Creating unique lifestyle environments

GAMUDA Land is the latest Malaysian developer to head to Singapore after it was invited by a local real estate company to add value to a joint-venture set up to develop land in Toa Payoh. A consortium comprising Gamuda Land and two other developers put in the highest tender price of S$345.86 million among 14 bidders for a 12,000-square-metre leasehold site that can be developed into an estimated 535 homes.

"The acquisition and proposed Toa Payoh development represent an excellent opportunity for the group to make its maiden presence felt in Singapore and to participate in a development which is strategically located in a matured residential area," Gamuda said in a recent statement, noting its proximity to MRT lines and stations. "The proposed Toa Payoh development is expected to contribute positively to the future earnings and thereby improve shareholders' value over the medium to long term," the statement added.

Apart from its foray into Singapore, Gamuda Land - one of the top property developers in Malaysia - has also ventured to Australia and Vietnam. It acquired a 1,435 sq m plot of land in Melbourne - located four kilometres away from the central business district - that will be developed into residential apartments. In Vietnam, the company transformed a combined plot of over 1,000 acres into integrated township developments with residential parks and lakes.

"Apart from that, Gamuda is constantly scouting for potential land bank overseas to expand our businesses," says Gamuda Land's managing director Chow Chee Wah.

Set up in 1995, the company is the property arm of Gamuda Berhad, the engineering and construction leader with operations in Asia and the Middle East regions.

Gamuda Berhad's major projects include highways in Malaysia, the Kaohsiung Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transit in Taiwan, the New Doha International Airport in Qatar and expressways in India. Gamuda Land contributed one-third of the group's total revenue of RM4.636 billion (S$1.6 billion) for the financial year 2014.

Horizon Hills

Within Malaysia, Gamuda Land has made a name for itself for delivering innovative and quality homes that offer sustainable value for the community. Gamuda Land's strength lies in masterplanning, which includes setting the standard in preserving natural topography layout, creative irrigation, forward-thinking residential parkland and modern architecture that cleverly assimilates sustainable materials. Meanwhile, its extensive and elaborate landscaping reflects the company's commitment to create a fine balance between developments and the natural environment.

Finally, all its townships are built with features that promote community living. The pockets of neighbourhood parks, dedicated open spaces, community clubs and many more not only encourage community activities and interaction, but also provide residents with a sense of belonging.

This approach to development has won it many accolades. Since 2012, the company has been ranked as one of Malaysia's top 10 property developers in The Edge Property Excellence Awards.

One of its signature projects is the 1,200- acre Horizon Hills in the Iskandar Malaysia region in Johor that will be completed in 2024. Horizon Hills is a low-density development spread over 11 residential precincts - including landed properties such as link houses, cluster homes, semi-detached, bungalows and high-rise apartments - and an 18-hole designer golf course. The development is just 15 minutes away by car from Singapore.

"Horizon Hills is a paradise of luxury golf residences. A beautiful home with views to dream of that gives you an opportunity to walk straight out on to the fairways," says Mr Chow. On Gamuda's competitive advantage, he adds: "We integrate engineering expertise in our development focusing on four key elements, namely master-planning, hydrology, terrain and greenscapes."

He cites Horizon Hills as one of the best examples of how it creates a unique lifestyle environment and elevates the standard of living in the heart of Nusajaya, a township in Iskandar. "We began sculpting the homes around the land's natural contour with collaboration with world-renowned architect designer, Ross Watson, to a design a golf course by transforming conventionally unproductive terrain into an award-winning 18-hole par-72 golf course," explains Mr Chow.

The development also uses hydrology not only to beautify views with water features, but to also manage water features that act as a cooling agent for the golf course. In addition, aquatic plants in the lake and cascading waterways serve as nature's filter to maintain healthy water quality.

Going forward, Gamuda Land has a sizeable land bank that can hold many more innovative developments. This is made up of around 2,700 acres in Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Rawang in Northern Klang Valley, Tanjung Dua Belas in Southern Klang Valley and a 257-acre plot at Shah Alam.

With its commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability, Gamuda Land can be expected to continue developing exciting living environments for many years to come.