Berkeley Homes launches 250 City Road, London, EC1

The first phase of a new community at the heart of a landmark regeneration area

CGI of 250 City Road

BERKELEY Homes North East London is set to launch the first phase of 250 City Road. This is set to be the most talked-about London residential destination of 2015.

Designed by Foster + Partners, one of the most innovative and acclaimed architectural practices of the decade, 250 City Road delivers the optimum place to live and work.

Situated in the heart of one of London’s most vibrant areas and very close to the city and the capital’s tech and creative quarters, this landmark scheme lays the foundation for an enduring new community. Upon completion, the scheme will comprise 930 homes, expertly built by Berkeley Homes, a 190-bedroom 4-star hotel, office and retail space – all set amid breath-taking architecture conceived to complement the existing surroundings.

Overlooking the city skyline, the development incorporates almost two acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and courtyards, all of which are fully Wi-Fi enabled. The intelligently devised studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses are arranged across eight buildings, including two landmark towers reaching up to 42 floors that blend effortlessly with the streetscape.

The first phase of 263 apartments features the tallest building on the development, a 42-storey tower and the delivery of the 190-bedroom, 4-star hotel. A second, 36-storey tower will follow at a later phase. Rising above its surroundings in an iconic cluster, the podium towers are each located at an angle to optimise far reaching panoramas across the city and further out facing London’s periphery, with views becoming more dramatic the further up you go.

Whether north-west towards Angel or south-east to Old Street, the development’s inherent interrelation with the city continues at street level. New pedestrian avenues lead onto a wide central plaza and public gardens which will provide a new urban oasis for residents and the local community to enjoy.

Fulfilling the needs and exceeding the expectations of contemporary luxury living, all apartments are fully fitted with the finest materials including Siemens integrated appliances, underfloor heating, comfort cooling and luxurious bathrooms. An exclusive collection of Platinum residences offers the ultimate in artful elegance: Finishing touches include fitted surround sound systems and natural stone worktops. Each apartment feature balconies, terraces and/or winter gardens.

Berkeley Homes are working with a panel of expert interior designers – Darling Associates, Scott Brownrigg and Goddard Littlefair to create spacious and elegant apartments with a selection of design palettes. As well as facilitating unparalleled views, the angled apartments have also been developed strategically to fill the interior living accommodation with natural light throughout the day.
 

CGI of 250 City Road

Residents will have access to a rooftop gym and terrace, linked with the residents’ lounge that will offer panoramic views of the city. A 20m (65.6 ft) indoor pool and spa as well as 24-hour concierge services, complete the offering. The development benefits from secure underground parking and round-the-clock security.
Externally, outside space assumes a new dimension at 250 City Road. Extending to almost two acres (0.8 ha) of peaceful and enclosed green spaces complemented by mature trees, water features and wildflower beds, the public realm provides respite from the confines and pressures of city life. In addition, buyers will enjoy a private, residents-only courtyard which emulates a shady woodland copse.

An expansive retail offering, new cafes, restaurants, shops, Grade A office and studio space allocated for start-up companies surrounding a new central plaza will help cement 250 City Road’s arrival as a principal new quarter in this rejuvenated part of town.

Piers Clanford, managing director at Berkeley Homes (North East London) Ltd, comments: “250 City Road will form the centrepiece of this vibrant area, virtually unrivalled in terms of proximity to the capital’s most dynamic employment hubs and creative districts.

“It also comes with the bonus of being located in one of the capital’s most established residential postcodes located within a short distance from popular neighbourhoods including Hoxton and Shoreditch. Providing all the conveniences of luxury living combined with impressive public realm and world-class amenities, Berkeley

Homes’ investment in the infrastructure will not only add to the area’s current offering but will help further establish City Road’s position as a residential destination.”

Located in Zone 1, 250 City Road will be located a short walk from some of London’s most buoyant employment markets including Silicon Roundabout and the Square Mile as well as the fashionable neighbourhoods of Islington and Shoreditch. Those travelling by tube can reach King’s Cross St Pancras in four minutes, London Bridge in five minutes, Canary Wharf in 17 minutes and Bond Street in 29minutes.

