PENANG – Visitors to the Pearl of the Orient will most likely travel along Jalan Gottlieb, a major road intersected with some of the most vibrant areas of the island, not least among them Gurney Plaza, Gurney Paragon, Straits Quay, Botanical Garden, Penang Adventist Hospital, Gleaneagles Medical Centre and Island Hospital. These are complemented by a host of financial institutions, schools, various eateries and recreational centres such as a youth park.

Among the landmarks of this bustling road is New Bob Centre which houses the headquarters of prominent niche developer, New Bob Group Sdn Bhd.

Right next to it is NB Place, a low-density commercial building that has been given a new lease of life when New Bob undertook the remodeling and refurnishing involving both the exterior and interior. The new design emphasizes on the articulation of forms and spaces in respond to the tropical climate, with predominantly earthy tones carefully selected for its internal finishings.

The reconfigured property, now known as Tropics 8, is a commercial suite project with a gross development value of RM70 million.

The building will host 88 suites that come with built-ups from 592 sq ft to 859 sq ft, both with one bedroom and one bathroom.

Units here are fully furnished and fitted with a double bed and mattress, study table and chair, TV, air-conditioner, coffee table, kitchen cabinets, range hood, stove, refrigerator, downlights, plaster ceiling, Vinyl flooring in living room and bedroom as well as quality bathroom fittings.

All rooms are located upfront with balconies that overlook the action in motion below. On the corridors, clear glass louvre windows and open glass panels facilitate maximum natural lighting and cross ventilation.

With maintenance fee of RM0.22psf, facilities here include a concierge centre, car rental services and a 24-hour security system.

Group Director of New Bob, Dr Lee Ville told Real Spaces that the NB Place has always been an iconic commercial building in Penang.

“Being strategically located along Jalan Gottlieb and in proximity to renowned hospitals such as the Adventist Hospital, I believe Tropics 8 can cater to the needs of medical tourists especially those from Indonesia,” he said.

“We are heading towards providing affordable accommodation for them. We intend to provide services to complement the facilities provided by hospitals for the medical tourists once they have completed their treatment. We might look at some clinics that provide complimentary services next to our facilities with a minimal fee, ” he added.

Lee stated that the team is still in the midst of finalising the concept.

Only 25 percent of the total of 88 units is available for sale. The rest of the units in Tropics 8 will be managed by the company.

While aiming to cater to medical tourists, Lee elaborated, “Other than that, we will also involve asset management whereby we will manage the units and get returns from it,” said Lee.

Targeting local businessmen, senior executives, expatriates and medical tourists, units at Tropics 8 are priced from RM500,000, with guaranteed rental returns of seven per cent per annum for six years.

The investment only requires an initial RM10,000 for the booking fee.

In addition, New Bob is now throwing in an eight per cent rebate on the sale and purchase price while the six per cent GST will be absorbed by the developer (applicable only for individual buyers and non-GST registrant companies).

Currently 90 per cent complete, the project is tentatively set for completion by mid this year.