Thomson Medical Group, a Singapore-listed healthcare provider, has unveiled an SGD 5.5 billion (USD 4.26 billion) development named Johor Bay within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). The 10.5-hectare project, one of Southeast Asia’s largest private healthcare and real estate ventures, will feature Thomson Hospital Iskandariah with an initial 500-bed capacity (expandable to 1,000), specialist medical suites, aged care and assisted living facilities, a life sciences tower, a five-star hotel, luxury residences, and lifestyle amenities. Strategically located near the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, set to open by late 2026, the project aims to capitalize on cross-border connectivity and the region’s growing demand for premium healthcare and living options.
The Johor Bay development is designed to address Southeast Asia’s aging population, rising chronic illnesses, and increasing demand for private healthcare and medical tourism. Executive Vice-Chairman Kiat Lim emphasized the project’s “strong clinical core” and its holistic approach to aged care, allowing residents to transition seamlessly between independent living and intensive medical care within the same ecosystem. By leveraging the JS-SEZ’s lower land and operational costs compared to Singapore, Thomson Medical aims to offer high-quality healthcare and luxury living at more accessible price points, attracting regional investors, overseas homeowners, and cross-border professionals.
The project’s first phase, including parts of the hospital and a 47-storey luxury residential tower, is expected to create over 1,200 jobs in construction, healthcare, hospitality, and operations, with thousands more to follow as the hotel and commercial precincts are completed. The JS-SEZ, established in January, is projected to generate 20,000 skilled jobs across both sides of the Causeway. Thomson Medical plans to collaborate with Malaysian and regional medical professionals to staff the hospital, using profits from the initial phase to fund further development while exploring partnerships for non-core real estate components.
(Sources: The Straits Times)
