The RK Group not only strives to set benchmarks in the industry, the up-and-coming developer also keeps the needs of the community as its top priority.

The urban landscape of today is constantly evolving. It boasts innovative avant-garde designs that continue to add never before seen dimension to the city's ever-changing surroundings, as well as character building concepts that continue to transform and mold into the needs and wants of an ever fickle market.

According to the RK Group of Companies' group managing director Roslan Khalid, changing standards, routines and ways of life has brought about a need for developers to continuously keep up as well as set higher standards to stay abreast in the property sector.

What may have been acceptable a mere five years prior, no longer fits the necessity and desires of today. A lone-standing stratified retail complex or a bare residential development without facilities and a relaxing atmosphere have become obsolete in today's property landscape.

Consumers of today and the future are looking for a something more than just sneaking sinfully delectable tastes of the icing on the cake - they are looking for a complete experience with more of the sweet stuff to plunge into.

Thus it is not in the character of the urban landscape to remain static. On the contrary, Roslan said, the landscape that we live, work and play in has altered into a constantly changing entity that hums with excitement as it eagerly awaits a new look in design and ideas.

Standards and benchmarks for concepts, design and quality have been placed on a race track towards a more inclusive and enhanced lifestyle with the emergence of new players, such as the RK Group - each of the contenders pushing each other to strive and gain better strategies and momentum to reach the finish line with refinement and style.

The birth of a new competitor

With the motto of urban transformation, the RK Group was conceived in 2000 with the inception of its parent company RK Group Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd, in hopes of bringing about a positive change within the country's cityscape as well as the community.

The RK Group of Companies is a wholly owned Bumiputera property group with business interests in the area of property development, project management, retail & property investment and construction.

Founded by architect turned property developer Roslan Khalid with close to three decades of experience in the industry, he envisioned that his core personal beliefs and expectations will set the platform for a tangible building style to not only benefit its structural surroundings but the vicinity's residents - creating and setting new benchmarks in innovative building trends.

But what is an architect doing in a developer's playground, one might ask.

Roslan reflects back on his experience as a builder of plans as being "too limiting". Although being an integral part of a structure's existence, "there is not much contact with the residents and consumers I was designing the buildings for," he said.

"I wanted to be more involved in all aspects of the process - to generate a real impactful change to an area, a change that not only affects the streets surrounding it but a transformation of an entire neighbourhood. Buildings are not just buildings," Roslan said pointing out his office window to Damansara Heights ' landscape.

"I enjoy creating a structure that not only actively contributes to the burgeoning urban landscape but also one that is capable of giving back to the community and enhancing their lives in the process."

Although Roslan had changed his profession, he still has not left architecture completely behind, "thus far, all projects have been designed in-house," he said with a content smile.

The company has continued to grow in leaps and bounds, he said, recalling to the days of RK Group's humble beginnings when the company started out with only four staff members.

"Today, I am proud to see what the company has already achieved and will continue to achieve as RK Group has only begun its journey."

And with what Roslan calls a "paradigm change", the company's maiden project located in the Pandan District in Kuala Lumpur is doing just that - sweeping through the vicinity and creating a landmark for the community to enjoy and benefit from in the form of AXIS Pandan.

A new look and feel in the Pandan District

Although the location of the Pandan District is just mere minutes away from the country's thriving capital, the area does not reflect the modern cityscape or lifestyle that is just a stone throw's away.

"The Klang Valley has continued to grow westwards, however in the east - the landscape is more barren and neglected, like the Pandan area," said Roslan.

"And what the area needed was a residential and commercial element that targets young and aspiring men and women who dream of a better lifestyle but at their age, are not able to afford housing at exorbitant prices in such a strategic location."

This is what RK Group's inaugural integrated development - AXIS Pandan - boasts.

Comprising of AXIS Residence (384 units), AXIS SOHU (151 units), AXIS Crown (174 units), AXIS Crown Premier (168 units) and its commercial element AXIS Atrium, which is attached below the residential components, the RM237 million development located on 3.77-acres was launched in end 2005 and was well-received since its inception, said Roslan.

The first component, AXIS Residence, is a 33-storey serviced apartment that offers five innovative designs from 739sq ft to 1,023sq ft, which features twin-rooftop sky lounges with function rooms, an oval-shaped gymnasium, swimming, wading and spa pool as well as barbeque pits. The apartment offers residents a modern lifestyle embedded with necessary facilities that an urban working class adult needs in this day and age.

The second, AXIS SOHU (Single-office-home-unit), has been designed for the urban small business owner who prefers to work from home. It is equipped with practical necessities as well as a functional layout for work and play. The duplex units range from 384sq ft to 687sq ft.

While AXIS Crown and Crown Premier highlights luxury living that offers upscale buyers a grand entrance lobby, 10 th floor podium with recreational facilities, 25-metre rooftop heated infinity lap-pool, sky club with dining and functional rooms, sky gym with space facilities, in addition to on call concierge and housekeeping services.

The commercial element of the development, AXIS Atrium, is a two-and-a-half-storey, 200,000sq ft neighbourhood retail centre that will boast 225 lots ranging from 79sq ft to 20,142sq ft. The centre will offer Pandan residents a chic setting for alfresco meals as well as a unique shopping experience within the neighbourhood.

"As of now, we have achieved a global-sell out," he said, "adding that "AXIS Pandan has attained 100% sales."

"Before AXIS Pandan, prices in the Pandan District was only RM165psf, however now AXIS Crown is commanding prices at RM375psf. We have achieved what we have set out to do - transform Pandan into a thriving hub."

A friend to the community

Roslan Khalid is very conscious about the neighbourhood he is catering for. He believes a developer's success relies not only on the frills and hype the marketing department can conjure but it boils right down to pleasing the residents and the community surrounding the product.

"We have put our heart and soul into AXIS Pandan, aiming to give our more than what is expected," he said, adding that from this practice, RK Group has already gained a backing of loyal customers.

"I have received personal thanks as well as cards and photos from customers who feel that this development will truly change their lifestyle as well as the atmosphere of the neighbourhood they are living in."

Roslan states that himself and the company are dedicated to seeing for the needs to the community to exceed the medium cost label in the Pandan District.

"So much effort has been placed in order to benefit the community. As a people-oriented, customer-minded developer, we have brought in planners to widen the road to avoid congestion, and even planned a flea market in the development to provide business opportunity to residents surrounding AXIS Pandan, among other benefits."

Each developer today is pushing for higher and better standards he said, the outlook for tomorrow's urban landscape never looked brighter.

"Developers are continuing to create innovative and dynamic products to survive in today's progressing property market, AXIS Pandan's concept alone has spurred others to create better living for consumers," said Roslan.

As for RK Group's future? The company hopes to replicate their maiden project's concept, with focus both on residential and commercial developments.

Currently, the company is in discussion to acquire or undertake joint-ventures with land owners for several small parcels of land, one of which is "18km of Petaling Jaya," he said, adding that the parcels are adequate to keep RK Group busy for the next five to ten years.

"We are here for the long term," Roslan concluded.