The first ever luxury condominium in Malaysia, Desa Kudalari, was completed in 1984. This 7-acre freehold residential property is situated at the heart of the city centre, between The Oval, PNB Darby Park Executive Suites and the Tan & Tan Building on Jalan Tun Razak. It is walking distance from the world-famous Petronas Twin Towers, and a neighbor to a number of luxury condominiums. Some of its immediate neighbors are The Binjai On The Park, Stonor Park, Park Seven and Platinum Park.
Click here(and scroll down if needed) if you are looking for property listings for Desa Kudalari.
Since it is located in the prime location of KLCC (classified as Zone B as per KLCCcondominiums.com.my zoning definitions), the property is easily accessible. Desa Kudalari may be accessed through Jalan Conlay, Jalan Stonor or Jalan Kia Peng which are linked to Jalan Tun Razak.
- Iproperty (2 listings) - click here
- Property Guru (29 listings) - click here
- Prop Wall (16 listings) - click here
- Deal Finder - Click here for us to find you a deal (free service)
You may also opt to access it through Jalan Ampang or Jalan Bukit Bintang. If you opt to access it through train, there are Raja Chulan Monorail and Rapid KL LRT stations just around the vicinity. This property is also highly walkable – more information on its walkability later in this review.
Insider Gossip!
We regularly receive “gossip” about properties in KLCC from industry insiders – agents, negotiators, researchers, buyers and sellers. Below is a selection of insider gossip about Desa Kudalari which you can “unlock” with a Facebook like. Disclaimer: use this information at your own risk; these have not been independently verified in any way.
All-in-One Convenience
When you live in the KLCC enclave, it is a given that you’ve got it all. Shopping, dining, health, recreation, schools, hospitals, name it. It’s not the city centre for nothing. Living in Desa Kudalari means having access to a number of shopping centres, including the posh Suria KLCC, Ampang Park Shopping Centre and Bukit Bintang.
Craving Japanese food? Try Benkay on Jalan Ampang. And if you change your mind along the way, Jalan Ampang is still the right place since it is lined with restaurants serving different cuisines. If you’re up for a drink or two, Jalan P Ramlee has the Lunar Bar, Nuovo and Rum Jungle Bar & Restaurant to cater to your cravings.
If you are an expatriate, this is also a very strategic place to live in because almost all the embassies are nestled in the area. And if you have children who are still going to school, there are a number of International Schools in the KLCC enclave such as Julia Gabriel Center for Learning, Alice Smith, Garden International School, Fairview International, International School Kuala Lumpur and Mont Kiara International School (located, of course, in Mont Kiara).
Besides the comfort of these amenities, residents of Desa Kudalari also enjoy the lush greenery surrounding the vicinity and the view of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, the lush KLCC Park and of the Royal Selangor Golf Club. It has got a pretty awesome location right smack in the middle of Kuala Lumpur, nay the Klang Valley.
Walkability Factor
Desa Kudalari has a GoodPlace Walkability Score (GWS) of 81 (pretty similar to many other condominiums in the Binjai zone). For more information what this Score means, and to download our KLCC Walkability Map (it’s free), go here.
This map below can be used to check where the closest amenities to the Desa Kudalari are (play around with the icons on the right sidebar).
- Search
- Gyms
- Banks
- Eateries
- Bakeries
- Doctors
- Schools
- Police Stations
- Computer Stores
- Playgrounds
- Parking
- Malls
Configuration + Facilities
The property is made up of five blocks that consists of a 19-storey tower that has five condominium units per floor and 3-storey link houses that are made up of cabana units. A typical condominium unit has built up size of 2,145 sqf with three bedrooms (moderately sizable by KLCC standards – comparable to Avare and Ampersand), while a cabana is built-up at 800 sqf with one bedroom.
Besides the facilities typical to most condominium units such as a barbecue area, covered parking, sauna, playground, swimming pool, wading pool and round the clock security, dwellers of Desa Kudalari also enjoy a jogging track, a tennis court and a restaurant/bar right next to the swimming pool.
SherpaScore: Desa Kudalari
Location
Design
Amenities
Yield
Developer Reputation
Value for Money
Fair
As a Tan & Tan development, despite its almost 30 year old age, Desa Kudalari still enjoys some buzz once in a while. It has a nice rustic aura that may be desirable for some.
About The Developer – Tan & Tan
This property was developed by the well-established Tan & Tan Developments Bhd. Desa Kudalari paved the way for this firm to create a name in the luxury residential development niche. Other notable projects include Cendana (also in the KLCC area, off Jalan Sultan Ismail – profiled here), One Jelatek and Sucasa, to name a few. Current developments include Park Manor, G Residence and Hampshire Place (in the cluster of condominiums in Persiaran Hampshire).
Tan & Tan has indeed made a name for itself as a premier property developer in the Klang Valley. One of its future projects, Three28 Tun Razak, is said to have been the apple of the eye of some foreign investors.
Desa Kudalari boasts of lush gardens and greens – something of a rarity among the newer KLCC apartments
Meanwhile, there is talk that Desa Kudalari unit owners are up for an en-bloc potential in a few years (as blogged by our favorite real estate blogger Sin Leong back in 2008). It means that the developer might buy back the units from the owners and make a new development out of the old one. This trend, rather prevalent in Singapore, has yet to catch on in Malaysia. Will it happen sometime near the future? Only time will tell. If you’re thinking of investing here, then make sure you pay a fair price – here’s a handy guide to help you do just that.
Bang for the Buck
Despite its age, at almost three decades old, Desa Kudalari is a well-maintained property. Its facilities are not behind the race and the location is just excellent. To some, even its rustic look is a beauty to behold.
Priced at RM800 psf for its sub-sale units, though, it is rather expensive (especially when given its age) and is already comparable to newer condominiums such as Bintang Goldhill off Jalan Tun Razak, although still cheaper than the average KLCC condominium. Rental rates are going between RM2.50 to 3.50 depending on unit condition – this could be seen as a bargain especially when compared with other condominiums in the KLCC enclave.
If you are considering to invest in a unit here at Desa Kudalari (perhaps for en-bloc opportunities in the future), always consider the “fair market value” instead of the asking prices which could be arbitrarily placed by prospective sellers and agents. Use this guide below to help you do just that -
