His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the Regent of Johor, entrusted AMTAR with one of its most prestigious commissions. The firm will design a 27-hectare private beachfront estate in Desaru, Johor. This US $200 million project is led by Michael Magill, Global Design Lead and Managing Director of AMTAR Dubai studio. Drawing on extensive experience from collaborations with globally recognized brands including Armani, Nobu, Karl Lagerfeld, and St. Regis, AMTAR brings deep expertise in luxury architecture, precision detailing, and intuitive design to deliver a residence that balances sophistication, comfort, and privacy. Spanning the royal family's coastal property, the expansive estate will feature a main residence, guest houses, a kids' club, sports facilities, and secure underground spaces including a shooting range and armoury capable of accommodating up to 100 security personnel. The team tailored every element to the Regent's lifestyle, balancing elegance with privacy and operational functionality. The project aims to reflect the family's heritage while providing a modern, sophisticated environment for daily living.
"This residence is more than a home," says Ismail, 41, the eldest son of Malaysian King Ibrahim Iskandar. "It's a reflection of family, heritage and partnership. The collaboration with AMTAR is built not just on design excellence, but on the close family relationship I've shared with Kiat and his father." The project reflects a clear deeper bond between the client and AMTAR leadership. AMTAR Chairman, statement. "This collaboration carries special meaning. It is shaped by a deep-rooted mutual respect between our families, and to design something so personal for such a storied lineage is a profound privilege." AMTAR is honoured to take on this commission. We look forward to bringing the Regent of Johor's vision to life with the highest standards of design and craftsmanship.