Thursday, September 15, 2022

The country's overhang situation as a whole is getting better, but the numbers are still very high

 By Sharen Kaur - September 15, 2022 

Malaysia's overall overhang situation is improving, but the statistics are still very high. Developers are advised to construct homes that are both in demand and affordable to homebuyers. Photo/Sharen Kaur

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The country's overall overhang situation improved in the first half of 2022 (1H2022), with a drop of 7.5 per cent to 34,092 units from 2H2021 in terms of volume and a drop of 4.6 per cent to RM21.73 billion in terms of value, according to the National Property Information Centre's (Napic) semi-annual report.

Napic said the overhang situation for serviced apartments has improved with more than 22,000 units worth RM19.32 billion registered in 1H2022, a 6.7 per cent decrease in numbers compared to the second half of last year.

Roughly 89 per cent of the entire overhang was made up of units priced RM500,000 and above.

According to Napic data, Johor has the largest overhang in the nation at 68 per cent (15,423 units), followed by Kuala Lumpur at 18.9 per cent (4,279 units) and Selangor at 9.9 per cent (2,248 units). Penang came in second with more than 5,000 units valued at RM3.64 billion.

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To minimise mismatch and control the overhang situation in the near future, Datuk Indera Mohd Shahar Abdullah, the deputy finance minister, urged property developers and authorities to pay attention to the overhang data and ensure that houses built were in line with buyers' demand and affordability.

To ensure that the choices made are the right ones and do not contribute to the overhang stock in the future, he also advised stakeholders in the property sector to consult Napic's Unsold Property Enquiry System Malaysia portal before planning new developments and carrying out a comprehensive feasibility study.

Meanwhile, as of the end of June 2022, there were over 24 million square metres of purpose-built office space available countrywide, with an occupancy rate of 77.7 per cent - down from 78.5 per cent the previous year.

Mohd Shahar said the supply situation for purpose-built offices and shopping centres is increasingly challenging.

He advised building owners to consider more cost-effective use choices so that the utilisation of space may be maximised to present a more favourable picture of the country's investment potential, particularly during the era of economic recovery.

The Napic data showed that the performance of shopping centres weakened in 1H2022, with the national occupancy rate falling slightly to 75.7 per cent from 76.37 per cent in 2H2021.

Overall, the local real estate market had over 188,000 transactions totaling RM84 billion in 1H 2022.

According to Mohd Shahar, both the number and value of transactions recorded in the first half grew by more than 30 per cent as compared to the same period the previous year.

He said transaction activities and value increased across the board for all property subsectors, including residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and development land.

Roughly 116,178 transactions totaling RM45.62 billion were registered in the residential subsector. This represented year-over-year growth of 32.2 per cent in value and 26.3 per cent in transaction volume.

Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, and Selangor accounted for 47 per cent of the overall transactions.

Johor also saw the newest residential launches, accounting for nearly 23.8 per cent of all units nationally, or 2,509 units, with a performance rate of sales of 31.8 per cent. Johor was followed by Sabah (1,335 units, or 12.7 per cent share, with 10.6 per cent sales rate), and Perak (1,317 units, or 12.5 per cent share, with 19.4 per cent sales rate).

Terrace houses dominated the new debuts, accounting for 68.2 per cent of the total with a 22 per cent sales rate.



Homebuyers are prioritising location first because of the recent flooding and landslides

 By Kathy B. - September 12, 2022 Picture for illustration purpose only. Pixabay/Photo

Potential homebuyers are concerned about how flash floods and landslides may affect houses in the long run, according to the findings of PropertyGuru Malaysia's latest Consumer Sentiment Study for H2 2022 (CSS H2 2022).

Nearly 92 per cent of the 801 respondents said floods were their major concern, while 83 per cent were worried about landslides.

With environmental consciousness on the rise, buyers are increasingly looking to sustainable homes and features as major factors when choosing a home, said Sheldon Fernandez, country manager, Malaysia (PropertyGuru.com.my and iProperty.com.my)

Respondents also mentioned that solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and food waste composting are key characteristics to have in the future, and that one-third of respondents in the higher income group are willing to pay more for a property with electric vehicle charging stations.

"While the location has always been one of the key considerations for home seekers in Malaysia, we will now see more people increasingly prioritise this due to the flooding events in the past year. The higher awareness of eco-friendly facilities and features is likely linked to ongoing climate change issues as well. Consumers are now more conscious of current issues and are now making eco-friendly decisions in hopes of making a change.

