ARC, Austin Heights, Johor Bahru

If you weren’t told that the unit you were viewing was a mere 650sq ft large, you wouldn’t have guessed it just by standing inside.

Fitted within dimensions normally reserved for single-room studio units, ARC’s smallest units at 650sq ft (Type A) accommodated TWO spacious bedrooms and TWO sizable bathrooms along with a decent sized hall, a kitchen and even a yard to boot!

Now that’s neat magic.

Where did they find the space to fit all this in you may wonder?

Fortunately, Datuk Seri Vincent Tiew, developer and managing director of Casa Andaman, the creator of ARC, was on hand to answer.

Apparently most architects will approach a design from outside in, from door to room, he revealed, but, “Our architect designed ARC from inside out ─ meaning from room to door.”

Zone Architect were the people behind the magic.

ARC, said Tiew in many of his interviews on air and in print, was designed from the outset for the young family just starting out in life and seeking their first ‘easy-on-the-wallet’ home buy. Thus, there are no studio units despite the smallish sizes. Furthermore, prices are set in such a way that ARC genuinely answers the call for quality but affordable housing. It isn’t often that one can find luxury apartments set in a prime location starting at the figure 2.

You can judge from the pictures below whether or not these units provide space enough for the young family to manoeuvre and grow comfortably.  This is the Type A unit at 650sq ft.

Showroom unit: 2R2B Type A 650sq ft

This is the view you see as you step in from the entrance. Note the clever combination of dining with kitchen

Another view of the kitchen, the island counter, the fridge and the counter top with hood and hob and window placement

Yet another view of the same hall and dining and kitchen taken from their 360 view from their website at austinjb.com.my

Here is the Master Bedroom. It is not at all cramped. This view offers a sneak peek of the entrance to the attached bathroom

Here is the 360 view of the other side of the bedroom. Pic captured from their website austinjb.com.my

Here is the Master Bath

This is the 360 view of the same Master Bath

This is the 2nd bedroom. Again note, it fits a nice queen-sized bed, wardrobe, side table and shelves!

And here is the SECOND bathroom! It is not at all constricted

Here is the 360 view of the same 2nd bathroom

Landmark V, T and A?

But let’s start talking about the project from the top.

There are three blocks to 34 and 35-storey ARC, with altogether 1,843 units housed in towers A, B and C, with each one shaped and oriented differently to catch engaging views of different parts of Austin Heights.

There is also probably some meaning or coincidence to the blocks being shaped like initials to a name. What do you think?

Bird’s Eye View of ARC

As can be seen from this picture, Block C overlooks the golf course directly over Holes 16 and 17 where you tee off, the section of the game said to be the most exciting

Block C is V-shaped and has the best view of all. It directly overlooks the 18-hole Austin Heights championship Golf Course. Or specifically, “Over Hole 16 and 17 where you tee off,” as Tiew enlightened.

Ah!

The other side of the V-shape provides a vista of Austin Heights with a view of some of the schools, the F&B outlets, Aeon Big, the Hockey Stadium and so on.

Apart from the great views, Block C comes fully furnished as well and is sold at a very reasonable flat rate fixed price before discounts.  (For a full list of the furniture and fittings, please scroll up to the Intro section).

A picture of the 3D model of ARC. The T-shape of Block B can be clearly seen here. Block B is the tallest Block at 35 floors. Although the development has around 21 units per floor, there are 4 to 5 lifts (depending on which block) serving the units.

Block B is interestingly T-shaped. It provides three views for residents ─ overlooking the residential enclave of Taman Daya, overlooking the Olympic-sized swimming pool below and overlooking the landscaped garden for Tai Chi, the outdoor gym and so on. Of course, there are views of the golf greens in the horizon.

Block A is a straightforward block. On the one side, it overlooks the Olympic-sized swimming pool below while the other side provides a panorama of the serene expanse of Taman Daya as well as Taman Setia Indah.

Apart from golfing views and opportunities, ARC also offers a true Olympic-sized swimming pool

Floor Plans and Types

There are three types of floor plans for all three blocks. All of them regardless of size, incorporate practical features and adequate living space designed for growing a family.

This is because ARC’s target market, as Tiew explained, would be young individuals and young families, especially those looking for their first homes. This is also why there are no studio units.

Type A at 650sq ft has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a workable kitchen and even a small yard.

Type B at 850sq ft has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a good sized kitchen and a yard.

Type C at 900sq ft has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, also a good sized kitchen and a yard.

Ideal for starting up a family, this plan features 2 rooms and 2 bathrooms over 650 square feet of space

A larger variant for a bigger family, the plan features 3 rooms and 2 bathrooms over 850 square feet of space

For that little extra room for the family, the plan features 3 rooms and 2 bathrooms but over 900 square feet of space

For the details, please studythe Specifications Chart given above

Facilities

The Facilities Layout at a glance

Despite its affordable price tag, ARC gives due consideration for you and your family’s wellness and wellbeing and thus comes with the full range of condominium facilities that supports this philosophy.

Nothing soothes the mind like a great view of beauty and serenity

“If you’re looking to keep yourself in shape, head to the gym. If you’re looking to let your worries float away, dive into the swimming pool. If you’re in need of a place to chill with friends or family, get together at the outdoor sky garden,” says ARC’s website.

The following pictures show some of these facilities.

A tranquil Zen pond filled with Koi

BBQ, Day Care, Game Room, and Cafeteria on a landscaped garden

A Ful-Fledged Gym for your workouts

A Playground for children as well as adults

Yes, it is really Olympic-sized

For your peace of mind — Perimeter Fencing and Guard Patrols, not to mention CCTV surveillance

A posh, welcoming lobby to usher you home

Day Care and Kindergarten Services in safe, secure surroundings

ARC is a joint venture between Andaman Group and Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru (MBJB). It is an upscale development sold at midrange prices, something that the group is known for  ̶  that is, selling at 20% lower than the nearest competition  ̶  which is totally in keeping with their business philosophy.

Andaman’s homes targets those in the ‘tween RM5,000 to RM10,000 household income bracket looking for homes they not only can afford, but that also promises good ROI in terms of appreciation and rental yield.