FROM early human settlements to the founding of Kuala Lumpur, rivers have played an important role in the progress of human civilisation.
Designed to incorporate modern conveniences with the river system, Ekovest Bhd’s Kuala Lumpur River City (KLRC) project will push Gombak River back to the forefront of a sustainable urban lifestyle.
The project to transform the northern region of Greater Kuala Lumpur into a top-notch river city is situated within precincts 1 and 2 of the River of Life (RoL) plan, an urban rejuvenation project that stretches along the Gombak River and integrates the river system with city planning.
Launched in 2012, RoL is a project headed by the Government in collaboration with the private sector to clean up and beautify 10.7km of the river that is divided into 11 precincts and ends at Mid Valley, with additional plans to redevelop the surrounding area.
Ekovest is tasked with the upgrading of precinct 7, the first phase of the RoL project which boasts a number of historical and important landmarks such as the National Heritage Site Masjid Jamek, Leboh Pasar Besar, Central Market, St Mary’s Cathedral and Kuala Lumpur City Hall. The completion date for this phase is April 2017.
The KLRC development, complemented by the completion of RoL in 2019, will inject a fresh boost of energy to the old Gombak neighbourhood and transform it into a region that redefines the modern city life for its residents, said Ekovest Bhd managing director Datuk Seri Lim Keng Cheng.
With a focus on sustainable design and making the most of the landscape, Ekovest was building a 2km tunnel in precinct 1 with a special “double-deck” river design, said Lim, adding that the design, called GREAT, would enable the residents to enjoy numerous water-related facilities including swimming pool, water taxis and a 5.5m-high man-made waterfall at the end of the tunnel.
The masterplan for KLRC features water taxis with connections to the Titiwangsa LRT, monorail stations and a future MRT2 station. The Duke 1, 2 and 3 highways are not only there to provide easy access for vehicle users, they are also planned with park-and-ride service that merges with public transportation facilities to provide an all-encompassing connectivity for the residents.
Combined with the walkways and cycling tracks along the river covered by the RoL project, KLRC will provide an impetus to transform the lifestyle of urbanites through creating a close tie between the local community and the existing water body of Sungai Gombak.
Ekovest’s pioneer launch in the KLRC project is EkoTitiwangsa, a residential development that offers three towers with a gross development value (GDV) of RM600mil. Block C with a total of 270 units ranging from 825sq ft to 1,240sq ft and priced from RM750 to RM1,200 per sq ft was launched in 2015 and is currently 70% sold.
Lim said Tower A and Tower B, which will comprise 240 units and 180 units respectively, are expected to be launched by the end of this year subject to the market condition, though all three towers had target completion dates for 2018.
KLRC will also be offering retail component in its first commercial development, EkoRiver Centre. It will consist of a 600,000sq ft retail component spread over six floors, a tower that will house corporate offices and hotel, convention centre and a public park
To know more about the project, visit the StarProperty.my Fair 2016 at Nu Sentral from today to Sunday from 10am to 10pm.
Activities include free plants giveaway, CR8 Learning Centre robotic competition for kids and teens, free service vouchers as well as free popcorn by Servis Hero, while prizes worth more than RM10,000 await home purchasers.
Participating exhibitors include premium partner IJM Land Bhd, as well as Seri Pajam Development Sdn Bhd, Tropicana Corporation Bhd, Masteron Sdn Bhd, Mah Sing Group Bhd, Gamuda Land, Roxy-Pacific Holdings Ltd and Macly Group.
Visit fair.starproperty.my for information.
