TreeO stands tall as a new benchmark of affordable living.
NESTLED amid Penang’s rolling greens and breezy hills, a majestic new landmark stands out both in form and purpose.
TreeO in Sungai Ara – the first affordable development by Hunza Properties Bhd – is a refreshing redefinition of what it means to live well.
Combining thoughtful design with lifestyle amenities, skyline views and vast greenery, it proves that affordability need not come at the expense of quality, comfort or community.
Here, residents truly enjoy the luxury of space. Not just within their homes but in the communal areas around them.
From the infinity pool to shaded gardens and play areas, every corner of TreeO was designed to nurture well-being and connection.
This balance of liveability and accessibility has now earned it national acclaim – with the prestigious Malaysia Property AwardTM (MPA) 2025 by FIABCI-Malaysia in the “Affordable Housing Super High Rise” category.
Group managing director Datuk Khor Siang Gin described it as validation of their long-held belief that every Malaysian deserves a home built with dignity, care and enduring value.
“For a homegrown Penang developer like Hunza, such accolades are particularly meaningful. It shows that we’re not only meeting basic housing needs but setting new standards.
“This underlines our role in addressing real housing gaps especially for the lower to middle-income groups.
“Winning this award sends an explicit signal that our affordable housing is not token work.
“Rather, it is meaningful development that contributes materially to Penang’s housing landscape.
“Besides enhancing our credibility with stakeholders, it also shows that Hunza can deliver projects which are socially meaningful and commercially viable.
“It’ll motivate our in-house teams to continue raising the bar in future developments, reinforcing the corporate culture of doing things right and never cutting corners,” Khor shared.
Hunza Group managing director Datuk Khor Siang Gin
Elevating life
TreeO’s design philosophy is encapsulated in its tagline of being “Nature’s Best Sanctuary”.
Notably, over 70% of the project site is dedicated to lush greenery, offering a seamless interplay of refreshing air and invigorating experiences.
Its towers are ideally positioned to capture scenic hill, city and sea vistas, while thematic gardens and landscaped recreational decks provide quiet pockets for relaxation amid nature.
This aura of tranquility – where families can unwind, children can play freely and neighbours can connect – is rare in modern urban developments, let alone an affordable one.
Notably, all 1,240 units were fully sold out shortly after construction began, during the Covid-19 pandemic – which was testament to the project’s unbeatable proposition.
Bridging affordability with aspiration is TreeO’s defining achievement, with its design and wide suite of resort-style amenities.
There is an infinity pool, wading pool, Jacuzzi, gymnasium, poolside lounge, games lounge, reading corner, rock-climbing wall, thematic gardens, playgrounds, barbecue areas and multi-purpose hall.
Poolside seating (above) provides a serene spot to chill and chat while the well-equipped gym (below) fosters a healthy lifestyle for the community.
“These are not always standard in affordable projects. But what we set out to do was provide spaces that fostered a lifestyle of community and health,” Khor pointed out.
Such emphasis on landscaping and communal spaces goes beyond mere aesthetics; it contributes to mental and physical well-being.
TreeO’s units – all measuring 900sq ft with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a balcony – were also designed with usability and comfort in mind.
Thoughtful attention to internal layouts and orientation maximise ventilation and natural light, ensuring that every home feels open, airy and comfortable.
The project’s location in Sungai Ara also offers a good balance. It is somewhat removed enough for peace and greenery, yet comfortably close to amenities, schools and roads.
It is also close to Hunza’s landmark Penang International Commercial City (PICC) mega township development in nearby Bayan Lepas – where future commercial, retail and lifestyle offerings will grow.
It is also close to Hunza’s landmark Penang International Commercial City (PICC) megatownship development in nearby Bayan Lepas – where future commercial, retail and lifestyle offerings will grow.
“TreeO delivers much more than just a roof over one’s head. It offers environment, lifestyle, facilities and comfort while keeping affordability central.
“For families who might otherwise have to compromise, TreeO minimises what is sacrificed while elevating what’s truly essential,” Khor highlighted.
Hunza’s innovative approach extends beyond bricks and mortar. Residents here are empowered by H Circle, the company’s proprietary smart management platform.
It allows one to pay maintenance fees online, submit and track maintenance or repair requests, book facilities, manage visitor/guest access, receive real-time community announcements and alerts, call for emergency help and more.
These not only improve efficiency but also cultivate transparency, accountability and a sense of belonging to a modern, well-managed and forward-thinking community.
Building right
Delivering such quality within the constraints of affordable housing was no small feat.
Hunza’s project teams had to cleverly balance cost efficiency with design integrity.
Key to that was value engineering – optimising materials and designs for durability and comfort without unnecessary expense. Bulk procurement and strong supplier partnerships helped control costs.
“It could’ve been easy to reduce features to hit a price but that risked compromising dignity or experience.
“To avoid that, we prioritised what mattered most in terms of liveability, such as natural light, ventilation, layout, green spaces and safety features. We chose to make trade-offs elsewhere rather than compromise on the fundamentals or comfort,” Khor said.
Hunza’s proactive engagement with regulatory authorities ensure no disruptions to the project timeline, despite TreeO being built during the Covid-19 disruption.
At a time when costs rose and supply chains strained universally, the team’s strong project management and lean construction practices mitigated the challenges and ensured timely completion.
“Buyers nowadays want high-end amenities and finishes even in affordable projects, so we had to rise above expectations.
“We prioritised transparency, ensuring the show unit reflected the actual home.
“This allowed buyers to see what they were getting,” Khor continued.
TreeO’s most profound impact is in its social construct: By dedicating such a significant portion of its site to communal and recreational areas, Hunza fosters a sense of belonging and community spirit rarely seen in affordable projects.
This emphasis on shared spaces not only enhances well-being but nurtures connection – something increasingly precious in urban living.
It makes TreeO more than a housing development. It is a community rooted in inclusivity, balance and sustainability.
The SENYUM series
TreeO’s success has strengthened Hunza’s resolve to expand its affordable housing portfolio under the new SENYUM series.
It represents the company’s new category of price-accessible homes built around six core values – Happiness, Affordability, Comfort, Care, Community and Quality.
Upcoming projects in this pipeline are Banyan Residensi @ Bertam, The Millennia @ Bayan Lepas and Mahsuri RMM @ Bayan Lepas.
There is also Seri Impian @ Sungai Petani in Kedah, which will notably be a landed development.
“We will continue to balance our portfolio of premium developments with mid-market and affordable offerings so different income groups are served.
“No matter the price point, all our projects place emphasis on design, sustainability and smart home features to improve quality of life,” Khor stressed.
For now, Hunza continues to anchor Penang’s economic transformation through PICC which integrates residential, commercial, retail, and lifestyle components into one mega township.
As the state’s infrastructure projects such as the LRT network and Penang International Airport expansion takes shape, PICC will be well-poised to play a central role in enhancing connectivity, generating employment and attracting investment.
This will reinforce Penang’s position as a liveable, future-ready city.
Alongside that, TreeO stands as testament to Hunza’s belief that great designs belong to everyone, not just the top end of the market.
Its FIABCI award affirms that when developers build with empathy, innovation and discipline, affordability can coexist with aspiration.
“This aligns with our foundational core values of Reliability, Integrity, Greatness, Human Development and Teamwork - otherwise known as RIGHT. It’s a guiding principle that drives every decision we make and every home we build,” Khor added.
