia, combined with the advanced eco-villas imbued with smart architecture that provides more comfort and pleasure even as it minimises usage of the earth's resources, bring to life a sensuous, inspiring living experience that is an unabashed tribute to nature.

Intricate homes within a prime location

To complement the luxurious and green living environment is a collection of modern and eco-centric homes. The Terrace Houses, Cluster Homes, Semi-Detached Houses and Bungalows are all fitted with eco-friendly features like floating roofs, sky gardens, outdoor gardens and more. These lavish enclaves of Setia Eco Cascadia also integrate brilliant architecture and clean, sleek design into its natural surroundings.

The Club House of Setia Eco Cascadia offers comprehensive world-class facilities for homeowners. With swimming pools, gymnasium and private lounge inside the club and outdoor facilities like pavilions, bridges, courtyards, outdoor gardens and many more, Setia Eco Cascadia is all ready to pamper and indulge even the most discerning dwellers.

To top it off, Setia Eco Cascadia is strategically located within a matured vicinity. The excellent infrastructures allow the development to enjoy easy accessibility to amenities like Jusco, Tesco and Carrefour hypermarkets, Sunway College, hospitals and more. Setia Eco Cascadia is also connected to the North-South Expressway (Exit 255C) and Tebrau Highway, offering superior convenience and traveling experience that even money cannot buy.

Setia Eco Cascadia truly encapsulates its promised experience of "Living in Nature's Miracle." Coupled with its alluring eco-villas that personify luxury, space and the best of personalised living, Setia Eco Cascadia is truly a paradise that forever redefines the concept of eco-living in Johor Bahru.

If you would like to discover more about this township, kindly call 07-351 2255 or visit Setia Eco Cascadia and Setia Eco Cascadia @ Facebook.

Register online or visit our sales gallery today to enjoy exclusive privileges, or call us to book your appointment for the viewing of our upcoming show unit that will simply amaze you!

Another prestigious development from S P Setia
Setia Eco Cascadia – truly a nature’s miracle!

United States-based engineering and architectural firm, AECOM, has been picked to carry out the River of Life (RoL) project costing about RM1 billion which includes the beautification of a 10.7km stretch of the Klang and Gombak River Corridor.


Once ready, the area will offer visitors nice views and feature amenities such as pedestrian and bicycle walkways, retail outlets, eateries and other attractions.

Malaysian pop diva Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin has been rumoured to be the new owner of the 20 million ringgit The Troika Penthouse.

Unverified sources said that the fancy penthouse was a gift from her husband, Datuk K for her 32nd birthday.

The Troika is Malaysia's first globally-branded and most awarded high-rise residential development. An architecture marvel by Foster + Partners, the three towers of 50, 44 and 38 storeys are interlinked by skylobby bridges at the 24th floor.

The Troika won its most prestigious accolade - CNBC's The Best International High Rise Architecture, after being victorious in the 5-star Best High Rise Residential and 5-star Best Architectural 2008 categories at the CNBC Asia Pacific Property Awards.

A Special Presentation

AFTER signing up W by Starwood Hotels several weeks ago, Kuala Lumpur looks set to sign up yet another luxury brand in hospitality.

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PATCHAY.COM finds out this week that Kuala Lumpur has been chosen for an upcoming 5-star Banyan Tree Signatures.

The new Banyan Tree will be built at the site of the former MISC Building at Jalan Conlay, which was last used as The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus between 2000 and 2005.

Since last year, the building has been demolished and the site has been cleared in preparation for construction of this project.

The 55-storey single tower is a mixed development consisting of 441 units of Private Residences, 51 units of Service Residences and 50 luxury suites that will be managed by Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts.

According to sources, the average price for 'Private Residences' units could reach RM2,000 per square feet and beyond, potentially outstripping OneKL and The Troika in KLCC to become the most expensive apartments in KL.

Real estate consultants have told PATCHAY.COM that despite the project not located within the KLCC prestigious address, its location is still its most attractive selling point as it is just across the road from Pavilion KL and Bukit Bintang.

As such the development will be linked to Pavilion KL shopping mall via a private pedestrian bridge, and the tower itself would boost facilities such as a skybar and a sky-restaurant at the tower roof top, and the signature Banyan Tree Gallery and Spa.

The location of this development is also within walking distance to the piece of land that was transacted last year at RM7,210 per square feet. The tract near to Pavilion's grand entrance is the most expensive land in Malaysia till today. The land was purchased by principals behind Pavilion KL.

A most recent newsreport indicated that Pavilion KL may seek for a REIT listing on Bursa Malaysia. Fahrenheit 88, a newly refurbished mall opposite Pavilion KL and managed by Pavilion KL, may be injected into the REIT at a later stage.

Market rumour is that the owners of Pavilion KL may continue to expand its asset via strategic developments such as Banyan Tree and acquisition of land in close proximity.

The hospitality industry remained robust with several international hotel brands coming up in the Klang Valley, and the list includes Pullman Kuala Lumpur at Bangsar; Grand Hyatt at KLCC; W Hotel & Residences at Jalan Ampang; St. Regis Hotel & Residences and aloft Hotel at KL Sentral; Best Western Dua Sentral and the Ascott Sentral, both at KL Sentral; Movenpick Hotel & Convention Centre at KL International Airport; and Hilton Garden Inn in Millennia City Puchong.

- THE END -

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Banyan Tree Holdings is a leading, international hospitality brand that manages and develops premium resorts, hotels and spas. From a single boutique resort in Phuket in 1994, Banyan Tree has grown into a multi-business operator globally. Listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange since 2006, it currently manages and/or has ownership interests in over 20 resorts and hotels, over 60 spas, in excess of 70 retail galleries and 3 golf courses. The company is best known for its signature Banyan Tree and Angsana brands.

All images courtesy of NWKA Architects, Konzepte Design International and SSC Malaysia.

PATCHAY.COM checks out this week the latest status of the proposed RM26 billion KL International Financial District (KLIFD).

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It was earlier reported in the media that if everything goes well, KLIFD may groundbreak as early as June 2011 in conjunction with the visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to Malaysia.

According to 1MDB's website, the masterplan competition has attracted some of the world’s best.

They include Foster + Partners, Sasaki, BDP, Machado and Silvetti, Broadway Malyan, Atkins, Cox Richardson, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, Nikken Sekkei Ltd and OMA.

Further, it was stated that 1MDB will announce the winner soon.

But details of the megaproject remained sketchy given the recent unrest in the Middle East and the high oil prices that have forced governments around the world to revise their economic growth.

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Despite global uncertainty, several nations have continued to pursue extravagant commercial zones, particularly a centralised financial district that symbolises the new era of urbanisation, prosperity and pride. Below are some examples:

Busan International Financial Center, South Korea

Moscow International Financial Center, Russia

China itself has a staggering more than 200 projects (across more than two dozen metropolis) with skyscrapers taller than 300m. That is like the height of TM Tower, the second tallest office tower in Kuala Lumpur.

Tianjin Binhai New CBD, China

Tianjin Yujiabao Financial Area, China

Chongqing Jiangbei United Center, China

Chongqing Jiangbei New CBD, China

Back to KL, we may foresee a risk of oversupply of commercial space when the new KL International Financial District is completed in a few years time.

What say you?

Source: Unofficial renderings of KLIFD courtesy of 1MDB