The Iconic Group has unveiled its latest venture, the Iconic Marjorie Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel under the Marriott International brand. The five-star hotel, located in Bayan Lepas, celebrated its soft opening in a ceremony attended by distinguished guests, including YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, the Chief Minister of Penang, and H.E. Mr. Zhou Youbin, Chinese Consul General in Penang. The event also saw the presence of prominent state leaders and representatives from Marriott International, showcasing the collaboration and shared vision for this landmark project.

A new milestone for Iconic Group

The 298-room Iconic Marjorie Hotel marks a significant milestone for the Iconic Group, representing their commitment to elevating Penang’s status as a world-class destination for tourism and investment. Developed with an investment of RM180 million, this is the group’s second hotel project following the successful launch of the Iconic Hotel in Seberang Perai in 2016.

Dato’ Seri Tan Kean Tet, Chairman of Iconic Worldwide Berhad, emphasized the importance of the project: “This hotel is more than a luxury destination; it is a celebration of Penang’s rich heritage and a testament to our commitment to delivering excellence in real estate and hospitality. We are proud to contribute to the vibrant growth of this remarkable city and express our gratitude to the Penang State Government for their unwavering support.”

The hotel is expected to attract a diverse clientele, including business travelers, tourists, and locals seeking a premium hospitality experience. Its strategic location in Bayan Lepas, a hub for industrial and commercial activity, ensures accessibility and connectivity to key areas in Penang.

Fusion of design and heritage

Designed in collaboration with Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), the Iconic Marjorie Hotel blends contemporary architecture with Penang’s Baba-Nyonya cultural heritage. The hotel’s design reflects the island’s multicultural identity while offering guests a modern, luxurious experience.

The hotel’s culinary offerings include three unique dining venues:

• Tiffin Hall: A vibrant space that showcases Penang’s diverse gastronomic traditions. With an array of flavorful dishes, it pays homage to the island’s communal dining culture and rich culinary history.
• Loom & Leafs Lounge: A serene retreat for enjoying local delicacies, refreshing beverages, and light bites. This space invites guests to immerse themselves in Penang’s vibrant charm in a relaxed setting.
• Senses Bar: A rooftop bar featuring an infinity pool, signature cocktails, and panoramic views of Penang. It offers a sophisticated environment for unwinding in style.

The hotel’s interiors and amenities have been designed to provide a seamless blend of timeless elegance and contemporary comfort, catering to the preferences of both local and international travelers.

Commitment to sustainability

Iconic Marjorie Hotel is the first hotel in Penang to achieve the Gold standard in the Green Building Index (GBI), highlighting its dedication to sustainability. By incorporating energy-efficient systems, sustainable materials, and innovative designs, the hotel sets a new benchmark for eco-conscious hospitality.

“This hotel embodies the spirit of Tribute Portfolio by blending individuality with community connection while incorporating sustainable practices,” said George Varughese, Market Vice President for Malaysia, Marriott International. “It is a shining example of our commitment to setting new standards in hospitality while embracing the local culture.”

Adjacent development: Iconic Regency

Situated alongside the Iconic Marjorie Hotel is Iconic Regency, a 42-storey residential tower offering 268 freehold serviced residences. Developed by Iconic Group, Iconic Regency provides a range of fully furnished units with built-ups from 500 to 850 square feet. Amenities include a sky gymnasium, infinity pool, and jacuzzi, catering to a premium lifestyle.

Totaling an investment of RM180 million, Iconic Regency aims to complement the hotel by providing long-term accommodation options for expatriates, students, and business executives. Each unit is designed to offer modern conveniences, including carpark bays, free WiFi, and light cooking facilities, making it an attractive option for various demographics.

Strategic location

Both the Iconic Marjorie Hotel and Iconic Regency are strategically located in Sungai Nibong, part of the Bayan Lepas industrial zone known as the ‘Silicon Valley of the East.’ This prime location is just 6 km from the Penang International Airport and 1 km from the Bayan Lepas Free Trade Zone (FTZ). Additionally, the properties are in close proximity to key landmarks such as Queensbay Mall (3 km), Komtar (12 km), and Balik Pulau (14 km), as well as two proposed LRT stations, enhancing accessibility for residents and guests alike.

Forescape is a new serviced residence within the 35.3-acre Metrioplace Commercial Hub by Metrio Group, located near Batu Kawan. Located along Jalan Batu Kawan and adjacent to Vortex Business Park, the development offers convenient access to key transport links, being just a few minutes’ drive from the Bukit Tambun Toll Plaza and less than 10 minutes from the Batu Kawan Industrial Park (BKIP).

The project features a 28-storey serviced apartment building comprising 398 residential units, complemented by an 8-level car parking podium. The project is expected to be officially launched in early 2025.

