Eco Park still attracting buzz after 2yrs

Eco Park still attracting buzz after 2yrs

SHAH ALAM: SP Setia Bhd's residential development, Setia Eco Park, is still attracting a lot of interest, including foreigners although it has been two years now since the launch of the eco-living project in 2005.

SP Setia created some interest in Barcelona, Spain last week when it won in the Master Plan category of the FIABCI Prix d'Excellence Awards 2007 for its Setia Eco Park development, which is part of its 1,600ha freehold Setia Alam township near Shah Alam.

The Prix d'Excellence is an international award accorded by Paris-headquartered Federation of International Real Estate (FIABCI). It is the most prestigious of global real estate accolades.

Chief executive officer Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin said SP Setia was honoured that its groundbreaking Setia Eco Park development has won worldwide acclaim.

"When we first embarked on this project we aimed to redefine the Malaysian residential landscape by weaving the development theme around an eco-rich concept.

"It is indeed gratifying that our efforts have been recognised globally. The recognition will spur SP Setia to pursue even higher standards of excellence in the many new and exciting projects we have lined up for the future," Liew said.

Setia Eco Park, which is scheduled for completion by 2014 is a 791-acre low-density township with an estimated gross development value of RM3.5bil and comprises semidetached and bungalows. Upon completion, Setia Eco Park will have 2,945 units of residences with a ratio of 3.7 units per acre.

The township includes a 25-acre park with amphitheatre and entrance statement, 60 acres of forest park and 94 acres of land set aside for the waterways, lakes and creeks to encourage residents to re-connect with nature.

Liew said there were many factors that led to the project's success. The most attractive feature about Setia Eco Park is the ecologically friendly landscaping.

He said most of all was the exclusivity and uniqueness of the development – only bungalows and semi-detached residences built around an eco-landscape environment, yet within easy reach to Kuala Lumpur City Centre, which is only 20 minutes away.

To further promote eco sensitivity, the developer has worked with Pusat Tenaga to introduce solar energy into the development and has recently teamed up with a local heat transfer specialist to transfer heat generated from air-conditioners into water-heaters to minimise electricity usage.

It has also hired experts from the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Penang Butterfly Farm and Malaysia Fisheries Dept to help the group to set up its own nursery on site to cultivate and plant the right flowering plants, foliage and shrubs to attract birds and insects, including butterflies and squirrel to the tropical sanctuary.

The ecologically balanced environment that will become a haven for plants, birds and butterflies has become a hit among those who appreciate nature.

To date, 725 units of bungalows and semidees have been sold. SP Setia is currently launching phase five, six and eight for sale.

Phase five comprised of 32 units of special edition eco villas series modern bungalows priced between RM1.2mil to RM2mil.

The urban villas series under phase eight features 56 units of semidetached priced from RM800,000 and 30 units of bungalows priced from RM1.2mil while. Phase six or the grandeur series offers 55 bungalow lots averaging 20,000 sq ft are priced from RM2mil onwards.