BY VIKNESH ASHLEY
vikneshashley@thestar.com.my

This scene on the Jalan Damansara stretch of the Sprint Highway was captured at 7pm, when the traffic was heavier than usual due to an evening downpour.

The Western region of Kuala Lumpur focuses on five key areas that are mature and have been a prominent area for investment among seasoned homebuyers in Malaysia.

Some of the popular areas that fall under the West Kuala Lumpur region include Bandar Utama, Mont Kiara, Damansara Heights, TTDI as well as Sri Hartamas.

One glance at these locales and one would realise that these areas are the luxury residential parcels of Kuala Lumpur offering a good balance of amenities as well as luxury properties to befit the requirements of upper-class property purchasers.

Nonetheless, these mature areas have also been the repeated choice of expatriates that work in Malaysia as well as foreigners that enjoy Malaysia as a home for retirement.

Parts of Western Kuala Lumpur currently hold large shopping malls, international schools, local and international food and beverage outlets, as well as central business districts catering to a large population of working class residents that frequent the vicinity as well as close by areas such as the Kuala Lumpur city centre.

The performance of the landed residential sector in the Klang Valley in the past few years has slowed down. New launches have decreased in 2015 compared to 2014 and evidently, developers are being cautious by launching their projects on a smaller scale.

Arcoris Mont’Kiara, a commercial lifestyle hub that adds vibrancy to the cosmopolitan enclave.

Property buyers are also more cautious in spending and investing, as the global and regional economies become uncertain. Purchasing or investing in property has not been active within the last two years as investors and buyers prefer to hold cash and maintain financial liquidity.

Though the property market has softened, some developers still have confidence in the potential of Western Kuala Lumpur. They continue offering properties within the region.

Guocoland (Malaysia) Bhd is currently constructing an integrated city development dubbed Damansara City. This development consists of two Grade-A office towers, a two 28-storey luxury residence named DC Residensi as well as a retail appendix that will be known as DC Mall, that will offer a food- and beverage-centric lifestyle concept mall. This niche development will also host the globally renowned Sofitel Kuala Lumpur, Damansara.

DC Mall will present itself as a four-storey landmark lifestyle mall, housing restaurants, eateries and cafes with 70% of its nett lettable area allocated for food and beverage outlets.

Key tenants that would occupy the mall upon completion include Kampachi, Soleil, Charlie Chaplin, Cake Sense, I Love Yoo, Juiceworks as well as several brands that are new to the market that are established operators.

Pavilion Damansara Heights.

The affluent mall will also house the Kuala Lumpur Fertility and Gynecology Centre, one of Malaysia’s leading fertility centres. This boutique mall is fashioned to cater to patrons looking to relax and unwind as well as to those that value the finer things in life.

Those looking for a true retail experience can count on the Pavilion Damansara Heights development crafted by Pavilion Group, which will enhance the Damansara Heights locale.

Pavilion Damansara Heights will offer residents as well as visitors a brand that is well-loved by Malaysians and tourists.

The site is located next to Damansara City and will feature the Pavilion retail galleria, service residences, premier residences and corporate towers that are now exclusively offered as a blue-chip investment opportunities.

Over in Mont Kiara, developer UEM Sunrise is developing a residential condominium, dubbed Residensi Sefina Mont Kiara. This property will offer a minimal of three bedrooms to a unit that will be presented in practical layouts, ranging between 1,333sq ft and 1,771sq ft.

Residensi Sefina Mont Kiara.

All units within Sefina are designed in a north-south orientation with large bedrooms, spacious living and dining areas as well as a functional kitchen. Adding to that, each home will enjoy the luxury of private balconies.

This development enjoys unmatched amenities such as proximity to Hartamas Shopping Centre, Publika Shopping Gallery, Solaris Mont’Kiara, One Mont’Kiara, Plaza Mont’Kiara as well as an upcoming lifestyle hub Arcoris Mont’ Kiara, a lifestyle hub underway by UEM Sunrise.

Arcoris Mont’ Kiara is located just 6km from the Kuala Lumpur city centre and will further draw expatriates as well as tourists to the élite Mont Kiara territory.

Arcoris is designed in response to its locality and neighbouring setting to add diversity and appeal to the present Mont Kiara skyline. It was also fashioned to function as the township's new urban centre in a manner that would match the urbane way of life expected of its dwellers.

The development will comprise two blocks of 18- and 35-storeys respectively, holding private luxury residences, business suites, SoHo as well as a boutique hotel.