This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on May 12, 2025 - May 18, 2025

Although DK-MY Properties Sdn Bhd has remained relatively quiet in recent years because of the pandemic, it is poised for a comeback, with the launch of three projects boasting a total gross development value (GDV) of RM2.8 billion, says its CEO James Bruyns.

The projects, all in Selangor, are residential developments D’Amber and a yet-to-be-named project in Taman Puchong Intan, and mixed-use development D’Twist in Bandar Sunway.

“We are accelerating all projects and all land banks are being put on the drawing board,” Bruyns says. “We are injecting innovation and unique selling points into them. This year will be the year we make a stronger impact on the market. D’Twist will bring the company back into the limelight. It is a unique project, and I believe we hold the last piece of land in Sunway. In addition, our undeveloped land banks are in mature areas such as Cheras, SS2 and Bandar Sri Damansara.”

He adds that DK-MY’s current priority is to fully realise the sales potential of its RM1 billion mixed-use development, D’Immersione, on Jalan Dutamas 1, Kuala Lumpur. “We have sold about 60%. We are clearing up whatever we can. If not, the remaining units will be utilised as recurring income investment products.”

Spanning 2.8 acres of freehold land, D’Immersione will comprise a 19-storey business suite block and a 19-storey small office/home office (SoHo) block, with a four-storey shoplex in the podium. The SoHo tower will have 506 units with built-ups of 769 to 1,581 sq ft. Bruyns says DK-MY aims to complete construction by year-end, with vacant possession slated for the first quarter of next year.

Meanwhile, the company is working on The Suite Ampang, a RM380 million development off Jalan Ampang that is currently on the market. “It is a build-to-sell project,” he explains. DK-MY purchased the 22-storey building, which occupies a 1.25-acre plot, and is in the midst of refurbishing it into 667 SoHo and retail units with built-ups ranging from 151 to 5,210 sq ft. It has sold 144 units so far.

Bruyns expects the development to receive its Certificate of Completion and Compliance by end-June.

D’Twist, which has a GDV of RM2 billion, is set for launch by year-end, with the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for October. It is located on a 4.05-acre parcel adjacent to DK-MY’s headquarters on Jalan Taylors in Bandar Sunway.

The mixed-use development will feature retail, recreational, hospitality and residential elements. There will be two residential blocks with 1,116 units and a 300-room hotel block — DK-MY is in talks with an international hotel chain for its first hotel venture, Bruyns says.

One of D’Twist’s standout features is its 62m-deep diving pool, which will be the deepest in Malaysia. It will be part of an aquatic centre, which will offer a variety of activities, including scuba diving, free diving and swimming, he adds.

The development will also feature e-sports facilities, including virtual reality setups, as well as extreme sports such as rock climbing and mixed martial arts.

With these amenities, Bruyns hopes to create a community-centric environment in D’Twist for the student population of more than 60,000 from nearby universities, including Taylor’s University, Sunway University and Monash University.

“The development aims to become a long-lasting destination that will sustain both local and international interest for years to come. The mix of recreational, hospitality and residential spaces is designed to appeal to both locals and tourists, ensuring D’Twist remains relevant for generations,” he says.

Over in Taman Puchong Intan, the RM51 million, 2.78-acre D’Amber will offer 32 three-storey linkhouses with spacious living options. Built-ups will range from 3,347 to 5,219 sq ft, with land sizes of between 1,540 and 3,786 sq ft. Prices start from RM1.4 million.

Nearby, the yet-to-be-named high-rise development, which will have a GDV of RM500 million, will address the growing demand for affordable housing in Puchong. Located on a 3.05-acre plot, the development will feature 1,094 units with sizes ranging from 450 to 1,300 sq ft. About 20% will feature Rumah Mampu Milik units.

Both developments are located 600m from the Bandar Puteri and Taman Perindustrian Puchong LRT stations. Bruyns notes that these projects are aimed at driving growth for the developer, which is targeting sales of RM400 million.

Bruyns says the land parcels in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, as well as SS2 and Bandar Sri Damansara in Selangor — with a total estimated GDV of RM6 billion — will keep the developer busy for the next five to six years.

The Cheras land spans 28 acres and is adjacent to Ketumbar Heights. The developer plans to build a residential project aimed at young families and upgraders. It will have a GDV of RM1 billion and comprise 1,732 units measuring 800 to 1,000 sq ft.

The SS2 asset is the land on which the former SS2 Mall stands. Bruyns says plans are to build a mixed-use development with residential, retail and commercial spaces.

“It is a freehold property and a gem in its own right. In fact, you will not be able to find any prime land in SS2 of that size. Our plan is to redevelop the site to bring in community, retail and lifestyle offerings. We expect to build maybe six towers across 7.82 acres.”

He adds that the offerings will be diverse, catering for various groups, including singles, couples, families, as well as offer assisted and senior living. The project is scheduled for launch in 2027.

In Bandar Sri Damansara, DK-MY plans to build a commercial development with 492 office suites across from Sri Bestari International School on Persiaran Margosa. Focusing on the co-working and co-living concept, the development will include shared kitchen facilities as well as sports facilities such as a swimming pool, pickleball court, basketball court, badminton court and gymnasium.

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