"With many losing or their homes damaged in the past year, it is evident that these natural disasters have made a lasting impact, as in the CSS H2 2022, 66 per cent of the respondents said they are willing to pay a higher insurance premium on their property for climate change effects as nobody foresees their home being struck by a flood or any natural disaster," he said.

An online questionnaire was used to poll the respondents on the property and property-related topics. The respondents are white-collar professionals, blue-collar workers, and businessmen, with respondents in the mid to high-income segment (68 per cent), and in the low-income segment (25 per cent).

Technology will continue to play a major role in the property market

According to the last Consumer Sentiment Study in H1 2022, two-thirds of Malaysians would be comfortable shortlisting and viewing properties online, while one-fourth would be comfortable signing deals online.

This indicates that consumers have become more tech-savvy as a result of the pandemic's reliance on digital transactions, according to Fernandez.

He said that this tendency is continuing in the most recent CSS H2 2022 poll, as more than half of respondents believe that upcoming technologies such as artificial intelligence, property aggregation platforms, and digital housing societies will be beneficial in their homeownership journey.

This suggests that technology will continue to play a significant role in the property market, and the desire for digital access to property-related decisions will most certainly continue in the coming years, he said.

Fernandez believes that potential homebuyers are beginning to contemplate acquiring property in the metaverse and that this trend is likely to continue because customers have acclimated to digital solutions and platforms more than ever in the last two years.

"We are interested to see how emerging technologies will change and evolve in the industry in the coming years," he said.

Wait-and-see

With the continued recession, inflation, price increases, and an increase in the overnight policy rate (OPR), prospective homeowners are projected to maintain their wait-and-see attitude.

This, according to Fernandez, is to be expected until the total cost of living has stabilised.

"With the Budget 2023 announcement coming up soon, we are hopeful that there will be allocations that can help spur the property market and aid those that are planning to embark on their homeownership journey," he said.

According to the survey, more than 69 per cent of those polled intend to purchase a home if the Home Ownership Campaign is reinstated.

The poll also discovered that potential homebuyers face affordability challenges during their home-buying journey, with 51 per cent of respondents realising that they are ineligible for government affordable housing programmes and are unable to purchase property without financial aid.

Fernandez said that with the OPR increase, on top of the consumer price index climbing to a year-on-year high of 4.4 per cent, potential homeowners may continue to encounter affordability challenges amid concerns about the prolonged global recession and inflation rates.

"About half of the respondents surveyed stated that they do not qualify for government housing schemes and may not be able to afford to purchase a property without assistance," he said.

According to the report, 73 per cent of respondents understand the eligibility requirements for affordable housing, indicating that potential homebuyers will continue to explore alternative government housing initiatives to assist their homeownership journeys.

Mah Sing sells land in Penang to raise money for growth

 By Sharen Kaur - Published in NST Property, September 13, 2022 

KUALA LUMPUR  15 MARCH 2018. Mah Sing Group Managing Director Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum with reporters visit Mah Sing Group new employer value proposition its newly renovated headquarters. NSTP/SAIFULLIZAN TAMADI.


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Mah Sing Group Bhd, one of the biggest property development companies in Malaysia by asset size, intends to use the money raised from the sale of an undeveloped plot of land in Penang to buy more land in the future.

Its wholly owned subsidiary Klassik Tropika Development Sdn Bhd is selling a parcel of land measuring 13,695 square metres in Georgetown's Pykett Avenue off Jalan Burma to Morningjoy Sdn Bhd for RM66.33 million in cash.

Mah Sing said in a stock exchange filing that Klassik Tropika bought the land in 2009 for planned high-end condominium construction.

The land is now unencumbered save for being mostly flat and unoccupied. The land's net book value as of June 30, 2022, is RM61.85 million.

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After deducting all anticipated costs associated with the exercise, Mah Sing anticipates recording a gain of RM1.8 million following the conclusion of the sale in the fourth quarter of this year.

Mah Sing said the disposal of the land is in line with the group's strategy to focus more on its "M-Series" type of residential land for the development of affordable properties that are in line with current market demand.

"Disposal of the land and replacement with M-Series lands with faster turnaround time will help optimise the efficiency of the group's landbank. The proceeds unlocked from monetising the undeveloped land will free up cash for utilisation by the group for future land acquisitions.

"As the loan facility for the land has been fully settled, the proceeds from the disposal are expected to enhance the cash and bank position of the group," it said.

