KL'S MOST EXPENSIVE CONDO! RM 50 MILLION AT THE BINJAI

kee@fswmag.com

THE BINJAI OFFERS KL'S SUPER PENTHOUSE AT RM 50 MILLION!

This is the billion ringgit view you get from your Super Penthouse! Quick, call the developer right now at 03-2145 3102 before someone grabs it!

You also enjoy the same stunning view from the comfort and privacy of your bath!

The gadzillion view from your private infinity pool with Twin Towers reflecting on the water!

Imagine enjoying a cocktail and taking in the RM 50 million view before a dip.

View from your Super Penthouse.

The Binjai on the Park; Your Super Penthouse is on the right building.

RM 50 million seems scandalous for a condo without any garden as few landed mansions command that kind of price. In fact, I cannot think of any bungalows that cost that much, even if the land is several acres with enough space for swimming pools, stable, tennis court, fountains, gazebos and your own golf course! After paying, you can't even move in with your toothbrush as the entire 4 floors are empty and resemble an abandoned construction site. You will have to wait at least 10 months for your contractors and interior decorators to fix the place and make it habitable.

The foyer already flaunts a billion ringgit view of Petronas Twin Towers!

Then again, this is the ULTIMATE condo in Malaysia and one of the finest in the world and comparable to New York which can cost RM 100 million.

At RM 50 million for 19,180 sq ft spread over 4 floors with your own infinity pool and two private lifts, one opening onto your 42^nd floor and another serving just your four floors from living room to rooftop, this Super Penthouse commands both breathtaking views and price. Sounds like New York or London but it is right here in Kuala Lumpur!

Enjoy a dream swim in your private infinity pool

Replete with openair jacuzzi!

From your pool, luxuriate in the panoramic view that takes in KL Tower and Petronas Twin Towers!

This is how it looks like.

You will never tire of this view!

The full length view of your infinity pool with jacuzzi at the top end.

Considering Malaysia is blessed with ample land to build humongous bungalows, a RM 50 million price tag for a non-landed property seems audacious. Indeed even mansions with acres of garden big enough to create your own river do not command such a jaw-dropping price.

At this rarefied level, one can safely assume this Super Penthouse without a gram of earth to call your own must be in KL’s most prestigious condo. The Binjai is acknowledged as Malaysia’s trophy property as Petronas has wisely made sure it is the sole residential condominium in Kuala Lumpur City City aka KLCC. Apart from the mantra ‘location,location,location’, The Binjai offers a guaranteed, uninterrupted view across the 50-acre parkland all the way to Petronas Twin Towers.

As the park is gazetted as public park, having a new condo tower built in front of The Binjai and obliterating its prized views is as likely as winning the lottery ten times in a row. Possible, but unlikely!

While other condos live in permanent fear the parking lots in front might get transformed into a soaring tower and blocking their views while forcing owners to suffer three years of dust and din of construction, The Binjai’s residents can stroll direct into KLCC Park!

The Binjai, named after the binjai trees that once dotted the area in the good old days, is owned by Layar Intan, subsidiary of Petronas which owns the 100-acre, 20 million sq ft integrated mixed-use commercial, retail, hotel, convention and entertainment space of which half is KLCC Park. With Trader’s Hotel, KL Convention Centre, Mandarin Oriental and Suria KLCC shopping haven a leisurely stroll away, you can practically shut yourself from the rest of KL.

For those lacking bodyguards or PA’s while shopping, Louis Vuitton and their kind will deliver your goods to Binjai’s reception. Residents enjoy synergy and tie-ins and you can even order room service from Traders and Mandarin Oriental.

The Binjai’s two towers of 45 and 44 storeys at 170 metres high is living life in the international fast lane. “Living at The Binjai on the Park is no different from the attentive level of lifestyle one gets living in upscale Manhattan or central London,” explains Hashim Wahir, director of Layar Intan. “We are unique for three reasons. The Binjai is part of KLCC which is a global landmark and enjoys the status and stature of being part of an international icon. Residents enjoy direct access to KLCC Park with over 1,900 indigenous trees. Thirdly, residents enjoy unobstructed, full length views of Petronas Twin Towers from the moment they enter the lobby. Every unit has a balcony with incredible views of KLCC!”

As KLCC was built from scratch, The Binjai was positioned to directly face Petronas Twin Towers. Nearby condos can claim to be in the immediate vicinity but usually only some units enjoy great views while most get semi, partial views or even none if your unit is facing the opposite direction. Nothing irritates more than paying millions of ringgit only to see two spires without the rest of the building or just one of the two Twin Towers.

