Bukit Jalil was once known as Ladang Bukit Jalil, a 1,800 acre estate that housed a rubber plantation, before it was acquired by the government. It was then developed into the National Sports Complex for the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Seeing that it wasn't enough, the town continued growing, and it still is. With a number of developments within the area, and the largest retail mall in the region slated to be completed in 2 years' time, it begs the question, is Bukit Jalil turning into the next Kuala Lumpur?
What's in Bukit Jalil?
Apart from the National Sports Complex, Bukit Jalil is a rather busy town. Given its short distance from Kuala Lumpur, its tenants are mostly those who need to commute to Kuala Lumpur for work.
The need for more accommodation has turned into an opportunity for developers to set up base in the area. This is bound to see a sharp increase in population in the next year or two, with the new developments that are coming into the area.
Bukit Jalil, despite being a small area, packs a punch with its list of amenities. Within the area itself, there are two LRT stations; Sri Petaling and Bukit Jalil, which is an attraction point when potentials choose the area as their next property destination. Aked Esplanad is the commercial hub within the area, providing restaurants, workshops, shops and offices.
Schools are also abundant here, with the Bukit Jalil Sports School being one of the highlights. There are also 2 major private universities that are the International Medical University (IMU), and Asia Pacific University, which is located in Technology Park Malaysia, Bukit Jalil's "science park".
Find out more about Bukit Jalil by watching the video below!
Will Bukit Jalil turn into the next KL?
When asked about the first thing they can think of about Bukit Jalil, many of our users voiced out their opinions in an instant. Here's 3 of the most common impressions we collected.
#1 The National Stadium
#2 Concerts
Others also remember the place for holding concerts, and performances of their favorite bands.
#3 The "Sports Centre" of Malaysia
True to its nature, Bukit Jalil is also known to our users as the "Sports Centre" in the country.
As much as as it is commonly known, that was in a more general standpoint. What about the people who have been Bukit Jalil natives for a long time? We've roped in some natives to give us a first hand perspective on seeing Bukit Jalil grow.
Yeo, a Sri Petaling resident who frequently travels to Bukit Jalil, sees the change in the area. “Today, it’s generally a good place for singles and college students to stay in. Families are moving out of the area”, he says. Yeo adds that it’s due to the developments changing the location into a “newer, trendier area”.
Chloe, a resident in Bukit Jalil Golf and Country Resort, also has the same views with Yeo when it comes to the place turning more trendy. She points out that there were a lack of amenities due to the small population size, but it has since changed for the better. "Other than the foodie heaven in Sri Petaling, there are quite a number of good restaurants in Bukit Jalil!"
Some Bukit Jalil natives feel like the sharp increase in developments have become the downfall of Bukit Jalil, especially echoing the first point of our users' opinions. "This place has turned into a really stressful place to drive", Vikneswaran, a resident for 11 years, said, "With the massive renovations and constructions lately, the once peaceful Bukit Jalil is slowly turning into a place where the first thing you think about is traffic jams."
Whether or not Bukit Jalil is turning into the next Kuala Lumpur, our interviewed residents have mixed feelings about it. Agreement is shifted towards the township turning into KL, but there are also views that it is turning into Damansara.
"Definitely! Bad traffic, easily accessible public transportation, 3 LRT stations nearby, Pavilion 2, tourists hanging around the area, and increased number of billboards, especially in front of the National Stadium, makes Bukit Jalil seems more like Kuala Lumpur now", says Chloe
Yeo shares the same sentiment with Chloe. "In any case, Bukit Jalil is going start looking like Raja Chulan soon, with the new projects in the making, like Pavilion."
Vikneswaran, on the other hand, disagrees. "Bukit Jalil is turning into Damansara, which is a bad place to settle, in my opinion."
Experts' view on Bukit Jalil
We have heard the resident's view about Bukit Jalil, so we asked the same question to a Property Agent, to get his views and advice on the township. Ooi, our property agent thinks that there is a huge potential in Bukit Jalil, and it's a very suitable place for those who are looking to rent.
"This is also thanks to Pavilion 2, and everyone is anticipating its completion", says Ooi.
Ooi is in one mind with the residents when it comes to travelling around Bukit Jalil. "The congestion from the ongoing development is definitely a headache, and I do worry about what is going to happen once all of these are completed", he adds.
However, he also acknowledges the advantage that Bukit Jalil has with public transportation. "It will give the tenants more access to places like Puchong, Petaling Jaya, and Kuala Lumpur", he says, "There are 3 LRT stations surrounding the townships, and this is going to be one of the answers to the congestion."
On whether Bukit Jalil is turning into the next Kuala Lumpur, he says that he doesn't see it happening in an instant as our residents have, but in the long run instead. "I see it happening in the next 5 years", he said.
Upcoming developments in Bukit Jalil
Source: http://bukitjalilcity.com/index.php/gallery/
Bukit Jalil has 2 major developments coming in within the next few years, which is the KL Sports City and Bukit Jalil City. The latter, a project by Malton Group, residents will see a new township within the area, and Pavilion Bukit Jalil, a retail mall that will be managed by the same team which handles Pavilion KL. Located right beside the 80-acre Bukit Jalil Park, here's what will make up the township:
A high-rise residency consisting of 4 towers with luxurious layouts in the units.
Sporting dual key units, their unique selling point is their "Semi-D in the Sky" concept. There's a linked bridge which connects the residence to Bukit Jalil Park.
2. The Park 2
Two towers standing tall, it is a serviced residence that has layouts with 2-3 bedrooms. There will be a link bridge that will connect the residence with Pavilion Bukit Jalil, which will be enticing for investors.
3. Park Point Retail
Its units are 2-3 storeys high, and consists of shop offices. Facing the main road towards Pavilion 2, it will be the first set of retail and amenities visitors will see.
The new highlight in Bukit Jalil itself. Spanning over 2,000,000 sf, the retail outlet will be the largest in the Southern region of Klang Valley. It is estimated to be completed in 2018.
Apart from Malton Group, there are other developers who have set up base in Bukit Jalil City.
7. Aurora SOVO
Land across Bukit Jalil City have also been utilized fully, with some completed and upcoming developments. The Earth, a commercial hub located across the road from Bukit Jalil City, is the first in the area to be completed. Other properties, such as Impiana Sky Residency, a RUMAWIP development, are slated to be completed in 2-3 years time.
If you're looking for other properties around Bukit Jalil, you can check out what we have got here.
Conclusion
There you have it, Bukit Jalil has shed away its image as only a "Sports and Entertainment" central, to one that everyone is anticipating to live in. The main question is - will Bukit Jalil turn into the next Kuala Lumpur? The answers from our residents and agent are leaning towards yes, it seems. We will just have to wait and see.
What are your thoughts on Bukit Jalil? Let us know in the comments below!
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(Written by: Henry Choo, 25th August 2017)
