Yes, I know, yet another post on another SDB’s property in this blog. For a minute you’ll probably think that I’m paid for this but truth is, I wish I was! Anyway, I have been interested with this development since it was launched, thanks to the strong SDB branding.

Background
Ameera was initially a development called Park19 by Luxor Properties Sdn Bhd, the developer of Millennium Place in SS14. Park 19 was soft-launched early 2006 with prices from RM210psf . The proposed Park 19 was designed by BEP Akitek, one of the better firms in Malaysia whose projects include Ampersand Jln Kia Peng, Desa Parkcity, Kiaraville, Seni Mont Kiara, Zehn Bkt Pantai, to name a few. True to their standards, Park 19 was actually looked really good.

Coupled with an extremely attractive pricing, the development was rather well-received by many during it’s soft launch period. A booking fee of RM5000 was accept to reserve units. Luxor Properties, being  a new comer to the development scene, then had issues with VP of Millenium Place in addition to problems brewing within the company. After about 6 months of soft-launching this, early buyers who had paid a commitment fee got theirs refunded and was informed that the project had been sold to SDB and will be continued by them.

The relaunch
In 2007, SDB relaunched the project with a new name, Ameera Residences. The facade and concept of the development strictly followed Park 19, but there were many upgrades to the units that came with it. SDB, being a high-end developer (with projects like Park Seven, 20trees), had to ensure that the quality of the project is up to their standards. With minor modification to the plans, the prices also shot astromomically. The new specification had added about RM100psf to the development resulting quite a shocker price tag at that time.

However, with the aid of an awesome-looking and award-winning show gallery at the site, SDB had managed to shift the low-rise villas fairly quickly. As of this month, the units left at the moment are the T5 units, and a few T3 units at the lower level on the high-rise block. T5 units face the low-rise low-cost apartments block, which is about 9 storeys high. Naturally these units will be hard to shift due to the undesirable view. I reckon it will be hard for them to sell these units, even before VP of Ameera. Prices are now raised to RM340psf on average to be fair to earlier buyers. There have been a few price increases since official launch.

Mock Units
Last month, SDB welcome potential buyers to view the actual unit at site. I was delighted to hear this, and decided to give it a visit. Please note that an arrangement needs to be done with the sales persons to ensure proper attire and safety equipment are available during visit as it’s still a construction site that you’ll be visiting.

After viewing the units, I must say I came out very impressed with the actual units. I managed to visit both T5 & T3 units. The finishing seemed immaculate! Having seen those amazing powder-coated window frames and sliding door in the show units, I am glad to report you will indeed receive the same quality as you have seen in the showrooms. That definitely add a touch of luxury to the development, in fact, this alone actually made me want to commit myself into getting a unit there and then! Try slide the sliding door, and you’ll feel how solid these are.

I have seen those louvres in other condos like Surian Condominium in Mutiara Damansara, but those you see in Surian are of the cheap type. They are probably either hand-painted, or spray painted, but these that are installed for Ameera are actually powder-coated! As for the layout, the T5 units, though measuring at 1280sf, look really spacious, thanks to the open kitchen / dining / living room.

The kitchen cabinets that came with it too looked great, with anti-slam drawers too! I managed to snoop around the cabinets and found that it had ‘Made in Italy’ stamp at the back of the cabinet. True to it’s claim, these cabinets were indeed imported from Italy.What I really liked about the T5 as well is that the ceiling in the living and dining area is through - ie there is not beams in between, adding a more streamlined look. Lighting points for fans and lights are cleverly thought through too.

Also I noted that SDB has put a lot of thoughts in the finishing, and it’s an ongoing process. For instance, for the Type T3, the rather gaudy looking mosaic kitchen wall will be replaced with more neutral color. It was made known by SDB decided that it didn’t look right and then the consultant made the change to all units. I was also impressed by the professionalism by the sales team, and Jin Yee deserves a special mention for excellent service rendered. Kudos to SDB!

To buy now, or not?
As previously mentioned there have been a few price increases since launch which is pretty fair. With prices averaging Rm340psf now, this is quite a costly figure, especially for T5 units which face the low-cost flats and Ken 3. I reckon these units will still be available for sale even when approaching the completion date. I don’t think I could justify paying a premium of about RM50sf when you can just wait till next year when it completes and search for subsales. I reckon the prices won’t be far from the developer pricing plus you’ll get the more unit choices.

Another issue with Ameera is its immediate surroundings. You have Jasmine Towers at one end, and the low-cost flats and Ken 3 at the other. Also you have a school fronting the development. So in a nutshell, I would say the immediate surroundings are not that desirable, esp when you are actually paying a premium price for the development.

Having said all that and having been to the site, I am fairly confident that within the development,  you will get definitely what you have paid for. I can see that everything that they are doing at the site is shaping out to look like a high end development. I know it’s hard to explain, but I can sense there will be this high-end feel to this development. You certainly won’t find any of those gaudy stone-cladding, or dodgy hand-painted alluminum railings that you see in common areas normally found in mid-end developments.

Photos Galleries
Ameera Residences, SS2 T5 Mock Units Gallery
Ameera Residences, SS2 T3 Mock Units Gallery

 

This entry was posted on Monday, February 23rd, 2009 at 3:39 am and is filed under Showroom Photos, Urbanseven says.... You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.