John Keells Properties (JKP), the premier real estate developer in the city and a subsidiary of John Keells Holding PLC, introduced luxury condominium living to the City of Colombo with apartment complexes in prime properties like The Monarch and The Emperor at “Crescat City”, Onthree20 at Union Place and 7th Sense at Gregory’s Road and its latest integrated mixed development Cinnamon Life, in Glennie Street .
Cinnamon Life to be completed by 2021 is an Integrated Resort, a city within a city, an iconic development comprising an 800-room luxury hotel under the brand of Cinnamon, entertainment facilities, 427 premium residential apartments, shopping outlets, state of the art office spaces, and many other attractions that is set to change the face of Colombo.
Meanwhile the new kid on the block TRI-ZEN, a joint venture between John Keells Holdings PLC and Indra Traders Pvt Ltd. is set to take the city by storm as the perfect abode for the busy cosmopolitan lifestyle of the Gen Y and Gen Z executives of Colombo’s corporate world.
TRI-ZEN offers smart living spaces in the heart of Colombo, in close proximity to all business hubs, entertainment, amenities, services and activities making it the ideal affordable metropolitan space to enjoy the convenience of living in the City, said Assistant Vice President John Keells Holdings PLC and Development Manager for TRI-ZEN Mr. Lumbini Pathirage.
Property development has been a top focus area for John Keells Holdings PLC and a high revenue earner in the last few years. The property management arm, JKP, includes holding and managing Crescat Boulevard, K Zone shopping malls, in Moratuwa and Ja Ela and the Victoria Golf Course ranked among the 100 most beautiful courses in the world.
BMD spoke to Lumbini Pathirage on the Conglomerate’s leading role in property and real estate development and in particular about their latest project the TRI-ZEN.
Excerpts from the interview.
Q: How would you describe TRI-ZEN, your latest project? What are its USPs and key features?
TRI-ZEN is the ultimate smart home based on smart design principles to maximize space and comfort. With comprehensive recreational and entertainment facilities, and many other attractions TRI-ZEN is geared to be the next gen home in the heart of the city that blends the use of the latest technology with all the facilities and amenities needed for a modern lifestyle. The 891 sophisticated apartments of one, two and three bedrooms rise across three towers and is strategically located in Union Place Colombo 2, with the opportunity and service of smart devices and use of technology to elevate the quality of living. A unique feature of TRI-ZEN is that it offers smart living spaces that seamlessly blends modern technology with contemporary living, bringing the idea of connected-smart home into a reality.
Q: Does TRI-ZEN cater to a particular segment of the condominium market?
Among our typical customers are the fast-growing demographic group of young executives in the corporate sector, – the millennials or the Gen Y and Gen Z who pick a convenient and accessible residence to suit their busy cosmopolitan lifestyle and budget. I predict a spike in demand for city apartments as the capital city of Colombo gets into growth mode with the ongoing development of the Port City. As the Port City project develops into its multi layered phases, the demand for housing in and around the site from expatriates working on the project will increase manifold. Port City is a huge catalyst for us to develop, we expect a Port City driven boom in the condominium market, he says.
Q: What key concerns of living in apartment complexes have been addressed at TRI-ZEN ?
Although located in the heart of the city, TRI-ZEN is an urban sanctuary featuring efficient designs, smart technology and a sense of community, taking the concept of living in Colombo to new heights. We have successfully addressed the key concern of space, outdoor areas and natural environment at TRI-ZEN , with skillful use of space. We have 10 floors of parking and the 11th floor is a one acre of landscaped open area, with a ½ km jogging track, gymnasium, children’s playground and two swimming pools. On the rooftop of the complex are, several function rooms, a badminton court, yoga room and common areas for working and relaxing. TRI-ZEN will also have a minimart , cafeteria, a business center and a laundromat .
Q: What commitments have you made towards sustainability in your new project?
Sustainability is an integral part of TRI-ZEN’s design. Energy saving capabilities and the environment impact of the building have been taken into consideration.
Enhanced living spaces and common areas aim to work towards sustainable energy consumption by putting controls in place. Motion detectors, energy efficient lighting and controlled air conditioning, help to create a stress-free home that is not only smart but also eco-friendly as possible.
All of TRI-ZEN apartments harness natural light from the design feature of wider windows and features such as a rainwater harvesting system to collect and store water to be reused for watering the landscaped gardens within the complex. With every little feature and technological specification that has been added, TRI-ZEN offers a unique way of life and one that enables you to minimize your impact on the planet .
Moving ahead to gear themselves to the era of electric vehicles as the preferred choice of the new generation, TRI-ZEN has introduced the pioneering and exclusive facility of electric fast charging facilities in their Ground floor park for their residents. We have provided two fast charging facilities and 15 slow charging facilities and so far is the only apartment in the country to provide this service. We also have provision for 24 slow chargers per floor, in our nine floor car park, with a maximum capacity of 216 slow charges. This permits the residents to wire the charges to their respective car parking slots on request. We are also subscribing further to sustainability drive with this move, as electric cars will have a tremendous positive impact on the environment.
Q: Why are these apartments popularly known as smart homes?
Technology is increasingly becoming an integral part of our daily lives and at TRI-ZEN it is a quintessential part of the design offering. Catering to the needs of homeowners in the future, each apartment has been equipped with an array of smart features to make the apartment more efficient, stress free and easier to manage. With the use of an IR gateway (magic cube) all infrared appliances lighting and key electricals can be connected to a single platform which can then be controlled via your smartphone .
The smart door lock is designed for maximum convenience to suit the busy lifestyles of our residents, allowing them to open the entrance door to the apartment from outside the premises, even from offices using a smart phone application. Alternately, with the generation of a passcode, outsiders could be permitted to enter the apartment using the passcode. Manual keys are also provided or residents who wish to use a traditional key.
With the click of a button of the TRI-ZEN app the desired AC temperature can be set for the apartment to be refreshed from the moment the owner steps into their apartment. All bedrooms and living room are fitted with smart light switches and some smart plugs . Other options like upgrading your smart environment with voice control, enhanced security etc are also available on request.
Q: A fter TRI-ZEN and the Cinnamon Life project what’s next?
John Keells Properties has always been in the forefront of innovation and providing best in class developments to our buyers. With a growing population and urbanization rates increasing, more people are now converging to the city and looking for apartments as a convenient option to live in, and as investment options. We believe that there will be a strong demand for apartment living and hence we have many interesting projects in the pipeline, which will be released to the market in the coming years to cater to the growing demand. bmd
Lumbini Pathirage – Assistant Vice President, John Keells Holdings PLC and Development Manager, TRI-ZEN.
Lumbini holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Moratuwa & is an Associate member of the Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL).
He has gathered over 15 years experience in project management & property development, and was involved in property development projects such as OnThree20, Seventh Sense and infrastructure projects such as roads and mini hydropower projects.
Lumbini also has experience working for corporations such as Hammer AG, Richard Pieris Group and Premium Vegetable oil Sdn. Bhd. Malaysia.