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.

President Obama: "Osama is now dead."

Unconfirmed.

Unverified.

But ya someone got him to "Paradise"!

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

PUCHONG, what would be the first thing that comes to your mind?

Sorry folks, I can only recall JAM, JAM, JAM and IOI Mall.

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Lately, PATCHAY.COM was on tour in Puchong as we were invited for a Facebook launch of a property agency in conjunction with the launch of a new property project.

Along the way, we came to a rather large-sized hawker shack entitled "PUCHONG YONG TAU FU".

Stunning!!

We've found the legendary "freshest" yong tau foo in town. And like all legends, the place was busy, noisy and packed with people.

The Cantonese would say "WONG" (prosperous), and I immediately presumed this must be another good lunch for us.

Then the rain came, and the place somewhat seemed abit chaotic like any other hawker centres.

You can't start the yong tau foo stuffs until you have tried the Ji Pau Kai (Paper-Wrapped Chicken).

It was salty enough but the sauce was abit too much to have caused the wrapper to stick with the meat.

Overall, the chicken meat was tasty, but I would not rate it the best in Klang Valley.

Next was the yong tau foo soup version. Interestingly, the soup was compulsorily served with leafy vegetables unlike other places.

Our portion was pretty big as we have ordered almost the entire range. So be careful next time!

Overall the yong tau foo was very fresh, well-stuffed and well cooked. The reason being the yong tau foo were prepared as per your order, great!

However, and as expected, the soup was bland.

This was followed by yong tau foo deep fried version. The crisp of the tau foo pok is probably the best part here.

The usual black sauce and chilli sauce was provided generously, but somehow it tasted quite normal like other outlets. I think they could still improve on the sauce.

The best thing about this place is that you are able to choose exactly what you want, unlike some other places.

And finally, what is shocking here is that most people eat yong tau foo with WHITE RICE, except us. :p

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Puchong Yong Tau Fu Lot 105, Batu 14, Jalan Besar, Kampung Baru Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia. Non-Halal