The 11th edition of the PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit (ARES 2025), supported by Sybarite Architects, highlighted PropertyGuru Week 2025 in the company of experts and industry leaders from across Asia Pacific.

Also known as the thought leadership platform of PropertyGuru Group, ARES 2025 took over The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok for a full day of expert talks, panel discussions, keynote presentations, and networking sessions on 11 December. The Summit served as a prelude to the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final and International Luncheon, both held on 12 December, which gathered the finest real estate developers and design practices from 13 property markets across Asia Pacific.

Delving into this year’s theme of “Trusted Marketplaces and Thriving Communities,” ARES 2025 attracted over 400 delegates eager to converse about topics at the intersection of property, technology, and design.

Syetarn Hansakul, senior analyst for South-East Asia at The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network, opened ARES 2025 with macro insights on a year of global challenges and outlook for the region heading into 2026.

Simon Mitchell, co-founder of award-winning design practice Sybarite Architects, then put the Design Spotlight firmly on “The Power of Place,” highlighting award-winning commissions such as SKP Wuhan.

A panel discussion, “The Brand Premium,” followed, with Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks, as moderator. Leading voices from the hospitality industry discussed the way branded residences are rewriting the rules of value: Jael Fischer, head of development for Asia Pacific at Six Senses; Lee Lin, regional director for APAC at Nobu Hospitality; Penny Trinh, vice president of mixed-use development at Marriott International; and Saowarin Chanprakaisi, vice president of business development at The Ascott Limited.

In one of the Summit’s most anticipated portions, broadcast personality Duncan James Simpson, founder and director of CyberAI, addressed data security in an AI-driven market.

The afternoon featured a panel on rethinking equity in Asian real estate, moderated by Dr. Nai Jia Lee, head of real estate intelligence at PropertyGuru Group. Contributing to the conversation were Dr. Jing Yu, deputy chief of the Bangkok Programme Office of UN-Habitat; Marine Novita, co-founder and president director of MilikiRumah; Dr. Tan Tee Khoon, executive council member of the Singapore Institute of Estate Agents; and Anton Wormann, founder and CEO of Anton in Japan Media.

Further discussions examined the wellness edge in developing communities, moderated by Viona Zhang, deputy managing director of C9 Hotelworks. The panel comprised Christine Li, head of APAC research at Knight Frank; Dino Sukosol, co-owner and director of Sukosol Hotels; Kevin Tai, licensed physical therapist and Mister Global Taiwan 2023; and Pim Asavahame, host of the Pimchology podcast.

Ambassador Chantale Wong, former US executive director to the Asian Development Bank, joined the subsequent panel on resilient cities in the era of digital economies. Moderated by Sumitha Soorian, chief marketing and commercial officer of Headland, Phuket, the panel also included fresh perspectives from Cyndy Tan Jarabata, president of Tajara Leisure and Hospitality Group; Diep Do, green and resilient building program lead in Vietnam and Thailand for the International Finance Corporation; and Sanjay Popli, co-founder and group CEO of Cryptomind.

The summit concluded with an international keynote from two-time Olympic gold medallist Panipak “Tennis” Wongpattanakit, who spoke about building resilience through sport and community.

After the Summit, VIP guests were invited to an exclusive cocktail afterparty at the Kandhavas Place of The Athenee Hotel. The occasion also served to honour the four ARES Power Women of 2025: Ambassador Chantale Wong; Marine Novita; Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, executive vice president of The Sukosol Hotels & The Siam and honorary president of the Thai Hotels Association; and Ar. (Dr.) Serina Hijjas, principal director of HIJJAS Architects + Planners and president of the Malaysia Green Building Council.

PropertyGuru Week 2025 concluded on 13 December 2025 with Kevin Tai returning to the stage, this time at Cinema Oasis in Bangkok. The Creator Spotlight elaborated further on Tai’s experience in health and wellness spaces as well as the use of popular platforms to promote influence with no filters.

Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said: “We connect technology with design to bring finance together with sustainability, data with human experience, policy with innovation. All these things come together at ARES.”

