www.propertyinsight.com.my MARCH 2017

COVER STORY AREA FOCUS MAIN FEATURE BINA PURI BANDAR CHALLENGES HOLDINGS SRI IN DAMANSARA CONSTRUCTION

MARCH 2017 RM7.50(WM) RM9.00(EM) KDN PP 18181/04/2013 (033492)

COVER STORY BUILDING A FUTURE TOGETHER Bina Puri heralds a new era of premier class living

BY: FELICIA SOON

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ith over 40 years of work Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, locations where there have been little experience in civil and Indonesia, Thailand and Russia. or no developments, thus unlocking W building construction both Listed in Bursa since 1995, the possibilities of these sites and locally and internationally, Bina Puri Bina Puri today owns an outstanding increasing the capital value of the Holdings Bhd has expanded into a investment portfolio, which includes the properties for their buyers and variety of core businesses, such as 33km KL – Kuala Expressway, surrounding communities. investment holdings, civil and building the Main Place Residence and Mall at Despite the softening of the market, engineering, property development, USJ 21, , as well as power Bina Puri Group is constantly on the highway concession, manufacturing plants in Indonesia. lookout for upcoming areas for their of construction materials, quarry A journey of a thousand miles begins developments, and they make sure operations, utilities and hospitality with a single step, and for Bina Puri that the new targeted investment is management. Group, the history began with a conveniently located with easy access to Their height of achievement is marked small building contract for the police public hubs, and have a wide selection by successful completion of various station and staff quarters in , of amenities at its doorstep. projects, such as roads and highways, for the Public Works This guiding philosophy has propelled light railway transit (LRT), bridges Department (JKR). Despite its humble Bina Puri Group to surpass the 40 years and interchanges, waterworks, land beginnings, Group Executive Director, milestone in 2015, a testament of their reclamation works, residential and Datuk Matthew Tee says, “In the general staying power in a challenging industry. commercial buildings, hotels, hospitals, public perceptions, we only deal with Out of 46 public listed companies in the airports and government complexes. construction businesses. However, construction sector, only 9 companies The Bina Puri Group has also we have been involved in property or 19 percent have matched the feat. established a strong international development all these years since the For 2017, the group is set to continue presence, having undertaken projects mid-eighties. In this sector, we have executing their sustainable business in Cambodia, Nepal, China, Brunei been taking it in our own comfortable strategies, with several dynamic Darussalam, United Arab Emirates, stride; one at a time.” projects scheduled to take off.

A HOUSEHOLD NAME LUXURIOUS FAMILY ENCLAVE Bina Puri has been successful in Located along Jalan Prima Pelangi, off acquiring landbanks in prominent Bukit Prima Pelangi in North Kiara,

Laman Villa @ Mont Kiara North Datuk Matthew Tee and Ng Keong Wee (right)

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A living area in sync with peaceful surroundings Modern designs at the family area for a sense of belonging

Kuala Lumpur, Laman Vila is situated is fitted with solar panels that are will have only 20 low density units with on a 3.3 acres of gated and guarded capable of generating electricity and a built-up area of between 1,600 sq.ft. community featuring modern landed are connected to the national grid. to 1,800 sq.ft., priced between RM1.5 Garden Villas and low-rise Condo The receipts from the power generated million and RM1.8 million each. Villas, built with a touch of ultra- to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Residents have access to facilities modern architecture and bestowed with the national power utility company such as ample covered parking space, cosmopolitan lifestyle and panoramic over 21 years of concessions, which swimming pool, children’s playground, cityscape. are based on the Fit-in-Tariff system gymnasium, event hall, garden and a The Garden Villas consist of 22 units (FiT) published by Sustainable Energy clubhouse. of 3 & 4-storey landed residence, each Development Authority (SEDA), will with a private lift. Type A features be ploughed back into the general SCALING NEW HEIGHTS a 3-storey villa with a built-up area maintenance of the Laman Vila Infrastructure improvements on of 3,940 sq.ft, while Type B and C community. As a result, Datuk Matthew the outskirts of the city such as the comprise of a 4-storey villa with a built- Tee says that, the residents would be completion of the KL – Karak Expressway up area of 5,434 sq.ft. and 4,969 sq.ft. offered 10 years of free maintenance. In have assisted in the huge regeneration respectively. case the earning is no longer sufficient of some formerly far-flung areas, such At present, there are only final units to cover the maintenance fee after the as Bentong and Bukit Tinggi. left for sale. The price for Garden Villa first 10 years, only the differences are To create a country retreat that reflects ranges from RM3.2 million to RM4.5 chargeable to the residents. the best of both worlds, Bina Puri million each. The low density Condo Villas which Group has embarked on a new venture The rooftop of each Garden Villa are set to soft launch this coming April on a piece of beautiful and bountiful land in Karak, Bentong District, Pahang measuring over 1,593 acres. Nestled in a prime location between tourist hotspots such as and Berjaya Hills (Bukit Tinggi), The Valley is situated 7km away from Karak town and well-connected via the KL – Karak Expressway. It will provide the residents with facilities and an access to a gorgeously landscaped grass lawn courtyard for breathtaking views of the valley. Whilst The Valley is acclaimed for its enchanting vibe and trend-setting An artist’s impression of the common facility at Kerau Homestead development, characters, the land development Karak, Bentong, Pahang has been strategically allocated, with

