A Singapore “green project” award for New Bob

The Malay Mail, Get Real, Friday, 3rd May 2013

A Singapore “green project” award for New Bob”

This is for one of the group’s projects on Penang island, called The Manor at Cordington Avenue, where three bungalows at a GDV of RM15 million are being built.

Over the past year, property prices in certain areas of Penang have doubled, even tripled, according to Dr. Lee Ville, director of New Bob Group of Companies.

Dr Lee believes one reason for the price hikes could be the entry of some renowned developers from Kuala Lumpur, bringing high value developments and attracting buyers with free kitchen cabinets and other fittings.

Formed in 1959, New Bob Realty is owned by New Bob Group, which also operates New Bob Rent-A-Car, Expatriate Homes (MM2H), NB Tropics and Era Malaysia.

A pioneer in real estate in Penang and in the northern part of the peninsula, New Bob Realty started out as a small unit called Bob Agency.

Dr. Lee is no stranger to the property arena. Despite being a medical doctor, having served at the Penang General Hospital, he was secretary and treasurer of the Penang Auctioneers Association from 2007 and 2010.

He is currently secretary of Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA) Penang branch. He is also a founder of the REHDA Youth wing and served as its chairman in 2012.

He wants to be recognised as a a “green developer” and thrives to include as many green features as possible in his company’s developments. Besides residential units, New Bob Group is also involved in industrial development.

One of the industrial projects is The Gates located next to the Penang Free Trade  Zone. It comprises 19 light industrial factories, of which three are stand-alone units and 16 semi-detached units.

With a gross development value (GDV) of RM45 million and built on freehold land, the units are priced from RM1.93 million, and come in built-ups from 2,641 sq ft to 4,281 sq ft. The development is scheduled for completion by mid-2014.

Among the group’s green projects is Preston Oaks, which sits on 26,202sq ft of freehold land on Jalan Lim Mah Chye, off the prime area of Western Road on Penang island.

Here, three-storey bungalow units sit on generous lots of 6,233 sq ft to 6,847sq ft, with built-up areas of between 6,634sq ft and 7,221 sq ft and priced between RM974 psf and RM1005 psf.

These units boast exceptional green features that include sophisticated architecture, with cross ventilation for the living and family areas, green landscaping as well as solar panels to generate electricity.

All units face the east and the west walls are windowless to reduce solar-heat gain.

Each house comes with quality, imported sanitary ware of well-known brands such as Hansgrohe, Gerabit and Toto. Other features include high ceilings; low volatile organic compound paint, varnishes and sealants; water saving fittings; and rainwater harvesting.

New Bob Group’s latest project is The Manor at Cordington Avenue, also on Penang Island. Only three exclusive units with GDV of RM15 million are being built.

Scheduled for completion at end-2013, these designed units sit on 17,730sq ft of freehold land, on individual lots of 5,275sq ft to 6,997sq ft and with built-up areas of between 5,576sq ft and 5,804sq ft.

The Manor is set to be the first project in Penang to be accredited with the environmental Gold Award Mark by BCA Green Mark of the Ministry of National Development, Singapore.

This was achieved with the many green features that the developer has included in the three bungalows. These include a stylish-aerofoil roof that opens to the sky, outdoor landscaping, solar power for energy-saving, cross ventilation and passive solar shading.

The more prominent features are double-height living rooms, rainwater harvesting and roof gardens for energy conservation, as these provide natural insulation to the rooftop by reflecting light and heat. This will also reduce the use of air-conditioners, besides the garden greenery improving the atmosphere by absorbing carbon dioxide.

Though scheduled for completion end of the year, one unit has already been sold.

Once The Manor is completed, New Bob Group will start on a gated-and-guarded bungalow development at Biggs Road, another exclusive development on Penang island that will have six units with a GDV of RM42 million.

The company is also planning a commercial development called NB Commercial Suites, which will consist of 88 units with a total GDV of RM44 million.

On the mainland, the group has plans for a RM50 million condominium project in Permatang Pauh, Seberang Perai, that will have 148 units and the GDV is still being worked out.

 

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