Residensi Pandanmas 2 consist of 3 blocks of apartments, over 8.71 acres of leasehold land in Kampung Pandan.
Continue Reading ⋅ 19 February 2022
Artist impression of E&O’s The Tamarind in Seri Tanjung Pinang
THE Tamarind executive apartments by Eastern and Oriental (E&O) Bhd combine an excellent location with competitive pricing and modern stylishness, and is a great option for young executives, families or aspiring first-time buyers eager to finally realise their dream of owning a nice property.
Strategically located on 7 acres of freehold land in the prestigious Seri Tanjung Pinang neighbourhood on the northeastern tip of Penang Island, it comprises two residential towers housing 552 units each, set against lush landscaped surroundings equipped with comprehensive lifestyle facilities, just a short walk away from the seafront.
Its developers, E&O, are known for their classy properties. Most recognisable is the venerable E&O Hotel, a five-star establishment in central George Town that celebrated its 130th Anniversary this year. Also of note are the Lone Pine Hotel in Batu Feringghi, and Straits Quay Retail Marina – Penang’s first waterfront mall – located adjacent to The Tamarind. In the Kuala Lumpur city center, there is the E&O Residences, amongst others.
Key Information
| Project Name | : The Tamarind |
| Location | : Seri Tanjung Pinang, Penang |
| Property Type | : Executive Apartments |
| No of storeys | : 33 stories |
| Total units | : 1,104 across 2 blocks |
| Sizes | : Type A – 1,372 sq.ft. |
| Type B – 1,242 sq.ft. | |
| Type C – 1,042 sq.ft. | |
| Tenure | : Freehold |
| Title | : Residential |
| Price Range | : Approx. RM800,000 onwards |
| Average Price per Sq.Ft. | : From RM660 onwards |
| Completion Date | : 2019 |
| Maintenance Fee | : RM0.25 (sen) psf |
| Parking bay per unit | : 2 |
| Developer | : E&O Property (Penang) Sdn Bhd (wholly owned subsidiary of E&O Bhd) |
| Website | : www.the-tamarind-penang.com or www.easternandoriental.com |
Showrooms:
E&O Property Penang
- The Sales Gallery, Seri Tanjung Pinang, 10470 Tanjung Tokong, Penang (04-8909999)
E&O Property Head Office
- Level 3A (Annexe) Menara Milenium, No.8 Jalan Damanlela, 50490 Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur (03-20938888)
Other properties:
Klang Valley
- Idamansara, Seventy Damansara, Dua Residency, Seri Se-Ekar, 202 Desa Cahaya, Kampung Warisan, Ariza Courtyard, Villas By-The-Sea, E&O Residences, The Mews Serviced Residences, St. Mary Residences, Elmina West.
Penang
- E&O Hotel, Lone Pine Hotel, Straits Quay Retail Marina, Seri Tanjung Pinang Phases 1 and 2, Quayside Seafront, 18 East at Andaman.
Johor
- Avira Medini
London
- Princes House Serviced Residences
Project Details
When The Tamarind came onto the market, it set buyers and investors abuzz with its excellent premise – a strategic address in one of Penang’s most desirable neighbourhoods, offering an elevated lifestyle close to many conveniences, but at a reasonable price point.
The first of the two 33-storey towers was soft launched in early 2015, and was reported to have a 90% take-up rate by June. Its developers E&O Property opened the second tower for registration in the same month, to similarly good response. According to its news reports in early December 2015, Towers A and B were 95% and 50% sold respectively. The figure is likely higher, or almost sold out by now.
Besides the brand and its good track record, the key crowd puller has been the competitive per sq ft starting price of RM660 onwards, especially fo developments of this nature on the island. Besides tempting investors, it is also an excellent entry price for young professionals and new home-owners.
The living area of the The Tamarind’s Type C show unit
The Tamarind, with a gross development value of RM900 million, is the latest addition to the Phase 1 masterplan of E&O’s Seri Tanjung Pinang, and designed in the ilk of its previous undertakings – where stylish modern aesthetics are imbued by touches of colonial charm.
