Johor Bahru Dominates Malaysia’s Property Scene at the 12th PropertyGuru Asia Awards

Johor Bahru has emerged as Malaysia’s fastest-growing property market in 2025, according to new demand data unveiled at the 12th PropertyGuru Asia Awards Malaysia in partnership with iProperty. For the first time, the awards integrated expert judging, market insights, and consumer preferences to create a comprehensive, data-driven view of the nation’s property landscape. The findings highlight the regions where Malaysians are most actively seeking homes and investments, as well as the developers that have successfully earned their trust.

Drawing from millions of searches and engagement metrics across PropertyGuru.com.my and iProperty.com.my, the results reveal a nationwide shift in consumer demand away from traditional urban centres toward well-connected regional hubs, particularly Johor and Selangor. Malaysians are increasingly gravitating toward integrated townships, mixed-use developments, and ESG-aligned projects that balance lifestyle convenience, long-term value, and sustainable design. This shift mirrors evolving affordability concerns, improved infrastructure, and changing lifestyle priorities among modern homebuyers.

The inaugural Consumer Demand Awards recognised eight developments most sought after by Malaysian property seekers. Leading the list were R&F Princess Cove and Leisure Farm, which underscore Johor Bahru’s growing prominence as a desirable living destination. In the office segment, Johor’s City Square Office Tower was named the Most In-Demand Office for Lease (Johor), while Kuala Lumpur’s The Exchange 106 topped the same category for the capital city.

Welcome speech by Mr. Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events

Dr. Lee Nai Jia, Head of Real Estate Intelligence at PropertyGuru Group, stated that Malaysian home seekers are increasingly exploring opportunities beyond the Klang Valley. He noted that Johor Bahru’s dominance across multiple categories reflects its transformation into a dynamic regional hub, driven by major infrastructure projects such as the RTS Link and the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone. These initiatives are boosting cross-border connectivity and investor confidence while reinforcing Johor’s appeal as a centre for liveable, self-contained communities where residents can live, work, and play seamlessly.

The People’s Choice Awards, based on nearly 28,000 public votes, recognised 10 developers most trusted by Malaysian consumers. The winners included Berinda Group, CPI Land, Gunung Impian Development Sdn Bhd, Mah Sing Group Berhad, Malton Berhad, Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS), Platinum Victory, Tiland Group, Tropicana Corporation Berhad, and TRX City Sdn Bhd. These results reaffirm Malaysians’ continued trust in reputable developers that consistently deliver quality, value, and innovation, offering key insights for policymakers and investors into which companies command the highest consumer confidence.

JLand Group emerged as the most decorated developer of the night, earning titles such as Best Developer (Malaysia), Best Developer (Southern Malaysia), and Best Industrial Developer. Its flagship development, Bandar Dato’ Onn in Johor Bahru, also received multiple accolades including Best Township Development (Malaysia), solidifying JLand Group’s reputation as a leader in integrated community design. Meanwhile, PKNS stood out as an ESG trailblazer, winning both Sustainable Design Champion and Low Carbon Champion awards for its strong environmental initiatives showcased through projects like Linkar 52, Aludra Residensi, and Galeria SA Sentral.

JLand Group receives Best Developer (Malaysia)

According to Jules Kay, General Manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, the awards reflect more than excellence they reveal what truly matters to today’s market. Developers are setting new benchmarks in sustainability, connectivity, and livability, while consumer data highlights the growing demand for high-quality, well-planned developments. There is a visible shift toward self-contained, connected communities, especially in Johor and Selangor, where large-scale mixed-use projects are reshaping the nation’s property landscape. Kay emphasised that sustainability is now integral, not optional, with developers embedding ESG principles at the core of every project.

The 12th PropertyGuru Asia Awards Malaysia honoured winners across 73 categories, celebrating excellence from luxury residences to affordable housing and innovative commercial developments. Marking its 20th edition in 2025, the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards series will culminate at the Grand Final in Bangkok on 12 December 2025. From Malaysia, 23 winners will advance to compete for the Best in Asia titles against participants from 14 other markets on this prestigious regional platform. For more information, visit AsiaPropertyAwards.com.