From 2018,Crossrail trains from neighbouring Farringdon will transport residents non-stop to Heathrow Airport in 32 minutes.


For more information on Building and Construction event, please visit www.asiapacificevents.com

KL office market vacancy rate drops due to higher domestic demand

KUALA LUMPUR: The average office market vacancy rate in Kuala Lumpur was at 12.8% in the fourth quarter of 2014 (4Q14), a decrease from 15.6% year-on-year (y-o-y) due to higher domestic demand, according to Jones Lang Lasalle Property Services Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s (JLL Malaysia) property market monitor for January 2015.

“[As for the office] rental market, the average rental rate is stable as most of the supply comes after 2Q15, vacancy is expected to marginally increase due to more office lettable area supply,” JLL Malaysia country head YY Lau told The Edge Financial Daily.

In 4Q14, the average gross asking rents for prime office buildings within Kuala Lumpur increased to RM6.20 per sq ft, a 3.5% rise y-o-y from RM5.99.
According to JLL Malaysia, a total of two million sq ft of Grade A office space is expected to be completed by 2015 within Kuala Lumpur.

Some of the developments include Naza Tower @ Platinum Park by Naza TTDI Sdn Bhd offering 506,000 sq ft of net lettable area (NLA), which is targeted to be ready by April this year; Ilham Baru Tower by IB

Tower Sdn Bhd offering 394,000 sq ft of NLA; and Summer Suites and Versatile Office Suites by UEM Sunrise Bhd offering 540,000 sq ft of NLA.
All the developments are located within the Kuala Lumpur City Centre vicinity.



For more information on Building and Construction event, please visit www.asiapacificevents.com

Singaporean investors turn towards London

SINGAPORE: Singaporean investors are now looking at property investments in London as they seek opportunities away from the cooling local residential market, said London-based independent property buying agency Black Brick Property Solutions LLP. Singapore’s Budget 2015, tabled on Monday, acknowledged that the property market in the city-state is cooling and while this is good news for first-time domestic buyers, seasoned buyers are looking at options overseas, said the agency in a statement on Wednesday. “Although Singapore’s property market is cooling, its economy is not. Singaporeans are already among Black Brick’s biggest spenders [from East Asia with an average deal size of S$8.5 million (RM22.6 million)] and with the budget forecasting a growth rate of 2% to 4% in 2015, Singaporeans will be wealthier and likely to invest more,” said Black Brick managing partner Camilla Dell. “Our clients are seeing consistently high and growing returns. Buy-to-let landlords can expect to achieve up to a 4% yield in some areas of London and with forecasts predicting between 20% and 25% capital appreciation over the next five years for many of our international clients, London remains an attractive asset class,” she added. The attraction of London comes as no surprise with Singapore’s Temasek Holdings reportedly a major investor in Pinnacle, which will be London’s tallest skyscraper once it is completed, said the agency. This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on February 27, 2015.

UCTS gets highest rating in Green Building Index

Highest award: The outside view of University college of Technology Sarawak.

SIBU: University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) has become the first university in the world to be platinum-rated for the Green Building Index (GBI) award.
Its vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Hakim Juri said the university which started operations on April 1, 2013, had scored 87 points, one more than the minimum 86 which is required for the award.
“UCTS is the first university in the world to receive the highest rating for a green building,” he said, adding that it would be presented with the award next month.
The GBI rating system is regulated by the GBI Accreditation Panel which is an independent committee consisting of PAM (Malaysian Architect Organisation) and Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysian professionals.
In revealing this during a visit by state Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah yesterday, Dr Abdul Hakim said UCTS fulfilled a lot of conditions, mainly on energy conservation, that needed to be met to achieve the rating.