He added: “There are more complexities facing Asia and more challenges coming into the markets every year. Whether you build, finance, design, market, regulate, or even seek a property, the influencing forces have an effect. Our job at PropertyGuru goes beyond listing properties that people can buy. We want to reduce the uncertainty and create trust amongst the people that want to find property across Asia. When we make trusted decisions, those decisions improve and communities improve. Thank you for your continued trust in us as we continue to build trusted marketplaces and, through them, thriving communities.”

The PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit is held every year as part of PropertyGuru Week in Thailand, alongside the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final.

Over the years, ARES has advocated for innovation, green building, climate action, gender equity, and sustainability. Showcasing innovative technologies as well as up-and-coming leaders, the PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit has been helping the industry advance through much-needed conversations on proptech and beyond.

ARES 2025 was supported by Sybarite Architects, along with partners such as Bridges, BusinessWorld, Detik, D+A Magazine, Hot Magazine, Inquirer Property, Kompas.com, Kopi and Property, Luxury Society of Asia, Manila Bulletin, Niaga Times, Penang Property Talk, Prop2morrow, REm Thailand, SquareRooms, Tatler Asia Homes, TerraBKK, The Grid, The Malaysia Voice, The Philippine Star, and Top10 of Asia.

For more information and online registration, visit asiarealestatesummit.com.

Nestled along Penang’s eastern coastline, Merione is the newest addition to The Light Waterfront Penang, the island’s first integrated waterfront city. Here, premium commercial spaces and stylish residences come together to create a lively community where work, life, and leisure flow naturally into each other.

Thanks to its location just minutes from the Penang Bridge, the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, and key destinations like George Town and the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, Merione offers easy access to everything Penang has to offer. Its future looks even brighter with direct access to the upcoming Penang Waterfront LRT Station, which will make getting around even more convenient for everyone. At The Light Waterfront, staying connected isn’t just an advantage, it’s at the heart of a thoughtfully designed 152-acre township/development.

This world-class masterplan brings into convergence a 1.5 million sq. ft. lifestyle mall, the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC), Boutique Offices, International Hotels by JdV by Hyatt and Galaxy Minyoun, as well as a 750-metre waterfront promenade. Within the thriving ecosystem, Merione emerges as a distinctive vertical development, uniting business, retail, and luxury living under one prestigious address.

Merione Grand comprises Levels 1 to 9 and serves as the commercial hub of the development. Retail units with commanding frontages on lower levels naturally attract pedestrians from both PWCC and The Waterfront Shoppes, thus being ideal for cafés, lifestyle services and neighbourhood conveniences. Shops above retail units are arranged in single-loaded layouts for maximum frontages, good natural ventilation and added privacy for businesses that value a professional yet practical space.

Taking the commercial experience to the next level, the Boutique Offices on floors 7 to 9 offer a new definition of what the modern workspace should be. The luxurious suites are specifically designed for the new-age entrepreneur, business professionals, and startups that recognize the need for agility and work-life integration. Each unit features private balconies, EV-compatible assigned parking spaces, and well-optimized floor plans that facilitate hybrid work environments. Professionalism and creativity come together where the workspace of tomorrow demands.

One of the characteristic features of Merione is the resort-style living deck, strategically located on Level 10 and accessible to both commercial and residential tenants. This expansive podium deck offers an impressive range of lifestyle facilities, including:

• Infinity pool, spa, jacuzzi and wading pool
• Gymnasium, steam room and outdoor dining areas
• BBQ pavilion, beach hammocks and a pickleball station
• Family-friendly play zones and leisure spaces

These facilities transform daily routines into opportunities for relaxation and recreation, offering a perfect balance between productivity and wellbeing.

Above the commercial floors is Merione Residences, a contemporary residential building stretching from level 11 to level 39, designed for the discerning individual who appreciates the comforts, conveniences, and sophistication of the urban environment. It offers residents their own dedicated facilities, which include a pet-friendly playground, multi-function hall, games room, reading lounge, and other recreation areas that provide privacy amidst the shared lifestyle deck.

Through its innovative design, thoughtfully master-planned conveniences and seamless integration with its surroundings, Merione offers a rare opportunity to live above a vibrant commercial hub while enjoying effortless access to entertainment, retail and Penang’s expanding business district. This connectivity is further elevated by a direct covered walkway linking PWCC, The Waterfront Shoppes and neighbouring hotels.

