"a perfect equation,
a wonderful place to be."

The Evolution of the award-winning Bandar Utama Township

How It All Began: The Bandar Utama story began in the late 1980s when See Hoy Chan Holdings Group, one of the foremost property developers in Malaysia, conceived an idea to build a township that would address the increasingly sophisticated expectations of Klang Valley dwellers. The demographic profile of this market segment was changing radically – sophisticated, affluent and global in outlook yet with profound Asian values. The emergence of this market segment represented a watershed in the property development sector. The market was changing; we anticipated a need and we intended to build on it. We looked beyond just building houses; we were thinking about building neighbourhoods and communities. And that was what everyone responded to.

Our Quest – to develop a township with responsibility and care dedicated to real community living. We saw Bandar Utama as a microcosm of Malaysia, a modern society with strong Asian values. Community-building become the focus of the development of Bandar Utama, inspiring every aspect of the master plan down to the minutest detail.

The Ideal Location – Our vision was realized on a 1,000-acre former oil palm plantation (formerly known as Effingham Estate) situated adjacent to the thriving Damansara Utama and Damansara Jaya developments in Selangor and opposite to Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur. The scale and favourable location offered us the opportunity to create a true township that is fully integrated for both housing and local employment. Today, the township is easily accessible via major routes such as the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP), Sprint Highway (SPRINT), Penchala Link and the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE). There are also buses and shuttle services connecting Bandar Utama with other areas such as Kuala Lumpur, Kelana Jaya, Mont Kiara, Cyberjaya and Kuala Lumpur Low-cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT).

The Master Plan – A perfect locality for an outstanding and modern community begins with a well-considered, cutting-edge development master plan. This ideal framework encompasses state-of-the-art residential, business and recreational properties leading to a sustainable development which transcends the future. Bandar Utama is a township planned with three distinct zones. The first is a metropolitan commercial centre. A modern, lifestyle-orientated and progressive condominium zone makes up the next, while a more relaxed and charming housing zone completes the dynamic ensemble. The master plan added an innovative zoning and road system that emphasizes safety, security and serenity. Environment and green-orientated policies are major priorities.

Nature & Environmentally-Friendly – The inclusion of green zones, suburban parks and neighbourhood parks throughout the township attest to the belief that a healthy environment must include the optimization of natural resources and uncluttered spaces in order to provide an area for activities and relaxation. Parks and green belt buffers act as natural borders between the residents and access roads. These parks and green zones remind residents about the joys of having a cool and refreshing, green ambience. A spider web of buggy tracks, jogging, walking and bicycle paths are interwoven within the township for residents to conveniently travel within the community seamlessly without the use of vehicles. This promotes the use of environmentally friendly mode of transport that has added health and fitness benefits.

Westlake Sanctuary’s landscape design is informal and unstructured, a forest park in a natural setting that is friendly to birds and other indigenous wildlife. Central Park has open spaces, jogging tracks and abundant fishes and tortoises that reside in the lakes within Central Park. It is no wonder that Central Park won the ‘Best Landscaping Award’ from the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism in 1997.

The Central Park, Westlake Sanctuary, golf course green zone and neighbourhood parks are not the only perfect places to get close to nature, but the Rainforest Conservatory sited within the premise of 1 Utama shopping centre is another perfect way of being close to Mother Nature. The Rainforest Conservatory showcased over 100 species of genuine Malaysian forest trees, local freshwater and river fishes including Japanese Kois.

Valued-added Innovations – Many innovations throughout the township are geared towards conservation and environmentalism. Valued-added facilities like energy-saving iced water-storage system for air-conditioning, rainwater harvest system for use in air-conditioning cooling towers, toilet flushing and landscaping and low-loss transformer for all commercial buildings while the renowned Bukit Utama golf course uses ‘cow’ grass’ which requires minimal fertilizer and pesticides to keep green. All these have been integrated into the entire Bandar Utama.

The Residential Development – The housing zone in Bandar Utama comes from 12 self-contained neighbourhoods sitting on elevated land 3 metres above the main arterial roads. A defined landscaped green buffer zone between houses and these roads provides an effective barrier for privacy, street noise and dust. Each neighbourhood of not more than 500 link houses is also built around a cozy park, a central meeting point for social interaction among the residents. The height of elite living in Bandar Utama comes in the next phase of residential development: exclusive gated and guarded bungalows for that added peace of mind.

The condominium zone will comprise of 6,000 condominium units developed over nine phases on 200 acres of prime elevated land. It is a viable alternative for those home seekers lured by high-rise living or ‘a home in the sky’ that comes with convenience without sacrificing living space. The condominiums are nestled amongst the lush greenery of the Bukit Utama
9-hole golf course and expanded leisure needs are easily met by the well-equipped renowned clubhouse, The Club @ Bukit Utama.

Education – First City University College (formerly known as KBU International College) has an excellent track record of producing highly employable graduates, entrepreneurs and award-winners through its quality teaching and learning capabilities. It is achieved by having dedicated teaching staff with strong industry experience, collaborating with reputable overseas universities and well-established companies, and offering specially-designed courses at competitive fees.

With the new recognition, First City UC now offers dual award degrees with its collaborative international partners, as well as its own homegrown degrees.

