This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on November 24, 2025 – November 30, 2025
Outstanding developers are visionary — hardwired to have foresight, resilience and discipline, and driven by the will to evolve and stay relevant. These qualities enable them to emerge from challenges stronger than before.” — Au (Photo by Sam Fong/The Edge)
The best in class developers don’t leave success to chance. Nor do they rely on massive war chests or inherited land banks, though such windfalls are helpful.
Outstanding developers are visionary — hardwired to have foresight, resilience and discipline, and driven by the will to evolve and stay relevant. These qualities enable them to emerge from challenges stronger than before.
Such are Malaysia’s top-performing developers, whose insights and achievements are highlighted in this special report of The Edge Malaysia Property Excellence Awards (TEPEA) 2025.
First introduced in 2003, TEPEA made its debut with The Edge Malaysia Top Property Developers Awards (TPDA) — an in-depth annual ranking of the nation’s crème de la crème of developers. The TPDA ranking combines quantitative and qualitative assessments that scrutinise a company’s financial performance and strength, as well as its vision, product quality and sustainability.
The qualitative component, judged by a panel of Malaysia’s most established property veterans and The Edge Malaysia’s editors, is conducted with transparency, which is ensured through published criteria and external auditing.
TPDA remains the anchor award of TEPEA, which also honours individuals for their outstanding leadership and contributions to the industry. We also highlight projects that have created exceptional value for buyers, based on verified transactions within a defined time frame. This award was created in response to the reality that property buying today goes beyond securing a roof over one’s head. Real estate has become a proven investment class — a tangible asset that builds wealth and transforms lives.
TEPEA also recognises projects, local and international, that exemplify design excellence, functionality and liveability. Developments with green excellence and outstanding affordable urban housing projects are also on our radar.
Sustainability remains a cornerstone of property excellence. This year, for the first time, we revisited three past winners of The Edge Malaysia Property Development Excellence Award — more than a decade on — to assess how they have withstood the test of time, especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The outcome is inspiring. PETRONAS Twin Towers and Desa ParkCity in Kuala Lumpur along with Sunway City Kuala Lumpur in Selangor all passed with flying colours, having evolved with the times and remained relevant. The PETRONAS Twin Towers continue to soar as a national icon, uplifting the value of surrounding property as well as investor confidence. Sunway City Kuala Lumpur and Desa ParkCity, meanwhile, are setting new benchmarks in community living and sustainable township development.
It’s one thing to win; it’s another to maintain the qualities that led to that success — and these three projects are proof of enduring excellence.
The Edge Malaysia Top Property Developers (TPDA)
Sime Darby Property Bhd (KL:SIMEPROP) has done it again. Winner of TPDA 2024, the developer secured pole position this year too. It had the highest overall combined score in the qualitative and quantitative subcategories, which carry a 65:35 weightage respectively.
Gamuda Land, the property arm of Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA), retained its second-place position, sharing the spot with S P Setia Bhd (KL:SPSETIA), which moved up from third last year. UOA Development Bhd (KL:UOADEV) also advanced a notch to third place from fourth previously, underscoring the competitiveness at the top of Malaysia’s property league.
Sime Darby Property emerged as the best overall in the qualitative subcategory, which evaluates developers in five key dimensions: product quality, innovation and creativity, value creation for buyers, image and expertise. It topped three of the five criteria: product quality, innovation and creativity, and image. The developer ranked second for value creation for buyers (behind Gamuda Land) and was joint second with IJM Land for expertise behind Gamuda Land and S P Setia, which tied for first.
To enhance fairness and credibility, the judging process employs a truncated mean system, in which the highest and lowest marks awarded by the judges for each company are excluded before the remaining scores are averaged. Judges with direct or indirect interest in any shortlisted companies abstained from deliberation and scoring to ensure integrity and impartiality.
In the quantitative subcategory, which assesses financial strength based on shareholders’ funds, revenue, profit before tax and cash/net gearing, S P Setia and UOA Development shared the top spot, followed by Sime Darby Property in second and Gamuda Land in third.
Together, these results reaffirm Sime Darby Property’s continued dominance in Malaysia’s property landscape — a reflection of its strong brand equity, product excellence and sustained financial performance.
