News by Racheal Lee

The Klang Valley is facing an oversupply of retail space with more than seven sq ft per capita based on the population of more than seven million. New completions last year, which included Atria Shopping Gallery in Damansara Jaya, Sunway Putra Mall in Kuala Lumpur, Ikea Cheras, Emerald Avenue in Selayang and Star Avenue Lifestyle Mall in Shah Alam, had resulted in more than two million sq ft of new retail space.

Droves of Chinese tourists are visiting Johor Bahru daily to view Forest City and other projects from China-based developers, with many hotels reporting good occupancy rates.

Typically, when prime land in the city centre becomes scarce, fringe areas become the next natural target for both investors and developers. Besides the “location, location, location” mantra, there are many benefits to reap from this move — high demand, good investment opportunities and readily available amenities and infrastructure.

KEDAH-based property developer JKG Land Bhd may not be known by many in the Klang Valley but this could soon change. It is planning to make its presence felt with The Era Duta North in Jalan Segambut, Kuala Lumpur — its first development in the central region. A preview of the project will be held by the end of this month.

He is looking to take Mah Sing to the next level, with emphasis on delivering a structured organisation and improving operational efficiency.

Construction and property development company Kenwingston Sdn Bhd may be relatively young — it was incorporated in 2010 by a group of property professionals — but its aggressive strategy saw it grow by leaps and bounds in recent years.

Last year, construction firm Magnibiz Sdn Bhd ventured into property development with the launch of its maiden project, Kampar Lake Campus Condominium or KLCC Kampar, in Kampar New Town. The project is being developed by its property development arm Magnibiz Development Sdn Bhd.

MKH Bhd launched the final phase of Maple in Hillpark @ Shah Alam North on Sept 24. The 2-storey garden homes will be located next to the township’s 16-acre Central Lake Park.

"What I like the most about the job is designing. It is something you can dream about and you can put in your talent, aspirations for the future and what you would like to see in Malaysia. It allows you to create things that tell stories and inspire. Isn’t it important that you can inspire? How many people have the opportunity? It is more than just earning money,” renowned architect Hijjas Kasturi tells City & Country recently.

Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur is a property hot spot. Since the area was chosen as the location for the National Sports Complex — one of the venues of the 1998 Commonwealth Games — it has seen much construction activity.