BUKIT Jalil has come a long way since the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, the second biggest sporting event in the world which hosted 3,638 athletes from 69 Commonwealth member nations and territories.
The neighbourhood has gradually transformed, although at one point it did become a ghost town — just after the Commonwealth Games was over.
Bukit Jalil is one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Kuala Lumpur by owner-occupiers and investors as they see great growth potential there.
The area is home to Technology Park Malaysia, Astro, Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Resort, International Medical University (IMU), Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation, SJKC Lai Meng, Calgary Convention Centre, as well as sporting and recreational facilities such as the Bukit Jalil National Sports Complex.
Coming on board is the Pavillion Bukit Jalil shopping mall by Malton Bhd.
Tan Tee Ming, senior general manager for properties marketing at Berjaya Land Bhd (BLand), said there are major ongoing developments in Bukit Jalil, and the neighbourhood is expanding.
He said Bukit Jalil is one of few areas in Kuala Lumpur where property prices have been stable or increasing marginally amid the current soft market conditions.
“When Berjaya Group came in about 20 years ago, the area was all jungle. Berjaya bought about 400 acres (162ha) and the first thing it did was build a golf course. The next thing was launch bungalow lots, and the owners of the bungalow lots are laughing all the way to the bank today.”
At the launch, Berjaya sold the bungalow lots at below RM100 per sq ft (psf), Tan told NST Property.
In the seconday market today, the bungalow lots are selling at RM700 psf, he said. Berjaya then launched the Arena Green apartments at RM99,000 for a 1,000-sq-ft unit, which today is worth RM300,000 to RM400,000.
“The bungalow lots and apartments have done very well. If you bought a unit in Bukit Jalil 10 to 20 years ago, you would be doing very well today. We have seen fairly nice increment in selling price and rental despite market uncertainties. Bukit Jalil is one of few areas that has bucked the trend,” he said.
BLand has built exclusive bungalows and high-rise developments, such as Savanna and Savanna 2, Covillea, KM1 East and West, Greenfields, Green Avenue and The Link Business Centre. Tan said the company has used most of its land in Bukit Jalil and may have only limited projects to launch.
“If there is land available in Bukit Jalil, we will study possible plans for the site and acquire, if necessary,” he said.
NEW LAUNCH — THE TROPIKA
On February 23, BLand launched the first tower (Tower A) at The Tropika — a mixed-use development in Bukit Jalil — and recorded a 65 per cent take-up.
The Tropika, occupying a 2.6ha freehold parcel, has a total of 868 apartment units in four towers, with gross development value of RM781 million.
The commercial component will have a 23,695 sq ft grocer (Jaya Grocer), two-storey dual-frontage office lots of 3,316 to 3,814 sq ft each, and retail space ranging from 752 to 1,677 sq ft.
Tower A has 229 units with sizes ranging from 732 sq ft (two bedroom) to 1,318 sq ft (three bedroom).
In terms of price psf, they are selling at an average RM700 psf, said Tan, adding that the price is reasonable compared to projects by other developers in the neighbourhood.
“We are focusing on the demographics of house buyers, especially middle-income purchasers. We do know that banks are very strict with loans, and we want to make sure that the apartments have a low entry level (price), so people can afford them.”
When The Tropika is fully developed the entire area would be more established, said Tan.
Surrounding the four towers is a 1.17ha biophilic-designed deck equipped with 68 types of facilities, grouped under eight lifestyle categories. The facilities include an infinity swimming pool, indoor and outdoor gymnasiums, camping grounds and a dance studio and boxing ring.
Biophilic design focuses on connecting a building’s occupants with nature. The deck will resemble a forest canopy where the uppermost branches of the trees avoid touching one another — a phenomenon known as crown shyness — thereby creating channel-like gaps.
“The Tropika will provide residents with a home that incorporates the elements of an urban lifestyle and lush greenery. We expect the apartments to fetch good rental. A two-bedroom apartment could easily get a monthly rental of RM2,000 and a three-bedroom unit, between RM2,500 and RM3,000,” said Tan. BLand is targeting young families for The Tropika, especially for three bedroom units.
He said young families will be attracted to The Tropika as it is located close to SJKC Lai Meng, IMU and Asia Pacific University, as well as Bukit Jalil National Sports Complex, Bukit Jalil Recreational Park and Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Resort.
“The Tropika will have its own grocer, making shopping easy for the owners and tenants,” added Tan.