City & Country: Sunrise’s MK28 targeted for launch early 2010

The popularity of the mainly expatriate enclave of Mont’Kiara in Kuala Lumpur has led to a proliferation of new and exciting residential and commercial developments in the area.

With each launch, developers seem to be raising the bar, introducing innovative designs and features that are unique selling points.

Targeted for official launch early next year is a six-star condominium project called 28 Mont’Kiara (MK28) by Sunrise Bhd, a high-end developer synonymous with Mont’Kiara. The award-winning developer was placed first in the qualitative category of The Edge Top Property Developers Awards 2009.

According to Ang Kee Ping, Sunrise’s assistant general manager (projects department) and the project director for MK28, work on the six-acre MK28 is proceeding well, with the foundations completed and construction of the basement underway.

The freehold MK28 will have two 40-storey towers with a total of 460 units. The standard units are between 2,535 and 3,000 sq ft in size and cost about RM1.9 million to RM2.5 million or an average of RM785 psf. The six penthouses of about 5,500 to 6,500 sq ft cost RM5 million onwards.

Each tower comprises three wings and passenger lifts that open to the individual lobby space of residents will ensure exclusivity and privacy. As for the fittings, the developer is exploring several international brands.

What will be unique about this project is the abundance of water features spread across its open and recreational spaces, taking up about 70% of the land area. The developer has estimated that water will cover some 16,684 sq ft of the site.

This will be complemented by an elevated clubhouse and open spaces designed to cater for a wide range of activities. Underground and out of sight is a six-storey car park. The project has a gross development value (GDV) of RM1 billion.

Although the economy is on the mend and interest in selective high-end properties has seemingly returned, Sunrise is not taking any chances. Buyers of MK28 units will enjoy an innovative and persuasive mortgage scheme, just like the one it offered for its MK11 project.

According to Ang, buyers will not only enjoy 10/90 financing but this will also come with a two-year deferred payment element. This means buyers only need to pay a 10% down payment and they only start servicing the loan two years after vacant possession.

While work on MK28 is moving steadily, the developer is handing over units in the fully-sold-out 10 Mont’Kiara (MK10) in stages. MK10 has a GDV of RM700 million.

This freehold 7.346-acre project offers 332 units in two 43-storey towers and 1,100 parking bays. The units were put on the market in 2006 at between RM1.65 million and RM2.2 million each or an average of RM550 psf. Sunrise’s assistant manager of development and project director of MK10 Raymond Cheah says these are now going for RM2.7 million to RM2.8 million each on the secondary market.

Each unit is serviced by lifts that take residents directly to their private lift lobby. Buyers had the option to customise the layout of their respective units, based on certain specifications.

A tour of MK10 will testify to how modern design can marry touches of nostalgia that generate a sense of warmth and homeliness. Modern swings are placed strategically at the rim of an open field that is the size of a 25m pool. Here, the young have ample space to run and play without any danger from strangers. 

Bordering this field are conservatories where creepers and other flora are slowly filling up their allocated spaces to eventually emulate the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Cheah says about RM2.5 million has been spent on landscaping alone and that there are more than one million plants on the site. Some 60% of the land has been allocated for landscaping, open spaces and recreational facilities.

In the lobby areas of both towers of the six-star condominium project are high ceilings affixed with funky chandeliers that say sheer luxury. If the lobbies remind one of plush hotels, it is because some of the design elements were in fact inspired by top luxury hotels around the world.

One of MK10’s features not seen in most other condominiums is the common concierge area. It is from here that visitors make their way to their respective towers. The area also boasts a baby grand piano, water features, elaborate chandeliers and marble flooring.

From one of the units on the 35th floor, with its high ceilings and zone-controlled air-conditioning, we drank in breathtaking views of the twin towers in a distance and mountain ranges beyond. We also sighted the silhouette of buildings in Genting Highlands.

The workmanship of MK10 was graded a high 81.6 points by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore’s Construction Quality Assessment System.

Sunrise has over 100 acres of land, with about 89 acres of it in the Mont’Kiara area.

This article appeared in City & Country, the property pullout of The Edge Malaysia, Issue 785, Dec 14-20, 2009.