THE Kiara 1888 condominium in Mont' Kiara has chalked up 75% sales just two months after its launch.

The take-up rate has been described as ''remarkable'' by the developer Prisma Melody Sdn Bhd, given the slow start of the property market with consumer sentiments being dampened by the continued surge in crude oil prices and rising interest rates.

''The good response is due to the project's location as it is situated near established condominiums such as Laman Suria and Casa Kiara as well as being sandwiched between two international schools,'' said managing director Chuah Theong Yee.

Chuah said Mont' Kiara had always been a very much sought after location for upmarket residences as it is popular with the expatriate community and properties there had always enjoyed attractive rental yields and good capital appreciation.

He said Kiara 1888 is also highly accessible, being served by links to the Sprint Highway, NKVE and the Penchala Link which connects to the Damansara Puchong Highway.

In future, accessibility will be improved with the completion of the Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway that would provide speedier access to Sentul, Batu Caves and the Middle Ring Road II.

Chuah said another strong point was its unique concept and modern contemporary architecture.

Instead of high-rise towers as is common with the neighbourhood, the developer has incorporated 52 low-rise villas to complement the 130 units of condominiums and penthouses in the 33-storey tower.

There is also a wide range of unit sizes to cater to families with different requirement and budgets. The smallest is a three-bedroom unit with a 1,238 sq ft area while the largest is a two-level five-bedroom penthouse with 3,983 sq ft.

Outstanding features include a grand four-storey high entrance atrium with water features, yoga pilates area, Zen rock garden, reflexology area, meditation gardens and a nature park with children's tree house surrounded by lush greenery.

Other unique features are personalised lifts serving only two units per floor for the low-rise villas, high ceilings, en-suite bathroom, sunken bath, wet and dry kitchens to all units and air-conditioning points complete with concealed piping. The courtyard villas have an additional indoor garden.

Residents will also enjoy a full range of recreational facilities, including an infinity swimming pool with jacuzzi, children's wading pool squash court, indoor badminton courts, multi-function hall, games room, reading area, wall climbing area and landscaped pool deck.

A budget of RM2.5mil has been allocated for landscaping to create a conducive living environment. Each unit will come with a minimum of two car-parking bays.

The condominiums in the high-rise tower is priced from RM404,200 while the low-rise villas are pegged from RM941,400.

''The selling price of the units at less than RM330 per sq ft onwards are one of the most attractive in the Mont' Kiara area and this provides excellent value for those who have invested in our project,'' Chuah said.

He added that buyers would benefit from the anticipated capital appreciation upon the project's completion.

Source : The Star 15/05/2006