KZBlog

While we tend to think that large-scale, uber-modern building projects are the purview of Astana only, Almaty also has its fair share of construction plans. The financial crisis has halted construction all over the country because banks have stopped giving credit. But one project, Apple Town is apparently still on track. And it’s being praises as well-thought out by experts.

Overall the project will cost $4 billion dollars and will contain 2554 apartments as well as schools, stores, and commerical offices. In other words, it will be a mini-town in the mountains south of Almaty. The first stage of the project will be finished in 2011 and by 2014 it will be fully constructed.

The smallest apartment is currently going for $500 000. Apartments feature crystal chandeliers, a jacuzzi, heated floors, security video screens in the apartment, and remote controlled lights and heating. One may question whether the country needs more housing aimed at the super-rich, particularly in these economic times, but apparently some apartments have already been sold (For those unfamiliar with the Kazakhstan market, it is perfectly normal to buy an apartment in a building that has not yet been built).

The economic times may be a boon to Apple Town because they claim that there are many unemployed workers. With financing coming from Korea, the instability in Kazakhstan banks is not affecting the project. Korean firms are also providing a lot of the materials and equipment that are going into the building.

Some other fun facts: The total area of the project will be 275 448 square meters (2 964 897 square feet), of which 20 701 square meters (222 823 square feet) will be roads. It will contain 5 345 parking spaces or 1.33 spaces per apartment.