KPJ to sell vacant land in Australia to a unit of Johor Land for AU$6.5mil

 By Sharen Kaur - Published in NST Property, September 14, 2022 

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KPJ Healthcare Bhd is selling two plots of unoccupied freehold development land with a total area of 10.94 hectares for AU$6.5 million in Queensland, Australia.

Its subsidiary Jeta Gardens (QLD) Pty Ltd and JLand Australia Pty Ltd entered into a commercial land and buildings (CCLB) contract for the intended sale of the sites as mentioned above on Sept 12.

KPJ said in a filing with the stock exchange yesterday that the parties reached a "willing buyer-willing seller" agreement on the selling price.

It said that Jeta Gardens had commissioned an independent professional valuation on the said lands, which were valued at AU$6.5 million.

Kumpulan Perubatan (Johor) Sdn Bhd, a fully-owned subsidiary of KPJ, owns 57 per cent of Jeta Gardens, which runs elderly care facilities and a retirement village in Bethania, Queensland.

Johor Land Berhad, a unit of Johor Corporation, is the sole owner of JLand Australia.

The filing showed that the directors of KPJ, Khairuddin Jaflus, Rozaini Mohd Sani, and Shamsul Anuar Abd Majid, are also directors of Johor Land.

According to KPJ's statement with the stock exchange, the proposed disposal will allow the group to dispose of its non-core assets as part of carrying out its transformation plan and cost optimisation.

KPJ's president and managing director, Datuk Mohd Shukrie Mohd Salleh, announced in July this year that the group would be selling its operations in Australia and Indonesia during the next 12 to 24 months as part of its rationalisation strategy to promote growth post-Covid-19.

The private healthcare group operates six businesses abroad, including two hospitals in Indonesia, the aged care facilities and the retirement village, and the loss-making Jeta Gardens.

Additionally, KPJ has operations in Thailand and Bangladesh.

Regarding the sale of Jeta Gardens, it was reported in 2018 that KPJ was in discussions with an Australian entity operating in a related industry.

According to Mohd Shukrie, the KPJ board had authorised measures to streamline its overseas activity, which included selling Jeta Gardens and two of its hospitals in Indonesia.

Saturday, September 10, 2022

Kerjaya Prospek Property gets RM100mil in green financing from AmBank for a hotel in the Old Klang Road area

 By NST Property - September 8, 2022

A rendering of Bloomsvale with the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel. Image from bloomsvale.com.my

Kerjaya Prospek Property has secured an RM100 million green financing arrangement with AMMB Holdings Bhd (AmBank) to develop the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Bloomsvale, a mixed-use project along Old Klang Road.

Bloomsvale sits on 5.2 acres of freehold land and includes the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, two blocks of serviced apartments, office suites, and a shopping mall. It has a gross development value (GDV) of RM1.2 billion.

The first component of Bloomsvale, a service apartment block, was launched in 2019.

GreenRE will award the project a platinum certification for its residential area and a gold rating for its commercial structures.

The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel is a collaboration between the developer and Luxury Hotels International Management, a subsidiary of Marriott International. This 4-star hotel will have a total of 276 rooms.

Datin Toh Siew Chuon, executive chairman of Kerjaya Prospek Property, said that this green loan demonstrates the company's commitment to incorporate more sustainable projects in its portfolio and to be more responsible in its development and construction.

"We are optimistic about embracing green initiatives and we will be launching more green developments in the near future," she said yesterday after signing the facility agreement with AmBank.

There is increasing demand for green finance this year, says AmBank group chief executive officer Datuk Sulaiman Mohd Tahir. NSTP/File Photo
There is increasing demand for green finance this year, says AmBank group chief executive officer Datuk Sulaiman Mohd Tahir. NSTP/File Photo

AmBank group chief executive officer Datuk Sulaiman Mohd Tahir said, there is increasing demand for green finance this year.

He said that AmBank has obtained around RM400 million in green finance loans in the first quarter of its fiscal year 2023 (FY2023).

Last year, the bank disbursed over RM3.7 billion in loans through green financing solutions, one of which is to push green construction.

Sulaiman said AmBank supports this green financing because this is what the group's customers expect. 

"As an entity that provides loans, we want to make sure that businesses are a part of our initiatives, to reduce Co2 emissions and that there is a measure to it," he told reporters.

Sulaiman said that the bank is happy with Kerjaya Prospek Property's achievement in adopting environmentally friendly decisions for Bloomsvale.

