Perdana considers Marina ParkCity - a 223-hectare seafront mixed-use project in downtown Miri - as an opportunity to showcase its ability to create a modern city from "ground zero". Bringing together world-renowned master planners and urban quality consultants from San Francisco and Copenhagen, and working in collaboration with the Sarawak state government, Perdana is doubling the size of the existing Miri CityCenter. "It will be the first authentic seafront commercial development in Malaysia with a marina," says Yaw Chee Siew, executive chairman. "We will be introducing tree-lined pedestrian walkways, dedicated cycling lanes and parks so people can enjoy and easily access the sea. It will take about 20 years to complete this mega-project."

A native of Sarawak, Yaw was awarded Property Man 2012 by the Malaysian chapter of Federation Internationale des Administrateurs de Biens Conseils et Agents Immobiliers, or the International Real Estate Federation. Yaw was an active property developer in the United States, where he spearheaded more than 10 large-scale master-planned projects, before returning to his homeland to pursue his ambition to bring modern development concepts to the people of Malaysia.

In spite of the prevailing difficult market conditions, Perdana has not slowed down the development of ParkCity Hanoi in Vietnam. Spanning more than 77 hectares with an approval for 6,000 housing units and a town centre, Perdana has embarked on the first phase of development and township infrastructure works.

"Market is never always a tailwind. What is important is we are in for the long haul. We are confident of the long-term prospects of the Vietnamese property market," Yaw says.

Lee adds: "Due to growing affluence, Malaysian and Vietnamese home buyers aspire to stay in more thematic, liveable and walkable places with a strong sense of community. We are responding to this changing preference with a more imaginative master-planned township concept that holistically serves homeowners' lifestyle needs and wants."

Self-contained community with a difference

In keeping with its planning ideology, Perdana seeks to create lively, safe, sustainable and self-contained communities that cater to residents' daily needs and make their everyday living special. Hence, its maiden project, Desa ParkCity in Kuala Lumpur, showcases first-class and exclusive facilities. These include The ParkCity Club, The Central Park, The Waterfront neighbourhood mall, a sports centre, an international school and a secondary care hospital.

The resort-style ParkCity Club, residing on a two-hectare site, houses a well-equipped gym, a multifunctional yoga studio, a badminton hall, tennis courts, three swimming pools and a child-care centre. Serving as a major green relief and attraction, The Central Park is a sprawling area of manicured lawns with a picturesque lake at its centre. It features tree-lined, 2.7-metre-wide jogging pathways interconnecting nearby residential neighbourhoods.

Residents' shopping needs are adequately served by The Waterfront neighbourhood mall. Located next to The Central Park, The Waterfront is an open-air, family-oriented retail and dining venue. An eclectic mix of shops, cafes and restaurants lines its intimate passages and forecourt. Specialist shops such as beauty and health-care outlets make this venue more appealing.

The 300-bed, state-of-the-art, private ParkCity Medical Centre aims to be the regional leader of health care excellence for women, children and the elderly. It is operated by Ramsay Sime Darby Healthcare, Malaysia's most trusted health care brand.

"In the final analysis, master-planning a community is a question of invitation," Yaw says.

"Firstly, we ask ourselves, 'What are we encouraging people to do in our community?' Secondly, 'What do we need to provide to make that happen?' Thirdly, 'How can we enhance our offerings to entice people to use them as frequently as possible and to get them to stay longer?'"

Malaysia's top-selling community

Garnering multiple awards for design excellence in master-planning, residential designs and landscaping, Desa ParkCity has also earned the distinction of being the country's top-selling community.

With its virtually crime-free record, Desa ParkCity has become the preferred home of affluent locals and expatriates. Locals seeking to upgrade their dwellings look to Desa ParkCity to fulfil their aspirations.

"Many aspirants told me they like the idea of coming home to the beauty and greenery of the community. It is also a great place for their kids to grow up in," Lee says.

Solid investment fundamentals

Guided by a principled, pragmatic and progressive work ethic, Perdana management and staff have nurtured long-term relationships with the company's consultants, contractors and suppliers. These healthy working relationships have influenced banks to extend up to 90 per cent loan margins to Perdana's customers. As a result, a large pool of Perdana's property buyers are repeat customers, accounting for at least 40 per cent of sales of new product launches.

Perdana property values have consistently been on an upswing. Company data show capital appreciation of landed housing has averaged 20 per cent annually over the past four years.

Perdana sold its first home to buyers in 2002 for 460,000 ringgit (HK$1.06 million). The property is worth 1.6 million ringgit today. Condominium buyers enjoy 20 to 40 per cent capital appreciation as soon as they receive their keys upon project completion.

While some home buyers consider Perdana properties as pricey, Lee believes otherwise. "It is true that the price points of our homes are high, but I don't think they are expensive. They are not even fully priced. Home prices spike every time we add a new feature, like an additional park or when we successfully launch a new scheme at higher prices."

Lee thinks the pricing power of Desa ParkCity can be sustained. He is optimistic that with the completion of Plaza Arcadia - a 4.5-hectare mixed-use development comprising 107 stylish four-storey buildings that set an atmospheric environment - home prices will ascend to new record levels.

As the global movement towards smart and sustainable development intensifies, Perdana is focused on creating communities that qualify for green marks.

Extensive networks of walking pathways and cycling lanes are a staple in its projects, which in turn reduce residents' dependency on vehicles. Perdana also plants abundant shade trees in its neighbourhoods to cool down the environment, thus minimising electricity consumption for air-conditioning.

"We will continue to work on projects in places inside and outside of Malaysia that can bring us to the next level. Ideas have wings. We want our influence to spread - beyond suburban communities into cities," Yaw says. "Applying a proven business model, superior DNA and progressive design concepts to projects can bring us success anywhere in Asia."