Tropicana Corp ups the scale in luxury high-rise living.
BY ANGIE NG
angie@thestar.com.my
Chic and sleek architecture.
KUALA Lumpur is upscaling its status as a liveable city with a number of infrastructure projects that will improve the quality of living environment in the capital city, and proof of its growing popularity as a choiced address is seen in the growing number of property projects being built to cater to the expanding city dwellers and business travellers.
The capital city’s premier address is undoubtedly still Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) given the premium attached to its proximity to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, Malaysia’s national landmark, and to the other lifestyle conveniences.
Development projects that bear the KLCC address command a premium over those that are located further away in the other fringe areas of Kuala Lumpur. No wonder a growing list of developers are vying for a piece of the KLCC action that will further change the city’s skyline when more high-rise buildings crop up in the city in the coming years.
Given that there are quite a number of projects coming up around the KLCC area, developers have to put in extra efforts and creativity to ensure their projects have unique selling propositions, outstanding amenities, facade and features to stand out from the rest in the market.
Gourmet Loft.
Undaunted by the competition posed by the other developments that are coming up in the city, Tropicana Corp Bhd is building its most ambitious development, Tropicana The Residences at KLCC (The Residences), on a 1.28-acre plot of freehold land along Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
This is one of the most prime locations in Kuala Lumpur at the original Millionaires Row and just two minutes’ walk to the Petronas Twin Towers. To give it an edge in the market, Tropicana’s plan is to build a unique iconic project offering chic and modernist luxury residences that will be the first of its kind in Kuala Lumpur.
Tropicana Corp has engaged the services of international architectural firm, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, well-known for its feat in designing international landmarks such as Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, and New York’s One World Trade Centre, to up the game for The Residences into another spectacular iconic landmark.
“We are confident the unique concept of our project that is inspired by The W Hotel concept will ensure The Residences stands out from the existing pool of properties in the market,” Tropicana Corp executive director of project Daniel Teh says. Teh points out that the project’s location on one of the last remaining premium freehold parcels in KLCC will up the value and add credence to The Residences prestige as an iconic landmark in the city.
Scheduled to complete in mid-2017, Teh is confident The Residences will be a frontrunner in the development of this fast growing segment of luxury and branded residences in the city centre of Kuala Lumpur.
The Residences will be anchored by the very first W Kuala Lumpur Hotel in a stunning 55-storey tower, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill that is working together with Veritas Architects Sdn Bhd in Kuala Lumpur. The internationally acclaimed and award-winning architect firm brings its expertise on tall buildings to this landmark project by Tropicana Corp.
Top view of Saltwater Sky Pool.
“Alongside its neighbour, the Petronas Twin Towers, the sleek elegant tower of The Residences with its distinctive highly detailed dark aluminium and glass finishing, will form part of the future iconic skyline of Kuala Lumpur,” Teh remarks.
When completed, The Residences will be the highest residential apartments in Kuala Lumpur, soaring higher than the soon-to-be-completed 48-storey St Regis Hotel and Residences at Sentral.
This iconic development will bring to Kuala Lumpur, the daring, witty and stylised culture of the hip W brand which captures the vibe and spirit of New York as a leading centre for music, fashion and urban culture. First launched in New York as a boutique hotel, the W has transformed into a fashion and style leader in the hotel industry and has been especially well-received in Asia where it has transformed into a popular, high energy, future-forward lifestyle brand that syncs well with the frenzied speed and intense energy of Asian cities.
The hotel has full-height double-glazed windows. Both the exterior building envelope and interior partition walls are built to the highest acoustic and thermal performance specifications, as required by the hotel operators.
Teh says The Residences also follows similarly high specifications, adding that it is rare for developers in Kuala Lumpur to provide residential developments with the high acoustic insulation, sound-proofed full-height windows as in The Residences.
Tropicana Corp head of marketing and sales Ung Lay Ting and executive director of project Daniel Teh.
“The high specifications of the curtain wall and resulting high thermal performance of the building envelope also means much better comfort levels within the apartments and lower air-conditoning bills.
