Tropicana appoints Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to lead Lido Waterfront Boulevard transformation 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.”

PETALING JAYA (May 17): Tropicana Corporation Bhd has appointed 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,” stated Tropicana in a media release.

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.

“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,” said Tropicana’s founder and group executive vice chairman, Tan Sri Tan Chee Sing.

“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,” added Tan.

SOM Partner Douglas Voigt said: “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.”

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 demonstrated the firm’s capacity to envision future-ready cities.

Want to have a more personalised and easier house hunting experience? Get the EdgeProp Malaysia App now.