This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on October 2, 2023 - October 8, 2023
Dubbed Penang’s first “university metropolis”, Utropolis Batu Kawan by Paramount Property (PW) Sdn Bhd is a 44.3-acre self-contained, integrated commercial stratified development anchored by the UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College.
Located in Batu Kawan, Penang’s third satellite city and the fastest growing township in the northern region, the development is designed to be an inspiring environment for living, learning, playing and working with flexible layouts and a wide range of built-ups to cater for various business and residential needs.
Connected via Lebuhraya Bandar Cassia, Persiaran Cassia Barat 3 and Jalan Cassia Barat 2, and with the Batu Kawan Interchange 1km away, Utropolis Batu Kawan enjoys seamless access to Penang island, just 24km away via the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge or Second Penang Bridge. It is also linked to the future Penang Bus Rapid Transit station that connects the township to Permatang Tinggi.
The amenities surrounding Utropolis Batu Kawan include IKEA Batu Kawan, Klippa Shopping Centre, Design Village Outlet Mall, Starbucks Eco Horizon Drive-Thru, McDonald’s Batu Kawan Drive-Thru, Columbia Asia Hospital and Penang State Stadium.
To date, 40% of Utropolis Batu Kawan has been completed, including its first two phases.
Phase 1 is the 5.3-acre Sensasi freehold development, comprising 196 units of commercial offices and retail shops as well as two blocks of serviced apartments with 612 units. Phase 2 is the freehold Suasana serviced apartment development with two 40-storey towers, with 247 and 244 units, on a 3-acre parcel.
Both developments are fully sold and have obtained their certificate of completion and compliance. Sensasi and Suasana are currently 80% and 60% occupied respectively.
Paramount is currently developing the next 30%, or Phase 3 and Phase 4, of the metropolis. Phase 3 is the leasehold 7.11-acre Sinaran development, offering two 35- and 36-storey serviced apartment towers with 499 and 465 units respectively as well as 16 units of 2-storey shopoffices. This project is fully sold and is expected to be completed in 1Q2024.
The fourth and latest phase, Savana, was launched in March this year. This 3.5-acre freehold project, with a gross development value of RM329 million, consists of 522 units of serviced apartments in a 36-storey tower. Currently in its piling stage, Savana is slated for completion in March 2027.
The remaining 30% of undeveloped land at Utropolis Batu Kawan has been earmarked for future mixed-use developments comprising residential, office and commercial components. The entire metropolis is slated for completion in 2030.
Inspired by nature
An ideal home for young families, young professionals, newlyweds and multigenerational families, Savana features versatile and functional partially furnished units with built-ups ranging from 912 to 1,643 sq ft.
Unit layouts at Savana range from the 912 sq ft Type A (2+1 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms) to the 1,184 sq ft Type B (3+1 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms) and the Type C dual key (3+1 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms) measuring 1,255 to 1,643 sq ft.
The units are designed to allow for easy space configuration according to purpose and function. As for the larger Type C units, they are designed with investors in mind, according to the developer’s website. The dual key units will allow parcel owners greater flexibility in terms of renting out as well as rental management.
Selling prices start from RM541,000, or RM593 psf, and the indicative monthly maintenance fee is 25 sen psf, inclusive of the sinking fund.
A unique feature of Savana is its large extent of green spaces. “As the people’s developer, it would never slip our mind to imbue the vital element of greenery in our unrelenting endeavour to build the most comfortable homes,” says Paramount Property (northern region) CEO Ooi Hun Peng.
“We harbour the hope that the residents of Savana will enjoy life to the fullest in nature’s embrace, being enveloped by lush verdure, pristine air, warm sun and charming moonlight, and yet most importantly, being constantly immersed in an environment of healthy living. That is
exactly why a large extent of space, both indoors and outdoors, is covered with so much greenery,” he says.
The name Savana comes from the development’s nature-inspired features, Ooi explains. “Savana is inspired by nature’s open grasslands adorned with verdant bushes and trees. While ushering in the sophistication of modern living, we are reintroducing life’s simple touches to those who have a taste for nature’s tranquillity and family sentimentality.”
Facilities are located on the ground floor (such as a car wash, lift lobby, lounge, mail room, open lounge, reading area and surau), eighth floor (basketball court, children’s playground, barbecue corner, multipurpose hall, steam room and sauna, lounge, aqua gym, Jacuzzi, swimming pool, bubble pool and wading pool) and ninth floor (gym and open terrace). Savana also comes with multi-tiered security features.
The developer believes there is solid demand for Savana due to its unique location. “Our completed projects like Sensasi and Suasana, as well as [neighbouring] projects like Vertu Resort and Eco Horizon, are all sold out. Our project under construction, Sinaran, is also fully sold, and our competitor’s projects like Anggun Residences and Vivo Executive Apartment are selling fast,” Ooi shares.
He adds that Savana is expected to do well due to the host of amenities in its surroundings. “The project will attract more people to the vicinity, indirectly boosting demand in the area, which is also supported by commercial offerings at Sensasi Commercial Suites, Sinaran Avenue, Vervea @ Aspen Vision City and Borealis @ Eco Horizon.”
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