Powering ahead
Sime Darby Property’s win comes as no surprise. The group delivered its best-ever financial performance in FY2024, achieving record highs on multiple fronts. This is testament to the effectiveness of SHIFT25, the corporate transformation strategy introduced by group managing director and CEO Datuk Seri Azmir Merican in 2021. Its goal is to push Sime Darby Property from a traditional residential developer into a diversified real estate group by 2025, with an income stream of 70% from property development and 30% recurring income from industrial, logistics and retail assets. As such, Sime Darby Property has expanded aggressively into industrial parks, logistics hubs, data centres and warehouses, positioning itself for the future economy.
Azmir, a relative newcomer to the property industry when he joined Sime Darby Property five years ago, has quickly proven his mettle. Under his leadership, the group has embedded technology into its operations.
Sime Darby Property is now shaping its next long-term strategic plan, incorporating lessons and insights from this transformative journey. It is evolving from a property developer into a fully integrated real estate powerhouse.
Outstanding Property Entrepreneur
Visionary. Resilient. Unrelenting. Such are the qualities of Tan Sri Lim Hock San, group executive chairman of LBS Bina Group Bhd (KL:LBS), whose journey of steering a modest family business into a leading force in Malaysia’s property landscape is nothing short of inspiring.
What began as a small lorry and construction outfit is today a household name synonymous with quality, affordability and community living. Lim’s belief in creating homes, not just houses, has reshaped neighbourhoods and uplifted lives.
Beyond the boardroom, he is deeply engaged in philanthropy and social causes, serving on more than 45 charitable boards and promoting Malaysia-China relations. At 68, his passion burns as bright as ever. For his foresight, tenacity and transformative impact, Lim has been bestowed with The Edge Malaysia Outstanding Property Entrepreneur Award 2025.
Outstanding Contribution to the Real Estate Industry
Conscientious, articulate and grounded — these words aptly describe Datuk N K Tong, a leader who stands out not just for his credentials, but also for his courage to challenge convention.
The son of the renowned “KL Condo King” Datuk Alan Tong, the man behind the birth of Mont’Kiara, N K has carved his own path in Malaysia’s real estate landscape. As the immediate past president of the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda), he remains an influential voice in shaping policies, addressing industry challenges and championing sustainability and innovation.
Never one to follow the herd, N K’s ideas are bold and thought-provoking. A passionate advocate for sustainable energy and a proponent of nuclear power as a viable route towards Malaysia’s net zero goals, he has been engaging with global experts and leading discussions on the topic.
For his visionary leadership, independent thinking and tireless service to the sector, N K has been honoured with The Edge Malaysia Outstanding Contribution to the Real Estate Industry Award 2025. He is also a judge of TPDA and The Edge Malaysia Best Managed & Sustainable Property Awards (BMSPA).
Outstanding Property CEO
Beneath his calm demeanour lies resilience, vision and quiet strength. Lee Chee Seng, CEO of SkyWorld Development Bhd (KL:SKYWLD), exemplifies leadership by example — grounded in hard work, innovation and teamwork.
Joining SkyWorld as chief product officer in the late 2000s, Lee was instrumental in shaping the developer’s design philosophy and operational excellence. His steady rise through the ranks — from chief operating officer to deputy CEO and finally CEO in 2022 — reflects his deep understanding of the business.
Under his leadership, SkyWorld listed on Bursa Malaysia in 2023 and continues to strengthen its position as a developer of affordably priced, community-centric vertical townships. For his exemplary leadership, Lee was bestowed The Edge Malaysia Outstanding Property CEO Award 2025.
Property Development Excellence
PETRONAS Twin Towers
(Winner of Outstanding Property Project Award 2012)
Completed in 1998, the PETRONAS Twin Towers are Malaysia’s enduring symbol of ambition and progress. Beyond their architectural brilliance, the towers transformed Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) into a world-class precinct that integrates business, culture and green space.
To ensure that the towers remain relevant, energy-conscious and future-ready, continuous efforts have been made to preserve their aesthetic integrity, enhance back-of-house efficency and embed sustainability into daily operations.
