Astaka and Kimlun break ground on Arden, Johor's newest landmark within JS-SEZ
Strategically located within the newly established Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), Arden is set to become a defining feature of Johor Bahru's skyline. The 68-storey tower will soar to 260 metres, making it the second tallest building in Johor Bahru, after The Astaka, also developed by Astaka Holdings.
With a gross development value (GDV) of RM800 million, Arden is a freehold project comprising 618 upscale serviced residences with built-ups ranging from 797 to 1,700 square feet. Units are priced between RM1,300 and RM1,500 per square foot, and completion is targeted for 2030.
Astaka has appointed GDP Architects Sdn Bhd — the firm behind landmark developments such as Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, TRX Residence, EQ Hotel Kuala Lumpur, and The Astaka — to lead the architectural design of Arden.
Designed for modern, urban living, Arden will feature more than 50 thoughtfully curated facilities, including sky dining, a KTV lounge, family-oriented amenities, co-working spaces, and an indoor golf simulator. A key highlight is its Hotel Stay Management model, offering property owners a fully integrated solution for short-term leasing. This includes professional unit management, housekeeping services, and dedicated guest lobbies — a concept that has already attracted strong interest from overseas buyers seeking both lifestyle flexibility and investment returns.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 19, officiated by Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) Mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad, to commemorate the start of construction.
"Arden is set to be a remarkable addition to Johor Bahru's skyline. It will not just be a skyscraper, but also a symbol of our rapid growth and commitment to becoming a world-class city," said Mohd Haffiz.
"As one of the major projects in Johor Bahru since the formation of the JS-SEZ, Arden stands as a testament to the confidence investors have in our city's potential. We look forward to witnessing this landmark project accelerate Johor Bahru's transformation into a vibrant and prosperous city."
Astaka Holdings executive director and chief executive officer (CEO), Allen Khong described Arden as a milestone collaboration with Kimlun, following successful joint ventures such as Menara MBJB and Aliva Mount Austin.
"I am proud to highlight that this project brings together two renowned, Johor-based real estate players dedicated to world-class developments that deliver exceptional value to residents and investors."
Khong extend his appreciation to the Johor State Government and MBJB for their continued support.
Kimlun CEO Pang Khang Hau added that the company is proud to partner with Astaka once again as a JV partner and the main contractor on another transformative project that will redefine Johor Bahru's skyline.
Launched in 2014, One Bukit Senyum is an ambitious 11.85-acre freehold integrated development, envisioned as Johor Bahru's future Central Business District (CBD). Its location — just 800 metres from the CIQ complex and 600 metres from the future Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link — makes it a prime beneficiary of cross-border infrastructure enhancements and deepening Johor-Singapore economic ties.
The development's momentum is further supported by the JS-SEZ agreement, signed in early 2024, and progress on the RTS Link, both of which are expected to significantly boost trade, connectivity, and investment flows between the two regions.
Phase 1, The Astaka, was completed in 2018, comprising two towers standing 65 and 70 storeys high. At 1,020 feet above sea level, it remains the tallest residential building in Southeast Asia, with buyers hailing from over 15 countries, including Singapore, Indonesia, China, Germany, Japan, and Finland.
Phase 2, the 15-storey Grade A Menara MBJB, was completed a year ahead of schedule in January 2020 and now houses the Johor Bahru City Council's headquarters.
