Building the Future, with Hennessy VSOP.

Just got back from DoubleTree - yes, from the launch of the new Hennessy VSOP bottle and packaging design. =) 

Hennessy VSOP moves forward in a spirit of continuity with a new bottle and packaging design. The legend of the Hennessy VSOP, well, began many many years ago, in fact, almost 200 years already, back in 1817, when the future King George VI of England asked the great French cognac House to supply him with a special cognac described as... "Very Superior Old Pale". =)

For such an iconic cognac - it would be natural for it to be presented in a bottle whose curves signify the elegance and generosity of its content, as well as its balance and exceptional harmony. After an initial modernization of the bottle in 1989, VSOP is moving resolutely into the 21st century, as can be seen in the work of designer Chris Bangle - a legendary figure in the automobile world, who has redesigned its contours to bring its sleek silhouette firmly into the future.

Building the Future... =)

So... Mr Chris Bangle started picking up his pencil and drew the cognac's new silhouette. He accentuated the curves on the sides of the bottle, therefore reinforcing its silhouette's dynamics - and then he lengthened its necks and straightened its shoulders, stretching it vertically. Inspired by the VSOP bottle created in 1954, Chris Bangle chose to confirm this upward movement with an enriched base resembling a pedestal to distinguish the whole with opulence while maintaining its stability. =)

...during the introduction of the new bottle by Chris Bangle...

So... the new bottle is carefully designed - the front of the bottle evokes a pyramid perspective, suggesting an upward vanishing point to draw the eye towards the top of the bottle. The box that comes with it also benefitted from this renewal - giving its edges over a to a more modern vision. 

 It was a great night at DoubleTree - always looking forward to a Hennessy event. =)

Avenue Crest - Show Unit Viewing. =P

Avenue Crest gives the smaller business owners an opportunity to upgrade – upgrade to a 1st class image, at a very affordable price.”

The VENUE is set - at the Show Unit Gallery @ the SITE. You will see more banners and notices up in the next few days... and what is this all about? 

Well, the show unit has been completed already - and is ready to welcome visitors. =) This weekend - on Saturday and Sunday, the 19th and 20th of May 2012 - from 10am til 6pm - we will be having a show unit viewing session and presentation - where my agents will be presenting to you on the investment yields, the property itself... and so much more!!! 

That is not all - there will be breakfast and hi-tea provided - and so far, I have carefully selected a full range menu that includes nasi beryani, Singapore fried mee hoon, popiah, curry puffs, satay, nasi lemak, kuih koci, spaghetti and SO MUCH MOREEEEEE!!!!!!! 

Come and check it out!!! Ohh... did I mention that there will be an early bird discount too?

In case you were wondering whats the construction status, it is already on the Level 7 already, and would be scheduled for completion next year.... =P

Why do I love the Ferrari 458 Spider?

Errr..... 

WOW..... now that I have gotten your attention with the picture of a sexy girl car - let me tell you Why I love the Ferrari 458 Spider. LOL.

First... let me tell you about Ferrari first.

This is the prancing horse of a Ferrari.

It is well known, and the most recognized logo for supercars - worldwide. =) Okay, before I run off topic, let me tell you of my first encounter with a Ferrari 458. =P

It was during the Largest Ferrari Gathering back in 2010. See bottom right picture.

This is HOW the Ferrari 458 looks like. =P

Beautiful isnt it?

Let me show you how the Ferrari 458 Spider looks like. =)

So.... WHY DO I LOVE THE FERRARI 458 SPIDER?

First of all - the new Ferrari 458 Spider is indeed the world’s first mid-rear engined berlinetta equipped with a retractable hard top. Just like the 458 Italia - the 458 Spider is powered by Ferrari’s naturally-aspirated, direct-injection 4.5 litre V8 which was nominated as the 2011 International Engine of the Year for its engineering excellence in terms of driveability, performance, economy and refinement. The power is transferred to the road by Ferrari’s class-leading dual-clutch F1 paddle-shift transmission through the sophisticated E-Diff, itself integrated with the F1-Trac traction control and high-performance ABS for maximum handling dynamics. 

