Solaris Dutamas

Property development in Malaysia is now trending towards mixed or integrated developments, and it’s of no surprise to anyone. The traffic conditions in the Klang Valley have become increasingly unbearable, and there is a growing niche of buyers and tenants who do not mind paying a premium for the convenience of having everything under one roof.

In 2005, Mont Kiara condo maker big brother Sunrise (now known as UEM Sunrise after the merger exercise) launched Solaris Dutamas – an integrated development comprising 800 residential suites, 1,000 office units and over 400 retail outlets. Completed in 2009, the project has received significant traction and more. Let’s check this development out in the usual PropertyReviews.my manner…

Solaris Dutamas – Under The Hood

Sprawled on 17 acres of premium freehold land on Jalan Dutamas, the residential suites are housed in three towers – Park, Boulevard and Urbane. Office suites are also housed in these towers from the ground to the fifth floors, while the rest of the levels are for the residential suites. The project has an integrated mall called Publika and a 21-storey tower and four eight-storey blocks for retail units.

Publika’s unique proposition is a major boost to Solaris Dutamas’ desirability

Units at Solaris Dutamas’ serviced residence blocks (also known as the Solaris Dutamas Designer Suites) have built-up sizes from 672 to 1,238 square feet. Central air conditioning, built-in closets, water heater, kitchen appliances and cupboards, washer/dryer and refrigerator are provided for each unit.

Dwellers of Solaris Dutamas are up for some rest and relaxation with the following facilities provided for them:-

• BBQ area
• Kids’ wading pool
• Lap pool
• Games area
• Multi-purpose hall
• Fully-equipped gym
• 24-hour security
• Parking

Being a mixed development with integrated business, commercial and residential properties, Solaris Dutamas provides everything their residents need. The 400+ commercial shops provide residents shopping, dining, health and recreational pleasures. From supermarkets (Ben’s Independent Grocer or BIG) to restaurants (The Pink Sage Diner, Nathalie’s Gourmet Studio, etc.) to wedding suppliers (Celest Thoi) to arts (Artemis Art), residents have more than enough. There is also a non-halal food court specializing in famous hawker fare from the legendary Kin Kin Pan Mee (the “cannon fodder” chili paste is not of this world) to the off-the-mill chicken rice and herbal pork ribs.

The table below shows Solaris Dutamas’ prime specifications and then some –

Location Details

Solaris Dutamas is located in what GoodPlace.my calls the “east of Mont Kiara”, and is adjacent to the Damansara Heights and Bukit Tunku enclaves. It sits on Jalan Dutamas and may be accessed through Jalan Duta via Sprint Highway, Damansara-Ulu Klang Elevated Expressway (DUKE) or the North Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE). There are not many options for public transportation unfortunately, but there is a bus serving the Government Complex, which is within walking distance to Solaris Dutamas.

The nearest apartments are the Hartamas Regency condominiums (1 and 2) as well as Duta Tropika and Duta Nusantara. Mah Sing’s Icon Residence is further up the road.

Being on top of Publika means that its walkability factor is high. According to GoodPlace.my, its Walkability Score is 98 out of a possible 100. Comparatively, in the Klang Valley, only the likes of Pavilion Residences on Jalan Bukit Bintang has got better Walkability Scores (99).

If shopping within the development is not enough, you may opt to hop to Mont Kiara where Plaza Mont Kiara and 1 Mont Kiara Mall may be found. Other shopping centres close by are Hartamas Shopping Centre, Bangsar Shopping Centre, IKEA, Carrefour and Mid Valley Megamall.

Solaris Dutamas boasts the highest GoodPlace.my Walkability Score in the entire Mont Kiara, and for good reason

Expat information. Foreign embassies, schools, hospitals and government offices are within short distances and are easily accessible to and from Solaris Dutamas. International schools like Mont Kiara International School and Garden International School are right at the Mont Kiara enclave. The French school is up north in the Dutamas area at the end of Jalan Dutamas Raya – about 15 minutes drive on a good day. 🙂

Solaris Dutamas Pricing Trends

Depending on the built-up size, units at the serviced residence blocks of Solaris Dutamas sell from RM700 to RM1,200 psf. This prices have appreciated significantly from its launch price of RM400-RM500 psf. It’s easy to attribute this positive trend to three main factors: (1) mixed developments in the Klang Valley are gaining significant traction – primarily driven by the convenience, (2) its prime location in Dutamas / Mont Kiara, and (3) reputation of Sunrise.

For a guide on deriving a fair value for units at Solaris Dutamas, click here for an easy guide.

The chart below shows the asking prices for the past few months for this property –

PropertyReview.my’s Final Analysis

Solaris Dutamas has been hailed as the “successor” to Solaris Mont Kiara, and deservedly so. We have also been bullish about mixed developments, and we see this trend to continue in the Klang Valley. With the solid reputation of Sunrise we do see some sort of subsale value protection in the future. Other choices of integrated developments in the Hartamas and Mont Kiara area include the upcoming Arcoris and Gateway at Kiaramas.

There’s also a current trend in Mont Kiara that there’s heightened demand for smaller apartment units – and this definitely true in the case of Solaris Dutamas. In fact, we would estimate that some 50% of all transactions on Solaris Dutamas involve units which are smaller in size. With the rise in PSF price, the demand for smaller units will only go higher – and this is true for Mont Kiara and everywhere else in Kuala Lumpur city.