This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on May 20, 2019 - May 26, 2019

Sunway Bhd is venturing into a new area in Kuala Lumpur — Wangsa Maju — with the launch of mixed-use development Sunway Avila Residences.

According to its central region property development division executive director, Chong Sau Min, the development will comprise 810 serviced apartments in two towers (Towers A and B) and 30 stratified shops.

To be developed by Sunway Avila Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Sunway and landowner Huatland Development Sdn Bhd, it will sit on 4.34 acres

of freehold land. The serviced apartments — with two to four bedrooms and at least two bathrooms — will have built-ups of 732 to 1,227 sq ft. The shops will have built-ups of about 1,600 sq ft.

“The two towers will be identical ... each with 405 units. Tower A will be open for preview by registrants on Saturday. Public viewing will be held the following week. So far, the response to our registration exercise has been good,” he tells City & Country at its sales gallery in Wangsa Maju.

“During the preview week, the serviced apartments will be priced at RM600 psf or from RM430,000. After that, the normal price will apply.

The early-bird price is 5% to 6% lower than the market price ... it is to reward those who buy early.”

He adds that buyers can sign the sales and purchase agreement on the preview week after choosing their units.

The developer is targeting upgraders and the younger generation who grew up in the area. Chong says it hopes to attract owner-occupiers, especially with its bigger units.

“Sunway Avila is located in a mature neighbourhood. There are many second-generation residents who want to stay near to their parents there. There are also potential upgraders who are now staying in smaller units. The designs of our units are more suited to families and own use ... investors normally go for smaller units such as those with built-ups of 400 to 500 sq ft,” he says.

“Our smallest unit is 732 sq ft, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms ... it is a comfortable size for families. The layout is practical and family-

focused. The response to the bigger units is better than the smaller ones.”

He says Sunway Avila, with a gross development value of RM590 million, will only have facilities

that are needed so as not to burden owners unnecessarily in terms of maintenance fees. He expects the maintenance fee and contribution to the sinking fund to be about 30 sen psf per month.

The facilities will include an Olympic-length infinity pool, sky terrace, basketball court, multipurpose hall, children’s water play area, children’s playground, barbecue terrace, jogging track, gymnasium and badminton courts.

Located 6.5km from the Petronas Twin Towers, Sunway Avila is accessible via roads and highways such as Jalan Genting-Klang, Middle Ring Road II, Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway and the upcoming Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway. There will be a covered walkway linking the development to the Sri Rampai LRT station, which is 800m away.

Amenities nearby include Wangsa Walk Mall, AEON BiG Wangsa Maju, Sri Utama International School, AEON Alpha Angle, Melawati Mall, Fairview International School, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College and Columbia Asia Hospital.

Chong says Tower B will be open for sale about nine months after the launch of Tower A. The shops will be unveiled next year.

He says the residential and commercial components will have different entrances to ensure security and safety of the residents.

Sunway Avila is scheduled for completion in 2023. Piling is underway and expected to be completed in August.

Chong is confident that the project will sell well as it will have a lower density than other launches in the surrounding areas.

He believes that despite the market slowdown, there is still demand for homes, but the product, price and location have to be right.

“Compared with other launches nearby, the sizes of our units are bigger ... suited to families. Plus we have the early-bird price,” he says.

“There are many people looking for homes with newer designs in the area. The facilities we offer are also good for that price range.

“People are more careful these days when it comes to buying big-ticket items. But they will still buy if they think they are value for money.”

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