As you enter the gates, the abundance of manicured greenery and the distinct feeling of peace and tranquility washes over your mind and senses – it is indeed, home sweet home within the exclusive and secure environment a gated community offers.

An atmosphere that exudes warmth beckons much needed sense of security and familiarity has become an appealing factor for fickle home buyers in today’s big, bad world of crime.

But the phenomenon of gated communities that has continued on its path of popularity offers not only a refuge but an elite and urban lifestyle that offers residents services and facilities not offered in residential enclaves prior.

Within the warm embrace of these communities, a unique lifestyle has emerged – one that has set standards in the minds of home buyers as well as developers hoping to provide future residents more than a roof over their heads.

One of the pioneering developers behind the concept is Tan & Tan Developments Bhd (T&T), with its portfolio of well-known and successful gated communities.

According to the company’s group marketing general manager Kevin Kuok, “The number of Klang Valley residents who are moving out of their open environment into gated communities are increasing. Privacy and security are the two major influencing factors for their preference for this increasing popular lifestyle.”

He added that the company expects the need for such exclusivity from purchasers to grow steadily.

Home buyers of today are searching for more than brick-and-mortar but a comprehensive home that complements and adds to their desired lifestyle.

“The market is still very encouraging. It is essentially up to the strength of the developers’ ability to stay in tune with the market forces, providing the right products and services to consumers as well as investors, be it gated-and guarded communities or high-end condominiums,” Kuok said.

Thus far, T&T has four thriving gated communities to show for – Sierramas, Sierramas West, Sri Bukit Persekutuan and Tanamera. Each of them boasting grandeur, exclusivity, privacy and most importantly, security.

Sierramas
With the landbank within the city’s borders shrinking countered by the growing need for secure living in sprawling, T&T moved into Sungai Buloh to transform and create a residential enclave that boasts the same exclusivity as a posh pad in the city.

“Before Sierramas, Sungai Buloh in Selangor was better known as the place for fresh flowers and plants. Now Sungai Buloh is now also known for its flourishing gated-and-guarded communities,” said Kuok.

Unveiled almost 15 years ago, as one of the first gated-and-guarded residential schemes in the country, Kuok said the development remains the most successful gated-and-guarded community living in Malaysia.

Comprised of a 175-acre enclave with 530 houses, Sierramas is a joint-venture undertaking of T&T and KL-Kepong Property Holdings Bhd.

“The bungalow plots of Sierramas were first unveiled in 1993 at RM40psf. Currently the asking price for secondary market is around RM210psf.”

In the lines of building a crime and stress-free lifestyle, the company can aptly boast of an outstanding track record and premium product branding from its previous gated communities.

With a focus on security, the gated-and-guarded enclave encompasses round-the-clock patrols and the latest state-of-the-art security, such as emergency buttons in the home that are linked to a central monitoring system, controlled entry the entrance, perimeter fencing, screening of contractors and delivery persons, a guard house at the main entry point, security procedures for moving in and out as well as extra lights in darker areas.

While the enclave also boasts special features such as landscaped valleys,covered drains and underground lines streets with curbs, gutters and sidewalks and specially designed walking, jogging and cycling paths.

Sierramas was honoured by the Malaysian chapter of the International Real Estate Federation as the best residential project of 2002.

Another selling point of the development is its surprisingly easy accessibility towards of the city and major suburban areas. It is a mere ten minutes from Jalan Duta – just on the fringe of Kuala Lumpur. The NKVE also provides a direct approach at the Sungai Buloh interchange; while two other major highways – LDP and MRR2 – provide alternative access to the area.

Sierramas West

In 2001, T&T expanded the Sierramas community to the west by another 28 acres, aptly named Sierramas West.

The enclave continues the standards set in Sierramas in residential housing – featuring a similar exceptional philosophy of lifestyle, comfort and security within a tranquil green haven.

The development comprises four phases and adds another 192 units of courtyard homes, semi-detached homes and bungalows to the sprawling gated-and-guarded community.

