Yep, the reviews are back after a short absence, mainly to our pre-occupation with some other work-related stuff. And what better way to start off September with than Bayu Segar, the first major development to be launched post IJM-Road Builder merger. Actually, to be specific, in terms of their property arms, it should be a merger between IJM Properties and RB Land, in which the name entity will be called IJM Land (although this hasn’t come into effect yet).
But enough of corporate M&As, let’s talk properties. If you have been us here in Property Malaysia, or simply watching the new project ads in the papers in the last one year or so, you wouldn’t have failed to notice that Cheras is going through a resurgence in new development projects. It is mostly against the grain of public perception that Cheras is matured in terms of development, evident in the densely populated housing areas spilling into each other’s territories, not to mention the almost too busy business areas.
But development has to evolve and most of the new projects in the past one year are moving away from the established areas of Cheras towards the forest reserve and Kajang. Some of the projects that have been reviewed here are:
Taman Wangsa, Cheras
Hijauan Residence, Cheras
Suria Residen, Cheras
Sunway Cheras: Phase 2B &3, Cheras
The Oasis@Cheras Courtyard Terraces, Cheras
While living in newer areas, away from the congested and older neighbourhoods has it’s perks, one problem often mentioned is the distance. Most of these new areas are deep into Cheras, you would need to travel through lots of narrow roads through busy areas just to get out on the main roads. There are new through roads planned here and there that’ll bypass direct to highways, but most of these will be busy as soon as they open, and mostly it’ll be some time before they’re ready.
That’s where the first and biggest attraction of Bayu Segar comes in. It’s location is unbeatable for a new development, if you are concerned with the distance. It’s right smack between Taman Segar, Taman Desa Aman, Taman Mutiara Timur and Taman Gemilang. Heck, you can say its right behind Cheras Leisure Mall. That’s like less than two minutes from the MRR2, and less than 10 minutes from KLCC. Well okay, that depends a lot on the traffic. On the other end of the project is two towers of low-cost flats, and beside it, there’s some existing secondary forest, not sure if there are plans to develop it in the near future.
When we visited the site, it seems to be located on an undulating ground, with the highest point much elevated than the existing road level. But according the them, they will be cutting and filling the levels to make a gentler slope.
Bayu Segar can rightly be said to be nearest to Taman Segar hence the name (Bayu Segar means ‘fresh wind’ in Bahasa Malaysia, although buyers are warned not to take the meaning too literally…) and the developers have gone for a limited series of luxury semi-detached homes, only 96 units available. There are also 4 bungalows situated certain corner lots, so not only are they bigger in size and layout, there have much larger plot size for the garden.
There are two types of semi-D units, namely A and B. Type A is a slightly more contemporary design with a single pitch RC roof, while that would make Type B the more conventional type in contrast, although the façade and architectural finishing for all units maintain a uniformly contemporary look. Type A is on a 40’ x 85’ (3,400sq.ft.) plot and build up at 4,320sq.ft. Type B was the earlier launch, and is on a larger plot of 40’ x 90’ (3,600sq.ft.) and bigger build-up of 4,980sq.ft.
Both types have two and a half floors, 5+1 rooms, and 6 baths. That means private attached baths to all rooms. Type B has a balcony at the master bedroom, but here they prefer to call it an ‘open terrace’. The highest floors houses a family area plus one room. Type B, oddly enough, gives far more porch space compared to type A, and it’s not only because of the extra 5 feet, so that might figure in the choice of units.
The bungalows are big, 5,900sq.ft. with 6,688sq.ft. of land area.
The land is freehold, so that will be an added plus. Semi-Ds cost from RM1.6million onwards up to RM2,6million, the difference in basically on the land size. Bungalows will set you back from RM3.1million above.
The entire development will have two separate access points, one at each side of the two phases. Other than the landscaped area and playground, the developers did not have much space to do anything else, but they have put some emphasis on the safety and security aspect of the development since will be concerns for homes of this type of price-tag. Besides being guarded and gated, there will be CCTV along the perimeter fencing, and the monthly maintenance fee will be primarily used to service it. There is no clubhouse or pools for this development.
So the question is, are the units worth the heavy price tag? We’re inclined to the affirmative, considering the good location, for those wanting to move up the luxury quotient yet stay within Cheras. In that sense it’s peerless. Comparatively, RM1.6million won’t get you a luxury condo in the KLCC, but of course it’s a different ball game. Here, we would think it would be for your own stay, and fewer investors comparatively. We like the façade design, and the low density keeps it exclusive, although it will stick out oddly in the surrounding homes.
| Project Name | Bayu Segar |
| Location | Cheras |
| Description | Luxury semi-D and bungalows |
| Land type | Freehold |
| Encumbrances | Charged to OCBC Bank (M) Bhd |
| Price | semi-D: from RM1,636,450 to RM2,680,650
bungalows: from RM3,144,100 to RM3,260,250 |
| Lot size | semi-D: 3,400 and 3,600sq.ft.
bungalows: 6,688sq.ft. |
| Build-up size | semi-D: 4,320 and 4,980sq.ft.
bungalows: 5,900sq.ft |
| No of units | Total: 100
96 semi-D and 4 bungalows |
| Launch Date | now available |
| Expected Completion | July 2009 |
| Developer | Dian Warna Sdn. Bhd.
(subsidiary of IJM Corporation) |
| Contact | 03 – 9132 3266 |
| Contact | rbland.com.my |