He said that this project is in keeping with AmBank's efforts to strengthen and optimise its financing facilities in order to provide a better experience for clients as part of the group's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sustainability drive.

"We are pleased to support Kerjaya Prospek Property in the green endeavours and we look forward to the endless possibilities that this partnership might bring in the future," added Sulaiman.




The Linc KL now has new retailers

 By Sharen Kaur - Published in NST Property, September 9, 2022 

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The LINC KL, a nature-inspired mall on the corner of Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur that opened its doors in November 2018, is extending its retail offerings.

The mall will welcome Ascen Pharmacy, which is expected to open before the end of the year on Level 1.

Huckleberry Café, a well-known food and beverage establishment, is set to debut on the ground level in the first quarter of next year. This neighbourhood artisan bakery and café will offer fresh pastries, bread, rustic cakes, and various tasty cuisine and drinks.

In the following months, Beard Bear Barbershop will also open its doors to shoppers on Level 2.

"Despite the challenges of the last two years, we are optimistic that The LINC KL will continue to thrive and carve its path as a unique lifestyle community hub," said Low Eng Hooi, chief executive officer of PPB Properties.

The LINC KL is managed by PPB Properties, the property subsidiary of PPB Group Bhd.

The mall has recently attracted several new tenants, including SOULed Out Ampang. Since its opening in May 2022, this popular restaurant has experienced a steady stream of customers, making it one of the area's newest hotspots.

The mall is intended to provide visitors with a more well-rounded shopping experience with the current batch of intriguing new tenants. This adds to the mall's unique tenant mix, with over 40 per cent more local F&B choices and a 7.2 per cent rise in health and beauty offerings.

The two-story mall has a net lettable area of 133,085 square feet and was designed to retain seven enormous pre-existing trees on the 3.67-acre site.

The LINC KL has a current occupancy rate of 96.2 per cent, Hooi said.

Lagenda aims to dispel the myth that houses in Selangor are out of reach for the average person

 By Sharen Kaur - Published in NST Property, September 9, 2022 

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Lagenda Properties Bhd seeks to dispel the impression that landed properties in Selangor are out of reach for the general people with its latest development in Bernam Jaya, says its managing director, Datuk Jimmy Doh.

The company will develop a 77.3ha tract of development land in Bernam Jaya, after winning a competitive selection process carried out by Kumpulan Hartanah Selangor Bhd (KHSB).

It intends to construct roughly 2,300 units of single-storey terraced houses and semi-detached homes costing below RM250,000, Doh told NST Property when contacted.

The estimated gross development value is about RM550 million.

"Conscious of the urgent need for more affordable homes within Selangor, given its high population, we intend to provide landed homes that are not only affordable but also a part of a sustainable and well-planned township," Doh said.

In a statement recently, Lagenda said that its wholly-owned unit, Blossom Eastland Sdn Bhd, has formed a partnership with KHSB, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Selangor government, to develop the land in the Bernam Jaya township.

This is the company's first venture into Selangor, adding to its foothold in Perak, Kedah, Johor, and Pahang.

According to Doh, Lagenda picked Selangor because of the state's vast population and lack of affordable housing.

"We believe that once people have the security of owning their home, it enables them to alleviate home ownership concerns and plan their future with more confidence and optimism," he said.

The property is around 75 kilometres from the city centre of Kuala Lumpur and is easily accessible via the North-South Expressway.

It is expected to promote the northern corridor's socioeconomic progress.

Doh hoped to begin development in stages in the fourth quarter of next year.

"As we continue to roll out more affordable townships nationwide, we believe that the partnership is a crucial step towards cementing its reputation of being at the forefront of affordable housing.

"We genuinely care about making a difference, changing lives for the better, and enabling Malaysians to realise their home ownership dreams. Our continued growth through established partnerships with like-minded organisations enables us to provide everyone with an opportunity to own their own home," he said.



Saturday, August 27, 2022

Coins of the Sikh Empire and the Cis-Sutlej States


This book - Coins of the Sikh Empire and the Cis-Sutlej States - was recently published and is available for sale in the market. 

The authors for this high-quality and very valuable book are Saran Singh Sidhu and Dalwinder Singh Sidhu


Read more here:

https://sikhnumismaticsandmedals.blogspot.com/


For details on the sale of this book, please contact: dalwin67@gmail.com 




 

Friday, August 26, 2022

Public Bank to mobilise RM40bil in ESG financing by 2025, says its chief

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Public Bank Bhd will mobilise RM40 billion in ESG (environmental, social, and governance) friendly financing by 2025, including increasing customer access to green building financing, says its managing director and chief executive officer (CEO), Tan Sri Dr. Tay Ah Lek.