Even the engine soundtrack has been honed to ensure that the car’s occupants are completely captivated by the drop-top driving experience. Entirely in aluminium, the hard-top solution adopted for the 458 Spider offers a number of advantages over the traditional folding soft-top, including a reduction of 25 kg in weight and a deployment time of just 14 seconds. Fully integrated into the styling of the car, the hard-top was engineered to fit neatly ahead of the engine bay without compromising aerodynamics or the performance of the car. 

Okay... enough with the specs! 

Why Do I LOVE the 458 SPIDER SO MUCH??? Because it is perhaps the most beautiful Ferrari ever made. =) Enough said. 

Indulgence Restaurant & Living, Ipoh.

Today I was in Ipoh to check out some stuffs, and then I headed to this place in Ipoh town - called Indulgence Restaurant & Living. Well, it is basically a bungalow - quite an old school bungalow, and it had some really nice and romantic ambience, with some really nice desserts and coffee to match. It was however not so cheap though, coffee here costs more than Starbucks - but it is well worth it. =) 

So... what did I have? 

Iced cappuccino, iced latte, espresso cookie and the most awesome vanilla ice cream on the fudge-on-fudge.... oooooo the indulgenceeeeeee........

Indulgence Restaurant & Living 
14, Jalan Raja Di Hilir,
30350 Ipoh, Perak

Next FRIDAY...

Details coming up soon....

Oh ya... this event only by INVITE. =) So... wanna make me happy then I can TRY to get you an invite?

Crest Builder JV to develop MRB’s RM1.4bil project in KL. - Clarifications.

Reference is made to the article entitled "Crest Builder JV to develop MRB’s RM1.4bil project in KL" that was on the cover of StarBiz today. To clarify on the article to avoid any confusion, I would like to clarify that although we did participate in the Request for Proposal tender, we have yet to receive any result, nor are we aware of the results of the tender at this current moment.

In the event we receive any material information, we would make the necessary announcements accordingly.

Anyways, the online version of the article is here.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) has awarded the RM1.4bil development on 2.2ha in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur to Crest Builder Holdings Bhd and its 49% joint-venture (JV) partner Detik Utuh Sdn Bhd, sources said. For the open tender of this land, request for proposals started last June. Various proposals had been submitted by property players which included those from SP Setia Bhd and Naza TTDI Bhd. 

“Many developers were looking to purchase of the land but MRB declined to sell it as it was looking for a longer term business model with recurring income,” said a source. The land, also known as Lot 76 is opposite the Great Eastern Mall and would be developed over seven years. The development cost would be borne by the Crest Builder and Detik Utuh JV.

MRB, as the landowner would receive 22.5% of the project's gross development value (GDV) for land rights, which translates into about RM300mil. The development would include four towers which consist of one office block, two SoFo' (small office, flexi office), and an apartment block atop a retail mall.

This development strategy is similar to the RM1.04bil tower atop the Dang Wangi light rail transit station contract which was also recently secured by Crest Builder and Detik Utuh. Tendered out by Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd, that project consisted of a mixed development fronting Jalan Ampang where Prasarana would receive 21.2% or RM220mil of the project's GDV as payment of land rights.

While Crest Builder is better known as a contractor, it is starting to shift its focus to become a property developer. It currently has a construction orderbook of some RM950mil and unbilled property sales orderbook of RM300mil. With the MRB land and the Dang Wangi project, this would bring its unbilled property orderbook to over RM2.5bil. Some of its previous construction jobs for other developers included Menara Binjai in Kuala Lumpur, North Shore Gardens in Desa Park City, Kepong, and Twins Damansara in Jalan Semantan, Kuala Lumpur. 

Last Thursday, Crest Builder Holdings Bhd managing director Yong Soon Chow saw his indirect shareholding in the company reduced following the disposal of five million shares or a 4.029% stake. A filing with Bursa Malaysia showed the shares were disposed at 82 sen each for RM4.10mil. He is deemed interested in the transaction where the shares were disposed of by Yong Tiok Chin. It appeared that the shares were sold to strategic investors that were acting in concert with Crest Builder. 

MRB is embarking on a strategy to monetise its landbank. Its most high profile landbank that would be tendered out soon is the development of the Rubber Research Institute Malaysia land measuring 1,215ha in Sungai Buloh, Selangor. MRB's landbank include Menara Getah Asli which fronts the Petronas Twin Towers in Jalan Ampang, the Rubber Research Institute building in Jalan Ampang, and two others, one each in Jalan Stonor and Jalan Lidcol.