By Sharen Kaur
KUALA LUMPUR: SHERATON Johor Baru has officially opened its doors at SKS Tower, breathing new life into the once-abandoned development formerly known as Pacific Mall.
The landmark opening represents a major investment by SKS Group to rejuvenate the area, positioning the project as a cornerstone in Johor Baru's ongoing urban revitalisation efforts.
More than just a new addition to the city's hospitality landscape, the debut of Sheraton Johor Baru reflects the city's wider transformation, where dormant landmarks are being reimagined into vibrant destinations that symbolise Johor Baru's growing economic and cultural momentum.
Operated by Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, the 345-room luxury hotel sits atop SKS Mall and proudly stands as the brand's first Sheraton property in Johor Baru, offering a new benchmark for modern comfort and world-class hospitality in southern Malaysia.
"The opening of Sheraton Johor Baru is a milestone moment for us, as we introduce the brand's innovative design and community-centric philosophy to key destinations across Malaysia," said Ramesh Jackson, regional vice president, Malaysia & Indonesia, Marriott International.
Beyond its hospitality significance, the launch underscores a broader wave of urban revitalisation and adaptive reuse across Johor Baru, where developers are transforming dormant commercial sites into new landmarks of growth and activity.
According to Olive Tree Property Consultants CEO Samuel Tan, the city has seen several long-idle buildings being earmarked for redevelopment, signalling renewed investor confidence in Johor Baru's transformation into an international metropolis.
Among these are Lot 1 Waterfront City Mall, Danga City Mall, and Skudai Parade - once prominent retail landmarks that have since fallen into disuse.
Tan noted that Danga City Mall, a RM240 million property that closed in 2018 after its heyday in the 1990s, is slated for conversion into a park-and-ride station for the Johor Baru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS).
Meanwhile, Lot 1 Waterfront City Mall - part of a visionary RM6 billion mixed-use development - is being planned for revival as a commercial and residential hub, after being abandoned since 2003.
"Skudai Parade has just been sold, and we await the new owner's redevelopment plans," Tan said, adding that Capital Mall's planned transformation with Singapore's Mustapha Centre entry has faced delays but is expected to spur revitalisation once operational.
He urged for government incentives to support the redevelopment of abandoned malls, warning against the rise of "ghost malls." Tan also cautioned developers against stratified mall ownership, which often leads to management and tenant coordination challenges.
"This is where the proposed Urban Renewal Act will be useful, to ensure that old and abandoned malls can be redeveloped," Tan told Business Times.
Tan pointed to the rebirth of Pacific Mall - now home to Sheraton Johor Baru - as a prime example of successful adaptive reuse. Once left idle in 1997, the property has been transformed through a partnership between Johor-based SKS Group Sdn Bhd and Marriott International, established in July 2023.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/property/2025/10/1290691/sheraton-johor-baru-opens-revived-pacific-mall-site-bttv
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