Ken Plans RM2bil Projects

February 5, 2014

BY ANGIE NG

PETALING JAYA: Ken Holdings Bhd has lined up four hotels and an office project, all with a gross development value of RM2bil, over the next two years to boost its earnings.

Group managing director Sam Tan said the hotels would be located in Genting Highlands, Johor Baru, Kota Baru and Shah Alam, while the office project would be in Kuala Lumpur.

In line with his vision of steering Ken Holdings towards building more environmentally sustainable projects, Tan said the development would be green-rated.

“We intend to introduce a top-level brand for the hotels in Genting Highlands and in KEN JBCC in Johor Baru, and a boutique business hotel concept in Kota Baru, Kelantan, and in KEN RIMBA, Shah Alam,” Tan told StarBiz.

The properties are both for sale and for recurring income.

Tan said the group’s long-term strategy was to build a strong recurring income.

Its platinum grade corporate office, KEN TTDI, which has incurred some RM150mil in investment, is due for completion by the first quarter of 2015, while KEN Kota Baru and KEN JBCC are earmarked for launch this year.

Located in Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi in Kuala Lumpur’s Taman Tun Dr Ismail, the double platinum award winning (LEED Platinum and GreenMark Platinum) KEN TTDI houses a performing arts theatre, facilities for meetings, incentives, convention and exhibition, a rooftop pool, gymnasium, and F&B outlets.

For the KEN JBCC project in Johor Baru, Tan said Ken Holdings was a strategic partner to the Iskandar Regional Development Authority, adding that it would be the first green integrated city in Iskandar Malaysia.

Located near the Woodlands checkpoint, he said the project would have retail space, hotels, serviced suites, offices and medical centres.

Meanwhile, its Kota Baru project, located next to the KB Mall, will also feature a green-compliant hotel and serviced suites.

“Hailed as the equivalent of the iconic KLCC, it aims to introduce a new standard of green living for the professionals and returning Kelantanese,” Tan said.