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The Star Online

Business

Monday, July 8, 2002

Sentul West slated to be Malaysia’s first private gated park

On Property: A weekly column by Lim Lay Ying

KLites often address problems long before other states, sometimes getting it right – and sometimes not. For example, Kuala Lumpur was the first city to build a highway, yet also the first to seriously deal with inner-city congestion and parking woes. Over past decades, its mayor has had to resort to creative efforts to increase the amount of land available for leisure and recreation to keep pace with rising population numbers due to migration.

Until recently, most developers made only a token attempt to provide open public space and houses were often either lined up like soldiers with minuscule unturfed garden plots or in high-rise buildings where recreational amenities are far from adequate. Well-conceived landscaping, be it in the form of an imaginatively designed garden, a communal courtyard, a riverside piazza or an attractive parkland, was unheard of – at least not until KLCC Park came into being.

KLCC Park satisfied homebuyers’ longing for outside space – somewhere to relax and stroll. From recent market research, people put off by the hustle and bustle of the city, are searching for a better quality of life in a convenient, semi-urban setting. Being able to enjoy parks and landscaped gardens throughout the year is a definite bonus, besides safe play areas for their children.

Main draw for homebuyers: Sentul Raya Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of YTL Land & Development Sdn Bhd (formerly Taiping Consolidated Bhd), is answering this call with its plan to develop Sentul Park at Sentul West into a park filled with indigenous forest species.

Equivalent to the size of St James Park in London, the park’s landscape, inspired by the 18th century English gardens, is characterized by circuitous walks framed by views of tall avenues or tree plantations, gentle slopes, ponds in the form of lakes and borrowed views from surrounding landscapes utilizing sunken fences known as “ha-has”.

Beyond that rich natural splendour, this 35-acre urban park that is to become Malaysia’s first private gated park, accessible exclusively to Sentul West’s residents only, is themed to project different degrees of recreational activities. The themes have been presented along the following lines:

* South Gardens, the area closest to the residential precincts of Sentul West, consists largely of long narrow tracts of open spaces allowing mainly passive leisure activities to keep noise levels as low as possible.

* West Fields that is discretely exposed to the public on the north-western end, will be mostly larger open spaces.

* Central Lake’s amenities include a forest walk, a bird island and campground, a boat house (see picture), and an entertainment lawn and pavilion.

* East Fields, the most active spot in Sentul Park, provides for adrenalin-charged sports activities such as football, hockey, kite flying and cricket, besides outdoor entertainment.

* Festival Plaza will rekindle the ex-Sentul workshop and its surrounds with outdoor cafes and dining, bookshops, weekend art & craft markets, and other retail outlets.

As many buyers now view gardens as an extension of their homes, to be used for entertaining as well as relaxation, the secure, green environment of Sentul Park can be expected to be one of the main draws for buyers of homes in Sentul West.

After all, well- conceived open space has been proven to add value to the properties surrounding it. And these days, this by no means implies golf courses alone but more so parklands that are accessible to more segments of people.

Exclusive privilege adds value: In Britain and the US, wealthy buyers are continually drawn to housing projects built around a private park for several reasons. A primary factor is the exclusive privilege that allows access to the park to residents only. Other benefits that are increasingly appreciated include the advantage of enjoying a garden without upkeep, and the assurance that the park is safe for their children.

Among the smartest, most prestigious and expensive addresses are Notting Hill in west London and Gramercy Park in New York City, where access is not possible unless one has got the very special key. In Kennington, southeast London, there is a 20% premium on houses in St Mary’s Garden and West Square because of the private park factor. Mayfair and Kensington Gardens respectively, are more than wealthy residential areas – they are a metaphor of luxury.

Most of us will have to stick to Monopoly if we want to buy property in Mayfair or along Park Lane in London. But it need not be just a game for KLites any more with the brilliant creation of Sentul Park at Sentul West – they’ll probably get it right this time.

* Lim Lay Ying is the managing director of Research Inc (Asia) – a marketing research and consultancy firm affiliated to Brooke International (HK). Tel: 03-2092 4966, website: http://researchinc.icfox.com

© 1995-2002 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)

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