What’s A Mixed Development And Why Are They Popular?

PropertyGuru Editorial Team
What’s A Mixed Development And Why Are They Popular?
At PropertyGuru, we love to mix things up, and it turns out we’re not alone! Mixed developments are growing in popularity throughout Malaysia, creating new communities with outstanding access to integrated local amenities.
So what’s the deal with this mix development trend, why are they popular, and just how do you define a mixed development anyway?

What Is A Mixed Development?

A mixed development (or also known as an ‘integrated development’) is a residential property which is integrated with wider commercial, retail, entertainment, or even transport facilities.
Essentially it’s an integrated community which has everything you might need for exciting modern living in one large development.
As you might have guessed, these developments tend to be springing up in major urban areas such as the Klang Valley, so you’re unlikely to find such opportunities emerging in rural Perak any time soon.
But for those urbanites in Malaysia’s major towns and cities, these developments are unlocking new opportunities in urban living.
Many of Malaysia’s new mixed developments are based in the capital Kuala Lumpur, which may well be contributing to the rise in stock of luxury condominiums.
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This could be a factor in recent projections that a whopping 7,197 luxury condominiums were added to KL’s housing market in the second half of 2019.
It’s also likely to be a contributing factor in the additional 1.08 million square feet of office space taken up in KL in the first half of 2019.

Why Are Mixed Developments Popular?

Who wouldn’t want a cinema on their doorstep! Let’s face it, modern living is increasingly about convenience.
The growing popularity of Malaysia’s cities isn’t just about access to opportunities, although that’s obviously a big part, it’s also about access to amenities.
Mixed developments take that convenience to a whole new level, creating integrated residential developments with direct access to entertainment centres, malls, food and beverage outlets, shopping, transport, and sometimes even theme parks!
These transport-oriented developments in particular have become a focus point in Malaysia in recent years.
It’s not just living the high life either, but working it too! Mixed developments can be an attractive proposition for companies looking to enjoy a better working environment.
It can also help attract the kind of high-class talent that are after something a little bit special in their work space.

Exploring The Rise Of Mixed Developments

Mixed developments are quite literally on the rise! With major developments such as Malaysia’s new tallest building at Tun Razak Exchange counted among their number, let’s take a look at a few more examples:

1) Tun Razak Exchange

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It’s designed to be a high-density integrated development that combines 2.2 million square feet of city centre retail, commercial office space, hotels, and six residential towers with over 2,000 apartments.
If that doesn’t sound fancy enough already, the outstanding residences at TRX will boast access to a 10-acre public park, and direct link to KL MRT Line 1 and Line 2.

2) Bandar Malaysia

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Ah, yet another big development with big credentials. This RM140 billion mega project was reinstated last year, and is set to offer a 486-acre transit oriented development (TOD) and major transport hub at the site of the Sungai Besi Airport.
A major draw for Bandar Malaysia is the announcement that it will provide 10,000 affordable housing units, offering a fairly unique opportunity to access state-of-the-art living in a transit oriented development (TOD) for less affluent homebuyers.
However, the question of whether it will also boast the KL-Singapore High Speed Rail is yet to be answered.

3) Mid Valley City

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Mid Valley is an integrated development with ‘mall’ to offer than most — that’s because it’s uniquely positioned to enjoy access to the endless consumer joys of Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall.
The beautiful residences at Mid Valley City not only get all the entertainment and excitement of the nearby malls, you can even enjoy access to the Kelana Jaya LRT Line.
This is all thanks to a recently completed bridge linking KL Eco City and Gardens Mall, as well as being able to use the established KTM Mid Valley Megamall station.

4) KL Metropolis

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This project is spread over 75.5 acres of lucrative real estate on the edge of the desirable Damansara Heights, Sri Hartamas, Mont Kiara, and Bangsar neighbourhoods.
That’s quite the list of neighbours, and with connectivity through four major highways – Duke, NKVE, Sprint, Penchala – it won’t take long to explore the area.
Residents of the flagship MET1 residential development enjoy easy access to the likes of the following:
  • Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC)
  • Ministry of Trade and International Industry (MITI) building
  • Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) building
  • A lifestyle mall designed for a greener eco-focused shopping experience

5) Bukit Bintang City Centre

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BBCC is right at the heart of the action, making for one of the most convenient mixed developments in town.
This is luxury at the heart of the golden triangle, with the magnificent Lucentia Residences boasting 700 units across two connected blocks.
Amenities not only include in-house yoga areas, gyms, and infinity pools, but access to an entertainment hub and lifestyle mall, as well as connected transport hub.

6) Sunway City

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As it has the iconic Sunway Lagoon multi-attraction theme park on its doorstep, we don’t think life can get much better than that?
This flagship Sunway development transformed 800 acres of derelict mining land into one of Malaysia’s most iconic mixed developments.
There, combining office blocks, Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa, Sunway Pyramid shopping mall, a host of other commercial ventures, and of course condominiums and homes for some lucky theme-park-loving locals.
If you’re after luxury, you can soon enjoy a lakeside home at the exceptional Sunway GEOLake residences.

7) KL Gateway Menara Suezcap

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Now, this development has a particularly awesome selling point – it’s home to PropertyGuru Malaysia’s KL office!
The exceptional choice in tenants aside, KL Gateway offers an integrated development that combines state-of-the-art design with modern eco-urban living.
This ‘vertical township’ includes premium residences, retail opportunities, F&B outlets, corporate suites, and easy access to the Federal Highway and Universiti LRT Station.
With all this excitement on offer, you can probably see why mixed developments are enjoying such popularity. While Kuala Lumpur might be leading the way, it’s undoubtedly true that such developments are set to expand across Malaysia in years to come.
Thinking of exploring your own future in an integrated development? Get searching on PropertyGuru today!
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