Project Name: Forescape @ Metrioplace
Location: Batu Kawan
Property Type: Serviced residence
Land Area: (to be confirmed)
Built-up Area: (to be confirmed)
Total Units: 398 (serviced residence)
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer: Metrio Jaya Development Sdn. Bhd. (Metrio Group)

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data. This is not an advertisement. Any claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a project or service should be verified with the developer, provider, or party in question.

Eastern & Oriental Berhad (E&O), in collaboration with local entrepreneur community Cloud Club, recently hosted Andaman Island’s first large-scale community Christmas event, the Fa-La-La Christmas Market.

Held over three days, the event attracted approximately 10,000 visitors daily and celebrated the festive season, showcasing local entrepreneurial talent through a curated marketplace and community-driven activities.

Located on a 760-acre reclaimed island, Andaman is a visionary project by E&O, designed to redefine urban living. With its seamless integration of sustainability, connectivity, community building, and a strong focus on enhancing the quality of life, Andaman Island aims to set new standards for modern living.

The Fa-La-La Christmas Market featured 60 vendor booths, offering a wide variety of products, from fashion and beauty to desserts, pet-friendly items, and artisanal gifts. Vendors were carefully selected to ensure a diverse mix of offerings and match the event’s relaxed lawn vibe, bringing unique offerings beyond traditional F&B to create an inclusive and vibrant marketplace.

Inspired by the enchanting Christmas Village of the North Pole, the event was also filled with interactive activities such as snowing sessions, carol singing, live band performances, a s’mores bonfire, Santa’s meet-and-greet, and workshops. The snowing sessions, a rare and magical experience in Penang, emerged as the crowd favourite, transforming the event into a winter wonderland.

Visitors praised the Fa-La-La Christmas Market as a refreshing addition to Penang’s festive calendar, offering engaging activities and workshops that catered to diverse interests and created lasting memories for attendees of all ages.

Dato’ Seri Tee Eng Ho, Executive Chairman of E&O Berhad, said, “As the first community-centric event on Andaman Island, this was a wonderful opportunity for Penangites to experience what the island has to offer while enjoying the festive season.

“This event highlighted Andaman as not only a destination for eco-conscious living but also as a launchpad for local entrepreneurs to connect with a wider audience.”

Tee emphasised that the event exemplified E&O’s dedication to transforming Andaman Island into a vibrant community where people can live, work, and connect. The festive celebration showcased Andaman’s focus on creating a dynamic and sustainable environment that appeals to both residents and visitors alike.

Looking ahead, Tee said, “Building on the success of the Christmas Market, E&O is considering making this festive celebration an annual tradition, bringing distinctive and memorable experiences to Penangites year after year.”

He also added that E&O is open to collaborating with other community organisations that align with the company’s values, reinforcing its commitment to fostering vibrant community engagement and supporting local businesses.

For more information on upcoming events and developments on Andaman Island, visit E&O’s
official website at https://www.easternandoriental.com/andaman.

About Cassia Cempaka

Landed residential development by PDC Properties Sdn. Bhd. in Bandar Cassia. Strategically located along Jalan Batu Kawan, neighboring Batu Kawan Police Station and Fire & Rescue Station. It is about 5km to IKEA, and less than 10 minute’s drive to Penang Second Bridge and Batu Kawan Industrial Park (BKIP). The project will be developed in multiple phases, comprises a combination of 2-storey terrace, semi-detached and bungalows.

Find out more about Cassia Cempaka

The Penang government is granting a 100 per cent exemption from quit rent and parcel rent penalty arrears to all land and parcel owners in the state who make payments for the two taxes from January 2 to February 28, 2025.

The Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement today that the matter was agreed upon in the Government Executive Council (MMK) meeting last week.

The meeting also agreed to provide a 50 per cent reduction in land and parcel tax penalty arrears to all land and parcel owners who make payments from March 1 to May 31, 2025.

“Both the incentives and the offer are also extended to landowners or parcels who have received Notice of Penalty 6A (land tax) or Notice of Penalty 11 (parcel tax), however, the offer is not extended to payers who make payments in instalments,” the statement said.

The Chief Minister’s Office also stressed that the offer is not retrospective and cannot be enjoyed by land or parcel owners who make late payment of fine arrears before the date of the exemption and reduction comes into effect.

According to the statement, checks found that there were high arrears of late fines involving 40,371 land tax accounts and 67,537 parcel tax accounts in Penang amounting to nearly RM40.1 million.

“If land and parcel owners do not pay the land tax and parcel tax immediately, it is feared that their land or parcels will be forfeited by the State Authority due to the existing arrears,” the statement said.

The discount incentives are aimed at encouraging land and parcel owners to pay tax for 2025 at an earlier period as well as to ease the burden on owners who have high tax penalty arrears due to non-payment before May 31 every year.

In this regard, the state government hopes that all land and parcel owners can take the opportunity to make their respective payments as soon as possible from Jan 2 to enable them to enjoy the exemption from the arrears of fines offered.

Payment can be made through the revenue counter of the District and Land Office or online through the portal, PgLAND on a lump sum basis.

Source: Bernama