Cyberjaya: Malaysia’s very own Silicon Valley

There’s much more to the tech-based township of Cyberjaya than startups and science

Located 50 kilometres south of Kuala Lumpur, the 7,000-acre integrated township development in Selangor is better known as Southeast Asia’s budding Silicon Valley, the Cyberjaya project, launched in 1997 by the country’s then Prime Minister, has evolved into a vibrant, low-density urban centre with various residential, commercial, retail and institutional developments that can serve a projected population of 210,000 residents, 120,000 workers and 30,000 students.

Despite its distance from the capital, the township is easily accessible from Kuala Lumpur via several routes, including the dedicated Maju Expressway that serves the community, cutting the travel time to only 20 minutes. Dubbed the ‘intelligent city’ by master developer Setia Haruman Sdn Bhd, Cyberjaya is primarily characterised by its world-class IT infrastructure, although an increasing array of lifestyle offerings and high-end residential developments is putting it on the radar of property investors.

Mirage by the Lake

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Developer OSK Property Holdings Berhad launched this acclaimed, 12.14-acre property, which comprises two blocks of condominiums and separate space for luxury villas, in August 2011. The circular property, due for completion in the second quarter of 2015, is an urban designer’s dream, surrounded by lush greenery, natural water corridors and a man-made saltwater pool. All of these are complemented by 3.5 acres of landscape design by Seksan, and the project won the Best Condo Landscape Architectural Design award at the South East Asia Property Awards (Malaysia) 2014. The property was envisioned to feature fan-shaped subdivisions, representing the diverse and nature-inspired qualities of this residential community. Mirage by the Lake also features a SKY gym, two residential clubhouses, fast broadband connectivity and round-the-clock security.

Multimedia University Cyberjaya

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An intelligent city would not be complete without an educational institution that cultivates a knowledge-based culture, and that’s why the Multimedia University campus in Cyberjaya is an ideal place for tertiary students and advanced learners in this community. Owned by Universiti Telekom Sdn Bhd, this campus—which specialises in IT, nanotechnology, biometrics, engineering, advanced robotics and business—opened in 1999 and currently serves some 22,000 college and post-graduate students. Ranked as one of the top 200 universities in Asia according to think tank QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd, the campus has also successfully partnered with several heavy-hitters in the IT and digital world, including Intel, Microsoft and Cisco, for its learning programmes and activities.

Cristal Residence

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Located across from Multimedia University on Persiaran Multimedia Road, Cristal Residence is a freehold residential development by Selangor-based Villamas Sdn Bhd. It covers 11.4 acres and offers 350 condominium units, with options of three- or four-bedroom units, from 121 square metres to 296 square metres. The development also features a 50-unit villa section, which offer four-bedroom villas ranging from 260 square metres to 344 square metres in size. In an effort to promote well-balance living conditions, Cristal Residence amenities will include a Sky lounge, a yoga room, a games room, an aerobics room, tennis and basketball courts, a jogging track, a skating park, a children’s park, and even a night park that’ll be perfect for an evening stroll. The expected completion date is August 2016.

Cyberview Resort & Spa

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A five-star boutique resort, the Cyberview Resort & Spa is surrounded by immaculately landscaped gardens and tropical greenery, attracting both locals and international visitors. The relaxing resort offers 112 units, ranging from chalets to larger suites and two-bedroom bungalows, which all come with a complimentary WiFi service. A stark contrast to the rest of IT-inspired Cyberjaya, amenities at the rustic-style spa include a Sembunyi Spa, free-form swimming pools, a fishing lake, basketball and tennis courts, a children’s club, a health club, and biking paths. Those with an appetite can also visit the resort’s upscale dining outlets, including the Italian fusion restaurant Bistro Cascata, the Pan Asian cuisine-inspired Verandah Restaurant, the Cantonese Zhu Chinese Restaurant, and the Karma Bar and Lounge.

Century Square

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The low-rise commercial block was among the first signature buildings to be built inside the integrated township having been completed in 2001, and includes 6 three- and four-storey buildings, which are ideal for the small-to-medium enterprises that operate at the booming central business district. A number of multinational companies, as well as organisations such as the Ministry of Science and Technology Innovation, also set up offices in the premises. The CBD where Century Square is located is also served by the Cyberjaya Bus Terminal, several commercial and retail outlets, sports facilities, banks, restaurants, and nearby one-level boutique shopping centres called The Street Mall 1 and The Street Mall 2 (currently occupied by a college).

Ceria Residences

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A 19.5-acre freehold property, the Setia Haruman Sdn Bhd project dubbed Ceria Residences comprises a total of 500 units, divided into 150 two-storey terrace villas and 350 condominiums, ranging from 93 sqm to 121 sqm in size. The property targets young adults and families who live and work around Cyberjaya. With its ‘home within nature’ slogan, the residential development echoes the surrounding natural terrain it overlooks. Ceria is also close to Multimedia University, making it an ideal abode for students within the township. Residents can enjoy amenities including basketball and badminton courts, a well-equipped gym, a separate sports hall, and a swimming pool. There is also a kindergarten park for young kids with its own private changing room.