The Ascott Limited (Ascott), a wholly owned lodging business unit of CapitaLand Investment (CLI), has been appointed by Malaysia-based property developer Coronade Properties to manage a new hotel at Coronation Square. This project is located within the Ibrahim International Business District (IIBD), part of the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), and is set to benefit from direct connectivity to the upcoming Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link between Johor Bahru and Singapore.
The management agreement, signed on Aug 8 in Singapore, marks the first major hospitality partnership since the landmark JS-SEZ agreement between Malaysia and Singapore in January 2025. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Johor Menteri Besar Dato’ Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi and Singapore’s Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development, Alvin Tan, underscoring both governments’ commitment to deeper cross-border collaboration.
Ascott Coronation Square Johor Bahru will be a five-star property with 207 rooms located in Tower 1 of Coronation Square. The hotel is scheduled to open in the second half of 2029. It will offer facilities including an all-day dining restaurant, swimming pool, fitness centre, residents’ lounge and meeting rooms. The hotel will feature Ascott’s signature interiors, curated lobby art and a dedicated Ascott Artisan service team. Curated experiences such as Themed Suites and the Ascott Soirée, a cultural initiative, will be introduced to connect guests to local arts and culture.
The new Ascott hotel is expected to serve growing demand from leisure, business and long-stay travellers, fuelled by increasing cross-border business, tourism and investment activities in the corridor. The development is positioned as a premium gateway for business and leisure visitors, benefiting from direct access to the Bukit Chagar RTS station and Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities via a 210-metre elevated walkway.
Coronation Square is a RM5 billion ($1.52 billion) integrated development and the first project to anchor the 250-acre IIBD. Developed by Coronade Properties, the 9.6-acre site will also include a 1.2 million sq ft mall, office and medical towers, residential components, as well as approximately 4,500 parking bays — of which 700 will be reserved for RTS users. Construction of the mall is set to begin in 2026, with completion targeted for 2030.
Datin Paduka Alinah Ahmad, director of corporate relations at Coronade Properties, says: “We are proud to partner with Ascott on this landmark hotel, which will serve as a premier gateway for both business and leisure travellers. As Coronation Square develops into a vibrant destination, this partnership marks an exciting new chapter in Johor’s hospitality and real estate landscape.” She adds that Coronade Properties is planning to launch a new residential project, Coronade Twins, in the fourth quarter of 2025, with apartments at Coronation Square to feature hotel-grade concierge services for residents.
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Wong Kar Ling, chief strategy officer and managing director for Southeast Asia at Ascott, says: “With the JS-SEZ catalysing greater cross-border investments and the RTS enhancing connectivity, Johor Bahru is entering a dynamic new phase of growth. Ascott Coronation Square Johor Bahru allows us to introduce our namesake Ascott brand to this market, positioning us at the heart of this transformation to capture rising demand from corporate, long-stay and leisure segments.”
Ascott manages a portfolio of over 40 properties in Malaysia, spanning brands such as Citadines, lyf, Oakwood, Somerset, The Crest Collection, and others. The group operates more than 1,000 properties in over 230 cities worldwide.
“This hotel represents a landmark debut for the Ascott brand in Johor Bahru and our sixth Ascott-branded property across Malaysia. It also represents continued expansion of our global footprint. With over 1,000 properties worldwide, this project further demonstrates our sustained growth trajectory and the strength of our partnerships across strategic markets,” says Kevin Goh, CEO of The Ascott Limited and Lodging, CapitaLand Investment at the signing ceremony.
