In the southern region of Malaysia, the sprawling estate known as Forest City sits, a testament to the grandeur and ambition of its developers. Built by China’s largest developer, Country Garden, at a staggering cost of $100 billion, the estate covers four square miles and features towering apartment buildings with breathtaking views of the Johor Strait and neighboring Singapore. However, during a recent visit in 2022, it was clear that this luxury property is anything but what it seems.
Despite being marketed as luxurious properties, some visitors have found these apartments lacking in terms of amenities and comfort. The area appeared deserted with many unoccupied units and few residents visible. Despite forecasting a population of 700,000 in the coming years, current figures show only 9,000 residents. Even in a complex with 20 units, only a small number of people were actually living there.
In March 2022, the writer booked a night at a Forest City apartment through a property manager for $52. Similar units can be found on Airbnb for as little as $38 per night. The owner of the unit declined to comment for privacy reasons while Country Garden remained silent when contacted by the media.
Despite its grandeur and aspirations to become a bustling metropolis, Forest City currently remains largely empty and underutilized. With thousands of apartments sitting vacant, the estate faces challenges in attracting residents and fulfilling its vision for the future.