Its 1,104 executive apartments are split evenly across both blocks, and come in 3 configurations – the largest being Type A at 1,372 sq ft, followed by Type B at 1,241 sq ft, and the smallest being Type C with a decent 1,042 sq ft.
Type C Show Unit : Master Bedroom
Type C Show Unit : Bedroom
All feature mindful designs and practical layouts that allow homeowners flexibility. They also come with generous balconies. While these should ensure great vistas for most, the slew of other residential high-rises also being developed in the immediate vicinity could obstruct the views from some units.
The Type As occupy the corners of the towers’ boomerang-shaped cross section, and have a rectangular layout with the bedrooms and bathrooms clustered in the inner half, while the living and dining areas take up the other and become a vast seamless space that opens out to the balcony and beyond.
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Diagram showing the location of the Type A (left) and B (right) units within the towers’ boomerang-shaped layout |
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| Meanwhile, the Type Bs and Cs are more squarish and located at the middle sections of the towers. Both have bedrooms and bathrooms built around a central core that comprises the living and dining areas. | |
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The Type C units’ location in the tower blocks (left) and the heart of its layout, the living and dining areas (right) |
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There is a compelling case to be made for each of these layouts, so it all boils down to individual preferences. But something worth considering is the living density in this development – which at 19 units per floor – is rather high. Whether it is something that one can live with, or a dealbreaker, it is all up to the prospective buyer.
In line with E&O’s standards, the development would have quality fittings and finishings, along with some nice extras like kitchen cabinets, counter top, hood and hob, air conditioning units, and hot water tanks for all bathrooms. |
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The master bathroom (left) and bathroom (right) would have quality and matching fittings |
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| Floors at the living and dining areas, as well as in the bedrooms, are timber parquet. Besides adding warmth and cosyness to these spaces, it is also easy to maintain. Each unit has a dry kitchen, though one can also use part of the adjacent drying yard as a wet kitchen. | |
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The Type C show unit’s kitchen (left) and the smallest bedroom converted into a study area (right) |
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Future residents would enjoy a wealth of resort-style facilities. These cover over 2 acres in the open space between both towers, and located atop the 4-storey carpark podium block. |
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The sprawling Waterscape, which is part of The Tamarind’s lifestyle facilities, looks out towards Straits Quay
Spaces here are made for sharing, and the Waterscape certainly embodies that. Taking up almost an acre, it features a signature swimming pool, wading pool, man-made beach area and other water-play areas that all in the family can enjoy and have countless hours of laughter and fun splashing around whilst being buffeted by sea breezes.
Besides these are jogging tracks for those early morning or late evening laps, gymnasium and yoga room to sweat it out, as well as barbeque plaza, al-fresco function area and multipurpose hall for entertaining and celebratory occasions. There would also be a customised kids’ creche and outdoor playground for the youngsters to play safely.
All these should make The Tamarind a nice place to come home to each day, or to while away those lazy weekend hours. And with the seafront just approximately 200 meters away, it is the kind of lifestyle most city folk aspire to today.
The development is named after a leguminous tree native to tropical Africa, but is now widely cultivated throughout Asia. Its name derives from the romanised Arabic word ‘tamar hindi’, which means Indian date. Over time, it became corrupted to ‘tamar indi’, ‘tamarindus’ or ‘tamarandi’.
Regardless, the tree’s edible pod-like fruits – are highly prized for its sweet and sour properties and are used extensively in various cuisines around the world – both as a flavouring agent or ingredient in savoury foods, drinks, jams and confectionaries.
Location
Aerial view of Seri Tanjung Pinang on Penang’s northeastern tip, with (nearest from R to L) the Quayside seafront condominiums, Straits Quay Retail Marina, rows of courtyard-styled homes, and Gurney Drive in the far background. The Tamarind is being built on the plot of empty land near the middle of the picture, just behind Straits Quay. The beige strip encircling the area is the 1.6km seafront promenade.