“While there are several green-rated lower-rise residential developments, The Residences is one of the first super high-rise apartment towers in KL to enjoy the benefits of a very high level of green certification with its GreenRe Gold rating,” he explains.
Opulent lifestyle
Teh says The Residences offers discerning and well-travelled purchasers an opportunity to own a piece of luxury in this hot address of the KLCC. The project’s location on top of the internationally acclaimed W Kuala Lumpur gives the residences a unique five-star branding and living standard. The residents will be in the company of other like-minded hip, funky and happening community who will be able to bask in the luxury of five-star lifestyle.
The Residences that comprises 353 fully furnished service residences will occupy the 25th to 53rd floors of the 55-storey tower block. The hip and upscale W Kuala Lumpur Hotel, a luxury hotel chain owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, will have 150 rooms on the 8th to 23rd floors. The project will have a gross development value of RM800mil.
Teh says the uniquely designed residences offer four types of swanky layouts with built-up area ranging from 710 sq ft to 2,973 sq ft.
“All the units have cutting-edge designs, yet portray the warmth of local lifestyle and influences that will place them in a league of their own and make them the prized dwellings for our residents,” he says.
“The residences are unique, first of a kind funky luxury for our residents in line with our aim to redefine luxury and create another level of luxury living fit for our well-heeled buyers.
“Owning a residence in this super prime location is a reflection of luxury and prestige. The residents will also benefit from the integrated five-star hotel services,” he says.
Chill Out Deck.
Besides the unique facades and architecture design, the softscapes and amenities are just as opulent – a rooftop facility floor that offers the perfect place to chill out with unobstructed view of Kuala Lumpur’s sprawling and colourful city vista, saltwater infinity pool, a forest-themed lounge, multi-purpose area on the roof known as the Gourmet Loft and a first-of-its-kind aqua gym.
The Residences also come with concierge service where residents will be able to enjoy butler service that will arrange services that ranges from transport to laundry and dry cleaning. Residents will also be able to make bookings for flights, restaurants, spa and salon treatments. Jet-setters and those who are constantly on the move will be happy to have the convenience of optional housekeeping services and an innovative home-care programme, which includes a home monitoring system, personalised renovations and regular cleanliness inspection, at their disposal.
The Residences will be managed by Tropicana Corp, a pioneer in resort-style home concepts with a strong track record in high-end residential and commercial developments.
Teh says being at the forefront of the property industry, Tropicana Corp continues to lead the way in the lifestyle and sustainable development segment.
“The Residences has been categorised as a green building with resource and energy-efficient features in daily operations like powering lifts and other utilities,” he adds.
Teh says The Residences is expected to be a serious contender for expatriates wanting to make a wise investment in Malaysia given the increasing appreciation of capital in this sought-after address.
Forest Lounge.
Tropicana Corp head of marketing and sales Ung Lay Ting says the project was launched on March 21 across six countries – Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, China (ChengDu and Shanghai), Indonesia and Hong Kong – at private bars for specially invited guests. Most of the buyers comprise young professionals and business owners from Hong Kong and Singapore.
The main launch of The Residences was held at the chic Marini’s on 57, Malaysia’s highest rooftop bar that is located close to the Petronas Twin Towers that offers panoramic views of the Kuala Lumpur city skyline. For its unique 3D presentation at the launch, The Malaysia Book of Records awarded Tropicana Corp for the Biggest Outdoor HD Projection Mapping Screen in Malaysia.
“The Residences prides itself as the only swanky and arty luxury property in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle ideal for jet-setters or those constantly on the move. It will be in a class of its own and the first of its kind to provide contemporary luxury living, targeting the rebellious, antipodean buyers.
“The Residences' overall intention is to be the swankiest place in town. The target audience are the trendsetters – people who are interested in the latest, newest, hippest and coolest. It is a celebration of stylish sophistication, of upscale metropolitan living. To receive more info or for a private tour, we warmly invite you to register with us at our website www.tropicanatheresidences.com,” Ung says.
Ung says Tropicana Corp has another similar development in Penang, Tropicana 218 Macalister that will feature the first Courtyard by Marriott in Malaysia.
“We are definitely looking into exploring other markets to bring the Tropicana experience to more people around the country,” she adds.
