Pantai Hillpark is located near the residential enclaves of Bangsar South and Bukit Pantai. This hilltop residence is considered as one of the great successes of property development in the Klang Valley.
Continue Reading ⋅ 19 February 2022
Where It All Comes Together
BATU FERRINGHI, is a household name when it comes to tourism. The place has been long considered an international tourism site purely from the global accolades that this coastal strip of Penang has come to dominate since the 1970s. It started off as a place for the expatriate community to unwind in the 1960s– beaches, luscious hill settings and thick jungle coverings with a cascading waterfall nearby. Many international hotel chains begun opening up hospitality properties along the shoreline in the 1980s. Therefore, it did not come as any surprise that a developer like the Mah Sing Group, would invest heavily in the area with a master development parcel of the Ferringhi Residences.
Developer Details:
Mah Sing Group Berhad is without doubt an established developer, thus the worry of non – compliance to the sales and purchase agreements should not generally be a worry. It currently has 48 residential and commercial projects throughout the Klang Valley, Johor Bahru (Iskandar Malaysia), Penang and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
In Penang, the developer and its member Uptrend Housing Development Sdn Bhd has completed almost 10 – projects in the past two decades. Mah Sing is also undertaking the flagship project of SouthBay that is destined to change the façade of the southern part of Penang.
It is a developer who is highly leveraged on the future growth prospects in Penang and the northern region as a whole.
Awards:
The developer, Mah Sing Group has won multiple property accolades during the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Malaysia) 2020 event such as:
- Best Lifestyle Developer
- Winner: Special Recognition for ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance)
- Winner: Special Recognition for CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)
- Winner: Special Recognition in Sustainable Construction
- Winner: Special Recognition in Sustainable Design
- Winner: Special Recognition for Building Communities
- Euromoney Asia Best managed Companies 2014
- Asia Pacific Property Awards (APPA) 2014
- Asia Pacific Property Awards (APPA) 2013
- Malaysian Landscape Architecture Award
- Asia Pacific Property Awards (APPA) – Best High-Rise Architecture for M City
- Asia HRD Awards 2014 – Contribution to the Society Award
Project Details:
| Project Name | : Ferringhi Residence 2 |
| Developer | : Uptrend Housing Development Sdn Bhd (918195-D) |
| [A member of MAH SING GROUP BERHAD] | |
| Business Address | : Mah Sing Lifestyle Show Gallery, Menara Boustead, |
| Level 17, No.39, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050, Penang | |
| Telephone +604 291 8888 | |
| Sales Gallery Address | : No. 1 Southbay City, Jalan Permatang Damar Laut |
| 11960 Bayan Lepas, Penang | |
| Telephone +604 628 8188 | |
| : ferringi.residence@mahsing.com.my | |
| Project Name | : Feringghi Residence 2 |
| Location | : Batu Ferringhi, Penang |
| Size of Scheme | : 18.11 acres |
| Land tenure | : Freehold |
| Land title | : Strata |
| Launch Prices | : RM870,000 to RM1.4 million |
| Type of Property | : Resort Condominium |
| Total Units | : 632 units |
| Block A – 124 units | |
| Block B – 478 units | |
| Block C – 30 units | |
| No. of Storey | : Block A – 10 storeys |
| Block B – 32 storeys | |
| Block C – 4 storeys | |
| Parking Bays | : Two cars per unit |
| Project Preview | : October 2015 |
| Indicative PSF | : RM 700 per sq.ft. |
| Expected Completion Date | : 48 months from SPA |
Accessibility:
- 500 metre to Upland International School
- 900 metre to Holiday Inn Resort & Batu Ferringhi Beach
- 6 km to Tanjung Bungah
- 13 km to Persiaran Gurney
- 15 km to the Georgetown
- 25 km to the Penang Bridge
- 35 km to Penang International Airport
Built-up area:
- Block A
- Type A
- Build Up Area (sq ft): 1,494
- No. of Units: 80
- No. of Bedrooms: 3 + 1
- Type B
- Build Up Area (sq ft):1,565
- No of Units: 31
- No of Bedrooms: 3 + 1
- Type E
- Build Up Area (sq ft): 1,208
- No of Units: 13
- No of Bedrooms: 2 + 1
- Total: 124
- Type A
- Block B
- Type A
- Build Up Area (sq ft): 1,494
- No. of Units: 296
- No. of Bedrooms: 3 + 1
- Type B
- Build Up Area (sq ft): 1,565
- No of Units: 120
- No of Bedrooms: 3 + 1
- Type E
- Build Up Area: 1,208
- No of Units: 62
- No of Bedrooms: 2 + 1
- Total 478
- Type A
- Block C
- Type C
- Build Up Area (sq ft): 1,450
- No. of Units: 22
- No. of Bedrooms: 3 + 1
- Type D
