theSun Property March 2016

> Zoning in on UMCityMedini Lakeside

doubt there is a lot of

controversy and difference

of opinionwhen it comes

to IskandarMalaysia. What

more with the drop in oil prices and

the bleak economic forecasts. Still,

the optimists claim life is a cycle,

now a challenging time for the

country and its people. However,

still focusing on the south of the

border,

theSun

will detail

development projects within

Medini Iskandar and those

surrounding themasterplan over

the next fewweeks.

For a start, the objective under

theMedini Iskandar masterplan is

to “developMedini into a bustling

metropolis” states the Iskandar

Development website. Gone over

with a fine-tooth comb and

projected to attract investors with

catalytic projects, foreigners and

their foreign currencies and

investments, plus tourists, visitors

and business entrepreneurs. A

challenge now, especially as the oil

and gas industry had amajor role to

play in this project.

Nevertheless, like all good

property purchases and

investments where the people are

told to look out for good landDNA,

Iskandar still ticks all the right

boxes, UMLand’sMedini lakeside

development included.

JEWEL IN THE SOUTH

One of many exceptional property

development projects on-going in

Medini Iskandar is an integrated

project by UMLandMedini

Lakeside Development Sdn Bhd.

Phase 1 of this development project

runs across 5.03 acres. Poised to

fuel the economy in the south,

UMCityMedini Lakeside

(UMCity) offers modern lakeside

living that is laced with urban

amenities and facilities, intricately

designed within a healthy

ecosystem environment.

Sounds like a hodge-podge and a

mouthful, yet when you look closer,

you will see howwell planned this

fully integrated “city” is designed

to become, offering world-class

comforts and commercial

conveniences amid green spaces.

The birth of UMCity amounts

to a gross development value of

RM1 billion. Designed for ideal

business and living, some

renowned “partners” include:

The Ascot Limited providing

award-winning serviced

residences;

Shama Medini (the first Shama

property inMalaysia) offering

serviced residences;

along with OZOMedini (after

OZO Penang) presenting stylish

hotel accommodation;

ready and serviced offices

offering flexible work spaces

by Regus and more.

“UMCityMedini Lakeside will

redefine metropolitan living.

UMCity is Phase One of UMLand’s

Medini Lakeside master plan. It is

situated at the gateway that leads

intoMedini Iskandar and is

strategically positioned to offer

corporate office towers, two

internationally branded serviced

residences, a hotel, a lakeside

shopping centre and a variety of

business suites to suit a wide range

of commercial outfits,” said

UMLand Group CEODatuk

Charlie Chia Lui Meng (

pix

IDEAL LOCATION

It looks as thoughUMLand has all

angles covered. No doubt Medini

Iskandar is a special enclave,

carefully designed to attract

investors and purchasers, local

and foreign, with its economic

incentives. “A lot of industries are

also relocating there, even from

Singapore. Andwith that, these

multinationals and expats are going

to need a place to reside,” shares

Chia, who has looked into seeing to

the needs of the workforce, across

the board.

Call it the ideal place, UMCity

offers homes, temporary residences,

serviced apartments, even

transitory offices complete with all

the necessary ready-to-use

equipment and services apart from

themore grounded, long-term

office spaces. The extraordinary

part of what this developer has

thought of is, including

acclimatisation programmes to

help foreigners settle in – perhaps

not directly though.

RELIABLE BRANDS

“ShamaMedini is famous inHong

Kong. Though they offer slightly

higher-end apartments, most expats

feel comfortable staying with them.

They have an acclimatisation

programme and a hospitality teamto

help expatswhowant to knowwhere

is the nearest market, the best

shopping areas, schools and

education institutions ... which

makes foreigners feel really at home

really. Citadines is another brand

that is similar (under the Ascot

Group) ... A littlemore suited to the

working or middle class, while

Shama ismore luxury,” informsChia.

With Shama and Citadines

accommodating the longer staying

visitors and guests, OZOwill cater

to those on shorter hauls. “The

OZO is more of a businessman or

touristy brand. It is part of the

Amari and Shama Group, operated

by Onyx, which is a Thai brand,”

explains Chia.

From serviced apartments,

serviced residences, hotels,

apart’hotel suites, temporary and

permanent office spaces all seen

to, covering short stints and longer

stays plus relocations lasting a

couple of years – what more is there

to ask of UMCityMedini Lakeside?

Entertainment and education,

of course.

FRILLS AND SPILLS

With accomodation and

business needs seen to, lifestyle

requirements are amust. To this,

Chia talks about the area

surrounding the lake. “This water

body is good in a sense that when

you have all the necessitites

covered, you also have this amazing

feature that comeswith a performing

arts lakeside auditorium, waterfront

F&B locations towine and dine in,

green open spaces to enjoy the

outdoors and activities, and so

muchmore.”

Chia also informs howUMCity

will double up as the place for some

R&R, especiallywith Legoland in

close proximity. “Going to Legoland

for just one day is not enough. So,

UMCitywill come in nicely,

providing stop-overs and stays for

visitors to Legoland. People can stay

inUMCity and shuttle up and down

to enjoy the thrills of the themepark

nearby,” Chia figures.

An awardwinner at the recent

Asia Pacific Property Awards under

Best International Office

Development, Chia says: “The

reasonwe won this awardwas

because we were integrated. From

all aspects of the development –

“the integrationwith the

environment, the features in the

office, the raised flooring, the inter-

connectivity, the green design ...

Most of the office blocks are single-

pointedwhichmeans they exist on

their own, disconnected, yet are on

the same footprint, connected, with

lodging, hotels, shopping, working

environment, even recreation.”

Moreover, working with

Samsung Electronics, a brand

known for its technology and

cutting-edge applications, the

developer assures that one’s office

connectivity requirements will be

seen to. “Just plug in and get to

work. Anyone who relocates to our

offices here will enjoy the best of

technologies,” Chia adds. Security is

another area one will not need to

worry about with Samsung, a

leading security solutions provider

working closelywith the developer

fromdesign to build.

Watch this space over the next

fewweeks as

theSun

unveils more

information on developments down

south in Iskandar, Johor.

Email your feedback and

queries to: propertyqs@

thesundaily.com

Artist’s impression – UMCity aerial view.

Chia is happy to sharewhat can be expected of UMCityMedini Lakeside.

The lureof

Iskandar

PART2

Medini Iskandar spans 2,230 acres within theNusajaya area.

PHOTO: WWW.ISKANDARINVESTMENT.COM

ZONEA

ZONEB

ZONEC

ZONED

ZONEE

ZONEF

LEGEND

committed

greenspaces

commercial

mixeduse

residential

waterbody

golf course

villas

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MARCH 11, 2016

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MARCH 18, 2016