HICOM Gamuda Development Sdn Bhd is looking at sales of RM250mil from its newly launched Canal Gardens gated terraced housing project in its award winning Kota Kemuning township in Shah Alam.

According to its general manager Steven Chu, the company will built 602 units of middle to high-end double storey houses over several phases on the 79-acre project which features a 1.4km long canal and 1.5km central park.

The canal park provides a waterfront scenery, while the central park would be the heart of leisure activities with a 1.5km walking and jogging trail, five children's playparks, three exercise points and basketball and badminton courts.

''Although the housing market is considered soft due to the weak global economy, we feel that there are still people looking to invest in good housing projects,'' Chu said at a media briefing in Shah Alam yesterday.

He said the Canal Gardens project was based on providing residents with an outdoor theme and stress-free environment.

The company is offering house in sizes of 26ft x 90ft, 25ft x 80ft, 24ft x 75ft and 22ft x 75ft with a variety of designs.

The 26ft x 90ft size houses are priced from RM480,000 each and the 22ft x 75ft from RM323,000. Prices for the remaining two sizes have not been finalised yet.

Chu said the company had allocated about 20% of its Canal Gardens' area for greenery and would invest RM7.3mil for landscaping.

''By providing a large area for landscaping purposes, residents can be assured of a low density housing and tranquil atmosphere,'' he said.

Chu said house buyers were more discerning now and look for residential developments that have good design concept, environmental facilities and amenities.

He also said the company was offering a ''Smile Your Way Home'' plan where housebuyers could save on loan progressive interest during the construction stage.

Source : The Star  9/5/2003