In view of its expanding students’ population and in line with its aspiration to provide the best teaching and learning experience, First City UC is increasing its facilities with lecture rooms, studios, seminar rooms, workshops, state-of-the-art laboratories, IT Centre, library and MBA Centre, and on-campus student accommodation with recreational facilities in the new Phase II ‘green’ building.

Shopping Centre – The status of Bandar Utama as one of the most desirable addresses in the Klang Valley was further underscored with the opening of 1 Utama in 1995. This shopping centre became a regional magnet for suburban shoppers and offers an exciting one-stop shopping, food, entertainment and leisure hub. 1 Utama shopping centre is accredited to be the first in the world to feature a genuine living and thriving Malaysian rainforest inside a shopping centre with over 100 species of flora and fauna complete with a rainbow suspension bridge and a pond displaying freshwater fishes. The Rainforest Conservatory and informative displays are placed around for the viewing pleasure of shoppers.

Neighbourhood Shops – Another innovation in the master plan is the neighbourhood convenience centres instead of the standard shophouses. There are plans for five neighbourhood convenience centres to be strategically located to provide the township with a one-stop ensemble of full range of shops and services to serve the daily needs of the community. Centrepoint, the first of five, features a one-stop ensemble of shops, services and local conveniences such as supermarket, news agent, bank, money changer, dry cleaner, video rental shop, tuition centres, hardware store, even a Chinese medicine shop and a wide selection of food and beverage outlets.

Commerce – Bandar Utama City Centre is the premier business precinct of Bandar Utama. It is a venue for multinational and local corporations such as IBM Corporation, international accounting firm KPMG, Media Prima group (TV3, NTV7, 8TV and TV9 stations) and banks. All the commercial buildings at the centre feature built-in raised floors, high-speed gigabyte fibre-optic networks, uninterrupted essential power supply, energy-efficient designs, thus easily meeting the demands of multinational and major local corporations.

Hospitality Service – It is not all about business in the township and One World Hotel, a five-star business hotel connected to the 1 Utama shopping centre offers a world of absolute convenience and comfort for business and leisure travellers seeking a luxurious 5-star home-away-from-home. Travellers have a choice of 438 opulent rooms and suites, and be spoiled by the state-of-the-art entertainment features and take advantage of the hotel’s many amenities such as the gymnasium, pool, spa, sauna and steam rooms. There is also a selection of tastefully-appointed meeting rooms fully-equipped with advanced conference facilites for business clients and ballroom with a seating capacity for over 2,000 people.

Recreations – While the suburban and neighbourhood parks have open spaces for healthy and leisure family activities outdoor, social and indoor sporting activities are easily available at The Club@Bukit Utama. Within the sprawling confines of The Club@Bukit Utama are a host of recreational and sports facilities created exclusively for members and their families. With a 9-hole golf course with night golfing, indoor tennis courts, squash courts, futsal courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, water tubes and slides and water-based recreational playthings for children, the impressive facilities at the club caters to all sports enthusiasts. The Club@Bukit Utama is destined to be the social and sporting heart of the Bandar Utama community.

Loyalty Card – ONECARD is the official loyalty card of the Bandar Utama township. With the ONECARD, cardholders are provided with endless privileges and benefits when shopping, dining and entertaining at 1 Utama shopping centre, One World Hotel, Centrepoint, The Club@Bukit Utama and other Bandar Utama properties, including access to preferred parking areas.

Connectivity & Transportation Hub – An expansive networks of roads, highways and expressway; namely the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP), Sprint Highway (SPRINT), Penchala Link and the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) are connected to Bandar Utama. Here, shuttle bus services complement the trunk buses plying routes to Kuala Lumpur and destinations throughout the Klang Valley. Adding to this are luxury interstate and Singapore-bound coach services, regular coach services to KLIA, Kuala Lumpur Low-cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) and Genting Highlands. Taxi terminals are strategically located within the township. All these transportation services make it easy for the community to travel to their work and other destinations.

Moving Ahead – In the horizon are plans for :

Awards & Recognitions – view more

Since the master plan of Bandar Utama started to unfold in 1991, the township has received coveted recognitions and awards, locally and internationally, for its excellent innovations and achievements in developing the township from a simple plantation to a premier, fully integrated township that addresses every aspect of human activity, conservation, environment and in doing so, became a most-sought after property address in Malaysia.

A Sound Property Investment – As the realization of the master plan continues, Bandar Utama continues to live up to its name: the Premier Township and a most-sought after address in Malaysia; a perfect township with an ideal mix of work, learn, live and play, creating the perfect surroundings for a progressive community. Bandar Utama township, in its own right, sets the standard for premier living, world-class business facilities and ultimate urban lifestyle and leisure with environmentally-friendly innovations. With more exciting additions in this integrated development, the years ahead will see Bandar Utama expanding to incorporate much more, which will establish the township as the epitome of the modern community and a very attractive option indeed to be part of the Bandar Utama’s community. Its strategic location adjoining Kuala Lumpur, the capital city, is one of the factors underpinning its success and the township is part of the Golden Mile of Petaling Jaya north district which is being touted as the new growth centre in the Klang Valley.

For many, a house in Bandar Utama represented a once-in-a-lifetime investment. Bandar Utama is one of a few freehold developments available and built by a reputable developer, making it a sound financial investment. But even more significant, buying a home in Bandar Utama meant investing in a way of life.