Gamuda Land Launches New UK And Australia Projects

Gamuda Land is expanding its international markets, with a significant expansion plan that will see the developer add an average of five new overseas projects per annum from financial year 2023 (FY2023) and beyond.

This comes as Gamuda Land launches its first United Kingdom and second Australian property, namely West Hampstead Central in London and The Canopy on Normanby in Melbourne. The launch took place today in Kuala Lumpur at the Four Seasons Hotel, where a special preview will be held over the weekend from 1st to 2nd October 2022.

“Expanding internationally is consistent with Gamuda Land’s five-year business plan. It is part of our strategy to achieve RM8 billion annual sales in the next five years. So, we will be diversifying our markets where we have already established a strong presence. These mature markets such as Australia and the United Kingdom present a host of opportunities for us to apply and showcase our mindful planning and sustainability expertise,” said Ngan Chee Meng, Chief Executive Officer, Gamuda Land.

The Canopy on Normanby, a biophilic development focused on sustainability

Located approximately 1.2km from the Melbourne Central Business District, The Canopy on Normanby is located in an up-and-coming precinct within the Fishermans Bend, Australia’s largest urban renewal project covering approximately 480 hectares in the heart of Melbourne.

Home to 213 units of one, two or three-bedroom apartments planned over 20 levels, The Canopy will feature a host of green building features as well as incorporating biophilic designs that will connect residents with nature.

In collaboration with the City of Port Phillip, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and Fishermans Bend Taskforce, Gamuda Land will also deliver a new 3,000 sqm public park that will see a section of neighbouring Johnson Street permanently closed and transformed into an open green space for the community.

In understanding the local cultures and norms, Gamuda Land applied its development principle of ‘listening to what the land has to tell us’ in the redevelopment of the park, paying homage to the landscape that was there before us. The park will be home to over 6,000 carefully selected native trees and plants. Adopting the Miyawaki planting technique will create a park that is 30 times denser, with trees that grow 10 times faster and are sustainable and easier to maintain in the future.

“Our climate change agenda has steered us to be a bit more focused on our goals and the outcomes we hope to achieve in our endeavours. In 2021, Gamuda, as a group, shifted our strategies to further define environmental, social and governance (ESG), with a clear set of targets to map our path to the ‘green economy’ via the Gamuda Green Plan,” Ngan shared.

Ngan further elaborates, “We believe it’s no longer acceptable to merely adopt green building design, but essential to ensure every building or public space is making a positive green contribution to the place and its people. For us to do this, we have to work with nature and not against it.”

Designed by Hayball Architects, Oculus and Hip V. Hype, the project will feature a biophilic spine throughout the development with dedicated areas for work and recreation amongst green spaces. Cascading green walls will be a dominant feature throughout corridors, lobbies and terraces. A deck atop the development will feature lush green planting and resident amenities such as a Japanese-inspired onsen, urban farming beds as well as a meditation and wellness studio.

Ngan noted that it was important that the project made a significant contribution to enriching air quality and reducing the heat island effect.

West Hampstead Central, a well-connected location on vibrant West End Lane

Featuring architectural design that is inspired by the area’s vernacular mansion blocks, West Hampstead Central pays tribute to both English heritage as well as contemporary design.

“Though inspired by traditional craftsmanship, the design of West Hampstead Central also embraces the future, with mindfully thought-out modern building techniques for greater energy efficiency and sustainability features. As with all our new developments, we want to ensure that natural light is maximised for every unit and the community will have that connection to nature through extensive landscaping within and surrounding the development,” Ngan explained.

West Hampstead Central enjoys a prime location within London with many of the capital’s top attractions and neighbourhoods located within walking, biking or a quick tube ride away. Well- supported by overground, rail and tube stations within a 2-min walking distance, traveling for work or leisure is made extremely easy.

“London is still a leading financial and business district while London’s top universities regularly rank among the world’s best. We see great potential for this development especially due to its very strategic location,” said Ngan.

The enviable location is a mere walking distance from independent shops, bars, restaurants and cafes, boutique gyms, fitness studios, art galleries and more with easy access to tree-lined streets and beautiful green spaces. Finchley Road, home to large supermarket branches and Hampstead Village are approximately one mile away.

For those who enjoy nature, Hampstead Heath, one of London’s most iconic green spaces spread over 800 acres in size is also located within close proximity to the development – 11 minutes by bike. Here, one can find an abundance of nature, woods and meadows and inspiring landscapes to ramble through.

West Hampstead Central is also well-positioned for educational opportunities, with a wide choice of schools, colleges and universities within easy-reach. The renowned London Business School is only a mere 15 minutes away by bike. West Hampstead Central features 101 units of one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Gamuda Land’s strategic portfolio expansion

Gamuda Land’s international expansion is part of its five-year strategic plan and will be anchored on three strategic thrusts, namely establishing a 50:50 ratio between local and international projects, in addition to introducing new bite-sized projects. With these bite-sized projects, returns are able to be forecasted within the first five-years and earnings can be reinvested into other new projects, vis-a-vis township developments that require high upfront capital commitment and longer turnaround returns.

Gamuda Land is also looking into expanding its company portfolio in the areas of commercial and industrial projects amidst the anticipated demand for sustainable office buildings in the UK market and commercial and industrial projects in Vietnam due its foreign direct investment inflows and positive economic prospects.

To know more about Gamuda Land’s developments, visit www.gamudaland.com.my