Properties in gated and guarded communities increasingly popular

PROPERTY trends change with a community’s needs, expectations and the times.

Landed properties in a gated and guarded community, which are increasingly popular in larger cities, are catching up fast in smaller towns as well.

Perak is a good example.

Hua Yang Bhd has two such projects in the state — one in Bercham, Ipoh and one in Bandar Universiti in Seri Iskandar (Busi), about a 25-minute drive from Ipoh via the Ipoh-Lumut Highway.

Hua Yang Perak branch manager Tony Ng said there have been many enquiries and requests for landed properties in gated and guarded communities.

“Both projects are set for launch next year,” he said in an interview in Ipoh on Wednesday.

Huge spread: Ng explaining the company’s upcoming projects in Bandar Universiti, Seri Iskandar, Perak.

Ng said there would be 156 houses within the gated and guarded project located off the Bercham main road; comprising 134 units of clustered semi-detached houses, 18 link bungalows and four bungalows.

These freehold units are expected to be priced between RM500,000 and RM1.2mil, Ng said, adding that the project is located in a mature neighbourhood.

Its facilities would include 24-hour security surveillance, he added.

The houses, with an eco-friendly and contemporary tropical design also include a courtyard, Ng said.

Bercham, next to Ipoh Garden, is a thriving area, known for its wide variety of food all day long.

In fact, Bercham is very much alive with eateries and pubs doing a roaring business at night compared to the city centre, Ng said.

He said busloads of tourists from Singapore and China are often seen going to Bercham for food.

“It is a good place to do business, to work, live, entertain and relax,” he said of Bercham, a bustling neighbourhood that, sometimes, suffers from traffic congestion.

This, he added, would boost property development and the company’s up coming launch of the gated and guarded community is a step in the right direction.

“The prices may be more expensive compared to areas that are not gated or guarded, but the demand for this style of living is definitely there,” he added.

Over in Bandar Universiti, Ng said the Eco-Lake@Busi Homes is a prestigious gated and guarded community project with semi-detached houses and bungalows.

Targeted to be launched next year, the project comes with 24-hour security surveillance, he said, adding that house owners could enjoy the facilities at the Busi Homes Club House.

The project is located within the well-planned and developed 339ha Bandar Universiti.

In terms of ambience, it faces a 15ha lake, he said, adding that other details are being planned and would be revealed soon.

Ng said the customer profile in Bandar Universiti has also changed, with more people from cities coming in due to the rapid economic development in Manjung and also universities nearby.

As such there would be a demand for properties like the gated and guarded ones, he said.

Ng said they were able to include a gated and guarded project in Bandar Universiti because they have the land area to do the planning.

For instance, the fencing up of the project must not affect the road network in the area, he said.

Hua Yang, with more than three decades in property development, was founded by the late Ho Mok Heng who believed in the vital role of a family and home as a basic unit that leads to a strong community and nation.

Bandar Universiti alone is home for over 10,000 individuals and families.

Ng said the company started to develop Bandar Universiti in 2002, and had completed some 2,000 houses to date, covering 40% of the land area.

He said the remaining 60% of land with about 4,000 houses would be completed in about 10 years time.

Bandar Universiti is a self contained mini township.

Hua Yang also has projects in the Klang Valley, Negri Sembilan and Johor. - The Star