Artist’s impression of Pinnacle Collection. Datuk Lee Yeow Chor (inset) says the company is closely monitoring the Singapore property market to ensure the timely launch of the projects
IOI Properties Bhd will be leveraging on the financial strength of its parent, IOI Corp Bhd, to build a greater presence in the Klang Valley and Singapore property markets.
Since being taken private in April, the 95.33% subsidiary of IOI Corp has greater liberty to plan and decide on the direction and projects it wants to undertake.
IOI Corp group executive director Datuk Lee Yeow Chor said although the level of activities would not change much from what the company had done previously, it was in a better position to leverage on the group’s financial strength to facilitate funding requirements for land acquisitions and move projects ahead.
According to Lee, property is all about holding power and having the financial strength to hold out and mitigate against the prevailing challenging market conditions, including slow sales; are important for property companies.
Despite the severe market crunch in Singapore since February last year, IOI Properties proceeded with the construction of its Seascape Collection residences on Sentosa Cove. The construction of the project has reached 40% to-date.
The 1.44-ha Seascape project is a 50:50 joint venture between IOI Properties and its Singapore partner, Ho Bee Investment Ltd.
It comprises two eight-storey condominium blocks of 151 units of various sizes, tentatively priced from S$2,500 to S$2,800 per sq ft.
IOI’s second project in Singapore, the Pinnacle Collection – which is 65%-owned by IOI Properties and 35% by Ho Bee – will be undertaken by Pinnacle (Sentosa) Pte Ltd. The 2.12-ha site was tendered for S$1.1bil.
The 99-year leasehold land is the final piece of condominium land to be launched by Sentosa Cove and has a maximum permissible gross plot ratio of 2.6.
The site will have seven 18-storey blocks and one 20-storey block of luxurious condominiums. It is one of the two condominium parcels flanking the entrance of the marina leading into Sentosa Cove.
Lee said the launch of The Pinnacle would depend on the take-up for the Seascape residences.
IOI has plans for a third project in the city state, comprising medium to medium high-end residences on a 1.44-ha site near Novena Square and Orchard Road.
He said the company was closely monitoring the Singapore property market to ensure the timely launch of the projects to optimise their value.
“The completion of the two integrated resorts in Singapore later this year will be the catalyst for further economic growth and market upturn in the city state,” Lee said.
In the last two months, the market for medium to mid-high end property in Singapore had shown encouraging signs of an upturn, he added.
Things are also looking up for the Klang Valley property market and demand is expected to recover by year-end.
For the financial year ending June 30, 2010 (FY10), project launches worth RM580mil have been lined up in the Klang Valley, including in Bandar Puteri, Bandar Puchong Jaya and IOI Resort.
A new greenfield development, Sierra Puteri, a mixed housing development on 194ha in the Seri Kembangan-Cyberjaya area, is also in the pipeline for launch in the first quarter of next year. There will also be a 22-ha commercial precinct in the RM2bil development. Lee expects the company’s property sales to bounce back from RM630mil recorded last year to RM650mil next year. This year, it expects to turn in sales of RM610mil.
“We will also be placing more focus on investment properties. For FY10, we expect more than 15% of the company’s earnings to come from property investment and the balance from property development,” he said.
Last year, income from property investment contributed 10% to the bottomline of IOI Properties and about 22% to 25% of IOI Corp’s earnings.
General manager for group operations Lee Yoke Har said besides leveraging on the good location of the company’s land bank and strong branding, it also emphasised on good community relations and programmes to promote wholesome living and safe communities in all its townships.
It set up a dedicated community website, Myioi.com, in 2000 that has become a popular communication tool for residents of its projects.
Other initiatives include the IOI Privilege card, which is a discount card offered to residents when they patronise any of the participating outlets in the townships.
“The next project to be rolled out will be free WiFi within our townships and ‘intercom connection’ for residents via the 015 IP phone,” she added.
By The Star (by Angie NG) (Posted on 22 June 2009)
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