Sprucing up Bandar Tasik Puteri
The Sun
20 April 2007
Not much has been heard of Asia Pacific Land Bhd (AP Land)’s Bandar Tasik Puteri in a while. The 2,670-acre township in Rawang was first launched in 1998 and as many as 8,200 residential units have been delivered to their owners to date.
Touted by the developer at the time as the largest development in the Northern Corridor, it is slowly maturing into a self-contained township and the developer has lined up some plans for the township come 2008.
AP Land area general manager (property development and management) Siew Weng Kong tells Propertyplus that 2008 will possibly see the completion of a hypermarket, a college campus and the 33-acre Puteri Central Park.
“Right now not many could see the potential capital appreciation of properties in Bandar Tasik Puteri but the township is a viable long-term investment where returns can be realised as the township matures. Like a child, a township grows slowly. We have another 16 years of development to go,” Siew says. Bandar Tasik Puteri has an estimated gross development value of more than RM10billion.
By 2008, Bandar Tasik Puteri will be accessible via the Latar Highway, which connects Kuala Selangor with Templer Park. The township’s internal roads are being upgraded to dual carriageways.
“We’re currently finalising talks for the hypermarket and college campus. Hypermarkets usually target townships with a population of at least 50,000 and Bandar Tasik Puteri currently houses some 45,000 people and we’re expecting the number to increase to 70,000 by year-end,” Siew says, adding that the developer has also allocated some 43 acres for institutions of higher learning. AP Land is in discussions with a local university to open a campus here.
Bandar Tasik Puteri is currently 50% developed. A population of about 150,000 is expected upon completion. AP Land has launched over 13,000 residential and commercial units and sold over 1000 of these.
Bandar Tasik Puteri’s latest launch in mid-2006 was Bayu Angsana. The entire project comprises 222 units of terraced houses. Half of the 129 units in phase one have been sold. Units in Bayu Angsana have sizes from 18ft by 75ft with prices from RM140,000.
So far, AP Land has been launching mid-range market products of apartments and terraced houses but it is gearing towards higher-end products. However, Siew says: “We are still raising awareness of Bandar Tasik Puteri as many do not realise its potential as a self-sufficient township. Until such awareness improves, we would not be launching many of our high-end developments. Nevertheless, we’re thinking of launching a small enclave of bungalow villas next year facing our 27-hole Tasik Puteri Golf and Country Club,” he says.
The developer wants Bandar Tasik Puteri to be known as a City of Lakes and Parks. Siew says the project is focused on nature and the environment. “Our nightclubs are flocks of white and black Herons that have been here for years. While many other developers build concrete walls, we want buyers to enjoy greenery and the sounds of chirping birds,” he says.