Property Hunter Magazine Issue 64 2015 | Page 62

FEATURED PROPERTY SHOWCASE | A Pristine Choice In ISKANDAR MALAYSIA A Pristine Choice In ISKANDAR MALAYSIA Scan For EXTRA Content T he phrase “Location, location, location” has been used over and over again, so much till the extent of turning it into a cliché. But the truth is, the location of a property is so vital that it is the fine line that ensures a property’s booming success or its terrible failure. D Pristine Medini Sdn Bhd’s latest development in Medini, Iskandar Malaysia embodies that mantra through and through. d’Pristine @ Medini, the integrated mixed development in Medini, boasts one of the most prime locations in the heart of Nusajaya. It is situated in what will be Nusajaya’s central business district and is directly opposite the well known Legoland theme park, the Urban Wellness Centre by Temasek and Khazanah, and Gleneagles Hospital. In addition, d’Pristine is located within close proximity to a number 62 www.PropertyHunter.com.my of catalyst developments, including EduCity, Pinewood Studios, Puteri Harbour and Kota Iskandar, SILC, Ascendas Nusajaya Tech Park and Afiat Health Park. This prestigious mixed commercial development is made up of four components – two blocks of SOFOs (small office flexible occupancy), a grade-A corporate office tower, a designer hotel and a three-storey lifestyle mall – that complement each other. “In view of our strategic location, which is a business and leisure hot spot, d’Pristine was intentionally designed as an integrated commercial development. We want it to be a mixed development with other commercial business components because it is targeted at expatriates and local visitors who come to Nusajaya for work, leisure, education, medical and various other reasons,” says Dato’ Soo Kai Chee, executive director (marketing and sales) of MCT, the project manager for d’Pristine @ Medini. INTERNATIONAL APPEAL The plan is for d’Pristine to house an international community that comprises expatriates from around the world. “We want our buyers to have a prestigious address and the best way to do this would be to have more foreign buyers. To make d’Pristine a branded location, we have to have a diverse range of buyers. Because of the many catalyst developments in the area, there will be many expatriates looking for accommodation, either to purchase or to rent, and we will be able to fulfil this need. Our advantage is that our neighbours are not property developers but rather worldclass venues like Legoland and the Urban Wellness Centre,” explains Dato’ Soo. But that is not all. Investors will also be treated to serene views of the linear park and lake on the other side of the d’Pristine development. The remarkable scenery within this development will certainly be a soothing sight for sore eyes after a hard day’s work. Dato’ Soo goes on to say that d’Pristine’s location will be a major pull for investors adding that d’Pristine is not just selling property, but selling its location. THE MEDINI ADVANTAGE Medini is located in Nusajaya, which is Flagship B of the Iskandar Development Region. Driven and backed by Khazanah Nasional Berhad, Nusajaya is a strategically planned city. “Khazanah has a long-term master development plan of 25 years for Nusajaya. In the first seven years Khazanah has done a splendid job bringing in catalyst developments from overseas. Now Khazanah is focusing on bringing in property developers to Nusajaya to start developing the area. From this planning, we foresee that Nusajaya’s development will be unlike any other flagships in Iskandar,” says Dato’ Soo. Nusajaya does not only focus on proper ty development. There are also other industries in Nusajaya such as education, leisure, healthcare and logistics, which are already in place. These industries are expected to generate numerous job opportunities for people from Malaysia and across the world. Another advantage that Medini has is it being the only economic zone that offers investor-tailored incentives. These incentives include the exclusion of Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT) as well as other tax exemptions for selected promoted industries. Foreign investors will not be subjected to any minimum price threshold for the purchase of properties either. FACING CHALLENGES HEAD ON Presently, there is a development boom in Nusajaya but not a lot of investors recognize the potential that it has as visitors to Nusajaya will not be greeted with soaring skyscrapers and many completed developments like when they are in Johor Bahru City, for instance. “This is the reason many of them are more inclined to invest in JB City. Our challenge is to convince and educate investors on the viability of Nusajaya as a prime location with plenty of potential to be transformed into an international metropolis,” says Dato’ Soo. He adds that it is not easy to convince foreign investors, especially those who have not even heard of Iskandar. This is where d’Pristine uses its trump card – its exceptional location. Many www.PropertyHunter.com.my 63