Its latest phases, namely Seri Tanjung and Seri Penaga feature a series of tropically styled two- and two-and-a-half-storey bungalows, and of two- and two-and-a-half-storey semi-detached homes.

These homes blend harmoniously with the contours of the land, with special attention given to building orientations so that lot sizes are more efficient with ample provision for usable outdoor areas. In addition, privacy is preserved with generous space separating each home.

Offering residents fine resort living within the comfort of their homes, its hosts a myriad of facilities usually not found in landed residential communities, such as a clubhouse, swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis and basketball courts as well as a proposed shopping village.

Laman Sierramas West

To top things off, the community of Sierramas continues to grow in leaps and bounds, with yet another RM36 million enclave called Laman Sierramas West, which features only 47 tropical courtyard houses and a pair of semi-dees on 7.19 acres of land.

Kuok said, “Laman Sierramas West builds on the same tradition that has made the Sierramas neighbourhood distinctive, by being a well-planned community that preserves, enhances and reinforces the existing environment and its natural beauty.”

“Laman Sierramas West appeals to modern, dynamic families that desire classy homes, serene surroundings and active lifestyles.

Kuok expects the value of Sierramas including Laman Sierramas West property to grow further when exciting niche developments in the surrounding area comprising both commercial and residential are completed to complement the community.

The enclave is priced from RM634,000, the homes are targeted to a new breed of buyers who are looking for smaller and more convenient living spaces but at the same time, demanding the same high quality finishing and communal lifestyle of Sierramas.

Thus, the development boasts an exclusive and fashionable clubhouse surrounded by landscaped foliage, reflection paths, nooks and tranquil water features that is equipped with swimming, gym and tennis facilities.

Sri Bukit Persekutuan
With its third project, located in the prestigious location of Kuala Lumpur’s Federal Hill, T&T continued to recognize the need privacy and exclusivity within a secure environment and thus, Sri Bukit Persekutuan was borne.

Situated along Jalan Damansara and Jalan Travers, Sri Bukit Persekutuan offers a green sanctuary in the midst of the city – nestled next to the Lake Gardens and Kenny Hills and a mere stone’s throw from hip and bustling Bangsar where a plethora of restaurants and shops can be found.

The location ensures that residents are able to enjoy a peaceful sanctuary without sacrificing the convenience of living in a city.   This 18-acre freehold enclave comprises of three-and-a-half-storey Westbank terraces, two-storey semi-detached homes, two-storey Meadowbank Villas and five-storey Highbank Condominiums.

In total the 148 units’ offers residents three distinct lifestyles, equipped with a clubhouse, lush garden paths leading to wooded enclaves, and a certain peace and calm that comes from living in a guarded community.

Tanamera
After the hailing success of T&T’s Sierramas, Tanamera was conceived to become one of Klang Valley’s most sought after addresses – boasting prestige and exclusivity.

The homes feature tropical modern architecture with high ceilings, French doors, balconies and spacious interiors paired with an internal courtyard.

Tanamera’s unique concept features a private gated residential estate with security, management, a landscaped park, streetscapes, swimming pool and perimeter fencing.

Located just adjacent to Seri Hijauan on the fringe of Subang Jaya and USJ, the exclusive enclave offered 146 units of two- and two-and-a-half-storey homes and two-storey semi-detached homes spanned over a sprawling 15-acres of freehold land.

With its successful and pioneering inception, T&T have continued along the lines of gated communities – finding a great market for high-end gated enclaves.

With four successful and renowned gated communities under their belt, T&T is confident that more will come in the future. “Quality properties in good locations are still very attractive to buyers,” said Kuok.

With more unclaimed territory within the Klang Valley, the potential for the exclusive comfort and security of gated communities are just beginning. Residential communities offering lifestyles versus a mere home in the midst of many are on the rise – home buyers today want to be pampered with choice and unique features not seen in their previous generation homes.

And with Tan & Tan, it is not just about developing properties. Tan Tan symbolises a heritage of luxury standards, pioneering know-how, and new standards in quality living and lifestyle.

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