Hence, he said, green technologies had been incorporated into the buildings to preserve energy and the environment.
“We are now using 50% less energy than any normal building as our buildings have double glazing glass to conserve energy.
“Our buildings are also fitted with Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to reduce energy consumption. With motion sensors, lights would automatically switch on and off when a person walks under it,” he said.
The university is also harvesting rain water and storing them in the pond in front of the university. The water collected will be recycled for air conditioning and flushing of toilets while the water from the toilets will again be recycled for gardening use.
UCTS is built on a 44.08ha of land. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak officiated the ground breaking ceremony on Sept 16, 2012.
Currently, UCTS has a total of 685 students and will be able to accommodate up to 5,000 students when the campus is fully completed in the next two to three years.


For more information on Building and Construction event, please visit www.asiapacificevents.com

Transforming the heart of PJ

A reflection of Petaling Jaya’s growing air of sophistication, PJ Midtown promises an all-in-one lifestyle experience that is not to be missed.

An artist’s impression of the overall development with its three-in-one lifestyle promise.

ONCE a rustic residential township, Petaling Jaya’s rapid urbanisation has seen a significant number of sophisticated commercial and residential developments feature in its landscape.

One such project is PJ Midtown, an integrated project comprising retail units and trendy serviced suites located across 5.5acres (2.22ha) of land that offers a myriad of lifestyle, leisure and recreational facilities.

Situated in the heart of Section 13, Petaling Jaya, PJ Midtown is at the epicentre of the city’s commercial hub complemented by a wide array of lifestyle centres, corporate offices, leisure and entertainment facilities as well as an abundance of public amenities within convenient distance.
It enjoys excellent connectivity via major road networks and commuting options such as the upcoming MRT (mass rapid transit) services and the existing Putra LRT (light rail transit) line.

The grand entrance statement to the development.

In line with meeting the eco-friendly building standards encouraged by the government of Malaysia, the project is a Green Building Index (GBI) gold-compliant development that will utilise a state-of-the-art energy management system to optimise energy efficiency as well as a rainwater harvesting system to reduce portable water consumption.

The specially designed façade with shading features reduces heat penetration and offers a cooling and comfortable home environment. The development’s single loading concept also allows ample natural ventilation and sunlight into the living spaces.

The development offers an unparalleled experience in city living amidst green vistas and elegantly manicured landscaping. One of its highlights is the bright and airy centre courtyard which will be located in the heart of the development and will serve as an excellent meeting point and for social gatherings.

Bask in the lap of luxury with PJ Midtown’s comprehensive range of facilities spread across 25,000sq ft of space which include a barbecue station, fully equipped gymnasium, jogging tracks, playground, swimming pool, wading pool, tennis court, sauna rooms and a spacious multipurpose hall.

A closer look at the development.

Unwind from the busy pace of city living under the shade of the gazebo or stretch out on the sun deck and enjoy a leisurely evening. Undoubtedly, the jewel of the development is the sky terrace which will boast a spectacular panoramic view of Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur city skyline.

PJ Midtown offers 758 units of contemporary serviced suites with three design options, mainly Type A (three bedrooms – 1,227sq ft), Type B (two bedrooms – 915sq ft) and Type C (one bedroom – 613sq ft).

The homes feature spacious interiors and an elegant blend of earthy tones to set the mood for practical yet stylish living.

Additionally, certain units will be able to enjoy direct access to the car park and private garden spaces that encapsulate a holistic high-end living concept.

A view overlooking the swimming pool.

Each unit will be furnished with modern appliances, built-in cabinets, exclusive fittings and finishing.

Addressing the need for reliable security features, the development will be equipped with 24-hour security surveillance, card access system, a digital lockset at the entrance door of the unit, intercom facilities and panic buttons.

Scheduled for completion in 2018, PJ Midtown is the result of a strategic and collaborative alliance between IOI Properties Group Bhd and Sime Darby Brunsfield Holding Sdn Bhd, forming a world-class partnership that blends the expertise and experience of three well-established and award-winning developers synonymously known for delivering superior quality, innovation and value in their developments.

For more information on Building and Construction event, please visit www.asiapacificevents.com

 

Developer to launch series of projects on mainland and island

Landed property: An artist’s impression of the terraced houses in the Senjayu project to be launched later this year in Jawi.

