HK-listed firm to build RM18b waterfront project in JB.
Iskandar Waterfront Holdings Sdn Bhd (IWH), the master developer of some 1,620ha of waterfront land on the east and west of the Johor Causeway, will today (Dec 4) sign a deal with China's Country Garden Holdings Co Ltd for the sale of 11ha of prime waterfront land in Danga Bay, Johor Baru, for the development of a commercial, retail and residential area worth RM18 billion.
In a statement yesterday, IWH executive vice-chairman Tan Sri Lim Kang Hoo said Country Garden will pay RM900 million for the reclaimed land area -- the biggest investment to date by an investor from China within the flagship "A" of Iskandar Malaysia.
Just 10 minutes away, Danga Bay is situated in an otherwise developed waterfront area.
One of China's integrated property developers, Country Garden's first foray into Malaysia was in the form of a joint venture (JV) with Tan Sri David Chiu's Malaysia Land Properties Sdn Bhd in late 2011. The JV is working on two township developments in Kajang and Rawang.
When contacted, a Country Garden spokesman told SunBiz that the development in Johor Baru will, however, see it going on its own, through a wholly-owned subsidiary Country Garden Danga Bay Sdn Bhd.
The project will span three development phases, starting with the construction of a luxury clubhouse, a commercial tower, a shopping mall, a high-end condominium and serviced apartments.
Listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, Country Garden has a market capitalisation of HK$67.4 billion.
IWH, which recently completed its purchase of listed company Tebrau Teguh Bhd, is a public-private partnership between the state and federal governments and Lim.
It was reported that IWH is in the early stages of preparing for a listing on the local stock exchange next year.