Envisioned as a sustainable smart city, LIDO will offer seven key components – residential, commercial, wellness, education, hospitality, recreational and lifestyle.
Petaling Jaya (15 May 2025) – Property developer Tropicana Corporation Berhad (“Tropicana” or “Group”) announces the appointment of globally acclaimed architecture, engineering and urban planning firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (“SOM”), to lead the transformation of the 163-acre Lido Waterfront Boulevard (“LIDO”) masterplan in Johor. This strategic partnership is set to accelerate the development of LIDO into a dynamic, world-class metropolis in the heart of Malaysia’s Southern region. Envisioned as a sustainable smart city, LIDO will integrate 7 key components—residential, commercial, wellness, education, hospitality, recreational and lifestyle offerings—into a cohesive future-ready urban destination. SOM’s international expertise and visionary design approach will shape an innovative and culturally resonant master plan.
Tropicana’s Founder and Group Executive Vice Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Tan Chee Sing, reiterated the Group’s focus for the Southern region, “Johor is experiencing a phase of accelerated growth and Tropicana aims to tap into this huge potential and transform Lido Waterfront Boulevard into a dynamic metropolis of the Southern region. LIDO is one of our most innovative projects in Johor, and this impressive masterplan will be the new pulse of Johor Bahru City Centre with its close proximity to the upcoming RTS Link and leveraging on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (“JS-SEZ”). This is our second collaboration with SOM. Our first was the successful and iconic W Kuala Lumpur & The Residences located within the Kuala Lumpur City Centre. With their impressive track record and global talents, the LIDO masterplan design was awarded to SOM with our collective aim to set new standards for sustainability and innovation in the continually growing Johor Bahru city.”
SOM Partner Douglas Voigt added, “Lido Waterfront Boulevard has the potential to become one of Malaysia’s most intriguing cultural and civic destinations—a place that celebrates the nation’s heritage and values while prioritising livability, resiliency, and connectivity. We’re excited to reimagine urban life through a vibrant public realm, welcoming both locals and visitors, as well as strengthening the social and cultural fabric of Johor Bahru.”
For nearly 90 years, SOM has led transformative work on some of the world’s largest and most complex urban redevelopment projects, earning a global reputation for highly sustainable and forward-thinking design. Amongst which are Chicago’s John Hancock Center, Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Terminal, the famous Burj Khalifa—completed as the world’s tallest building in 2009 and One World Trade Center, a defining structure that replaces the towers lost on 11 September. In the Asia Pacific region, SOM has helped shape the urban landscape of cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Manila, and Ho Chi Minh City, and has delivered major developments across China. In Malaysia, SOM’s recent work on the Bandar Malaysia Master Plan—a major transit-oriented, mixed-use project in Kuala Lumpur—demonstrated the firm’s capacity to envision future-ready cities. These successful track records captured Tropicana’s interest, making SOM the preferred choice to bring the ambitious LIDO Waterfront Boulevard vision to life.
Tropicana’s Founder and Group Executive Vice Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Tan Chee Sing, reiterated the Group’s focus for the Southern region, “Johor is experiencing a phase of accelerated growth and Tropicana aims to tap into this huge potential and transform Lido Waterfront Boulevard into a dynamic metropolis of the Southern region. LIDO is one of our most innovative projects in Johor, and this impressive masterplan will be the new pulse of Johor Bahru City Centre with its close proximity to the upcoming RTS Link and leveraging on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (“JS-SEZ”). This is our second collaboration with SOM. Our first was the successful and iconic W Kuala Lumpur & The Residences located within the Kuala Lumpur City Centre. With their impressive track record and global talents, the LIDO masterplan design was awarded to SOM with our collective aim to set new standards for sustainability and innovation in the continually growing Johor Bahru city.”
SOM Partner Douglas Voigt added, “Lido Waterfront Boulevard has the potential to become one of Malaysia’s most intriguing cultural and civic destinations—a place that celebrates the nation’s heritage and values while prioritising livability, resiliency, and connectivity. We’re excited to reimagine urban life through a vibrant public realm, welcoming both locals and visitors, as well as strengthening the social and cultural fabric of Johor Bahru.”
