KLUANG: Majupadu Development Sdn Bhd, a Kluang-based property developer, has announced the development of Newpark, the first eco-friendly real estate development in central Johor.

“Newpark represents an opportunity to upgrade Kluang. Newpark will be the largest master-planned commercial project in Kluang,” said Majupadu founder and managing director Tey Ah Kau in a press release.

“The location is very strategic, surrounded by large, mature housing estates, the Federal Building, the future Inland Revenue Board building and Intan (Institute Tadbiran Awam Negara). Access is just 10 minutes from the North-South Expressway, five minutes to Kluang Mall, and within a 45-minute drive Newpark will serve a catchment area of over 700,000 people in the Kluang and Batu Pahat districts. Within one hour’s drive is Johor Baru and within two hours is Singapore,” the statement said. 

The 247-acre (100ha) Newpark will include a master-planned commercial zone which is more than 90 acres in size, located about 10 minutes’ drive from the North-South Expressway, which can be accessed via the main road of Jalan Batu Pahat. Majupadu collaborated with Singapore-based Pomeroy Studio to create a sustainable and eco-friendly concept for Newpark. 

The first phase is scheduled to start in 2015 and will comprise a hotel and convention centre, high-rise residences, a hypermarket, an education hub and the city commercial boulevard shop office area. The timing of the launches for each component is still in the planning phase, said the company.

The company also plans to widen Jalan Batu Pahat to eight lanes from the current four lanes with a 30m-wide entrance. 

“Central to Newpark is the investment in sustainable design and eco-friendly technologies which will benefit residents and businesses,” said Majupadu executive director Tey Fui Kien.

“Optimisation of light, ventilation, grey and rainwater harvesting methodologies and exploration of solar energy will be among some of the features designed to optimise energy and water usage in Newpark. It will be Majupadu’s flagship development for sustainable living in Kluang,” said Fui Kien. 

“We have been able to implement key passive design principles which form the core of our design process to create sustainable, eco-friendly and liveable built environments. Urban greenery and sky gardens form a fundamental part of the design, helping to reduce ambient temperatures and thus cooling costs. Intelligent positioning of the buildings helps to increase natural ventilation while optimising natural light, further reducing energy use while improving the overall experience for visitors and guests. These design elements create minimal impact on the environment yet significantly improve the overall experience for the delegates, guests and visitors who will use the complex,” said Pomeroy Studio founding principal Professor Jason Pomeroy. 

Fui Kien said prices and other details are being finalised.

“We see immense scope for development in Kluang and have identified certain gaps in the market. Currently, we continue our discussions with prospective partners for key components such as the hotel, the hypermarket and the education hub. We will take the time to review the details and ensure that we bring in the right partners and the right approach to the project.

“Majupadu has a strong track record in Kluang and we have the local knowledge. We want to bring in operators who can achieve our vision of uplifting the lifestyle of Kluang residents. We look forward to harnessing their expertise with our local market knowledge to deliver the right product and service mix for Kluang folk. This is our approach in Kluang Mall and for Newpark. We are constantly talking to prospective partners who wish to bring new concepts into the market,” said Fui Kien.

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on January 16, 2015.