IJM Land will open the first phase of its Senjayu project in Jawi, south Seberang Prai for registration over the four-day StarProperty.my Fair 2015 to be held at Sunway Carnival Mall and Sunway Carnival Convention Centre in Seberang Jaya.

Its general manager (North) Datuk Toh Chin Leong said the Senjayu project comprised double-storey terraced, semi-detached, and condominium properties, which would be launched in three phases.

The first phase called Senjayu Terrace, with a RM143mil gross development value (GDV), comprises 298 double-storey terraced units which are priced from RM480,000 onwards, to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2015.

“The second phase Senjayu Residences, with a RM98mil GDV, comprises 156 semi-detached properties priced from RM620,000, which will be launched in 2016.

“Senjayu Skyhomes is the third phase of the project, with RM147mil GDV, comprising 392 condominium units and it will be launched also in 2016.

“There is also a fourth phase called Senjayu Residences II comprising 85 double-storey semi-detached properties with a RM53mil GDV being planned for launch in 2017,” Toh said.

IJM Land will also promote the second phase of Permatang Sanctuary in Permatang Tinggi, central Seberang Prai and The Address in Bukit Jambul on the island, at the fair.

“The second phase of the RM108.6mil Permatang Sanctuary project comprises 130 double-storey bungalow properties, which we have sold more than 60 units.

“The pricing starts from RM833,000 and RM855,000 onwards,” Toh said.

The Permatang Sanctuary project is close to Bukit Mertajam, AutoCity in Juru, and Batu Kawan Industrial Park.

“As for the RM143mil The Address, we have sold 92% of the units, comprising 124 boutique condominiums and 24 duplex lofts, leaving only 8%,” Toh added.

The StarProperty.my Fair 2015 from March 12 to March 15, will see over 20 exhibitors showcasing their projects.

The fair will be opened from 10am to 10pm.

To add to the excitement, there will be a Spin & Win Contest during the four days of the fair.

More than RM50,000 worth of prizes are up for grabs.

For more information on Building and Construction event, please visit www.asiapacificevents.com

 

Kuala Lumpur – A future city of towers

THE landscape of Kuala Lumpur is set to take on a dramatic change in the next five to 10 years with more ambitious projects in the pipeline.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib has described these as Towers of Excellence.
The structures, with a collective gross development value of billions of ringgit, will be built at various locations in the city centre and are set to change the city’s skyline in the most dramatic way possible.

Towers of Excellence

Areas identified for several towering skyscrapers are near the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), the Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC), Jalan Ampang, Kampung Baru, Jalan Kuching, Brickfields, and Bangsar.

Ahmad Phesal said the high-rise towers, between 60 and 65 storeys high, have been approved in Jalan Stonor and Jalan Conlay near the Petronas Twin Towers.

Vertical growth ahead: A view of Kuala Lumpur across the Klang River. more developments will take place around the river corridor. — Photo by CHAN TAK KONG

Other areas mentioned are Jalan Ampang, where a 60-storey tower has been approved at the location where the former mansion Bok House used to stand.

Over in Bangsar, Ahmad Phesal said apart from the redevelopment of the Sri Pahang flats, a 40-storey tower had been planned near the Bangsar LRT station.

He also confirms receiving a submission from TNB for a mixed development project to develop Lot 61 near Bangsar. This is where the former Unilever building was located.
In the Bukit Bintang area near Pavilion Mall, there will be several developments by Berjaya and YTL, including the upcoming Tradewinds Centre comprising several high-rise towers.

The most dramatic transformation is anticipated in Kampung Baru. At least seven super structures are expected to be built in the Malay enclave encompassing an area of over 8.3million sq m. This, Ahmad Phesal said, was three times the size of KLCC.

The projects under construction include a 40-storey tower with offices for the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (Mawip), mixed development, hotel and serviced apartments, the Raja Bot market and Masjid Jamek which are carried out by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Uda Holdings and Safuan Group Bhd.

