OVR Construction Status as at 30/07/11

The Star article on Harbour Place

Condos, hotel coming up in B’worth.

The Star Online

THE developer of Harbour Place, a new township project in Butterworth, has launched the fourth phase of its trendy condominiums known as ‘Wellesley Residences.’ The project undertaken by PJD Eastern Land Sdn Bhd is located on a 12.1ha site in the heart of town. Currently, the township has three existing luxury condominiums and a hypermarket. A total of 401 new units will be built in a 27-storey and 30-storey blocks. The project will have a signature chic urban living concept with nine units per floor in a semi-detached setting.

Booming town: Lim (in suit), branch manager Wilfred Ng (right) and Ng Chin Yung (left) briefing customer Richard Chan (second left) on the Wellesley Residences project in Butterworth

PJD's Chief Operating Officer Lim Lian Seng is confident of luring investors to their properties here due to their proven track record. The company is a subsidiary of a Kuala Lumpur-based developer, PJ Development Holdings Berhad. The parent company has developed highly integrated development projects in various parts of the country. Lim said the name Wellesley Residences was derived from Seberang Prai’s former name of Province Wellesley.

He added that the units were designed to complement and enhance the requirements of modern urban living. They were designed to re- energise, rejuvenate and revitalise modern living concepts as the residents would enjoy a sky gymnasium, yoga, aerobic, recreational games, sauna and steam rooms, Jacuzzi, massage facilities, a sky lounge and a viewing deck on the rooftop.

Lim said a 26,666sq meter supermarket had been planned nearby to provide the convenience of shopping for residents at their doorsteps. Besides that, an educational institution and a 30-storey Swiss-Garden Hotel and Residences hospitality property, are additional facilities for the folks in Butter-worth. He said the hotel chain owned by the company would start construction at the end of the year.

Tips on living a happy, healthy life in your home

It is important to have a home where you feel safe and protected. But sometimes a true sense of security goes past bolted gates and locked windows. Many homeowners are concerned about the interior environment of their homes and how it affects the welfare of their family. Things like air quality and water conditions in a home impact the inhabitants' health and today's home buyers are becoming more and more aware of this when searching for their next property.

With so much focus on "green building" and environmentally-friendly materials, it is hard not to pick up on the fact that changes and improvements to housing construction are being made for a reason. In the midst of trying to protect our planet, we realize the same efforts work to protect ourselves. So what can we do inside the home to help create a healthy and happy environment for our families and guests? Here are a few quick suggestions:

1. Use natural or low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint and sealants (on outdoor decks or staircases)
2. Get some houseplants to produce oxygen and remove harmful pollutants from the air
3. Use chemical-free household cleaners
4. Replace regular products (such as dish detergent, hand soap and shampoo) with all-natural or non-chemical alternatives
5. Maintain air filters in your heating or AC unit with regular cleanings and replacements
6. Get an air purifier - a stand alone device that takes contaminants out of interior air
7. Steer clear of carpets because they hold mildew and dust, which lower air quality, and avoid synthetic carpets that cannot be recycled
8. Check the outdoor air quality in your city. If it is in "good condition," open your windows because oftentimes air pollution in your home is worse than outside and the fresh air will benefit you.
9. Look for mold in wet and moisture dense parts of your home, mainly in the bathrooms.

These few tips will make for a healthier lifestyle. With so much going on with our homes we often forget to help ourselves. Living comfortably in your own home is ideal in the climate we live in today. Whether you own a loft, condo, or household take the time to inspect. If you are just moving into a new home, ask the realtor if there are any mold problems. These suggestions can help reduce allergies, make it easier to sleep, and provide your family and yourself a few less sneezes in the future.

Based on an article by Matthew M. Norton

Harbour Place Appreciation Night

PJD organized this event to thank all the purchasers of Harbour Place and as a token of appreciation for all their support.

The guests were entertained by a very talented all-girl band and had the crowd swaying to their tunes and rhythm for most of the night.

The buffet dinner by Swiss-Garden was well received by the guest and everyone truly had their appetites satisfied.

There was even a mini-bar with bartenders to keep the guests happy.