Most of the area that is now Seri Tanjung Pinang, was once glistening waters of the Andaman Sea. Prior to it being reclaimed, the seafront came up to rustic old fishing villages that lined the Jalan Tanjung Tokong main road which curved around Penang’s northeastern coast.
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Google Earth views of Seri Tanjung Pinang’s location on Penang Island (left), as well as its position relative to various townships and places of interest (right).
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This became the sprawling 204-acre Seri Tanjung Pinang Phase 1, upon which E&O built a several hundred Straits-eclectic courtyard styled homes, with the first residents moving in around 2008. While many were hesitant about these when they were first launched, those who dared take the plunge have been rewarded by a significant increase in property value as the area boomed in ensuing years.
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The leafy surroundings of Seri Tanjung Pinang (left), and the curving boulevard, named Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang, that runs through it (right).
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Next came the opening of Straits Quay Retail Marina in late 2010, which combined F&B and retail outlets, serviced residences and convention centre with a seaside setting and yacht berthing facilities.
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Following that were the luxurious Quayside and 18 East at Andaman seafront resort condominiums, which sit at the island’s now most northeastern tip. Situated just south of these, next to the above-mentioned courtyard homes, would be The Tamarind.
All these are served by Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang, a wide curving boulevard lined by trees with two ends at different parts of Jalan Tanjung Tokong – one at the junction with Island Plaza, and the other at the junction of Tesco Tanjung Pinang.
The leafy Seri Tanjung Pinang is also situated roughly partway between the state capital George Town and its tourist haven Batu Feringghi, which puts residents well within reach of various conveniences. These factors all contribute to make it one of the island’s most desirable neighbourhoods.
Future residents of The Tamarind will have the vibrant attractions of Straits Quay just a 5-minute walk away. There are a litany of restaurants, cafes, pubs, boutiques, novelty shops and wellness services, alongside a Sam’s Groceria supermarket.
In addition to those are the Penang Performing Arts Centre, which hosts various stage productions and concerts, and the cavernous Straits Quay Convention Centre where there are frequent trade shows, exhibitions and events. The mall is lined by a seafront promenade that continues on around most of Seri Tanjung Pinang, covering 1.6km in total. It is a popular backdrop for families to enjoy scenic strolls, or health-conscious folk for their daily jogs. The northern part of the promenade culminates in Straits Green, a 4-acre landscaped public park and green lung.
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The 1.6km seafront promenade, which passes through Straits Quay (left), and carries on behind the neighbourhood of courtyard homes (right), is a popular place for leisurely strolls and jogs.
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One can also shop for daily neccessities conveniently and economically at Tesco, similarly a 5-minut walk away. Otherwise, there are more food and beverage, home furnishing, beauty and services outlets at the nearby Vantage Desiran Tanjung commercial centre, which fronts the Tanjung Tokong main road. At neary Fettes Park, there are numerous coffee shops, hawker stalls, and other retail outlets.
In the vicinity are several other ongoing high-rise residential projects. Immediate neighbours are The Jazz Residence and Hotel which is nearing completion, as well as the Marinox Sky Villas and Milrow Villas that are currently underway, both similarly upscale developments.
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(Left pic) The Straits Green, a 4-acre green lung. (Right pic) The access road to The Tamarind, which is being built directly behind the soon-to-be completed The Jazz on the left. Opposite it will be two blocks of low cost apartments, as seen on the right. In the middle background is Marinox.
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But opposite it are several blocks of low-cost apartments, as well is i-Santorini, an affordable housing project with around 2,100 units in a trio of 48 and 49-storey towers. Further away at Seri Tanjung Pinang’s southern section would be City of Dreams, an ultra-luxurious development with 570 units in a pair of 40-storey towers.
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(Left pic) The site of the upcoming City of Dreams, across which the new paired road will connect Gurney Drive to Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang. (Right pic) The site of the upcoming i-Santorini affordable homes, all hoarded up. Rising in the background are the low-cost apartments and The Jazz. The Tamarind will be built near the trees on the right.
