Setia Awan Group unveils the country's first project combining TOD and SoHo transit units

An artist’s impression of Astrum Ampang, which will have a total of 5,228 Soho units and serviced apartments in six blocks. Courtesy image

Setia Awan Group is introducing Astrum Ampang, the country's first project combining the ideas of a transit-oriented development (TOD) and SoHo (small office, home office) transit units.

The project, which is located on a 2.77 hectare leasehold land on Jalan Jelatek in Kuala Lumpur, has a total gross development value of RM1.6 billion.

Astrum Ampang will have six blocks ( 24 to 48 storeys) known as Towers A, S, T, R, U, and M.

The project will offer a total of 5,228 units comprising SoHo transit homes, SoHo suites and serviced apartments, Rumah Mampu Milik (RMM) homes, and 27 shops.

According to Setia Awan Group central region chief operating officer James Bruyns, Astrum Ampang was planned and designed to encourage public transportation ridership to promote sustainable growth in the city.

He said the project will be directly linked to the Jelatek LRT station which is 150 metres away, via a covered pedestrian bridge.

Astrum Ampang's modern inspiration embraces the "city inside city" concept, according to Bruyns, with the company's hotel, office, park, shopping, connectivity, and apartment (HOPSCA) blueprint.

"The project's uniqueness lies in it encapsulating the first-ever SoHo transit and TOD concept in Kuala Lumpur. It also caters to the rising demand of homeownership by the young, working population in the thriving and exciting Kuala Lumpur," he said.

Phase 1 will include 1,360 SoHo transit homes in Tower S and 712 RMM SoHos and serviced apartments in Tower A, according to him.

The RMM SoHos and serviced apartments with studio and 1-bedroom layouts will be priced at RM230,000 and RM250,000, respectively, and will have built-ups of 450 and 550 sq ft.

The SoHo transit homes are studios with built-ups of 280 sq ft and are priced at RM230,000 each.

"These affordable price points allow young working adults to redirect their rental overheads towards owning a property with 62 facilities and amenities for a comfortable and convenient lifestyle," Bruyns said.

He said Phase 1 is expected to be completed in 2026.

Among the facilities and amenities available for residents include an indoor playground, a multi-purpose hall, a gymnasium, a community centre/co-working space, a café, an outdoor theatre, and an infinity pool.

(L-R) Setia Awan Group central region executive director, Ng Teck Hua, and chief operating officer, James Bruyns.

"While we have only recently branched out to offer our expertise in the big city, our aim has always been the same, which is to build affordable yet high-quality homes for all Malaysians. Over the past few years, young working adults continue to constitute a huge percentage of the total working population in Malaysia, but many of them find it challenging to rent, let alone own a home in the city center due to high living costs. Setia Awan hopes to play a bigger role to enhance the lifestyle of the underserved communities in this market," said the group's executive director, Ng Teck Hua.

Ng said Astrum Ampang is slated to be another milestone in Setia Awan's stellar property portfolio following the successful launch of their first Klang Valley project, Brezza Hill in Ampang.

The company's list of active developments includes properties in Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, and Perak.