URBAN LIFE REDEFINED
by Lim Lay Ying
Property Times, New Straits Times
02nd April 2005

It started with a desire: to reclaim and recycle land in strategic locales, creating a new standard of living within Kuala Lumpur’s residential suburbs. It started with a developer’s idea for its community’s future.

Lake Fields was conceived from the start to improve the quality of life of people, encourage interaction among residents, and build a sense of community. The developer, Syarikat Pembenaan Yeoh Tiong Lay Sdn Bhd – a joint venture entity between YTL Land & Development Bhd. and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), is setting new standards for residential development in the Sungei Besi area.

A 184-acre (73.6-hectare) master-planned community that celebrates the natural features and amenities of its immediate surroundings, Lake Fields embraces the ideals of urban living: large, spacious homes set against a backdrop of a pristine lake and lush landscape, tree-lined streets, linear parks connecting pocket parks, and canal greens.

The lake as a centrepiece

Lake Field’s 15-acre lake forms the centrepiece of this new Sungei Besi residential neighbourhood. Complementing this are four landscape elements gracing the development (see pictures):

· A water promenade which features a grass pier and pontoon, terraced seating at the edge of the lake, and meandering footpaths along the grass edge;

· A linear park straddled by the Meadows homes, is dotted with a variety of interactive equipment meant as educational tools for children from the neighbourhood;

· A host of pocket parks strategically located for the benefit of all the residents; and

· Canal greens which are tree-lined and landscaped paths that fringe the waterways.

Exceeding expected absorption rates

YTL Land & Development’s latest venture is designed as a gated and guarded community made up primarily of landed homes to accommodate everyone from singles to seniors; from first time buyers to empty nesters; and from upgraders to investors.

Upon built-out approximately five years from now, Lake Fields will be home to over 7,000 population. Demand for the maiden launch of the 3-storey linkhouses has exceeded expected absorption rates, and sales prices starting from RM380,000 apiece have been benchmarked to set new records in the locality – as witnessed in Lake Edge, Puchong, another YTL Land & Development’s project. The first double-storey ( 24 feet by 85 feet) homes in Lake Edge were sold at RM380,000 up in early 2004. Subsequent launches in the months that followed were priced higher, with the most recent starting at RM555,000 for double-storey 22 feet by 100 feet linkhomes.

Spacious homes

Lake Field’s pioneer homes, Meadows, are super-sized and designed to project a contemporary style to redefine urban living. The lounge, dining hall, and kitchen space (complete with a set of cabinets), dominate the ground level while the bedrooms are on the higher floors. The upper most level, that is the second floor, has been reserved for a luxuriously-spaced master bedroom that has an adjoining study in addition to a fully-fitted en suite bathroom and two balconies. Aside from another bedroom that is also on this floor, two additional bedrooms have been provided at the first level of the 22 feet by 75 feet house.

Amongst the more outstanding features that emphasize the generous 2,500-over square feet floor area include the double-volume space where the lounge area has a 20-foot ceiling height, column-free interiors, and floor-to-ceiling glass panels which maximize light penetration and views of the exterior. The homes are equipped with central water heating in the bathrooms, seven air-conditioning points, and building materials such as laminated timber flooring for the bedrooms. (see pictures).

Leasehold status a non-issue

Almost 80 per cent of the 238 Meadows homes which will have individual titles, have been sold to staff members of the development company. The 99-year lease status of the project was a non-issue to these buyers who will enjoy free monthly service charges for the first three years. Encouraged by the good response to Meadows, the developer will be bringing on another 276 units earlier than planned.

Located south of Kuala Lumpur’s metropolitan area and adjacent to the Palace of the Golden Horses Hotel at The Mines, Lake Fields can be accessed via the Besraya – Sungei Besi Highway where an elevated U-turn has been proposed before the toll plaza to further ease accessibility to and from the area. Alternative access routes include the Middle Ring Road 2, the Kesas Highway, and the KL – Seremban Highway. The project’s neighbourhoods are served by two commuter train services with their respective stations, namely KTM Komuter’s Serdang station and Star LRT’s Sungei Besi station, sited nearby.

A working template for urban living

In many ways, Lake Fields exemplifies the total turnaround that YTL Land & Development Bhd has been able to achieve in neighbourhoods in Kuala Lumpur. Since 1990, the company has developed several thousands of affordable and market-rate housing, including its Mediterranean-themed Pantai Hillpark located at the fringe of the popular Bangsar suburb; Sentul East and Sentul West – a project aimed at regenerating the blighted Sentul locale; and Lake Edge – a pivotal project which garnered commendable respect from the Puchong community.

Each phase of launch in each of these developments created more than ripples in the respective locations and neighbourhoods. Besides drawing many professionals who are seeking a better way to live, work, and play, the success of these projects has also drawn emulators throughout the Klang Valley. They have implanted in the national consciousness a working model of neighbourhoods that address quality-of-life issues and have given development professionals a working template for redefining urban living.

For homebuyers of Lake Fields, YTL Land & Development and EPF have given them a great place to live and their children a fun place to grow up.