Gamuda Land continues to set benchmarks

Already known for creating 'firsts' in the property sector, Gamuda is set on maintaining its reputation with its Bandar Botanic township

The first developer to create a waterfront parkland township with a self-sustaining urban stormwater management system. The first township in Malaysia to win the coveted Fiabci (International Real Estate Federation) Property Award 2003 for Best Master Plan.

The first developer to provide a comprehensive security system and the “first-of-its-kind” clubhouse in Klang.

“Many things here are a first,” said Stephen Goh (pix), general manager of Gamuda Land (Gamuda), the property division of Gamuda Bhd, referring to the first township it is independently developing — Bandar Botanic in Klang.

Launched in August 1999, the RM3-billion township sits on 1,200 freehold acres and is located 15km away from Subang Jaya, accessible via the Kesas Highway.

Designed in two parcels, Parcel A and Parcel B, the development offers a mix of apartments, linked homes, semidees, superlinks, bungalows and bungalow land.

“Some homes, such as cluster homes and townhouses are not to Klang’s taste; but we want to introduce new things to Klang,” said Goh.

The first phase of 2-storey linked homes was completed in early 2004. These homes were first launched and sold for RM160,000 per unit. “We estimate current transactions to be around RM250,000, approximately 56% appreciation value,” said Goh. To date, the township is 50% developed with an occupancy rate of 70%. “The remaining 600 acres would occupy us for another six to seven years,” Goh said.

At present, the township boasts 5,612 completed residential units, comprising apartments, 2-storey linked homes, semidees and bungalows with a population of about 21,000.

Meanwhile, 32% of its commercial parcel has been completed, with another 47% expected to be completed by early next year and the remaining 21% by late 2008. Comprising 2- and 3- storey shop offices, Bandar Botanic would have a total of 560 units of commercial properties.

Recent launches
Launched about a month ago on Nov 10, are the Boutique Bungalows, also dubbed “mini bungalows”. Pegged at RM750,000 onwards, these homes have land areas of 50ft by 80ft and built-ups of 3,240 sq ft. Specifically made for “upgraders”, Goh said that these homes are “extremely suitable for young families.”


Goh (right) and Sim Weng Keet, senior marketing and sales manager at the Boutique Bungalow show unit

Besides a maid’s room, there is also a bedroom on the ground floor. “The Klang market likes having a guest room on the ground floor, specifically for elderly guests,” said Goh, stating that this feature is fast becoming a prerequisite for the Klang market. Out of the 46 units launched, which Goh describes as “a steal”, 50% have been taken up.

In an earlier launch four months ago, 132 units of 36ft by 75ft semidees were completely taken up. Priced at RM472,800 onwards, these units have builtups of approximately 2,500 sq ft.

According to Goh, 80% of purchasers for Bandar Botanic’s homes are from Klang. “It is a domestic market. Klang residents, a predominantly Chinese market, have a preference of living close to relatives; therefore, the majority of purchasers are people who have relatives already living in Klang and who want to upgrade to larger homes within Klang,” explained Goh.

Ambang Botanic
Besides Parcels A and B, there is Ambang Botanic, an enclave of 800 high-end residential units. According to Goh, it is “one of the largest gated communities in Klang” and comprises four phases of superlinks, semidees, bungalows and bungalow land complete with its own dedicated park and Rainbow Lake.

This enclave boasts a 3-tier security system, said Goh. It is secured by galvanised steel fencing with motion sensors and CCTV cameras and spotlights all along the perimeter fencing; has only one guarded entrance with touch card entry access; and a fully integrated home security alarm system with a panic button connected to the guardhouse.

“The bungalows are fully sold,” said Goh. The 15 units of bungalows within Ambang Botanic are sized at 80ft by 90ft with built-ups of 9,250 sq ft and priced between RM1.8 million and RM2.1 million. Residents pay up to RM300 per month for security and landscaping maintenance.

With the motto “Your Home In The Garden”, the township boasts the 3km Central Lake within 80 acres of elaborate, thematic parks and gardens featuring more than 200 botanical species; 100 acres of green lung with over 150 species of plants; and 35 acres of landscaped gardens with eight distinctive water features.

According to Goh, about 40% of the entire development is dedicated to green lungs, parks, lakes and open spaces.

“We are proud of the landscaping,” Goh stated. “Our Central Lake is popular with couples who want to take their wedding pictures,” he said, adding that upon completion, the entire township would boast a total of three lakes; one in each parcel and a third in Ambang Botanic.

Club membership
Residents of Bandar Botanic enjoy membership at the Botanic Resort Club, an RM30 million clubhouse. Two coffee houses, a lounge, gymnasium, an Olympic-sized pool, fun pool and beach pool, badminton and table tennis courts, Wi-Fi-enabled reading room, sauna and spa are just some of the facilities offered at the clubhouse.

“At Bandar Botanic, it is a home to get away to,” declared Goh. Besides the clubhouse, facilities such as a community centre, an amphitheatre, playgrounds, a jogging track around Central Lake, basketball courts, tennis courts and a football field are also provided for the residents.

As for shopping, hypermarkets are only a five-minute drive away; or they could visit South East Asia’s largest Jusco in the neighbouring Bandar Bukit Tinggi.

Next year will see the launch of 16 units of bungalows within Ambang Botanic and 14 units of “semidees at the water’s edge”.

The launches will be in January and the first quarter of 2008 respectively.

Upon completion by 2015, there will be 12,000 residential units with an estimated population of at least 60,000. The township will also be equipped with a hospital, hotel, office towers, shopping complex and medical centre. The RM50 million dedicated interchange connecting the Kesas Highway directly to Bandar Botanic is expected to be completed in 2009.

Maiden township
Gamuda’s maiden township – Kota Kemuning – was a jointventure (JV) with DRB-Hicom Bhd. Launched in April 1995, the township takes up 1,820 acres in Shah Alam and has a GDV of RM3.2 billion. It is located five minutes from Bandar Botanic and is 25 minutes from Subang Jaya via the Shah Alam Expressway.

The development features meandering parks, lakes, gardens and recreational areas, as well as a 22-acre Wetland Park and a 3-acre Hillpark. It also houses Kota Permai Golf & Country Club, which was twice voted as Malaysia’s Best Golf Course by Golf Malaysia.

According to Goh, a dedicated RM90 million interchange was built to provide the township direct accessibility to all highways in the Klang Valley. At present, the township is 95% completed.

Built with the environment in mind, the Kota Kemuning Wetland Park won the International Landscape Planning Award 2003.

“I’d like to think that we do homes, not houses,” Goh added. “We care for the environment that people are in.”

Apart from Kota Kemuning, Gamuda is also known for its gated and guarded development, Valencia. Located off the Sungai Buloh Highway, the RM1 billion project was launched in December 1998. Taking up 280 acres, the project is 85% completed.

“We have another project, Jade Hills, which is pretty high-end,” said Goh. Sitting on 366 acres in Kajang with a GDV of RM1.5 billion, the project will offer a mix of superlinks, semidees and bungalows. Come February, simultaneous launches will be held at the site and also at its Damansara Jaya sales gallery. It would be similar to Valencia, added Goh.

By theSun (by Yeong Ee-Wah)