BY CAITLYN NG LI YUIN
liyuin@ocision.com
While the hype is still concentrated on the city centre, there is more interest being focused towards the east of KL, with plenty of new developments to look forward to.
The front entrance of Greenhouse by Muir is filled with the scent and welcoming sight of freshly cut blooms, thanks to the in-house florist.
MANY people who are planning for a quick getaway or are looking to purchase a property would think of the city centre as the dream destination. The attractions linked to the Klang Valley's "Golden Triangle" are aplenty, and it's no surprise that these areas are always major attraction for tourists, both local and foreign. But if one were to head over to the eastern side of Kuala Lumpur, very few are aware that there are hidden gems to be discovered there as well.
Some of the areas which KL East encompasses include Wangsa Maju, Ampang, Setiawangsa and Setapak. These are places which usually fall under the radar when it comes to exploring all that the vibrant city has to offer. However, where once these places used to be considered quiet towns and underdeveloped, they are now thriving and slowly establishing a name for themselves in the eyes of the public.
We took a trip to some of those places to see what they have to offer and were pleasantly surprised by the amount of upcoming developments and various existing amenities.
PV128 is a large complex that has almost anything the locals in the area could want; most prominent are the numerous eateries serving food to please even the most discerning palate.
We began our trip by covering the perennial favourite topic of any Malaysian: food. Being in close proximity to institutions of higher learning, these areas find themselves chock-a-block with diverse food and beverage options. What a wonderful sight for our hungry bellies it was! At Wangsa Maju, many of the good eateries are still in the old-fashioned shoplots serving up hearty fares. However, to keep up with the changing times, cafes such as Cafe Lapis and Pop's Eatery have sprouted up to cater to the younger generation.
Setapak and Setiawangsa have similar trends where a blend of historical and modern elements come together to provide the good people from all walks of life delicious dishes at any time of the day. From Chinese cuisine to Malay meals and Indian delicacies, there’s something for every palate. As for the modern cuisine, there are eateries the likes of Saba, Le Geo Art, and plenty of other options (Six Inch, M.A.D and Delle Cafe) over in PV128.
Don't be deceived by the Green Tomato Cafe's name, it's not just a pet-friendly cafe (albeit one serving yummy fresh food). There is also a batik workshop, crafts area and souvenir shop, plenty of activities for the whole family.
When we stopped by in Ampang, two quaint and picturesque outlets caught our attention: Green Tomato Cafe and Greenhouse by Muir. The former was slightly difficult to find, as it was enveloped in luxuriant flora and had only a small sign to point it out. It houses not only a cafe, but a batik workshop, crafts area and a souvenir shop. The latter is a large standalone complex with floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing for plenty of natural light to bathe its patrons. With a prevalently nautical theme, this establishment was named as a nod to the preservation philosophies of naturalist John Muir.
The Ampang Hilir Lake Gardens is certainly a sight to feast the eyes, with its landscaped grounds and tranquil lake. Here, people from all walks of life will be able to carry out activities and bond, surrounded by natural beauty.
City folks will have plenty of recreational spots to look forward to when needing to get away from the stresses of daily life. The Danau Kota Recreational Park and the Ampang Hilir Lake Gardens are just two such examples of verdant greenery and well-maintained landscapes within easy access, allowing for families to gather and bond in the midst of natural beauty.
The public will even have the option to visit a true hidden gem: a charming orang asli museum hidden in the hills of Gombak. Free of charge, this museum would require one to drive quite a distance, but it is an eye-opener as it allows visitors to take a detailed look into the indigenous inhabitants of the land's rich history, customs and traditions.
A hidden gem awaits discovery in the form of a well-maintained 'orang asli' museum that allows locals and tourists alike to discover the rich history, customs and traditions of the aboriginal people.
As a testament to the growing popularity of these areas to potential homeowners, we saw plenty of new developments throughout, all of which bring a breath of fresh air to the property market with their contemporary and refined facades. Case in point would be Picasso Residences located at Ampang, a masterpiece development that is a gorgeous tribute with its faceted facade to one of the most famous painters in history.
Wangsa Maju has also its fair share of upcoming developments, such as Infiniti Residences (three residential towers with 523 units and a resort living concept), Wangsa 9 Residency (565 condominium units spread over three blocks) and Seri Riana Residence (peaceful living environment of 680 units nestled in the lap of nature). Even in the sleepy town of Gombak, the public can anticipate the completion of KL Traders Square, a mixed development comprising residential and commercial elements.
A few other notable mentions include Bennington Residences @ Sky Arena, Setapak (an overall integrated development dedicated to total wellness) as well as Novo Ampang (a 38-storey luxurious condominium project that is the new icon of Ampang with its facade illuminated by atmospheric ambient lights).
Such rapid development and increasing interest in the area of KL East will attract investors who are looking for new opportunities. This will have both positive and negative impacts on the area, but with proper planning, necessary infrastructure upgrades and community events, KL East will soon be a new hub for living, working, learning and playing.