- Build Up Area (sq ft): 2,900 sg ft
- No of Units: 8
- No of Bedrooms: 3 + 1
- Total 30
- Type C
Facilities:
- Multi-Purpose Hall
- Gym
- Sauna & Steam Room
- Tennis Court
- Infinity Pool
- Wading Pool
- BBQ Area
- Playground
- Landscape Feature Pond
Project Features:
- Freehold
- Gated & Guarded
- Wide balcony with Dining and Living facing sea view
- 2 suite bathrooms for all 3 bedrooms
- Spectacular Sea view of the famous Batu Feringghi beach
- Resort Condo with lush landscape
Project Details
It is essentially 632 units with an interior built-up from 1,200 sq ft to 2,100 sq ft, equipped with the usual comforts that one can find inside a top grade condominium project. Big for young families and a nice touch for a holiday home in the sense that there are four bedrooms and it is proposed that there are also three attached bathrooms. Enough to accommodate a family with extended relatives out for a quick outing on Penang’s tourism scene.
Phase One of 210 units was completed this year, and phase two, has been opened up to public preview several weeks ago. With a gross development value around RM735 million, Mah Sing plans to build 632 units of freehold resort condominiums under phase two.
The built – up is from 1,208 sq ft to 2,900 sq ft and the prices which exceed RM1 million for some units allows the developer to market some elements of it to the overseas market. And be mindful, Penang has an estimated global diaspora of some 400,000 Penang born technocrats who are working all over developed nations, and some maintain affinity to the island state. It is a ready market that is waiting to be tapped. And residing in Batu Ferringhi if the proposed RM27 billion Penang Transport Masterplan does blossom in the next five years, is akin to staying inside a holiday home every day.
The new proposed connectivity roads and the expanded passage from Batu Ferringhi to George Town, will make travelling around the island a simpler daily task. The waterfall and beaches are just a 20 minutes apart if one prefers a stroll, so ideally, investing in the Ferringhi Residences makes sense, especially if one can afford a second or holiday unit. There are also amusement and recreational parks to explore – all within a 15 – minute drive.
Floor Plan
The layouts are similar to the Ferringhi Residences phase one in terms of allowing easy access to bedrooms and bathrooms. The kitchen is located behind and a laundry room is offered. More attention is given to making the living room and dining area spacious in view that many condo occupants tend to spend more time at those two areas during the day. And it is a fine touch to have a study room as nowadays, many young professionals tend to take their work home.
Location
For those thinking of staying long term in Batu Ferringhi, there is also a platform for quality internet connectivity so one would never feel detached from the workplace. Mah Sing has painstakingly also put up the right type of social amenities to create a feel of a resort like ambiance.
The project is situated behind the Penang Hill forest range and the Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve Park. It was learnt that there are no surrounding projects with acreage as large as that of Ferringhi Residence phase two.
The residents will be exposed to the tourism belt where culinary delights, shopping, resorts or hotels are within walking distance. The commercial neighbourhood is only about 900 metres down the strip road. But if one is prickly about construction noise, do bear in mind that the entire project has three phases invoked.
Phase one was just completed in 2015 while two more are underway. There is a third phase that will likely commenced soon enough in view that there was a 95% take up rate for Phase One. So residents need to bear up with the trucks filled with soil rummaging through as well as the piling and drilling. The consolation is that the project has low density, so at least there are no major skyscrapers to obstruct the view of either the pristine seafront or hill settings.
Do not be concerned about food or social amenities – it is available as the residences are located right in a tourism enclave. The nearest 7-Eleven convenience outlet is about 900 metres away, and there are a host of eateries, restaurants, laundromats, souvenir stalls – all within walking distance.
It is also just 500 metres from the Uplands International School. There is also the Pai Chai Chinese vernacular primary school and 15 km away, the public secondary schools. Further away – about 20 minutes drive, are the Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) College, Tenby International and Pelita International School.