Apart from putting Kuala Lumpur on the world map, the developments, he said, would create job opportunities for thousands of people in the future.

Ahmad Phesal: Because of land scarcity in the city, future developments have to grow vertically.

Ahmad Phesal said that because of land scarcity in the city, future developments had to grow vertically. The more expensive the land, the higher the tower.

“We are currently processing the submissions for some of these developments and if there are no objections, construction of some of the projects will start as early as June,’’ he said.

Seamless connection

“Having said that, I would like to stress that we will not compromise on plot ratio and infrastructure.

“While we move ahead towards the future with new developments, we are trying to balance that without compromising on the quality of life of KL residents,’’ Ahmad Phesal said.

He added that talks were under way with developers to ensure that buildings were well planned to create more open spaces and for better infrastructure such as pedestrian walkways.

“We want buildings to be connected to each other, more trees and greenery, and walkways that link to public transportation systems such as the monorail, LRT and MRT,’’ he added.

Ahmad Phesal said they were negotiating with the developers to ensure future buildings in Kuala Lumpur are linked to each other, and are connected to the public transportation system to spur business and add value to the development in the future.

Maintaining green policy

Dispelling talk that more open space would be sacrificed, Ahmad Phesal reiterated that DBKL would not compromise on its green policy and that special incentives would be given to developers who promote green living.

He explained that DBKL imposed guidelines on developers to ensure that 10% of their total area was set aside for green space.

“We won’t sacrifice our green policy. Developers must provide a minimum of 10%, for green space at ground level, and if it’s not possible on the ground, they have to ensure that space is allocated inside or at the podium level.

On the possibility of having developments that incorporate rooftop and vertical gardens such as those in Singapore and Europe, Ahmad Phesal said there were several proposals to incorporate them as part of the Government’s initiative for more green belts within the city centre.

More to be built: A view of brickfields, one of the areas identified for the development of skyscrapers. — filepic

He added that the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 laid out a series of goals and policies to achieve environmental, social and economic development simultaneously for Kuala Lumpur, therefore enhancing green network and blue corridor where parks, green space, and rivers will benefit cities tremendously.

“The River of Life (RoL) project is coming along well. Ekovest (Properties Sdn Bhd) will develop 5.9ha of land within Precinct 1 under the RoL.

“Here the land along the river near Setapak and Gombak will be transformed into a vibrant recreation area,’’ he said.

“We will leverage on our rivers and parks to create a socially, economically and environmentally-friendly city.

“My vision is to see a network of high quality, accessible parks and green spaces that promote recreation, health, education and economic regeneration, to make Kuala Lumpur a significantly more attractive city in which to live and work,’’ he said.

Protecting heritage buildings

Another crucial element that cannot be ignored is heritage. Ahmad Phesal acknowledged that the colonial and heritage buildings in Kuala Lumpur were unique and special and were an asset to the country.

“As we are striving to reach the top 20 liveable cities of the world, we recognise the importance of protecting places with significant cultural heritage as a way to enhance the city’s sense of identity and preserve our history for future generations,’’ he said.

 Site for development: Bok House (pic), a neo-Classical mansion in Kuala Lumpur, was demolished in 2006. A 60-storey tower has been approved at the location where the former mansion used to stand. — filepic

“We appreciate buildings such as the Vivekananda Ashram and old buildings such as Sultan Abdul Samad, which is why we have now started an inventory identifying old buildings with heritage value.

“Currently we have indentified Jalan Raja, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Leboh Pasar, and Lebuh Ampang as heritage zones.
Ahmad Phesal elaborated that DBKL was talking to the building owners in Lebuh Ampang and Jalan TAR on maintaining the spirit and ambience as well as the heritage elements of the respective areas when doing upgrading work.

“We have told them that they can only develop until the 14th floor, but must retain the ambience of the place,’’ he said, adding that DBKL would spend between RM10 and RM20mil to conserve old buildings in Sungai Besi.


For more information on Building and Construction event, please visit www.asiapacificevents.com