This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on September 7, 2020 - September 13, 2020

"We are seeing a lot of interest; in fact, we have been quite busy during this Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) period,” says IOI Properties chief sales and marketing officer Jason Tie during a Zoom call one Tuesday morning as he shares IOI Properties Group Bhd’s upcoming plans.

 The group will be soft launching the second phase of Gems Residence in IOI Resort City, Putrajaya, in 4Q2020. “We plan to officially launch this entire project before the end of the year, although the date is yet to be confirmed,” says Tie.

 “For this upcoming soft launch, our target market will be first-time homebuyers and young professionals [especially those working in Putrajaya], with a good mix of owner-occupiers and investors,” he adds.

Phase 2 will comprise 342 residential units with prices starting at RM700,000. The built-ups range from 955 to 1,690 sq ft, with the option of 2-bedroom and 2-bathroom layout to 4- bedroom units. Each unit will have kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, instant water heaters and panic button in the master bedroom.

“The sizeable units in Phase 2 will appeal to the professionals, as the designs are modern and tailored for this target group far, we have gained plenty of interest for Phase 2. We are confident this upcoming launch will do well.”

Sprawled over a 9.56-acre tract, Gems Residence has a gross development value (GDV) of RM500 million. Due to be completed in 2023, the freehold residential development will have a total of eight towers — four low-rise and four high-rise, with a total of 676 units. Each lift will have two doors and will open directly to the units. “We want to ensure the development feels exclusive to the residents there,” says Tie.

In terms of amenities, Gems Residence forms part of IOI Resort City and is surrounded by parks (Putrajaya Wetlands Park), hospitals (Hospital Serdang) and educational institutions (Tanarata International Schools, Universiti Putra Malaysia and SJK(C) Serdang Baru 2).

The township is accessible via the South Klang Valley Expressway, Damansara-Puchong Highway, Maju Expressway, Kajang Dispersal Link Expressway, North-South Expressway and Sungai Besi Expressway.

For Gems Residence, IOI Properties aims to provide multi-generational homes with a wellness concept that encompasses six elements: a wellness concierge, social connection, nature and parks, amenities, smart assistance and medical care cluster. “This entire development is especially designed with a wellness living concept and will cater to buyers of different generations,” says Tie.

Phase 1 was soft launched in January but the take-up rate has yet to be confirmed. “Previously, the first phase was designed for those with families and senior living,” Tie explains.

The Phase 1 units will feature grab bars and wheelchair ramps to cater to this target group, he adds. “In light of the current market, we have configured certain features of the entire development to suit the current demand.”

Gems Residence will feature a five-storey clubhouse with a built-up of 2,000 sq ft. It will feature an environment deck with facilities such as swimming pools, gym, barbecue area, a children’s playground, a communal lounge and a function hall for gatherings. There will also be a wellness concierge desk with trained medical professionals. The developer also plans to add another feature — a robot assistant for senior citizens.

Apart from Gems Residence, the group also plans to launch the first phase of the 72-acre IOI Rio City in Bandar Puteri Puchong in 4Q2020. The integrated mixed-use development will comprise offices, retail and residential properties. “We plan to launch the shop offices here. However, the details have yet to be confirmed and will be revealed soon,” says Tie.

He also highlights some challenges, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. “In terms of our marketing, the group has gone digital. We have increased our resources and tools to better serve our stakeholders, and we maintain a high engagement with our buyers,” he says.

“We aim to remain nimble and flexible. From the data we gather, we are paying attention to how space is allocated as working from home (WFH) becomes a norm. That is something we are currently observing,” Tie adds.

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