And for the children, there was a "fishing game" to keep them occupied as well.

They also took this opportunity to introduce their latest residential project in Harbour Place, Wellesley Residences, to the purchasers and gave them first priority at owning this ultra chic luxury condominium that is Chic Urban Living. Redefined. And it was certainly the main attraction for the night.

The state-of-art scale model of Wellesley Residences also had its share of admirers.

The Sales Team really had their hands as people were virtually lining up to purchase Harbour Place's latest addition - Wellesley Residences.

There was press conference by PJD's Chief Operating Officer Mr. Lim Lian Seng, Branch Manager Mr. Wilfred Ng and Senior Marketing Manager Mr. Ng Chin Yung.

The lucky draw was the final event of the night. A handful of lucky guest went home that night with some wonderful prizes.

Anyway, it was certainly a memorable event and Harbour Place lighted up Butterworth's evening sky again with its latest offering, Wellesley Residences.

Icon Coming Up

New pride of Penang

By ZALINAH NOORDIN
zalinah@thestar.com.my Photos by GARY CHEN

The 24km-long second Penang bridge is 54% completed and it is on track to be completed by Nov, 2013, said former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. He said this assurance was given by the host of contractors involved in constructing the super structure linking Batu Maung on the island to Batu Kawan in Seberang Prai.

Abdullah also said that the project would also incorporate a uniquely designed technology known as High Damping Rubber Bearing (HDRB). The RM4.5bil project is the first to use the HDRB technology which is designed to withstand the effects of earthquakes.

“HDRB is an innovative tool to protect not only the structure but also the materials and contents inside the structure,” Abdullah said. “This feature is useful for critical structures as it can stand the test of time. “I am also proud that the HRDB is designed by a Malaysian and like all Penangites, I am eagerly awaiting the completion of the bridge.

“The bridge will definitely be breathtaking,” he said. He was speaking after attending a briefing session on the bridge’s progress work at the China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC) (M) Sdn Bhd office in Batu Maung yesterday. Present was Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Dr Ismail Mohamed Taib.

Abdullah also expressed satisfaction with the progress of the construction which comprised five packages including the RM2.2bil substructure by China-based CHEC and the RM1.5bil superstructure by Malaysia’s own UEM Builders Bhd. The three main contractors for overland connections are Cergas Murni Sdn Bhd (for the RM67mil Batu Maung link), IJM Corp Bhd (RM350mil Batu Kawan link) and HRA Teguh Sdn Bhd (RM152mil link to North-South Highway).

The bridge is set to be the longest in South-East Asia.

Condos for First-Time Home Buyers

Home ownership is a dream for many people who simply want some place to call their own. It is nice, of course, to build equity and plant roots, but one of the main perks of owning a home is the sense of stability it affords. That applies whether you are in your 20s or in your 80s, or anywhere in between. Though most people own more than one house during the course of their lives, there are many reasons why condos are worth a look from first-time home buyers.

Homecare
Anyone who owns a home knows the time and expense associated with keeping it up. From lawn care to leaf litter removal, appliance upkeep to utility costs, there is a lot that goes into owning a home. Since condo associations take care of much of the maintenance, owning a condo is a great way for people to step into home ownership, rather than taking a plunge that will change their life completely.

Costs
People who rent often do not think about all the costs that go into owning a home. The cost to cool, heat and provide electricity to a single-family home can be hundreds of dollars each month. Many people who have never owned their own home fail to consider such costs until they buy a home and the bills start coming. Such costs are not as high in condos.

Space
Given that most first-time home buyers are relatively young, they have not yet had a lot of time to collect stuff like furniture, appliances and knick-knacks. So while condos in many cases offer less space than single-family homes, they likely have plenty for most first-time buyers. Rather than having to buy multiple chairs or beds to fill up the rooms of a single-family home, first-time buyers who opt for condos can add pieces over time.

Work
It is common to see young professionals making a condo their first home. The choice makes sense because they likely are close to their office. It is nice to for them to cut down on their commute because the reality is that many young professionals find themselves working many more than 40 hours per week. If they have to tack an hour or more of commuting to their already full days, they may have little or no free time.

Based on an article by Andy Asbury.