SKS Group inks deals with Marriott International, Alliance Bank for new mixed development in JB city centre

• Sheraton Johor Bahru will be part of an upcoming mixed-use development comprising several commercial developments, including a retail podium and office spaces, along Jalan Storey in Johor Bahru.

KUALA LUMPUR (July 5): SKS Group has signed a hotel management agreement with Marriott International to open a 345-room Sheraton Johor Bahru hotel in Johor Bahru, Johor, which is expected to open in 2025.

According to a press statement on July 3 (Monday), Sheraton Johor Bahru will be part of an upcoming mixed-use development comprising several commercial developments, including a retail podium and office spaces, along Jalan Storey in Johor Bahru. Details of the other developments will be announced at a later date.

Dining options at the hotel include Daily Social, an open kitchen buffet restaurant, and &More by Sheraton, a combination of bar, coffee bar and market with an all-day menu offering. Facilities in Sheraton Johor Bahru include an outdoor pool, a children’s pool, a fitness centre, a sauna, steam rooms, a ballroom as well as meeting room spaces.

Meanwhile, the statement highlighted that this signing is Marriott International’s second property in collaboration with SKS Group, following the Four Points by Sheraton Desaru, which opened in 2021.

Marriott International chief development officer (Asia Pacific excluding China) Shawn Hill said, “We are thrilled to build on our relationship with SKS Group, this time to bring the Sheraton brand to Johor Bahru. We value and foster our long-term relationships with our community of owners and strive to continue creating mutually beneficial opportunities.

“The Sheraton brand has a rich heritage in creating a sense of belonging for guests, wherever they are in the world and Sheraton Johor Bahru expects to be no different. With its strategic location and high accessibility, the hotel aims to attract both business and leisure guests and offer its signature community experience.”

Representing SKS Group, its executive director Simon Sim said, “We are very excited to collaborate with Marriott International again to introduce the first Sheraton hotel in Johor Bahru and have this new addition to our hospitality portfolio.”

“The hotel design will be an excellent fit for business and leisure travellers, and coupled with its strategic location, we are confident that Sheraton Johor Bahru will be well-received by guests and locals alike when it opens its doors in 2025,” Sim added.

Sheraton Johor Bahru is set to benefit from nearby transportation systems such as the Johor Bahru Sentral Bus Terminal and the Bukit Chagar Johor Bahru – Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) station, which is scheduled for completion by end-2026.

SKS Group has also inked a RM250 million green loan facility with Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd to finance the mixed-use development.

In a separate press release, the group said it will use the fund to revive and rehabilitate the formerly known “Pacific Mall” into a mixed-use development known as “SKS Tower”. This whole development will be given certification through GreenRE’s Gold rating upon completion, it added.

Alliance Bank’s group chief executive officer Kellee Kam said, “As a bank, we aim to create a positive impact on society, the environment and the economy by raising awareness and inspiring adoption of ESG-related practices. In line with our bank’s commitment to push the ESG agenda forward, we target to further grow our sustainable banking business by another RM4.65 billion this financial year, building upon the cumulative RM8.1 billion base as of our previous financial year. We are excited to be part of SKS Group’s project, which places ESG elements as its core to reduce carbon footprint.”

Sim mentioned that the green loan marks a significant milestone for the group in its sustainability journey. “We are very delighted to partner with Alliance Bank, who has accelerated not just our company’s growth but [is] now also in our sustainable journey.

“This development shows our commitment of being more environmentally responsible, and we aim to develop more sustainable developments moving forward. This development is also expected to transform the city’s skyline and create more job opportunities at the same time for the locals.”