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| Including The Tamarind, this would add around 5,000 residential units to the area in the coming years. While traffic is generally smooth in most of the time now, and living conditions rather serene, the upcoming population boom would likely have some impact. | |
The project site of The Tamarind, which is right next to The Jazz. In the background is Straits Quay.
It is not unreasonable to expect higher traffic volumes, a denser living environment and some degree of noise pollution – an important factor to take into account if one is considering to call this area home in the future.
The increased amount of vehicles would likely also worsen traffic congestion on Jalan Tanjung Tokong, the main thoroughfare in and out which is already bursting at the seams during peak hours and festive seasons.
The upcoming north coast paired road, which is part of the Penang Outer Ring Road, scheduled for completion in 2019 under the Penang Transport Master Plan, would be vital in helping alleviate this. But there is a tradeoff, as increased traffic means more noise.
Google Earth view of Seri Tanjung Pinang, as well as the location of The Tamarind, various points of interest, and road infrastructure.
On the plus side, living at The Tamarind puts one within easy reach of numerous amenities – from the Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon Mall shopping centres in nearby Gurney Drive, to the various retail, banking, F&B outlets and wet market in adjacent Pulau Tikus – which should all be reachable in between 5 and 15 minutes by vehicle.
The latter is also home to various education institutions, from schools like SMK Convent Pulau Tikus, St. Xavier’s Branch School, St. George’s Girl School, Penang Chinese Girls’ High School and DISTED College. For international schools, options include Dalat and Uplands in Tanjung Bungah and Batu Feringghi respectively.
Closer to home, along the main road, are no less than 3 petrol stations by Shell, Caltex and Petronas. While only RapidPenang bus no.102 passes through Seri Tanjung Pinang, there are also bus stops a short walk away along Jalan Tanjung Tokong served by the more numerous and frequent bus no.101.
Penang Island’s northeastern coastline is set to change further with Seri Tanjung Pinang Phase 2 that is currently in the planning stages, and would likely be completed in stages within the next 15 to 20 years. According to latest announced plans, it will see the reclamation of 980 acres of land to form an island connected by several bridges.
To be built in line with the policies of the Federal and State governments, it will house a sustainable mixed-use community with housing, commercial, leisure and cultural components.
Analysis
Price Analysis
When first opened for sale, The Tamarind’s competitive per sq ft starting price was the key attraction. But most, if not all, of the lower priced units have already been snapped up. Thus, the ones available should be upwards of RM800,000.
Also much talked about following its recently introduction was Skyridge Garden, notable for its low rate starting at RM490 psf, which may or may not change by the time it is officially launched in early 2016. Unit sizes are slightly larger, starting at 1,200 sq ft onwards. But the drawback is the location – Mount Erskine – which is more secluded and on the hillsides.
Otherwise, there is The Clovers in Sungai Ara, a mature neighbourhood near the south of the island, which offers a similar standard of living and facilities. However, this development also includes some affordable units.
| Name |
Location |
Tenure / Land Title | Approx. Price per Sq.Ft. | Indicative Price for Typical Unit |
| The Tamarind |
Seri Tanjung Pinang | Freehold |
RM660 |
RM800,000 |
| Skyridge Garden | Mount Erskine |
Freehold |
RM490 |
RM710,000 |
| The Clovers | Sungai Ara | Freehold | RM850 | RM800,000 |
Summary
The combination of a developer with an excellent track record, stylish design, myriad facilities, strategic location and competitive pricing makes The Tamarind an attractive proposition for both investors and home hunters. It is in a prestigious neighbourhood with many amenities at the doorstep. Other daily needs are not far away either.
But one cannot halt development, and the completion of several high-rises in the vicinity, along with new road infrastructure in the coming years is likely to change the surroundings considerably. As Penang is in the global limelight now, such rapid development is bound to be a recurring trend wherever one goes on the island.
