This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on February 3, 2025 - February 9, 2025

Solaris Mont’Kiara is a busy place. Located at Jalan Duta Kiara, Mont’Kiara, it is a one-stop destination for residents of the surrounding areas. The horseshoe-shaped road has everything they might need, from beauty parlours to veterinary clinics.

For many, outlets such as K Market and La Boca Latino Bar & Grill come to mind when thinking of the popular area. Other well-known establishments here include Mercato Grocer, Maya’s banana leaf and a multitude of Korean dining options.

Solaris Mont’Kiara was launched in 2005 by Sunrise Bhd (now UEM Sunrise Bhd,KL:UEMS). The 12.71-acre commercial hub has several key features that make it stand out, including the pedestrian-friendly layout and variety of dining options. The first phase comprises 79 units of 3- to 5-storey shopoffices while Phase 2 has three towers of office and retail space.

A resident who has lived adjacent to the development for the last four years says, “Solaris Mont’Kiara is a very easy place for us to visit, especially with children and work. It’s good that if we need to go to the grocery shop or just want to eat out at the last minute, we have so many options. I go there for my facials monthly and take my dog to the vet, so I typically don’t leave the area unless I really have to.”

According to Metro Homes Realty Bhd executive director See Kok Loong, occupancy rates in Solaris Mont’Kiara have been stable in the last five years primarily due to its strategic location and well-maintained infrastructure. A high occupancy rate of 85% to 90% was recorded in 2018 to 2019, attributed to the strong demand from local and international residents in the area. As with other commercial developments, Solaris Mont’Kiara was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns, causing the occupancy rate to dip to 70% to 80% in 2020 to 2021. However, in 2022, the recovery began as consumers returned to the shops and businesses, lifting occupancy rates to 80% to 90%.

According to See, a 3-storey shopoffice with a built-up area of 4,786 sq ft can fetch a rental rate of RM30,000 to RM35,000 per month, up from RM20,000 to RM25,000 in 2020, while a 4-storey shopoffice (6,466 sq ft) can command rates of RM35,000 to RM40,000, up from RM25,000 to RM30,000 in 2020. A 5-storey shopoffice (8,579 sq ft) is currently asking for RM35,000 to RM40,000 compared with RM25,000 to RM30,000 in 2020.

There have not been many transactions. Data from Metro Homes shows the average transacted price for the 3-storey shopoffices was RM6 million to RM6.2 million last year while the most recent transactions of 4-storey shopoffices were in 2022, at RM8.3 million to RM9 million. The most recent transactions for 5-storey shopoffices were in 2023, at an average of RM8.5 million to RM9.8 million.

Solaris Mont’Kiara is located close to major highways such as DUKE and the MRR2. It has easy access to Bangsar, Damansara Heights and the city centre.

The mix of expatriates and locals living in the neighbourhood has formed a dynamic community that frequents Solaris Mont’Kiara. A manager of a restaurant in the area says, “Many office workers come to our shop, so much so they have become regulars. MKIS (Mont’Kiara International School) isn’t far away, so we even have students who drop by and they bring their parents next time too.”

The tenants and shoppers City & Country spoke to highlight that safety and good maintenance are also key reasons for the development’s success. However, popularity comes with its own set of issues. Chief among them are traffic congestion and a lack of parking space. The latter can prove to be a headache for restaurant owners as reservations can get cancelled at the last minute because the customers cannot find a parking spot.

“Most of the roads are one-way streets and the project is surrounded by highways, so there is nothing much that can be done,” See says.

Despite the issues, he believes Solaris Mont’Kiara will remain one of Kuala Lumpur’s most popular live-work-play destinations, offering a dynamic and cosmopolitan lifestyle.

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