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For any developments to be successful, we must always prioritise the needs of the Malaysian buyers first - Datuk Matthew Tee

Modern designs at the family area for a sense of belonging phase 1, the ‘Kerau’ (named after the river that meanders through the entire development) comprising of 158 units of Homestead Lot. The hilly and curving slopes are most suitable for fruit orchards such as durian, as proven by the vast number of durian orchards seen in Karak and Bentong. The prominent new addition to The Valley’s residential scene is The Kerau common facility area – a social hub for residents and guests to indulge in resort living facilities, with a proposed gym, swimming pool and outdoor barbeque pits. The social hub will also have exhibition spaces, meeting rooms and activity spaces. In addition, the future phase of this development includes the Master Plan proposal of a Spa Retreat and Resort Home, Retirement Homes, Equestrian Centre, Martial Art Centre, Fish / Prawn Farms, Special Plantation and Bungalow Lots.

LIVING IN NATURE Bina Puri is also renowned as one of the few property developers that have been completing projects successfully in both East and West Malaysia. Their latest development set for completion this year is the Jesselton View Condominium in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. This new development, Jesselton View provides a high standard of accommodation in a secure, modern and serene community, with the kind of lifestyle that everyone of us longs for, such as unique and spacious façade,

www.propertyinsight.com.my MARCH 2017 I 13 COVER STORY spacious layouts and low density living. selling price of RM1,000 psf is relatively Comprising of a 5-storey block and easier to sell, and anything above and 11-storey block, the project boasts 80 beyond will cause a bit of friction. units of cosy condominiums in Kota As remarked by Datuk Matthew Tee, Kinabalu, Sabah. Kota Kinabalu has seen its glorious days Perched on an elevated land, Jesselton in property development before being View offers many opportunities for affected by the market downturn in recreation, such as enjoying the great recent years. By offering great products outdoors in the beautifully landscaped such as Jesselton View and One garden or the pool. It also offers peace- Jesselton, Bina Puri Group hopes that of-mind living with 24-hour gated and the property sector will rebound this guarded security in a close-knitted year and in future as there is a market community. for it in Kota Kinabalu. “Kota Kinabalu is only 40 minutes away from Bandar A NEW WAVE IN LUXURY Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam by One Jesselton is another development flight. There are also plenty of direct featuring only 125 exclusive units, flights from Guangzhou and Hong Kong with 12 types of layout in one block of to Kota Kinabalu,” said Datuk Matthew An impressive look of Main Place Residence and Mall at USJ21 11-storey condominium development, Tee. set amidst an urban paradise at Ng Keong Wee Kepayan Ridge along Jalan Banjaran, LOOKING AHEAD Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Based on recent figures, 82% of Bina Ng Keong Wee, Executive Director Puri Group’s turnover comes from its to be successful, we must always of Bina Puri Properties Sdn Bhd who construction arm. While the share prioritise the needs of the Malaysian has passionately overseen the project, contributed by property division is buyers first.” happily shared that the construction still not as big as that of construction, An embodiment of Bina Puri’s long has reached up to level 8 as of now. The it is expanding steadily. In fact, Bina term success is none other than concept of this development revolves Puri’s property division is on a growth the RM291 million Main Place, a around creating a two-generation trajectory, boasting big projects such resuscitated retail-cum-condominium home, and most of the smaller units as the RM400 million Opus Service project in USJ 21, Subang Jaya, have been sold. Apartments in Kuala Lumpur and the Selangor which was idled for about 16 To the buyers, this may seems an RM304 million Kuantan Waterfront years. Those with a good memory will irresistible deal but at the end of the Resort City in Kuantan, Pahang. remember that the project was twice day, it all comes back to dollars and Elaborating on their decision to abandoned. cents, because potential buyers will emphasize more on the affordable The Main Place has high visibility value first look at the price per square foot. residential projects, Datuk Matthew Tee as it faces the Damansara – As a rule of thumb, anything below the firmly stated, “For any developments Expressway (LDP), with the USJ21 LRT Station of Line (linked directly to KLCC) located less than 250m away. It is also well connected to various major highways such as North – South Expressway Central Link (ELITE), Expressway (KESAS) and New Pantai Expressway (NPE). The project comprised of 4 residential blocks totaling 1,211 units, three-and- a-half-storey neighbourhood retail mall and ample car parks. Bina Puri Group worked excessively hard to get the agreement of buyers and bankers on route to revive the abandoned project, and completed it in March 2014. Since reviving this abandoned building in 2011 through their subsidiary, Sumbangan Lagenda Sdn Bhd, Bina Puri Group has once again proven An artist’s impression of Opus @ Kuala Lumpur that no project is impossible, and has

