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Gurney Paragon, Along Gurney Drive, Penang
Set to be Penang’s iconic landmark along the famous Gurney Drive and a neighbour to the established 90-year old St Joseph’s Novitiate, the RM400 million twin tower, high-end condominium development incorporating a 1 million sqft shopping mall known as the Gurney Paragon will definitely change the trend and lifestyle of Penang urbanites when completed at the end of 2010.
Gurney Paragon is easily accessible via major roads in Penang such as Burma Road, Codrington Avenue, Bagan Jermal Road, and Persiaran Gurney. This luxury condo project is also close to many existing amenities such as restaurants and cafés, Gurney Plaza, Gleneagles Medical Centre, Convent Pulau Tikus and many others.
A high end mixed development by the renowned developer, Hunza Properties Bhd, it was slapped with a 'stop work order' by the Penang Municipal Council in early July 2009 as a result of a sunken driveway of an adjacent condominium block called Gurney Park due to the former’s construction work activities. However, due to its high social and moral responsibility, Hunza Properties ordered immediate remedial works to be carried out to mitigate the damage to the adjacent driveway. As a result, the 'stop work order' was lifted on August 7, 2009 and Hunza Properties could continue with its construction activities without any further hassle.
The project, sitting on prime freehold land measuring approximately 10.21 acres, actually enjoys dual frontages to both Gurney Drive and Jalan Kelawai. The first phase of the mixed development comprises two blocks of luxury condo units known as the East Tower which has a total of 73 units whilst the West Tower has a total of 191 units. The condo units each has built-up areas ranging between 2,810 sq ft and 10,442 sqft. The second phase of the integrated development will be the inclusion of a lifestyle shopping mall around the St Joseph’s Novitiate to accommodate the boutique retailers and restaurants.
Site map of Gurney Paragon
Price-wise, Gurney Paragon’s value is comparable to that of similar developments around the Gurney Drive and Pulau Tikus areas, in the range of RM1.4 million and above.
The launching price of Gurney Paragon’s condo units are from RM1.4 million onwards for the West Tower and RM1.6 million onwards for units in the East Tower.
The layout type is shown below :
1. West Tower (Types A & B):
4 suites per floor
Built-up area: 2,810 sf - 5th to 23rd floor
Built-up area: 2,853 sf - 23A to 39A floor
2. West Tower (Types C & D):
Built-up area: 3,132 sf - 5th to 23rd floor
Built-up area: 3,154 sf - 23A to 39A floor
3. West Tower (Types C & D):
Penthouse units
Roof Garden
Built-up area: 5,867 sf and 6,792 sf - 41st to 43rd floor
4. East Tower (Types A & B):
2 suites per floor
Built-up area: 4,586 sf - 5th to 17th floor
Built-up area: 4,600 sf -18th to 22nd floor
Built-up area: 4,629 sf - 23rd to 39A floor
5. Sky Lounges (Duplex)
Built-up area: 5,404 sf and 5,728 sf
6. Penthouse units
Built-up area: 10,442 sf
Facilities:
Multi-tiered security
Reception / Front desk
Gymnasium
Business centre
Infinity pool
Jacuzzi
Children’s play pool
Children’s play room
Exercise deck
BBQ area
Function hall
Meeting room
Yoga / Aerobic studio
Driver’s room
A view of Gurney Paragon, Penang Island
A plus point to consider is that a few years ago, the Penang state government had proposed to build the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR), an elevated expressway which connects Gelugor (near Penang Bridge) to Tanjung Bungah on Penang Island with the intention to provide easy access to Gurney Paragon occupants as well as residents living in nearby existing condominium developments and to cut down traveling time. According to the PORR’s initial route plan, it would be built exactly beside the 1PG condo (1 Persiaran Gurney), and it passes directly in front of Gurney Paragon, as well as other condos along Persiaran Gurney. However, the construction of the PORR has been postponed indefinitely. Although there are rumours and opinions that the PORR will mar the image of Gurney Paragon if constructed, it is actually the two sides of the same coin. It depends on how one looks at the picture. Perhaps, the lower level condo units may be marred by the alignment of the PORR and will have an obstructed view of the surrounding area, those higher level units may actually get to enjoy the scenery and the amenity of a road linkage within close proximity that will provide easy access to all parts of the island.