This was in addition to a goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and carbon neutrality by 2030, he said.

He said this in a statement released by Eco World Development Group Bhd (EcoWorld) following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today to offer consumers buying EcoWorld houses a special sustainable financing package.

EcoWorld is giving green and sustainable development financing for properties developed by the company which has received green certifications from the Green Building Index, GreenRE, and other accreditation agencies.

According to Tay, the agreement is significant since it establishes a partnership between EcoWorld and the banking group to improve the environment.

"It also presents a good opportunity for Public Bank and EcoWorld to jointly promote the green building agenda and be part of the global climate solution for a sustainable planet," he said in the statement.

Tay said the property industry makes up a sizeable portion of the country's gross domestic product, but studies have shown that it also accounts for roughly 40 per cent of the world's carbon emissions, making it a key player in attempts to slow down global warming.

"This MOU signing is a step in the right direction as EcoWorld is addressing the sector's climate impact through the conceptualisation, design, and construction of many sustainable projects in the country, including in Klang Valley, Johor, and Penang," he said.

Since the beginning of 2016, Public Bank has provided funding for two projects by EcoWorld namely Eco Grandeur and Eco Business Park V (EBP V).

Eco Grandeur is EcoWorld's largest township and is located in the Klang Valley's developing Puncak Alam growth corridor, while Eco Business Park V is one of a series of green industrial parks being developed by the firm in the same corridor.

The two projects' combined land area is close to 2,300 acres.

EcoWorld and Public Bank collaborate to offer sustainable financing choices to homebuyers

 By Sharen Kaur - Published in NST Property on August 26, 2022 

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Eco World Development Group Bhd will provide green and sustainable development financing for the properties that the company develops.

The company today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Public Bank Bhd to provide consumers with its special sustainable financing package for the purchase of EcoWorld properties that have earned green certifications from Green Building Index, GreenRE, and other accreditation agencies

The package is a part of Public Bank's green initiatives, which seek to encourage individuals and businesses to adopt environmentally friendly practices and lessen their carbon footprints.

It covers the financing of both residential and non-residential assets in accordance with Public Bank's Green 5HOME Plan and Green SWIFT Plan.

Attractive features offered include discounted pricing, fast lane approval, and a financing option for customers looking to upgrade the sustainability aspects of their houses with eco-friendly and energy-efficient appliances, fixtures, and fittings.

EcoWorld's president and chief executive officer, Datuk Chang Khim Wah, expressed his company's pleasure at working with Public Bank to encourage their respective customers to embrace sustainability in their residences, places of employment, and daily lives.

"The need to take proactive steps to combat climate change has never been more urgent. With Public Bank as our partner, it is easier and more affordable for customers now to own a green-certified property. On our part, we will continue to pursue sustainable development, promote green living and invest in green certification for our projects. This is a commitment we made since we first established the EcoWorld brand and to date, close to 90 per cent of our projects are green accredited," he said.

Chang said from an environmental, economic, and societal standpoint, Eco Grandeur, Eco Business Park V (EBP V), and Laman Haris (Settler Home Precinct) are EcoWorld's most comprehensive expressions of the company's sustainability objectives to date.

"As a developer, our greatest desire is to create outstanding living, working, and recreational spaces that will positively impact lives and livelihoods. Today, less than six years since we first acquired the lands in 2016, the entire corridor where Eco Grandeur and EBP V are situated has become a thriving residential, commercial, and industrial hub," he said.

Chang thanked Public Bank for supporting EcoWorld during construction on the nearly two-decade-old abandoned site.

Social justice issues were also addressed when Eco Grandeur successfully finished and handed over 987 landed units to the original inhabitants of the land who had waited more than 20 years for their dream homes, following the project's abandonment by the original developers.

Azmir: Sime Darby Property delivered five property projects in H1 2022 despite the challenge of labour shortage

By Sharen Kaur - Published in NST Property on August 26, 2022 


Sime Darby Property Bhd has delivered five property projects so far this year and is optimistic that it would complete seven more before the year is through, its group managing director Datuk Azmir Merican said.

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Sime Darby Property Bhd delivered five real estate projects in the first half of this year (H1 2022), despite the fact that a labour shortage caused delays on roughly 30 per cent of the developments.

