This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on November 22, 2021 - November 28, 2021
Eco World Development Group Bhd (EcoWorld) is set to launch Phase 1 of Cheerywood in its Eco Majestic township in Semenyih, Selangor, on Nov 27.
“Many of us have experienced a drastic change in lifestyle during this pandemic, where we have found ourselves staying home all the time. We want to develop homes that will enable people to fulfil their life aspirations and goals,” says EcoWorld divisional general manager Evon Yap in an email interview with City & Country.
According to the developer, it chose the word “cheery” for this project because it denotes happiness and optimism. “This is exactly how being at home should feel like and it is a place where family members live harmoniously. You end your day feeling happy and recharged with positive energy to face the next day’s challenges,” Yap notes.
Occupying a 48.7-acre freehold parcel, Cheerywood has a gross development value (GDV) of RM498 million and will comprise a total of 576 two-storey Park Homes, Classic Homes and Garden Homes. It will be launched in two phases: Phase 1 (346 units) on Nov 27 and Phase 2 (230 units) at a later date. The low-density development has only 12 units per acre.
The 2- to 5-bedroom units in Phase 1 will measure 18ft by 70ft, 20ft by 70ft, and 30ft by 60ft, with built-up areas ranging from 1,553 to 2,530 sq ft. Selling prices start from RM665,000 and the units are expected to be completed in 4Q2024.
Spaciousness and affordability are key factors that homebuyers consider when buying a house, Yap says. “Residents will be able to create and customise their own spaces in the home. For instance, a young family can convert the family hall upstairs into an office space and should they welcome more family members in the future, they can easily convert the family hall into another room. One can even turn a room or space into a home office, gymnasium or music room, or have an integrated kitchen that comes with a baking area.”
Inspired by classic Georgian architecture, homes in Cheerywood are complemented by a modern touch. The houses are designed to have square spaces to optimise usage, and multi–panel windows will be incorporated to maximise natural lighting and ventilation.
“The Park Homes and Garden Homes will come with a 10ft-wide private courtyard, where residents can make their desired green spaces, while the Classic Homes will have a 15ft-wide back-lane garden maintained and managed by the joint management bodies (JMB),” says Yap, adding that all units will have a gateless concept.
The houses cater for young families, young working professionals, upgraders and empty nesters. Residents of Cheerywood will also have easy access to the precinct’s central garden, edible garden, jogging path and children’s playground. The maintenance fee is estimated at 15 sen psf per month.
Yap notes that before the pandemic, everyone worked in the office and spent most of their time outside during the weekends, and the home was only a place to sleep and rest. The pandemic has forced people to stay indoors, which has caused many to realise that their current space is not enough for their family or not as comfortable as they thought it was.
She says: “We have been hearing feedback from prospective customers that their current home design makes it challenging for their children to attend virtual classes, as they are easily distracted. Parents also find it hard to monitor their children while having to focus on their work.
“As such, many people are looking for a home with an open-plan concept to better monitor their children and seamlessly work from home. Thus, houses in Cheerywood will be able to fulfil their needs and we are confident that demand will be good, regardless of current market conditions.”
She says there were several setbacks such as a delay in getting approvals from authorities and more stringent loan approvals. “To turn things around, we worked closely with the banks for better and more attractive packages as well as gathered feedback from customers to enhance the overall package.
“With the help of technology, we were able to submit soft copies of required documents, and virtual meetings allowed us to quickly gain clarification on matters. Some deals were even finalised with electronic signatures. We believe in being resilient and adaptable to change.
“Ultimately, we aim to build a thriving community that is self–sufficient and sustainable, where residents can spend quality time with their loved ones for generations to come.”
With a GDV of RM11.1 billion, the 1,089-acre Eco Majestic is a gated-and-guarded development that comprises residential and commercial components. The township, which is 60% developed, has access to nearby amenities such as Tesco Semenyih, Tenby International School, University of Nottingham, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Bukit Unggul Country Club.
The development is a 35-minute drive from the Kuala Lumpur city centre and is easily accessible via Jalan Bangi Lama, the Kajang-Seremban Highway, Cheras-Kajang Highway, North-South Expressway and South Klang Valley Expressway.
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