KUCHING: Hock Seng Lee (HSL) today (May 1) officially opened its latest residents’ facility – the Grande Clubhouse at La Promenade here, marking the launch of a RM2.8-million amenity serving homeowners of Precinct Grande.
The opening, held at 10:00 am, also kicked off a weekend of health and fitness activities in collaboration with Level Up Fitness, featuring gym classes, yoga and pilates sessions.
The Grande Clubhouse is the centrepiece of Precinct Grande, the third residential phase within the 200-acre gated La Promenade development.
It is the most premium residents’ facility built by HSL to date, designed exclusively for 90 homeowners in what is described as the community’s most luxurious precinct.
Spanning three storeys with a built-up area of 8,126 sq ft, the clubhouse includes a gym, yoga space, reading and relaxation areas, as well as a multi-purpose hall and a 24-metre saltwater swimming pool on the ground floor. Wheelchair-friendly parking bays are also provided.
HSL Managing Director, Datuk Paul Yu Chee Hoe, said the clubhouse had been envisioned as a standout feature since the project’s early planning stages in 2017.
“We knew from the planning stages in 2017 that this clubhouse had to be special. We told MSNC to design without limitations. We asked them to design what they wanted, and we would build it closely to their specifications.
“The result is a striking off-form concrete structure, with a high, cathedral-like atrium above the gym, views towards the landscaping, and flexible, functional spaces that can be naturally ventilated or air-coned,” he said.
Designed by architect duo, Lau Ming Ngi and Suh Chee of MNSC, the building features a bold, contemporary aesthetic defined by off-form concrete, steel and glass.
Yu said HSL’s engineering team worked closely to realise the design with minimal compromise, resulting in large column-free spaces, double-height glazing, and concealed mechanical and electrical systems for a clean finish.
“Everything we have done reflects La Promenade’s ethos of going the extra mile. Even what you don’t see – such as hidden utilities – is part of what we are most proud of,” he added.
The clubhouse is set amid extensive landscaping, with more than 100 plant species surrounding the facility – a hallmark of HSL’s development approach.
When met by reporters at the event, MNSC Director, Lau Ming Ngi, said the design prioritised openness and connectivity.
“The ground floor is intentionally permeable and accessible, with spaces like the swimming pool and multi-purpose hall opening out to the surrounding greenery,” he said.
The swimming pool is positioned to the side of the building, allowing it to blend into the landscape rather than dominate the site.
Lau added that the upper-floor gym was designed as a double-volume space overlooking the main neighbourhood road, creating visibility and a sense of activity within the precinct.
“In this way, the clubhouse contributes to the streetscape and fosters a sense of community life, rather than functioning purely as a private facility,” he said.
The design also emphasises natural ventilation, with openable spaces that allow cross airflow when air-conditioning is not in use.
A distinctive red steel staircase, paired with a skylight above, serves as a key architectural feature, bringing natural light into the building’s core and enhancing the sense of openness.
