Dian Lee of Clearwater has proven herself, independent of her father, property tycoon Lee Kim Yew.

"SHRUG off the constraints you have allowed others to place upon you."

This quote, stated in Clearwater Group's corporate profile, was on my mind as our team met with Datin Dian Lee, founding partner and managing director of the niche property development company at BE, their private wellness centre located in Clearwater @ Work (next to Clearwater Residences).

Business-wise, the much quoted mantra appears to fit the mould. With its "out of the box" conceptual vision, Lee has made Clearwater (its name itself adopted from the pseudonym of the poet behind the quote) more than just a property developer, offering a "lifestyle" that is all about chic modern living, with a focus especially on design, wellness and eco-consciousness.

"I believe in always giving the personal touch, to put ourselves in the buyer's shoes," says Lee, 29, who has a passion for interior design.

The winning factor seems to be a team with diverse backgrounds - which includes architectural, interior design, hotelier and financial.

"We're a small team. The intimacy is what helps keep this full freedom in direction," says Lee.

How did Clearwater start?

It all began with a simple house-hunting quest, recalls Lee.

"I was looking for a place to stay after coming back from my studies in Melbourne in 2005. While there were a lot of nice apartments in the centre of KL, I didn't like the traffic and congestion."

"Then we stumbled on this piece of land [now Clearwater Residence in Damansara Heights] and thought it was quite an ideal location to create an abode that my [business] partners and I would want to stay in."

The self-described boutique developer's latest project, Dream City (due to complete late 2016), is its largest development to date at seven residential towers. Planned to overlook a 51-acre lake, its architecture (designed by award-winning firm Eco.ID) is modelled after the silhouette of a limestone mountain.
'Doing my own thing'

As our conversation steers away from business into her personal life, the very same quote carries a different kind of resonance.

Being the eldest daughter of Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew - the property tycoon behind Mines Resort City and the Country Heights Group of Companies - the scrutiny about their relationship is inevitable.

While she's proud to be his daughter, Lee doesn't give much personal thought to the comparison with what she's doing.

"I'm actually ambivalent about it.

"Because I feel like I'm doing my own thing," she continues carefully, "But people will always relate it…"

That she is confident in her own skin is a credit to her upbringing. It is no secret that her parents came from humble beginnings.

"My grandparents were factory workers," adding that it was why her father always emphasised education.

"I've always been very independent and enterprising, and that is one of the benefits of my parents' upbringing," says Lee, pointing out that she and her siblings weren't spoiled with abundant pocket money.

She started her first "business" venture making jewellery at age 12.

"I sold it to all the people who did business with my dad. It was in-built within me I suppose," she fondly recalls.

It was with this independent streak and the desire to challenge herself that she branched out on her own. She certainly enjoys the freedom.

"Clearwater is something that is my vision, something that I have full control to mould and shape into what it is."

However, as the eldest child, it was naturally a tough decision. On whether she felt the burden as the oldest to take over the family business, Lee immediately reacts:  "Of course!

"My dad was in a position where he wanted to be supportive, but to him it would have been better if I joined him, or if it [Clearwater] was within the company group.

"But at the end he was very supportive," she said, adding that he still plays the dad-role by calling her up to dish advice such as to make sure she delivers her projects without delay.

Five years on with three successful developments, Lee has no illusions about her achievement, admitting: "Maybe I was young and a bit naïve, because this could have really gone the other way. Not every business succeeds, but I was very lucky."

She's been lucky, too, in her personal life. Married for the past seven years to Datuk Jared Lim, Lee juggles her demanding career with her roles as wife and mother of two.

Though her career is something she's proud of, Lee would rather be a different kind of role model to her children.

"I don't want my children to remember that mommy and daddy were successful business people who built all these buildings, but that their parents were kind people, loved each other, lived happily and are always willing to help people.

"Because so what if you've built all these things. If there are the right resources, everyone can … whereas those values you have to practice and instill in your daily life."

To unwind, the self-confessed fitness addict works out six days a week, doing yoga, Pilates and weight training. She also loves the outdoors, hiking and running 10km marathons.

"Typically you'll find me here [at BE wellness centre, Clearwater Residences] in the evenings. "I believe that to have a quality life, you can't do it without a healthy body," says Lee.

Her other joy is to take photographs, especially of her children, which she shares on her Instagram account.

With career and family in order, Lee's life is very much within what she had imagined.

So has she achieved all that she wanted?

"In a way," she says with hesitation, "but the thing about people is we're always greedy for more."

Clearwater Group's latest development, Dreamcity (due to complete late 2016) is now open for registration. For more details, go here

Watch the video interview with Dian Lee here