Ampersand

How Ampersand KLCC Is Different

Most property developments in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) enclave boast of having the view of the Petronas Twin Towers, but it’s a little different for Ampersand (also known as Ampersand @ Kia Peng).

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According to Datuk Soam Heng Choon, the managing director of IJM Land (the developer of Ampersand), there is a possibility of the view of the Petronas Twin Towers getting blocked by new developments in the KLCC area, and so they opted to highlight the design of the interiors as well as the gardens instead.

For example, the existing rain trees are preserved which make the gardens unique. We really like the condominium’s rather leafy appearance.

And believe it or not, this is the guard house!

I can see you, but you can’t see me

If you’re looking for a clear, unobstructed view of the Petronas Twin Towers and the fields of the Royal Selangor Golf Club, then Ampersand might not for you (and you might want to check out Marc Residence instead). But then again, the view of the Petronas Twin Towers is rather overrated, no?

Free Walkability Map

The GoodPlace Walkability Score (GWS) is a measure of how “walkable” a condominium is to its nearest amenities. The GWS ranges from 0 (bad) to 100 (good). The Ampersand’s GWS stands at 80 – quite middle-of-the-range as far as KLCC condominiums are concerned, but is typical of a property located inside the Kia Peng area. For more information about the GWS, and to download a free map with GWS information for most KLCC properties, go here.

Use our interactive map below to check where the closest amenities to the Ampersand are. Use the shortcut menu on the right.

New Kid On The (KLCC) Block…?

IJM Land is the property development arm of IJM Corp, and is the developer of renowned projects such as Riana Green East, PJ8 in Petaling Jaya and the LIGHT Waterfront in Penang. While IJM Land could be seen as “new” in the KLCC property market, it is in fact the contractor for several other developments in KLCC, namely Park Seven, Troika and also The Binjai. In short, it has got nothing short on experience when it comes to KLCC property development.

Ampersand is built by IJM land – previously a contractor for other developments in KLCC such as the Binjai

The two acre land area (on Jalan Kia Peng) is leasehold (99 year tenure). Another differentiating factor for the Ampersand is that it is low rise and also low density. As such, there are only 71 units of apartments (compared to, say, Idaman Residence which houses 250 units, or Dua Residency at 288 units). The sizes range from 2,613 to 5,852 square feet.

Location-wise, it is near the Centre For Advanced Design (CENFAD) college and the Top Hat Restaurant. The Ampersand is the only condominium development on this stretch of Jalan Kia Peng. Further down the road are the palaces of Kelantan and Terengganu. A very peaceful spot inside the usually hectic KLCC enclave.

There are three blocks of apartments, with two (Blocks A and B) situated in front at the entrance. The third remaining block (C) are behind the two front blocks. Block C houses the most units, and is also the highest. There is a swimming pool as well as some landscaping on the ground level.

Typically Ampersand has got half of the typical density of a KLCC condominium development (about 80 units per acre). First launched in 2007, the units were sold at about RM750 per square feet, but the asking price has breached the psychological mark of RM1,000 per square feet even back in 2010. Now it hovers around the RM1,200 point. Not cheap.

Targeting affluent buyers with desire to live in the inner city, as many as 40% of the buyers during the launch were high net worth individuals from overseas – in particular, from Hong Kong and Singapore.

The interiors are tastefully designed with movable timber panels lining up the balcony. Rather special and pleasing to the eye.

Lovely, Innovative Design

The entrance to Ampersand is a masterpiece by itself – with movable timber panels situated at the balcony. It’s indeed a sight to behold. Check out this picture which we took on a bright sunny Saturday morning -

The entrance front facade wall is built with black granite which gives it a distinctive, luxurious look. Vertical fins on the west facade “manipulates” rays of sun which provide an interesting blend of shades in the area. Very innovative!

Our final analysis. We like Ampersand for its low density and innovative designs. The low rise factor is a major advantage over other KLCC condominiums which tend to be high rise, but if you want the Petronas Twin Towers view then you should be looking elsewhere. I am also particularly favorable of this part of the KLCC enclave (especially this particular stretch of Jalan Kia Peng) – it’s rather serene and leafy. It’s more “homely” than the other parts of KLCC.

The bigger-than-average units mean that the entry price is relatively high. A quick search at the local property portals returned listings advertising units for sale at RM3 million (2,600 sq ft apartments). Having said that, price is always subjective, and more so for those who are looking to buy properties in the KLCC enclave. However, if you would like some help to estimate the property’s fair value then download this free guide here – courtesy of our friends at GoodPlace.my –