The majestic PETRONAS Twin Towers continue to elevate the KLCC address, enhance property values and inspire national pride. More than an icon, they remain timeless, resilient and an enduring gold standard.
Owned by the KLCC REIT and winner of The Edge Malaysia Outstanding Property Project Award 2012, PETRONAS Twin Towers has won The Edge Malaysia Property Development Excellence Award 2025 for Malaysian Urban Transformation Icon.
Sunway City Kuala Lumpur
(Winner of Outstanding Property Project Award 2013 and Excellence in Integrated Township of Residential, Resort, Office and Retail in 2022)
Spread over 324ha, Sunway City Kuala Lumpur is a remarkable example of urban regeneration. Once a tin-mining wasteland, its transformation by Sunway Property into a vibrant and self-contained township that integrates living, learning, working and leisure is outstanding.
Over the decades, the developer has expanded the city into a thriving hub anchored by world-class education, healthcare, retail and hospitality. No doubt this has brought with it the inevitable urban challenges, chief among them being traffic congestion. Notwithstanding those hurdles, Sunway City Kuala Lumpur remains a benchmark for sustainable community building — a living model of how foresight and persistence can turn adversity into enduring value and vibrance.
Sunway City Kuala Lumpur won The Edge Malaysia Outstanding Property Project Award 2013 and Excellence in Integrated Township of Residential, Resort, Office and Retail in 2022. It is a worthy winner of The Edge Malaysia Property Development Excellence Award 2025 for Master Plan Excellence.
Desa ParkCity
(Winner of Property Development Excellence Award 2015)
Fortune favours the bold … and the visionary. While winning is hard, sustaining success and taking it to new heights is an even greater feat. Desa ParkCity, dubbed Kuala Lumpur’s most liveable township, is a living testament to that.
The former disused quarry has been transformed by ParkCity Group into one of the city’s most desirable addresses — a thriving, connected community where people live, work and unwind amid thoughtful conveniences and lush greenery.
Desa ParkCity’s strong property value continues to reflect its enduring appeal as KL’s most liveable township. A decade after first being recognised for its excellence, the township remains vibrant, beautifully maintained and true to its founding vision.
For its exemplary planning, evolution and sustained excellence, Desa ParkCity received The Edge Malaysia Property Development Excellence Award 2025 for Master Plan Excellence. The township won The Edge Malaysia Property Development Excellence Award in 2015.
This 1,879-acre township in the district of Kuala Langat, Selangor stands out as the embodiment of foresight, sustainability and community living.
IJM Rimbayu, which has a gross development value of about RM12 billion, was conceived at a time when “green” was not yet a buzzword.
The township was designed around nature and connectivity. Inspired by the simplicity of earlier times, it offers walkable neighbourhoods supported by lush landscapes and modern amenities. With sustainability woven into its design, operations and community ethos, IJM Rimbayu reflects IJM Land’s commitment to creating enduring value, earning it The Edge Malaysia Property Development Excellence Award 2025 for Master Plan Excellence.
Value Creation Excellence
Buying a property goes beyond owning a home; it is about investing in its liveability and enduring value. A well-conceived property not only offers daily functionality but also serves as an effective hedge against inflation and a creator of wealth.
Park Place @ ParkCity TownCenter, a 537-unit freehold condominium in the award-winning township of Desa ParkCity in Kuala Lumpur, exemplifies how investing in the right property pays off.
Launched in 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic and handed over early this year, the development has proven to be a sound investment. Based on sub-sale transactions of five comparable units submitted to the judges — one of the criteria for the awards’ evaluation — capital appreciation ranged from an impressive 76.6% to 102.6%.
Such performance underscores Park Place’s strong market confidence, making it the clear winner of The Edge Malaysia-PEPS Value Creation Excellence Award 2025. Desa ParkCity is no stranger to the award as Park Regent and South Brooks, both within the township, were the winners in 2024 and 2022 respectively.
Outstanding Overseas Project
Park Kiara @ ParkCity Hanoi, the first high-rise condominium within the ParkCity Hanoi township, has set a new standard for modern living in Vietnam’s capital. Breaking away from market convention, the developer introduced a pure residential development with no retail component, redefining exclusivity and community focus.
