The Edge - The Next Highland Escape
The next highland escape Tropicana WindCity, which occupies 596 acres mid-hill at Genting Highlands, is poised to be the next destination to nest or invest in owing to its holistic, integrated retail, recreational and residential components. Officially launched on June 16 this year by Tropicana Corp Bhd, Tropicana WindCity comprises three distinctive master plans, namely Tropicana Paradise (308 acres),Tropicana Grandhill (112 acres) and Tropicana Avalon (176 acres).
Tropicana Paradise will anchor the entire development and comprises three development phases. The first phase is scheduled for completion by 2026 or 2027, will cover 38 acres and comprise two sub-phases: one being a 28-acre entertainment hub and the other, just under 10 acres, for future expansion. Phases 2 and 3 will be residential-centric but the details are still being planned.
The focus of Tropicana Paradise will be the 2.5 million sq ft entertainment hub, of which an estimated one million sq ft will be retail space while the rest will consist of extensive amenities including a multi-level glass tower, a convention centre, gardens, dining facilities, an indoor water theme park, indoor dry theme park, indoor snow and ski park, aquarium, underwater restaurant, children's play areas, music and entertainment spaces, a roller-skating park and rock climbing park.
In addition to the internal spaces, there will be outdoor green areas with glamping facilities, an obstacle-and-rope course, canopy walks, jungle treks and hotel accommodation.
Similar to Tropicana Paradise, Tropicana Grandhill will also be developed over three phases, with a focus on its residential collection alongside recreational and educational options.
Tropicana Grandhill's first phase consists of serviced residences, education and commercial components and a wellness hub. Its first phase, TwinPines Serviced Suites, was unveiled last year.
TwinPines Serviced Suites is a 3.57-acre development comprising 1,443 units of serviced suites with built-ups of 379 to 1,330 sq ft. Units are priced from RM397,000, or an average price of RM1,050 psf.
The second phase of Tropicana Grandhill will have parks, serviced residences and a retirement home. The master plan's third phase has not been finalised.
Meanwhile, Tropicana Avalon, which is on higher ground than Tropicana Paradise and Tropicana Grandhill at 1,200m above sea level, is designed to be a luxurious and intimate township. Details of its development plan, however, are still under wraps.
Focus on sustainability It is worth noting that Tropicana WindCity was planned with sustainability and environmentally friendly concepts in mind since day one.
For example, Tropicana Paradise will have sustainable transport and infrastructure such as a cable car system, an electric tram system and an elevated skywalk to reduce carbon emissions in the highland area.
The 8km elevated skywalk will have a width of 22ft, where loft will be for pedestrians and the disabled while the remaining 12ft will be for bicycles and wheel usage, such as skateboards and scooters, to make it a walkable development.
Meanwhile, the cable car service will not only carry people to stations in the entertainment hub but will also be connected to the wider areas of Phases 2 and 3 of Tropicana Paradise as well as Tropicana Grandhill.
This planned infrastructure aims to encourage visitors to embrace a more carbon-free lifestyle towards a more sustainable future. This is in line with Tropicana's focus on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) principles.
Tropicana is also committed to preserving the flora and fauna of the area, especially for those who enjoy outdoor activities, and will put in place sustainable elements such as solar panels at the development. In fact, water at Tropicana Paradise's indoor water theme park will be warmed by solar means.
Another key sustainable highlight at Tropicana Paradise's entertainment hub will be the aesthetically pleasing glass canopy structure, which will let in plenty of natural light. The sides of the building will open up to the outdoors and allow fresh air to flow through. Rain-sensing curtains will be activated when it rains to prevent the interior from getting wet.
T Privilege Tropicana's improved loyalty programmed Privilege, which is anchored by the Tropicana 360 mobile app, was unveiled during Tropicana WindCity's official launch.
Tropicana introduced its first property loyalty programme- the Tropicana Privilege Card, back in 2011. The latest, improved T Privilege aims to offer more benefits to the group's property purchasers as well as the communities across its developments.
"Tropicana was the first to launch a property loyalty programme in Malaysia back in 2011. Now that we have grown and diversified across many segments, the introduction of the improved T Privilege is timely," Tropicana group managing director Dion Tan said during the launch event.
"In line with our digital initiatives, members can also access their T Privilege membership through our Tropicana 360 mobile app. To welcome more members to experience our Tropicana benefits, we have also introduced the prive tier for members of the public. They can join by simply downloading and registering through our app. This upgraded functionality serves to connect [us] with our purchasers and the community while enhancing and streamlining our rewards ecosystem," Tan added.
The improved loyalty programme will have five tiers of membership (prive, priority, gold, platinum, diamond) offering incentives such as special rebates on property purchases, referral cash rewards, priority invitations to launches and lifestyle events, special privileges at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort (TGCR) and complimentary lifestyle updates through Tropicana Magazine. Members can leverage the programme's 65 merchant partners and brands, including fashion, dining, fitness, home and living brands at Tropicana Gardens Mall, Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, Courtyard by Marriott and W Kuala Lumpur.