For more information, visit:

IJM Land Sales Gallery
Suite 01-16-01, Menara IJM Land, 1, Lebuh Tunku Kudin 3, 11700 Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia [Google Map]

Contact: +604-296 1333

The Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) has launched its Landscape Master Plan, a long-term blueprint aimed at transforming Seberang Perai into a greener, more resilient and sustainable urban centre.

Unveiled by MBSP mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid, the plan is designed to guide landscape development over the next 10 years and will be implemented in phases. Its execution will take into account financial capacity, development priorities, and both current and future urban needs, with periodic reviews planned to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness.

Baderul said the master plan goes beyond physical design, reflecting MBSP’s commitment to achieving a balanced urban environment that integrates development, environmental sustainability and residents’ well-being. He noted that it will serve as a key reference for all stakeholders, ensuring landscape elements are incorporated holistically into Seberang Perai’s physical, social and environmental growth.

Aligned with MBSP’s Green Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the plan underscores the council’s focus on addressing climate change, improving quality of life and increasing access to quality green spaces. It was developed in response to modern urban challenges such as environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and the growing demand for healthier and more liveable cities.

Through the implementation of the plan, MBSP aims to create a more comfortable, healthy and liveable urban environment, while enhancing the city’s resilience to climate impacts. It also supports the broader goal of positioning Seberang Perai as a low-carbon, environmentally friendly and sustainable city.

The Landscape Master Plan covers the entire MBSP administrative area, including existing urban centres, new development zones, parks, public green spaces, river corridors, recreational areas, and residential, commercial and industrial zones. This region-based approach ensures continuity in urban design and the creation of an integrated and resilient ecological network across the city.

Baderul emphasised that the plan’s success will depend on strong commitment and strategic collaboration among federal and state agencies, developers, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, professional bodies and local communities.

Mah Sing will be hosting a Christmas event, “The Secret of the Christmas Wand”, this weekend on 20 and 21 December 2025, from 10.00am to 6.00pm.

Taking place at the M Zenni Sales Gallery, the event is designed to create a fun and interactive holiday experience for children and families, combining creative workshops, light games, and festive activities:

Event Highlights

Visitors can expect a range of activities throughout the two-day event, including:

• Magical Ornament Relay
• Wizard Hat Memory Pick
• Magic Wand Crafting Workshop
• Christmas Ornament Workshop
• Face Painting & Stickers
• Light Refreshments

Designed for children and families, the event offers a fun and interactive way to celebrate the Christmas season during the year-end school holidays.

Venue: M Zenni Sales Gallery, Penang
Date: 20 – 21 December 2025
Time: 10:00am – 6:00pm

Source: Bernama

After nearly two decades of delays, the long-awaited Kampung Bagan Serai development project in Permatang Pauh is now moving closer to completion. The Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) has confirmed that the project, first planned almost 20 years ago, is set to resume following the signing of a new joint venture agreement on Tuesday.

Perda chairman Shaik Hussein Mydin said the 5.5-hectare site will be developed into 117 low-cost apartment units to relocate original Kampung Bagan Serai residents, whose land was acquired in 2008. The agreement was signed between Perda’s wholly owned subsidiary, Perda Ventures Corporated Sdn Bhd (PVISB), and JKP Sdn Bhd, marking a key step in reviving the stalled project that had faced technical issues after land acquisition.

Despite the prolonged delay, Shaik Hussein stressed that residents were not neglected. All 117 unit owners have continued to receive monthly rental payments, along with compensation from Perda, until the project is completed.

The development plan is expected to be submitted for approval by June next year. Construction of the first phase, which requires about two to three acres of land, is targeted for completion within five years. Each low-cost unit will measure 750 sq ft and be priced at RM42,000, making it accessible to eligible residents.

Once the relocation of residents is completed and units are handed over, the project will proceed to its next phase. This will include the development of commercial units as well as 299 medium-cost apartment units, aimed at supporting the area’s longer-term growth.

Penang Bumiputera Development Council chairman and JKP board chairman Khalid Ramli welcomed the renewed collaboration, expressing appreciation to Perda and PVISB for reviving the long-delayed project and ensuring smoother cooperation between government-linked agencies.