From left: Dennis Ng, group managing director of UMLand, Philip Lim, country general manager, Ascott Malaysia, Ervin Yeo, regional general manager of Ascott Singapore & Malaysia, Alan Koh, chief operating officer of Alpine Return Sdn Bhd, and Hazurin Harun, chief financial officer Symphony Life.

Kuala Lumpur – Ascott Star KLCC Kuala Lumpur, the city’s newest benchmark for luxury living, was launched last Tuesday at the official signing and launching ceremony between developer Alpine Return Sdn Bhd and leading international serviced residence operator, The Ascott Ltd (Ascott).

Ascott has been officially appointed to manage Ascott Star KLCC Kuala Lumpur serviced residence.

The 58-storey Ascott Star KLCC Kuala Lumpur, formerly known as Star Residences Tower 3, is part of Alpine’s Star Development project of mixed residential and retail units, at Jalan Yap Kwan Seng in the Central Business District (CBD) of Kuala Lumpur.

Ascott Star KLCC Kuala Lumpur comprises 471 fully-fitted units from 700 sq ft, one-bedroom studios to four-bedroom 2,972 sq ft apartments, of which, 353 units or 387 keys will be managed by Ascott.

The property boasts a roof-top sky park with panoramic city views overlooking the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and full serviced apartment facilities, including a 25 metre infinity pool, a gym, sky lounge, sky bar and restaurant.

Residents will also have easy access to Star Boulevard, Malaysia’s latest tourist hot spot with Star Walk of Fame and F&B and Entertainment Hub.

A unique feature of Star Boulevard is a 200m-long Star Walk of Fame similar to the Los Angeles’ Hollywood Walk of Fame and Hong Kong Star Avenue.

Thirty-six world-renowned celebrities will lend their hand imprints to the Star Walk of Fame with the first, our nations’ very own shoe couturier and Star Ambassador, Datuk Jimmy Choo.

“The demand for serviced apartments in Kuala Lumpur is rising with the number of local and foreign corporate travelers looking to stay for extended periods.

We are happy to partner with Ascott, a recognized brand leader with one of the world's largest portfolio of serviced residence units across the globe.

This strategic partnership will realize great value for property owners looking for rent-income and an assurance of professionally managed services for guests,” said Alan Koh, chief operating officer of Alpine Return.

Ascott’s Regional general manager for Singapore and Malaysia, Ervin Yeo said, “Today is a great example of the cornerstone of the Ascott strategy to partner with reputable local developers in Malaysia such as Alpine Return.

We are excited about the new Ascott Star KLCC Kuala Lumpur and can assure our partners and guests that it will bear all the hallmarks of our world-renowned Ascott hospitality – first-rate services, high-quality facilities and 24-hour security.

With Ascott Star KLCC Kuala Lumpur’s strategic location at the heart of the city, where many multinational companies are based, we are confident that the serviced residence will be a draw for discerning business and leisure travelers seeking a world class experience and the comforts of home.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Ascott will manage a minimum of 387 keys of fully-furnished units whilst providing the amenities and conveniences of a hotel such as concierge, room service, broadband connectivity, daily housekeeping as well as laundry facilities.

Yeo said Ascott is rapidly expanding its footprint in Malaysia. With eight existing properties and another 11 properties under development, Ascott will have a portfolio of 19 serviced residences — under three brands Citadines, Somerset and Ascott across Malaysia, by year 2023.

Star Development is a mixed development comprising Star Residences.

The three towers consist of one 57-storey tower and two 58-storey towers, including the recently launched Ascott Star KLCC Kuala Lumpur, and Star Boulevard, which encases five blocks of six-storey units retail, food and beverages and entertainment purposed.

Koh was optimistic about the take-up rate for Ascott Star KLCC Kuala Lumpur based on brisk sales for Tower 1, comprising 557 units launched in November 2013, and Tower 2, comprising 482 units, launched in 2016.

“Tower 1 is completely sold out and the take-up rate for Tower 2 stands at 90%,” he said. The four-acre development has a Gross Development Value (GDV) of RM3bil.

Alpine Return Sdn Bhd is a 50:50 joint venture company between established Malaysian property developers — Symphony Life Bhd (previously known as Bolton Bhd) and United Malayan Land Bhd (UM Land).

Ascott Star KLCC Kuala Lumpur is slated to complete and commence operations by July 2021.