Phase 3, currently in progress, will be developed in stages starting with Arden, followed by a lifestyle shopping mall and a five-star hotel, reinforcing One Bukit Senyum's role as a transformative anchor of Johor Bahru's urban and economic evolution.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
T-Mobile raises forecast for annual subscriber additions
FILE PHOTO: A T-Mobile logo is seen on the storefront door of a store in Manhattan, New York, U.S., April 30, 2018. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo (Reuters) -T-Mobile raised its annual forecast for postpaid net customer additions on Wednesday and added more wireless subscribers than expected in the second quarter, signaling steady demand for the telecom giant's top-tier mobile services. Shares of the Bellevue, Washington-based company rose 3.5% in extended trading. The carrier now expects to add between 6.1 million and 6.4 million subscribers in 2025, compared with its prior projection of 5.5 million to 6 million additions. Telecom operators in the U.S. have boosted their plans with attractive trade-in deals and price guarantees to fend off competition as they grapple for a shrinking pool of new users. T-Mobile's postpaid Experience plans, which bundle streaming services such as Netflix and Apple TV+, come with a five-year price guarantee for customers. Its aggressive promotions and add-on perks have helped the company maintain an edge over rivals and increase its market share. It added 830,000 postpaid phone customers in the second quarter, surpassing FactSet estimates of 700,300 additions. T-Mobile, the last among the big three U.S. telecom carriers to report results, posted second-quarter total revenue of $21.13 billion, beating analysts' estimates of $21.02 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. Rival AT&T beat quarterly profit estimates on Wednesday and added more wireless subscribers than expected, while Verizon raised the lower end of its annual profit forecast on Monday. (Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Devika Syamnath)
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Apple beats US appeal claiming it shortchanged customers on iCloud storage
FILE PHOTO: A women uses an iPhone mobile device as she passes a lighted Apple logo at the Apple store at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, U.S., April 14, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo (Reuters) -A U.S. federal appeals court on Wednesday rejected claims by Apple customers that the iPhone maker gave them less iCloud data storage than they paid for when upgrading. In a 3-0 decision, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said reasonable consumers in the proposed class action would not have been misled by Apple's promises about storage capacity in its iCloud+ plans. The plaintiff Lisa Bodenburg said she paid $2.99 a month for 200 GB of storage, believing Apple would add it to the 5 GB that all iCloud customers receive, and was shortchanged because Apple gave her only 200 GB of total storage, not 205 GB. Circuit Judge Milan Smith, however said Bodenburg "received exactly what Apple promised her" when the Cupertino, California-based company offered "incremental" or "supplemental" storage, on top of the 5 GB she got for free. He cited dismissals of other cases based on "unreasonable assumptions," including that Diet Dr. Pepper would aid in weight loss, and the net weight on a lip balm label failed to reveal that the dispenser's design left some balm inaccessible. "Apple's statements are not false and deceptive merely because [they] may be unreasonably misunderstood by an insignificant and unrepresentative segment of consumers," Smith wrote. Lawyers for Bodenburg did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The decision upheld a May 2024 dismissal by U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson in San Francisco. The case is Bodenburg v Apple Inc, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 24-3335. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New YorkEditing by Marguerita Choy)
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
CN Rail chops forecast as trade war hits commodities
The company said there's too much 'uncertainty and volatility' in trade policy to stick with a longer-term forecast. — Bloomberg OTTAWA: Canadian National Railway Co (CN Rail) lowered its earnings guidance for 2025 and removed its outlook entirely for next year as the trade war rattles key sectors the company operates in. The Montreal-based company, which operates a network in Canada and the United States, now expects earnings per share to rise in the 'mid to high single-digit range' this year, a sharp cut from earlier guidance that called for 10% to 15% growth. The company said there's too much 'uncertainty and volatility' in trade policy to stick with a longer-term forecast. 'A few months ago, the trade deals seemed imminent,' chief executive officer Tracy Robinson said during a call with analysts. And instead, there is an increasing uncertainty around the tariff and trade environment – particularly in Canada – and some concerns over the weakening macroeconomic environment.' The shares dipped in after-hours trading in New York. The company will work with customers in sectors affected by tariffs to help them get access to other markets, she said. Canadian National earned C$1.87 per share on an adjusted basis in the three months ending June 30, about one Canadian cent below what was expected by analysts in a Bloomberg survey. Revenue slipped by 1% to C$4.3 bil (US$3.1 bil) as tariffs and economic upheaval weighed on revenues for shipping cars, metals and lumber. Grain and fertiliser shipments were a bright spot, rising 13% over last year. Automotive revenue, an industry that's central to US President Donald Trump's trade strategy, fell 5% from a year earlier to C$241 mil in the quarter. Both finished vehicles and auto parts were below last year's levels, with auto manufacturers shifting products from the United States to Mexico, according to the company. Chief financial officer Ghislain Houle said a stronger Canadian dollar was a factor in the decision to lower earnings expectations. 'Every penny of appreciation of the Canadian dollar to the US dollar represents a headwind' of 5 Canadian cents of earnings per share annually, he said. Canadian National acted early in the quarter to furlough some employees to save costs, said Patrick Whitehead, the chief network operating officer. The company had hundreds of trainee and engine employees on furlough by the end of the quarter. — Bloomberg