To get to Ferringhi Residences, when driving along the Batu Ferringhi main road (coming from Tanjung Bungah), and upon seeing a traffic lights junction with the Holiday Inn Resort located on the right, turn left.
And drive for a stretch of some 700 metres, and you will see the majestic Ferrenghi Residences along the road – Jalan Sungai Satu. It is located at the tail end of the slightly bended road – the left.
Signage is quite evident along the path.
From the other side – the Balik Pulau area, follow the road with the signage of Teluk Bahang. Upon reaching Teluk Bahang, keep on the straight road leading to Batu Ferringhi and the Holiday Inn Resort will be located on the right turn of the traffic lights. Take the right turn, and one will, arrive at Jalan Sungai Satu, and follow on inside. The project will be on the left side.
Under the proposed transport masterplan, there are plans to offer additional roads to Batu Ferringhi. There are ample cab services that run from 7 am to 7 pm (after 7 pm, there is a surcharge imposed). For precision, there is also the smartphone app – based Uber taxi services available in the area.
Public transport is provided – Rapid Penang bus services plies the route, connecting the area with other parts of Penang from 6 am until midnight. One however needs to take a stroll for about 900 metres (the nearest bus stop is at the Holiday Inn Resort)
Because, it is located in a tourism area, expect to be treated to a wide array of food attractions nearby, especially Penang’s diverse street food which comes in all types of tastes.
As for safety and security, the developer has assured that it would be similar to phase one where a high number of CCTVs are installed as well as a perimetre wall. Phase two is marketed as a gated community, so security levels are expected to be higher than the usual standard at high rise living projects.
For healthcare, the nearest private clinic is between the nearby Park Royal Hotel and the Hard Rock Hotel. There are also doctors on call services provided in the resorts, so one drive down to the resorts and seek help. The nearest hospital is the Adventist Hospital about 12km away and a 25-minute drive if there is no sudden traffic congestion. Besides Adventists, there is a host of other hospitals including the public hospital – Penang Hospital that is about 16km away.
Analysis
Price Details
If one stays at Batu Ferringhi, the realistic expectation is the property prices will be higher compared to other localities. Simply because, it is smack in the middle of a tourism enclave, dotted with international class resorts and a sprawling commercial zone, catering to all fancies of tourism. So the launching price of RM870, 000 to RM1.4 million can be seen as reasonable although Penang is also in dire need for affordable housing units.
There are a few projects within the vicinity, which are slightly cheaper than Ferringhi Residences phase two, but without the social amenities and a resort like environment to go with it. The prices may fluctuate depending on the real estate market conditions but Penang continues to enjoy strong holding power as its long – term prognosis is bright. This is in spite of the present property slowdown which the country has blamed on rising living costs, tightening of credit and a dwindling national currency – the ringgit.
Manufacturing continues to power the state’s economy, so expect property prices to be steady except for a dip here and there.
Final Analysis
Since its sort launching a couple weeks back, there has been some 2,000 inquiries about Ferringhi Residences. Some of the online reviews have indicated that as an overwhelming response but this is often the case when it comes to Penang.
There is always a ready market of both expatriates, investors, rouge speculators and genuine buyers.
There is always a sinking feeling in Penang that due to its thriving economy, there is often a case of property prices spiking.
There is also a need for rationalisation and perhaps, the sort of slowdown now, is evident to this.
But it is best to understand that prices tend to rise here more often than it falls, so the trend to buy is there as the case of waiting too long, might see prices appreciating again. Mah Sing also intends to market phase two overseas, namely to Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan and China.
Batu Ferringhi also represents a good location for holiday homes. And with an international school nearby, there is also a good prospects for rental opportunities. Not to mention, rental could also be in high demand due to the presence of a high number of facilities to cater to the tourists.
So the hunch is to buy.
As in most properties in Penang, it is best to snap it up because prices tend to go higher due to a combination of factors.
Summary
Final Verdict
AFTER looking at the other projects touted to come on stream in the Batu Ferringhi area, the one under Mah Sing’s belt looks like a delectable choice. But one needs to be patient in weathering out the construction pace as only the phase one is completed.
Phase two and three parcels remain. But the pull of Batu Ferringhi as a tourist haven is always there.
Aside from the construction noise and debris as well as coping with congestion during the peak tourist seasons of mid to year ends, it is ideal to stay in a resort like feel.
