Taiping is 3rd most sustainable city in the world
Taiping has been recognised as among the top three sustainable cities in the world. Touted as Peninsular Malaysia’s wettest town, Taiping was placed third, behind Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, and Vancouver, Canada in the “Best of Cities” category, which awards cities that show leadership in urban sustainability and in avoiding disruptive over-tourism. The recognition was given during the 2019 Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards at the International Tourismus-Börse (ITB) travel trade show in Berlin, Germany. Taiping was listed as one of the 100 Sustainable Cities by Green Destinations in December last year. (The Star Online)
Empire City set for end-2020 completion
The RM5 billion Empire City Damansara (ECD1) project, which was launched in 2011 in Damansara Perdana, is set to be fully completed before the end of next year. Sprawled over 9.3ha of freehold land, ECD1 would have a total gross floor built-up of 12.5 million sq ft, said Mammoth Empire Holding (MEH) Sdn Bhd group executive director Datuk Danny Cheah. ECD1 will have 11 towers that sit on a retail podium — Empire City Mall — and are divided into six zones. According to Cheah, MEH has sold RM2 billion worth of properties in ECD1 since the development started in 2011. The sales included five residential towers with 2,300 apartment units and four office blocks that were acquired by HCK, PHB, MyEG and ESH. Cheah said there were some challenges in the last two to three years due to a slowdown in retail spending, adding that some international brands have said they will defer their outlet openings. (NST Online)
Artist impression of Empire City Damansara
Tropicana to launch Genting project this year
Tropicana Corp Bhd will introduce its maiden residential project in Genting Highlands, Pahang, this year. It will also launch other developments and phases within the existing Tropicana township, with a combined GDV of more than RM3.2 billion. Tropicana last year acquired 45.3ha of land in Gohtong Jaya, which is the main township in Genting Highlands, for RM78.3 million. It said then that it planned to build a resort type development comprising mainly serviced apartments on the site, which is about 3,000 ft above sea level. Tropicana also plans to launch several projects in Subang Jaya, Kota Kemuning, Kajang, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, and Johor. Tropicana said it will remain market-driven, adapting to market demands while unlocking value of its landbank in the Klang Valley, Genting and Johor. (NST Online)
SP Setia-Tradewinds JV signs deal on DBKL’s Cheras flat redevelopment
Retro Highland Sdn Bhd, the 50:50 joint venture between S P Setia Bhd and Tradewinds Corp Bhd, has signed a master agreement with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for the redevelopment of the council’s flats in Cheras. S P Setia said the agreement was signed to outline the overall planning, design, construction, completion and commissioning of the project, dubbed the Quality Sustainable People Housing (QSPH) development. The deal involves 138.25 acres (55.95ha) of DBKL land in Cheras. Retro Highland will carry out the QSPH development comprising the construction and completion of 5,650 units with amenities, and will be awarded about 77.8 acres of leasehold land in Cheras — 25.55 acres of which it will acquire — for a mixed development project. (The Edge)
China-based Vanke group opens experiential hall to foster closer Malaysia ties
Property developer Vanke Group has launched an experience-orientated gallery to introduce itself to the Malaysian public. Dubbed the Vanke Experiential Hall (VEH), the gallery showcases the enterprise’s history and past achievements since its beginning in Shenzhen, China in 1984. The VEH allows the company to show Malaysians their competency and potential in property development. The VEH also allows visitors to discover the company’s solutions in the fields of innovation and sustainability of property development. Vanke to date has completed over 2,000 development projects and has become China’s leading urban and rural developer. Vanke’s first project in Malaysia, located at the city centre, will be an integrated residential development designed by architect firm UNStudio and Veritas. (Malay Mail)
