20 APRIL, PETALING JAYA – Horizon Hills Development Sdn Bhd, a 50:50 joint venture between UEM Land Bhd and Gamuda Bhd, has entered into a collaboration with CES Horizon Sdn Bhd (CES Horizon), a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-based Chip Eng Seng Corporation Ltd (Chip Eng Seng Corp), and Nusajaya Greens Sdn Bhd, for the establishment of a built-to-suit school within the Horizon Hills township in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru.
The K-12 international school will be operated by CES Horizon under the “Invictus” international school brand and will offer kindergarten, primary and secondary-level instruction (up till year 12). The campus will occupy 4.14 acres in Horizon Hills, with a gross floor area of approximately 203,875 sq ft. As part of the collaboration, Horizon Hills Development will develop and construct the campus over three phases, which CES Horizon will lease under a 15-year term, with an option to renew for a further 15 years.
Nusajaya Greens, a wholly owned subsidiary of UEM Land via Bandar Nusajaya Development Sdn Bhd, is the registered owner of the land on which Horizon Hills is sited. UEM Land is a wholly owned subsidiary of UEM Sunrise Bhd.
Building a sustainable township
“When we get the places right, the town works. To Gamuda Land, long-term sustainable value in terms of a lasting good quality of life and good capital growth is derived from towns situated at good locations, well master-planned with great gathering places that bring the community closer together as well as facilities and amenities that meet their needs,” said Ngan Chee Meng, Chief Executive Officer of Gamuda Land, adding that Horizon Hills was planned with all the right key places – the work place, play place, shopping place, park place and the learning place, ensuring the sustainability of the town well into the future.
This collaboration with CES Horizon that brings Invictus International School’s recognised brand of education to Horizon Hills will benefit a projected population of 18,800 by 2022, as well as more than 80,000 residents in surrounding communities. With education as one of the key catalysts for residential development and growth, the campus is expected to contribute to the sustainability of the township once complete.
“Horizon Hills has over the years set the benchmark for quality community living amidst nature in the Iskandar Puteri region. Today, we see good demand for community-living developments in the area, and the establishment of an international school with Invictus’ pedigree is a pull factor for these demographics, particularly families and owner-occupiers,” said UEM Sunrise Chief Operating Officer (Southern) Zamri Yusof.
The move follows on Invictus International School’s regional expansion since its establishment in Singapore in 2015. To date, Invictus International School has campuses in Singapore, Hong Kong and Cambodia.
Bringing synergy to the learning place
“Invictus provides a pathway to academic success for those who set their sights on admission to internationally renowned universities around the world. Through a nurturing environment that encourages innovation and lifelong learning, Invictus focuses on the fundamentals of learning and the individual learner,” said Tan Tee How, Executive Director, Chip Eng Seng Corp, adding that the school has plans to explore Chinese, Malay and other languages for students as life skills.
Construction of the first phase is expected to complete in 2022 and the campus is expected to open its doors in 2023, with a capacity of up to 1,500 students in phases. It will adopt the UK Cambridge curriculum, from pre-school levels up to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and Cambridge International A Levels (Advanced Levels).
Towards more mindful town-making
The school will be located next to Horizon Hills’ south entrance, easily accessible to owners, residents and surrounding communities via Persiaran Selatan Horizon. Its establishment and strategic location underscores Gamuda Land’s commitment to placemaking, mindfully planning every detail to create sustainable townships for generations to come.
Encompassing 1,200 acres in the heart of Iskandar Puteri, Horizon Hills itself draws inspiration from the site’s naturally undulating terrain to craft a gated-and-guarded development where nature and modernity co-exist in harmony.
Launched in 2007, the township is 70% completed to date and is targeted for full completion by 2027. It includes 11 residential precincts and a 150,000 sq ft clubhouse, as well as commercial and office components. Along with an 18-hole, 200-acre international championship course designed by Ross Watson, it offers resort-style living with prime connectivity via major routes such as Jalan Ismail Sultan, the North-South and Skudai Highways, and the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link. Once completed, the development will comprise 6,000 residential units with a gross development value of RM7.2 billion.
