Nurturing a healthy lifestyle

What makes an ideal home for multi-generational living? This is the question IOI Properties Group Bhd executive director Lee Yoke Har has on her mind when drawing up plans for its The Gems Residence development.

“We want to build a home where we can influence and support a change of behaviour towards healthier lifestyles for the young and old alike. This is where the elderlies can age in place without having to move,” Lee tells EdgeProp.my.

News on the development of The Gems Residence was first reported back in 2017 when IOI Properties inked a joint venture development agreement with Japanese property developer Mitsubishi Estate Residence.

It took some time to finalise the design concept for the development, which ultimately offers spacious homes for multi-generational living in a tranquil resort environment with city conveniences at its doorstep.

Located within IOI Resort City in Putrajaya, the 9.6-acre freehold development comprises 676 condominium units spread over eight residential blocks. Unit built-ups range between 970 sq ft to 1,700 sq ft.

Its Japanese counterpart — Mitsubishi Estate Residence played an important part in the planning of the development, which carries an estimated GDV of RM500 million.

“As Japan is an ageing society, the country has a well-organised social system to take care of their citizens and our JV partner has shared their experience with us in the planning of The Gems Residence’s concept,” says Lee.

“The elderly need more than just shelter, food and money. Their mental wellness is also critical in maintaining good health. The idea behind The Gems Residence is that we want to address this issue and hope to build a vibrant community that encourages a healthy and sustainable lifestyle,” she adds.

To achieve this objective, a 2,000-sq ft community and care centre will be allocated as a dedicated space for the elderly to enjoy leisure and social activities such as board games, mahjong, congkak or a chat over a cuppa. To complement the brick and mortar, the  developer is also looking at policies and programmes that build social connections and nurture healthy behaviours These include regular shuttles to the grocer, as well as health and wellness talks and tips.

The care centre will also be the The Gems Residents’ health and wellness hub. There will be a daily nurse station to provide emergency support, periodic physiotherapy sessions and general health tips.

IOI Properties is now in talks with a wellness and care service provider to provide a wellness concierge service to offer a variety of health-related activities and services at The Gems Residence.

In addition, the operator will also provide housekeeping, launderette and/or catering services to a special segment of residents who are not physically able to upkeep their living spaces or cook for themselves.

Health and wellness lifestyle

In line with the health and wellness concept of the development, it has been designed to encourage its residents to step out from their homes to exercise or just to have some fresh air.

Within The Gems Residence will be a three-acre environmental deck in addition to a fully-equipped clubhouse which will entice residents to enjoy the outdoors. Its facilities include an Olympic-size lap pool, a leisure pool of similar size, children exploratory lab, reading lab, children arts pavilion, lush green spaces for light exercise, reflexology, yoga and tai chi, a tennis court, and a fully-equipped gymnasium.

“The young ones could indulge in a variety of resort facilities and entertainment on the facilities podium or clubhouse, while the grandparents can take respite in tranquil spaces with lush greenery or do some light exercises,” explains IOI Properties chief sales and marketing officer Jason Tie.

Other than the facilities within the development, the developer has built walkways linking The Gems Residence to various amenities, for instance IOI City Mall and Palm Garden Golf Club, which are less than 1km away.

“In this resort-style development, the surroundings are filled with lush greenery. With the walkway, we hope to encourage residents to come out and walk instead of driving as it is good for their health,” Tie adds.

“We are offering a luxury wellness sanctuary with homes that make you feel better daily,” he enthuses.

Luxury high-rise living at a reasonable price

The first phase of The Gems Residence will be unveiled in November this year, and will offer four blocks comprising 334 units for sale from RM660,000 or an average selling price of RM580 psf.

Tie expects the project to garner good interest as it caters to buyers who are looking for luxurious homes with wellness and care services at reasonable prices. Furthermore, there will only be four units per floor with an exclusive private lift lobby for each unit.

Another selling point of the project is the breathtaking views it offers as the development is located close to Putrajaya wetlands, the first man-made wetlands in Malaysia and the largest constructed freshwater wetlands in the tropics. Although The Gems Residence is a high-rise development, Tie emphasises the layout design allows every unit to have an unobstructed view of Putrajaya while optimising natural light and air ventilation.