This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on September 1, 2025 - September 7, 2025

Puncakdana Sdn Bhd is scheduled to launch its RM1.18 billion Arra Residences in Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya this month. This freehold, transit-oriented mixed-use development is a short walk from the Ara Damansara LRT station and is next to Amara Residences — the developer’s other mixed-use project.

“This is our most ambitious project yet,” Puncakdana executive director Chuah Chong Ewe tells City & Country in an interview at the project’s sales gallery.

The 4.15-acre Arra Residences will comprise three residential towers and one office block, all atop a retail and car park podium.

The 25-storey office tower will have a 120,000 sq ft Grade-A office, which will come with a function hall, a zen rooftop garden and a restaurant and bar.

The 130,000 sq ft retail space — consisting of the basement, ground and first floors — will be retained by Puncakdana to curate the tenant mix. “We’re not aiming for another generic mall. We want interesting brands to complement the area. We think retail is key to making a place vibrant. Offices and retail attract the weekday crowd, while residents can enjoy them after hours,” says Chuah.

“Although Citta Mall is performing well, it primarily caters to the lower-middle segment. With Arra Residences’ presence, we hope to broaden our demographic reach to include the upper-middle segment as well.”

The three 32-storey residential towers — Towers A, B and C — have a total of 1,275 units and a connecting rooftop garden on level 33.

The residential units come in four layout options: Type A (built-up: 721 sq ft), Type B (938 sq ft), Type C (1,058 sq ft) and Type D (1,349 sq ft).

Since its soft launch on July 22, the residential towers have seen robust interest. According to Puncakdana project director Keane Goh, Tower A has received a 90% take-up rate since the soft launch. “We were pleasantly surprised by the response. The market is clearly hungry for a well-priced, well-located product, especially one that is freehold and transit-oriented.”

The units in Arra ­Residences feature compact designs (especially Type A units) but ­functional layouts that cater to young professionals and first-time homebuyers. “In fact, we are getting a lot of parents securing the units for their children working or studying in the Klang Valley. They know this is a rare opportunity to own a freehold property in Petaling Jaya at this price point,” says Chuah.

Goh adds that affordability is the major driver here. “This price range is increasingly difficult to find for a freehold project in a mature address. That’s why we sometimes call it our ‘killer product’. It fits a gap in the market.”

He notes that some investors from out of state also consider Arra Residences a solid investment with its strategic connectivity to other major parts of the Klang Valley.

“Even though there are over 1,000 units, we thoughtfully designed each residential tower with different demographics in mind. Tower A is smaller and more affordable, while Towers B and C offer larger family-friendly options,” Chuah explains.

Tower A comprises 350 Type A units with a starting price of RM554,000. Tower B has 100 Type A, 300 Type B and 100 Type C units, with prices ranging from RM560,000 to RM915,000. Meanwhile, Tower C will have 200 Type B, 125 Type C and 100 Type D units, with prices between RM714,000 and RM1.153 million.

There are over 30 facilities spread across the project’s podium and rooftop floors (levels 7 and 33). “We emphasise usable, lifestyle-driven spaces — things that residents will enjoy daily,” says Goh.

These include an Olympic-sized pool, 5,000 sq ft gym, co-working space, social kitchen, multipurpose courts, pickleball courts, children’s play zones and even glamping-style gardens.

“We learnt from previous projects that residents love our social kitchens and gardens. They host family dinners or gatherings without having to mess up their units. Plus, we even have pickleball courts. It’s a sport growing in popularity and suits the demographic here. It’s about offering things that are relevant and fun,” says Goh.

Meanwhile, the rooftop garden and sky facilities add greenery to the development, while the podium levels are lushly landscaped.

“We see green spaces as essential. It’s not just about plants; it’s about creating a breathing space that promotes calmness and serenity,” says Goh.

In addition, Chuah points out that careful planning went into maintenance and sustainability. “We designed with durability in mind. We don’t want flashy features that age poorly. Our goal is for residents to enjoy the facilities for decades without seeing fees spike.”

He adds that Arra Residences is set to achieve a GreenRE Gold certification. “Energy-saving features, rainwater harvesting and careful plant selection for easy maintenance are incorporated. We build for longevity. We don’t want facilities that look great for two years and become a burden later. We want residents to enjoy this for decades.”

Goh says, “Security and privacy are also prioritised. Each tower has its own private lobby and access system. Car parks are separated from the commercial elements, so residents feel secure.”

Speaking of connectivity, Arra Residences is located about 100m from the Ara Damansara LRT station. “The station includes a park-and-ride facility, making it highly convenient for commuters,” says Goh. “We are fortunate to be right where people want us to be.”

Furthermore, the project will be integrated with the surrounding landmarks such as Citta Mall, the upcoming Courtyard by Marriott Subang and Amara Residences, creating a seamless and walkable precinct.

Chuah says, “We are working with the authorities to introduce link bridges to enhance connectivity. You can see that there [are amenities] here. There are hospitals, schools and we are anchored by the retail park. Ara Damansara has grown into a premium address but lacks cohesive links. Once the link bridges are ready, they will stitch together the entire area.”

For Puncakdana, Arra Residences is more than a project; it is a continuation of the company’s investment in Ara Damansara. The group has delivered Citta Mall, Myara Park and Amara Residences, each contributing to the area’s growth. “This is the missing piece. We want Arra Residences to be the heart of Ara Damansara, a place where everything comes together,” says Goh.

Echoing similar sentiments, Chuah says the development will further elevate the address. “The community is already vibrant. We are just giving them the spaces and connectivity they deserve. We want to make this area walkable, liveable and attractive for residents and the broader public.”

Looking ahead, Puncakdana has plans beyond Ara Damansara. Apart from its 62-acre master-planned development in Cybersouth, Selangor, the developer plans to develop a commercial hub in Cyberjaya in partnership with Nadayu Properties Bhd — further strengthening the boutique developer’s presence in the southern corridor.

“The focus remains on execution. The property market is challenging, but we believe in the fundamentals. Trends such as urbanisation, young buyers and demand for quality will stay. Our job is to offer the right product at the right time,” says Chuah.

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