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contractor is the RM1.28 billion Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project known as Riveria Sentral @ KL, a public-private partnership between Prasarana Integrated Development Sdn Bhd (PRIDE) of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd and Titijaya Land Bhd. The difference between a property development and a construction business is, the former takes up a lot of capital and developer will not see your money until completion much later. On the other hand, for construction business, once the contractor is awarded a project, payments will be progressively paid according to the stages of works done. An impressive look of Main Place Residence and Mall at USJ21 As a matter of fact, Bina Puri Group’s construction arm supports their property division greatly. This is left its mark with such an ambitious Jalleh of Retail Network Sdn Bhd, who important because by having an in- endeavour. previously worked with Paradigm Mall house construction arm within the Datuk Matthew Tee was proud to and Empire Shopping Gallery Subang Group, buyers can rest assured that reveal that, having achieved an average Jaya for retail consulting services and none of their projects will be abandoned price of RM603 psf, the Main Place insights. He has since turned Main half way down the line. Residence is now the most expensive Place into an A-lister place to be Lastly, no matter which segment of high rise residential development in and has been entrusted to continue the economy the company ventures USJ. During the re-launch, all the managing the mall. into, employees are a company’s remaining 168 units were sold. greatest assets. An organisation’s “Before opening the shopping mall, we FORECAST FOR THE FUTURE success depends tremendously on their received an offer of RM170 million, and Datuk Matthew Tee shared that, as the employees’ performance. As shared by six months down the road, we received property market has been soft since Datuk Matthew Tee, “Performance is a another offer of RM210 million, which 2012, the industry players are definitely simple word but tenacity is needed at meant that the valuation of Main Place hoping for things to improve. In fact every level within the group. Bina Puri had increased by RM40 million over every year, Bina Puri Group is always Group is constantly seeking individuals the half year. In the future, when the positive that things will get better who dare to benchmark themselves time is good and the price is right, we compared to the previous years. With as performers. If you think you belong may give it a thorough consideration,” the upcoming election, there could be a to this group of like-minded people, Datuk Matthew Tee disclosed. slew of projects getting awarded, such do not be afraid to stand out and be “Nowadays as the retailers are not as schools, roads and the like. Even counted in.” doing very well, any new investors though the property market is slow, For the employees, Bina Puri Group looking into buying a retail outlet Bina Puri Group is able to sustain their is like a family that is much needed will have to study the yield carefully. businesses through the construction in a time of uncertainty and doubts, Normally for the tenancy cycle, the activities. as the management of Bina Puri rental tends to go up once the existing One of the projects where Bina Puri Group emphasizes greatly on patience tenancy has ended. Therefore, landlords Group has been appointed as the and tolerance, important virtues in can enjoy a better deal in terms of the main contractor is the Melawati Mall fostering the spirit of teamwork in any psf price. However as retailers are also project, a joint venture by Sime Darby organisation. Interestingly, the top bogged down with the implementation Property and CapitaLand Mall Asia. management revealed that at least of GST, the focus should be more on This commercial venture is expected 35% of the overall staff are long serving maintaining the existing retailers,” to become operational by the second employees who are committed to grow adds Datuk Matthew Tee. quarter of 2017 and to cater for 740,000 within this esteemed organisation and Datuk Matthew Tee further elaborated residents in Ampang and Setapak have stayed for 5 years and beyond. that the secret to their success in communities and the surrounding This certainly tells a lot about Bina Puri Main Place is that the shopping mall is neighbourhoods in Kuala Lumpur. Group’s success since its inception 42 fully owned by Bina Puri Group which Another project where Bina Puri years ago. then engaged the expertise of Robert Group will also play the role of main

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