ALL FOR NOTHING

The Super Penthouse will be delivered to you as an empty shell. Devoid of even a single shingle. All you get for RM 50 million are naked ceilings, bare concrete floors, exposed wiring and not even railings on the staircases. You will also get an elevator card key and water in the pool which may need to be drained, chemically treated and refilled.

As your lift card key opens only at your 42^nd floor, theoretically you do not even need traditional doors since your access card acts as key and the lift will function as your door! Only those with your access card can stop and open the lift on your floor. Security cameras will record any intruder who has entered illegally.

Fancy the rare pleasure of seeing your living room as the lift doors open. No more turning left or right and walking half a mile on the common corridor to reach your door. I have been to an expensive condo where I had to walk 5 minutes or so to reach my friend’s corner unit!

Only you can reach your floor as each lift card opens only at a designated floor and with 24/7 closed-circuit TVs, you will be safe as houses. Once inside, another special lift takes you from 42^nd to 45^th floors or there are the staircases, now just railing-less concrete steps.

The Super Penthouse is the only residence that allows the fortunate owner to enjoy a ravishing 360 degree view of Kuala Lumpur since you own the rooftop. At this stratospheric level, no developer dares decorate the interior for the first buyer. Concurs marketing and sales manager Terri Har, “It is best for the buyer to decorate this Super Penthouse as he or she will have specific tastes and requirements. Whatever we do might not appeal and it is a waste of time and money if the owner tears everything down to start all over again. And we would have to charge RM53 million instead of RM 50 million!”

You can never tell the owner’s taste. No point decorating it in minimalist super-modern style when he prefers heavy baroque, French chateu, King Louis XVI style with gold furnishings and 2 metre chandeliers! Or elaborate imperial china style with carved rosewood furniture and jade ornamentations when he dreams of a Balinese resort style eyrie!

The actual cost of making the Super Penthouse habitable is up to the owner but guesstimates range from over a million to four million as one should not slum it out after doling out RM 50 million. If you need recoup some costs, charge revellers to your eyrie to enjoy a bird’s eye view of fireworks during New Year’s Eve and other important events. A pool party by your 24 metre infinity pool is bound to be the most coveted invite. Friends will turn green as they swim in your blue pool which gives the impression there is no edge and you might swim right off the roof but of course the water cascades down ten feet away from the wall and you will never slide off the 45^th floor all the way down to the driveway.

This Super Penthouse B has been sold for only RM 38 million as it is only 14,500 sq ft and is not as grand as this one at RM 50 million for 19,180 sq ft.

For those on a budget, Tower B has Super Penthouse #2 at the rock-bottom price of only RM 38 million for 14,500 sq ft but this poor cousin has been sold so you will have to make do with the 19,180 sq ft big brother.

Mere mortals may have to settle for normal condos with the cheapest at RM 4.5 million for a comfy 2,700 sq ft. Most range from 2,200 to 3,800 sq ft from RM 4.3 million to RM 8 million. Tower A is more expensive as it has only 71 units whereas Tower B has 100. Tower A boasts only 2 units per floor while Tower B makes do with 3 units per floor. The ‘normal’ penthouses range from RM 8 to RM 10 million from a manageable 4,230 sq ft to 7,300 sq ft. Not that this info will affect your purchase but there is no maintenance fee for the first 3 years! But this is still up in the air so don't quote me!

Traditionally, high floor units cost more but some prefer mid-levels as Petronas Twin Towers loom even more majestically and dramatically when admired from the 10^th floor rather than the 40^th floor which is more at eye level.

The common pool at ground level.

Dramatic waterfall feature in the pool.

Classy architecture of The Binjai.

With facilities like these, you will want to rush home after work.

Grand cool pool

After you are dry, enjoy a drink here

The twin towers of The Binjai on the Park with direct access to KLCC Park.

Klcc at twilight is a study in dramatic architecture.

Your lobby looks like this every night!

The same view in daytime! Truly magnificent!

The marble floor is so well polished Petronas Twin Towers are reflected on it, not water!

See what I mean?

More of the same

With every unit facing KLCC, even the lobby astounds as the Twin Towers loom skyhigh and are reflected in the ornamental pool and even on the polished marble floor. Just as well management has thoughtfully placed wall settees for your guests to collapse and catch their breath.

Unlike some luxury condos with driveways fit for a Kancil, The Binjai’s entrance is big enough for an impressive sweep by your Rolls-Royce or Maybach.

At an average of RM 2,600 psf, the developer claims it is cheap. Compared to London’s Regent’s Park, New York’s Fifth Avenue or Tokyo’s Ginza maybe. Then again, Kuala Lumpur is as good as them, right?

THE END