According to the company's group managing director Datuk Azmir Merican, there is still a 50 per cent labour deficit in the present, down from 60 per cent in the first half of 2022.

Azmir anticipates that the labour shortage issue will be overcome within the next two months and that it would hire more workers to accelerate its progress by the end of the fourth quarter of this year (4Q22).

He was also confident that Sime Darby Property would be able to complete seven more projects by the end of the year.

"We have managed to bring down delayed projects due to labour shortage to around five to 10 per cent now from 20 to 30 per cent. So, we will be able to hand over the rest of the projects by the end of this year.

"This is something we would work closely with our subcontractors as we cannot do it alone. Hence, we are finding ways and pushing very hard to get workers in as this is our top priority," he said in a virtual media briefing on the company's H1 2022 financial results ended June 30, 2022 today.

"We need to understand that as the economy recovers post-Covid-19, this is a unique situation where the supply chain is being activated, but it is not going in the direction we intended. This was something that was not unexpected," he said.

According to Azmir, the outlook for the real estate market is generally positive since purchasers prefer to work with recognised developers that can produce high-quality work on schedule.

Meanwhile, the company plans to achieve the remaining RM1.3 billion in gross development value (GDV) from the RM2.8 billion targeted for 2022.

Azmir said that RM1.5 billion worth of properties has been launched in the first quarter of 2022, with 94 per cent of residential properties, excluding statutory products, already sold as of August 7.

The company plans to begin new projects both here and in the United Kingdom, where it is currently developing Battersea Power Station.

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

The historic Lee Rubber Building will debut as a boutique hotel next month

Else, a boutique hotel located on busy Jalan Tun H S Lee in Kuala Lumpur's city centre will finally open its doors on Sept 10, this year.

The 49-room, restored, and repurposed building spans seven stories and over 56,000 square feet.

Else took over the former Lee Rubber Building, which was once Yap Kwan Seng's previous vacation home, giving the pre-war building new life.

The building's ancient architecture had been meticulously conserved, keeping many of its original elements.

The art deco Lee Rubber Building was built in 1930 with a grey facade. It was developed by Arthur Oakley Coltman of Booty Edwards & Partners.

With only four floors when it was completed, it was the tallest building in Kuala Lumpur at the time.

Between 1942 and 1945, the building was used by the Japanese government as the headquarter of the Japanese secret police during World War II.

In the 1950s, an additional floor was added to the structure, making it a five-story building.

The property has a land area of 10,637 sq ft, a total built-up area of 46,607 sq ft, and a net lettable area of 38,126 sq ft.

The historic building reportedly was put up for sale in 2015 by its owner, Lee Rubber Group.

The then-85-year-old structure, according to news reports, was sold for RM29 million to Singapore-based GF Land Sdn Bhd in January 2016.

Hillington Pte Ltd is the sole owner of the Johor-registered company. Tony Con-Ling Chen, Robert Conway Chen, and Justin Chen are the directors.

Justin Chen, the deputy chief executive officer of Arcc Holdings, and Javier Perez, the owner of Series of Intentions, co-founded Else as a gathering place and retreat for tourists seeking to immerse themselves in the local culture and revitalise.

According to Justin Chen, Else is a four-year effort that was made possible by the difficulties posed by the global pandemic and was motivated by the advent of a new traveller generation.

"The result is an urban haven for the globally minded and curious. Our design and construction team have a sensitively balanced contrast of new and old with a refined juxtaposition of a pre-war building beautifully preserved and innovative design that invites all our guests to explore the property on their own, and discovers intimate pockets to pause and reflect," he said in a statement.

He said that Else respects the architectural tradition of the well-known monument while embracing modern design and a fresh take on hospitality.

The hotel has two restaurants, a board room, a state-of-the-art gym, floating meditation pods, a drawing room, and a library. It also has a 25-meter plunge pool and numerous wellness amenities.

Four categories of accommodations have been designed for guests.
Four categories of accommodations have been designed for guests.

From now until October 31, 2022, hotel nights start at RM398.

Four categories of accommodations have been designed for guests, starting with the Mantra Room (standard), a charming 25 square metre sanctuary, and the Urban Room (deluxe), a 33 square metre tastefully furnished room with a seating area.

The Sanctuary, located on the upper floors, is furnished with a super king-sized bed and a private balcony, while Sutera, a 69 sqm suite, exudes quiet luxury, complete with a private living area for extended family.

The Else Suite, a sprawling 84 sqm sanctuary with a private balcony, is the largest room.