This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on June 3, 2019 - June 9, 2019

It is a typically busy Friday night at Solaris Mont’Kiara, an area frequented by patrons for several of its Korean-speciality shops along the thoroughfare. Due to its nearby catchment of Korean and Japanese expats, Solaris Mont’Kiara is burgeoning with restaurants, such as Sae Ma Eul Korean BBQ, Nanda Chicken, Gangnam 88, Ramen Izakaya Kazushi, Restoran Bon-Ga, Caffe Bene and Tsujiri.

“There are more reputable restaurants and cafés occupying the area. With the increase in foreigners, especially Koreans and Japanese, Solaris Mont’Kiara is recognised as a place where one can find authentic Korean food,” says Metro Rec Sdn Bhd senior real estate negotiator Rene Tang.

The main road Jalan Solaris, situated in the heart of Mont’Kiara, has several branches from Jalan

Solaris 1 to Jalan Solaris 5. Some of the cafés and convenience shops found here include First Step Coffee, Cold Storage Solaris Mont’Kiara, Surau Solaris Mont’Kiara, CIMB Bank and Guardian.

Developed by UEM Sunrise Bhd, Solaris

Mont’Kiara was completed in 2007. “It was developed in two phases; Phase 1 consisted of rows of 3 to 5-storey shopoffices while Phase 2 is an L-shaped business hub with three blocks of 8 to 10 floors of office suites (about 274 units), a 2-storey retail podium (72 units) and a 4-storey basement car park with 1,600 bays,” says Tang.

Solaris Mont’Kiara comprises shoplots, offices and retail spaces. “As a work environment, it is very convenient as various banks, shops, restaurants and a Cold Storage are also here, so you can run your everyday errands from your office doorstep,” says Tang.

Notable nearby developments include Agile Mont’Kiara in Persiaran Dutamas, duplex condominium TWY and KaMi Residence Suite in Jalan Duta Kiara.

The transactions and prices of shoplots and commercial units in Solaris Mont’Kiara appear active and stable. “There are still some transactions despite the slow market movements last year. The average price for shops is RM960 psf while average rental rates may vary depending on the level, size, renovation and condition of the unit. Generally, average prices range from RM900 to RM1,200 psf,” Tang adds.

Nonetheless, she notes some challenges. “Solaris Mont’Kiara has narrow internal roads and parking issues. Motorists would probably opt to double park or park indiscriminately,” she says.

Moving forward, Solaris Mont’Kiara seems to have good prospects. “It is not the only commercial hub as newer ones like Arcoris Mont’Kiara and 163 Retail Park and existing ones such as Solaris Dutamas and 1Mont’Kiara are also good options for residents.

“Nonetheless, Solaris Mont’Kiara is a great alternative with good amenities, where your everyday needs like groceries, F&B, banking, pampering services and so on are available. In terms of location, it is a good meeting place for work, dining and shopping. It would be an even more vibrant place once the neighbouring commercial and residential projects are completed,” Tang explains.

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