For nearly 90 years, SOM has led transformative work on some of the world’s largest and most complex urban redevelopment projects, earning a global reputation for highly sustainable and forward-thinking design. Amongst which are Chicago’s John Hancock Center, Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Terminal, the famous Burj Khalifa—completed as the world’s tallest building in 2009 and One World Trade Center, a defining structure that replaces the towers lost on 11 September. In the Asia Pacific region, SOM has helped shape the urban landscape of cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Manila, and Ho Chi Minh City, and has delivered major developments across China. In Malaysia, SOM’s recent work on the Bandar Malaysia Master Plan—a major transit-oriented, mixed-use project in Kuala Lumpur—demonstrated the firm’s capacity to envision future-ready cities. These successful track records captured Tropicana’s interest, making SOM the preferred choice to bring the ambitious LIDO Waterfront Boulevard vision to life.
BLUEPRINT FOR THE JEWEL OF THE SOUTH
Set to be the new pulse of Johor City Centre, LIDO will feature a balanced mix of 7 key components such as residential, commercial, wellness, education, hospitality, recreational and lifestyle offerings. With 19 commercial plots and expansive public amenities, the development will deliver integrated urban living enriched by SOM’s global design sensibility.
LIDO’s unique selling points and ESG offerings:
1. Freehold land.
2. First branded Residence in Johor Bahru managed by a global Top-4 International Hotel (Banyan Group).
3. International Zoning with 95% Foreigner Ownership quota (vs. the typical 50% quota).
4. Lower Foreign Property Ownership threshold at RM400,000 (vs. RM1,000,000 standard requirement in Johor).
5. Strategic location within 5km away from Causeway Link – Singapore & RTS Station Johor Bahru, seamless connectivity and accessibility.
6. 2.5km long with 10m width Coastal Boardwalk and a 32-acre Green Park.
7. Green-certified buildings and multi-tiered security.
8. Added value to Tropicana property purchasers
a. T360 app rewards and services at your fingertips
b. T Journey rental platform
LIDO’s unique selling points and ESG offerings:
1. Freehold land.
2. First branded Residence in Johor Bahru managed by a global Top-4 International Hotel (Banyan Group).
3. International Zoning with 95% Foreigner Ownership quota (vs. the typical 50% quota).
4. Lower Foreign Property Ownership threshold at RM400,000 (vs. RM1,000,000 standard requirement in Johor).
5. Strategic location within 5km away from Causeway Link – Singapore & RTS Station Johor Bahru, seamless connectivity and accessibility.
6. 2.5km long with 10m width Coastal Boardwalk and a 32-acre Green Park.
7. Green-certified buildings and multi-tiered security.
8. Added value to Tropicana property purchasers
a. T360 app rewards and services at your fingertips
b. T Journey rental platform
SKYPARK KEPLER BRANDED RESIDENCES
The Skypark Kepler is the first branded residential component of the 163-acre Lido Waterfront Boulevard. Located on a 4-acre parcel of freehold land, it features two modern 54-storey towers housing a total of 1,596 fully-furnished and semi-furnished designer units with versatile layouts of 1 to 3 bedrooms. Boasting branded furnishings such as Samsung Smart home appliances and Kohler fittings and sanitary wares, this development caters to young professionals and modern families, offering a wide range of sizes from 463 sq ft (1 + 1 bedroom) to 807 sq ft (3 bedrooms + 3 baths). Priced from RM790,000, Skypark Kepler offers residents a comprehensive lifestyle experience with access to over 40 facilities focused on wellness, leisure, and convenience.
Skypark Kepler’s Unique Selling Points:
1. Fully-furnished and semi-furnished units with an unobstructed waterfront view of the Straits waterfront and Singapore.
2. Samsung smart home features and multi-tiered security.
3. Managed by the multinational Banyan Group.
4. GreenRE-compliant building requirements.
5. Green building features:
a. 5G infra
b. EV charging stations
c. Low heat emission windows glazing
d. Rainwater harvesting systems
e. Energy & water efficiency fittings/fixtures
f. Smart AIoT products
6. Tropicana T Privilege gold membership and reward points.
7. Golfing perks at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, Petaling Jaya and Tanjung Puteri Golf & Resort Johor.
Skypark Kepler’s Unique Selling Points:
1. Fully-furnished and semi-furnished units with an unobstructed waterfront view of the Straits waterfront and Singapore.
2. Samsung smart home features and multi-tiered security.
3. Managed by the multinational Banyan Group.
4. GreenRE-compliant building requirements.
5. Green building features:
a. 5G infra
b. EV charging stations
c. Low heat emission windows glazing
d. Rainwater harvesting systems
e. Energy & water efficiency fittings/fixtures
f. Smart AIoT products
6. Tropicana T Privilege gold membership and reward points.
7. Golfing perks at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, Petaling Jaya and Tanjung Puteri Golf & Resort Johor.
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