RSP Architects, Planners and Engineers, a Singapore-based design firm owned by billionaire Peter Lim, has been appointed by the Regent of Johor (ROJ), Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, to develop a sprawling waterfront estate in Desaru, Malaysia.
According to Forbes, the US$200 million project will be built across the Johor royal family’s 27-hectare property and is expected to take four years to complete. Once finished, it will serve as a private residence for the family.
Beyond the main villa, the estate will feature guest houses, a kids’ club, sporting facilities, and even an underground shooting range and armoury to accommodate up to 100 soldiers from the ROJ’s security detail.
“This collaboration carries special meaning, shaped by years of mutual respect and understanding between our families,” said Kiat Lim, the chairman of RSP and son of Peter Lim. “To help bring such a significant and personal project to life on this iconic stretch of coastline is a rare privilege.”
The Johor royal family owns large tracts of land in Johor’s Iskandar region, a special economic zone jointly developed by Malaysia and Singapore. The ROJ personally oversees the development of his family’s heritage properties.
“This residence is more than a home,” said Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim. “It’s a reflection of family, heritage and partnership. The collaboration with RSP is built not just on design excellence, but on the close family relationship I’ve shared with Kiat and his father.”
The two also share a passion for football: Kiat Lim heads Spanish club Valencia, while Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim is president of the Football Association of Malaysia.
RSP is no stranger to headline-making projects. Its portfolio includes the Jewel at Changi Airport (developed in collaboration with Safdie Architects) and the Armani Hotel & Residences Diriyah in Saudi Arabia. The company’s revenue is projected to exceed S$100 million this year, up from S$92 million in 2024.
Peter Lim, whose net worth stands at around US$1.8 billion, remains one of Singapore’s wealthiest individuals, with major stakes in Singapore-listed hospital operator Thomson Medical and Spanish football club Valencia.
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Featured Image Credit: RSP Architects, Planners and Engineers