Every unit came fully fitted with kitchen fixtures — a rarity in Vietnam when launched in 2019. The orderly allotment of parking bays replaced the market norm of first-come, first-served basis.
With the project located within the master-planned ecosystem of ParkCity Hanoi, residents enjoy facilities and amenities beyond their condominium, reflecting the lifestyle DNA of Desa ParkCity in Kuala Lumpur.
For its innovation, planning excellence and lifestyle impact, Park Kiara @ ParkCity Hanoi, developed by ParkCity Group, received The Edge Malaysia Outstanding Overseas Project Award 2025.
Quality Affordable Urban Homes
Affordable homes need not look cheap or shabby. Creative design and optimised spatial planning are the key to liveable, affordably priced homes.
Winners of The Edge Malaysia Affordable Urban Housing Excellence Award 2025 have proven that when there’s a will, there’s a way to build homes their owners can be proud of. While one cannot expect premium-grade building materials at this price point, that does not mean quality and safety should be compromised.
Good connectivity, access to amenities and proper maintenance are non-negotiable pillars of a sustainable, successful and affordable housing project.
This year, the winners are Rumah Bandar Idaman Putra in Bandar Putra Kulai (IOI Properties Group Bhd), Residensi Nexus Kajang, Selangor and Residensi Matang Premier, Kuching, Sarawak (both by PR1MA Corp Malaysia).
The location of all three projects may be distinctly different but they share a common trait — being outstanding affordable homes.
Excellence in Conservation & Adaptive Reuse
The Stories of Taman Tunku
Tucked in the heart of Taman Tunku, often dubbed Kuala Lumpur’s Beverly Hills, lies a charming enclave that breathes new life into heritage. The Stories of Taman Tunku — a cluster of understated low-rise residential and retail blocks — celebrates nostalgia through its thoughtful revival of a 60-year-old property owned by Selangor Properties Sdn Bhd.
The project preserves the soul of the past while infusing it with a new vibrancy. All 66 residential and 28 commercial units are fully occupied, a testament to its appeal.
For being an inspiring example of how sustainability is not just about building anew, but also cherishing what already stands, The Stories of Taman Tunku won The Edge Malaysia Excellence in Conservation & Adaptive Reuse Award 2025.
Built in 1874, the Old Court House in Kuching once stood as a solemn seat of justice and administration. After decades of neglect, it has been beautifully revived by Food Journal Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of PE Holdings, which transformed the historic landmark into a lively F&B and event hub along the Kuching Waterfront.
What makes this transformation exceptional is the delicate balance between preservation and renewal — retaining its colonial grandeur while giving it a vibrant new lease of life.
For restoring both heritage and heart to a city icon, the Old Court House received The Edge Malaysia Excellence in Conservation & Adaptive Reuse Award 2025.
Redefining senior living
Malaysia is projected to become an aged nation by 2048, when citizens aged 65 and above will account for 14% of the population. The shift began in 2021, when the country officially entered ageing nation status, with seniors making up 7% of the population.
While prospects for the ageing care market are promising, many ventures have struggled to find a sustainable business model that balances affordability, quality and care. Some efforts were short-lived; others never took off.
Enter UOA Development Bhd’s Komune Living & Wellness in Cheras. Launched in May 2022, the project departs from the conventional senior care model by embracing a holistic wellness lifestyle that integrates senior living into a broader, intergenerational community. Its flexible, à la carte care services allow residents to customise their wellness journey according to personal needs and preferences.
What truly elevates this development is its coveted location — right next to Taman Tasik Permaisuri, a 122-acre green lung offering serene views and open spaces rarely found in urban Kuala Lumpur.
UOA Development’s visionary approach to redefining wellness living has been recognised with The Edge Malaysia Property Development Excellence Award 2025 for Integrated Wellness Hub.
Congratulations to all winners! You are the best in class in the country’s property development industry, pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks.
Au Foong Yee ([email protected]) is an editor emeritus at The Edge Malaysia. She conceptualised The Edge Malaysia Top Property Developers Awards and The Edge Malaysia Property Excellence Awards. Au has been a judge since the awards’ inception in 2003.
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