Sabah has announced plans for a huge development on the prime port-side land near historic Kota Kinabalu port.
The 14-hectare Jesselton Docklands development will “transform the city’s waterfront into a modern, vibrant and sustainable urban destination”, said Sabah’s chief minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The project, developed by Suria Capital in partnership with BEDI Development, will include an international cruise terminal, hotels, residences, cultural precincts, and commercial zones.
Phase One will establish hotels, branded suites, offices and retail spaces, while the second phase continues with the Jesselton Quay development with SBC Corporation Berhad.
The chief minister said a new ferry terminal to complement a dedicated international cruise terminal will position Kota Kinabalu on the global map as a premier cruise and ferry gateway.
He emphasised that the development is based on the principle of “profit with responsibility” to ensure benefits for both buyers and the community.
Sixty per cent of the project will involve land reclamation while 40% will be built on reused piles and the existing environment.
Finance minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, said, “What was once a working port is now evolving into a thriving hub for trade, tourism, culture, and lifestyle.”
The plan, designed by Norwegian architecture firm Snohetta, includes reintroducing mangrove gardens into the city.