This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on July 14, 2025 - July 20, 2025
Majestic Gen Sdn Bhd will launch Gen Sphere, its second high-rise serviced apartment development in Johor Bahru City Centre, in mid-July. This follows the success of Gen Rise, which was fully sold after its launch earlier this year.
According to CEO Datuk Hoo Kim See, the RM837 million Gen Sphere will occupy a 1.25-acre freehold site near the upcoming Bukit Chagar Rapid Transit System (RTS) station. It will comprise 996 serviced apartments in a 50-storey tower, supported by two lower ground levels.
Gen Sphere offers five layout types, each designed with the flexibility for buyers to convert them into dual-key units. Type A, at 459 sq ft, features one bedroom and two bathrooms; Type B measures 551 sq ft and has one bedroom and two bathrooms; Type C is 652 sq ft, offering three bedrooms and two bathrooms; and Type D is 755 sq ft with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The limited-edition Type E — with only 36 units available — is 700 sq ft, with one bedroom and two bathrooms, and is designed as a double-volume unit.
The units are priced from RM609,000, or between RM1,330 and RM1,565 psf, depending on level and orientation.
Hoo says that the development was soft-launched in June, and all non-bumiputera units, numbering about 600, were fully taken up the same day. Majestic Gen has received more than 1,000 registrations for the remaining bumiputera units.
“We were quite overwhelmed by the immediate response. To see every non-bumi unit booked online within an hour tells us that the location, concept and pricing are aligned with what buyers are looking for today,” he says.
“Even with Type C at 652 sq ft, we managed to fit in three bedrooms. The layouts are extremely efficient. All units are dual-key ready; one merely needs to install a door and/or wall to create the separation. This provides flexibility for owners, whether for multigenerational living or rental income.”
According to executive director Ta Wee Dher, the buyer profile at Gen Sphere is a mix of Malaysians (especially those working in Singapore), Singaporeans, investors and those buying the unit as a holiday home or weekend residence.
“With the proximity of our development to Singapore, it draws strong interest from Singapore. It is about 700m from the Bukit Chagar RTS station, which is just next to the CIQ (customs, immigration and quarantine) complex. From the station, it is just a six-minute ride to the Woodlands North RTS station in Singapore.”
The development will offer four levels of amenities across eight thematic zones on four levels. The Social Zone comes with barbecue terraces and a pavilion, the Active Zone offers a recreational basketball court, while the Core, Wellness and Leisure Zones feature a yoga deck, jogging path, reflexology path, outdoor fitness and a children’s playground.
The Retreat Zone will have outdoor lounges and indoor activity spaces, while the Aqua Zone on Level 50 offers a swimming pool, wading pool, spa pool, cabanas and a pool terrace. The Fitness Zone on Level 50M, with a gymnasium and multipurpose courts for pickleball and badminton, ensures wellness is seamlessly integrated into daily routines.
“A lot of thought has been put into the common areas. We have divided the facilities into eight zones to cater to different activities and moods. The multipurpose hall, for instance, can be used for badminton or even pickleball. Residents will be able to relax, socialise or stay active without having to leave the building,” Ta says.
About the project’s name, he explains that Gen Sphere symbolises its position at the centre of connectivity and urban living. “Gen” stands for “Generation”, reflecting spaces designed for today’s and tomorrow’s communities, while “Sphere” represents wholeness, inclusivity and forward movement.
“Together, Gen Sphere captures the vision of building environments where people can grow, connect and live with purpose within a setting that feels alive, futuristic and ready for what’s next,” he adds.
Serving residents and community
Positioned along Jalan Lumba Kuda and Jalan Tenteram, Gen Sphere faces a high-footfall pedestrian walkway that links JB Sentral, the CIQ complex and the RTS station.
To take advantage of the vibrancy there, Gen Sphere will also have four retail units totalling 18,500 sq ft to serve both residents and the surrounding community. With a separate entrance from the serviced apartments, the retail levels will remain under the developer’s management to allow for a curated tenant mix, according to Hoo.
“We are keeping the retail space because we want to get the mix right. It is important to us that the shops serve residents and also leverage on the footfall from the public walkway. This makes it different from Gen Rise, which only has a convenience store for residents,” he says.
Majestic Gen is also planning more projects within Johor Bahru City Centre, via land acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Ta says, “We are still growing. These projects (Gen Rise and Gen Sphere) will position us as a premium medium to high-end developer in Johor Bahru. People are beginning to recognise our brand and the quality of what we deliver.”
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