In the past Binastra built their reputation as reliable contractor. Few notably high end projects that they built were The Treez by Exsim and KM1 West by Bland. From what posted by some forumner in Lowyat, their construction order book is full at the moment.
Similarly with other contractors, since they have the ready expertise, they have turned to developer. They have successfully sold and delivered projects such as Green Terrain@Cheras and currently full swing with Green Residences@Cheras. Apparently Binastra is a cash rich company and apparently all their projects are constructed without bridging loan. This will give assurance to the buyers the strong financial background. They have launched their high end condo named The Reach@Titiwangsa. The project was soft launched last year.
Overview
Located on freehold 3.12acre of land, The Reach consists of 528units on 2 blocks of 35storeys and 1 block of 41 storeys. However block A and B are joint with different lift lobby.
Location and Accessibilities
Despite the project is named as The Reach@Titiwangsa, the location of the project is more towards Setapak rather than Titiwangsa itself.
Location shown from the developer website
From Wikimapia
The main access of this project is via Jalan Pahang where residents need to make U-turn at Traffic Light turning into Jalan Kolam Air. Currently you only can exit the site via Jalan Timah and from here to Jalan Pahang. The developer has undertake to widen the road leading to Jalan Timah and build additional access to Jalan Pahang. There should be another access road to Setapak that built by others that currently under construction.
Accessibilities of the Site
However judging from the number of the units (528 units) and land limitation surrounding the site, the road access seems to be still a concern particularly if you are coming from KL and you need to make an U-Turn from Jalan Pahang. Furthermore the road seems to be narrow with just 20ft.
However DUKE extension is under progress now and there will be new interchange at Bulatan Pahang and Jalan Gombak. How this DUKE extension will bring benefit to The Reach is remain to be seen.
DUKE Extension
Amenities
For past few years from old and rustic town Setapak has undergone a massive redevelopment and spill over from the TAR college student market. The almost completed Danau Kota developed by Platinum Victory contributed few thousand of new condos that quickly taken up by residents due to affordable pricing, ready rental demand from local family and TAR college students. Commercial such as KL Festival City, Platinum Walk, Starparc Point and PV128 mushrooming due to the ready demand. There is a private hospital Columbia Asia Hospital as well.
Façade
Suffice to say the façade is safe design. 3 boxy buildings in a triangle piece of land. The window are large enough to avoid it looks medium cost-ish and each unit comes with balcony.
Artist Illustration of Façade
Scale Model
Floor and Unit Plan Layout
Readers can check out the site plan, facilities and floorplan in the developer website http://www.millionwonderful.com.my/features.php?page=site
Siteplan
Facilities Plan
Scaled model of facilities
The Reach comes with array of facilities such as tennis, squash, badminton and half basketball court, Olympic length swimming pool on the 7th floor however the selling point is the sky club on the 34th in block A and B. Developer has consciously joint both block A and B together and put massive size sky club that consist of function hall, hydro and normal gym, infiniti pool etc on it.
Floorplan
All the floorplan are available in the developer website http://www.millionwonderful.com.my
In general all units come in 3 bedroom with the variance on the add on study or utility or both. One type caught the reviewer which is type D. Type D is smallest however the uniqueness of type D is owners could convert the 3rd room as STUDIO by install additional door as shown below
Type D
Prices
The price start from RM590psf for the bigger size and RM610psf for the smaller. The smaller type D and E are almost sold out. Price is increased by approximately RM2k for each floor.
Financing and Package
The package is regularly revised by developer. Please check with developer for the latest promotion.
Specification, Maintenance Fee and carpark
The specification is pretty standard for condos nowadays. Porcelain tiles, pretty much no freebies except aircon for all bedrooms and living. 2 carparks are provided for unit with size 1500sqft and 1carpark for anything smaller. There is no public transport and personally I think developer should provide minimum 2 carparks regardless the size of the unit. The maintenance + sinking fund is tentatively fixed at RM0.25psf.
Site progress
http://www.binastra.com.my/thereach_siteprogress_nov.php
Conclusions
Setapak is more well known as affordable housing with close proximity to KL City Centre. However, this set to be changed with the entry of The Reach. One of the first high end luxury condo in this area. The sales has been well received so far. The rental is remain a concern where the cheapest unit currently is around RM850K. which mean you need rental anything rm3500-4000 to make it worthwhile. In my opinion, the property is more on the own stay market that looking for some unique propositions and favour the Setapak location.
Happy Investing and Merry Christmas!