Malaysia's $100 billion luxury estate was supposed to be a 'living paradise.' Instead, 6 years into development, it's a ghost town full of empty skyscrapers and deserted roads — take a look.

Marielle DescalsotaJun 8, 2022, 13:34 IST

Driving into "dream paradise," Forest City in Malaysia.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Forest City is one of the most controversial developments in Malaysia's history.
The $100 billion development is a ghost town with less than 5% of the expected number of residents.

Forest City, a luxury estate in southern Malaysia, is one of the most controversial developments in the country's history. Six years into development, the $100 billion is already a ghost town.

Forest City, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Forest City, a luxury estate in southern Malaysia, is one of the most controversial developments in the country's history. Six years into development, the $100 billion is already a ghost town.

In early May, I flew from Singapore to Malaysia and then took a car to Garden City. As my taxi driver drove into the city, I was struck by the size of the development — it felt like I had been transported into a futuristic movie set.

Driving into "dream paradise," Forest City in Malaysia.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

In early May, I flew from Singapore to Malaysia and then took a car to Garden City. As my taxi driver drove into the city, I was struck by the size of the development — it felt like I had been transported into a futuristic movie set.

Once I got to the reclaimed island, I paid a visit to Forest City's showroom. A massive model of the development was the centerpiece of the showroom. Many apartments were labeled "selling fast" or "sold out."

A model of Forest City.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Once I got to the reclaimed island, I paid a visit to Forest City's showroom. A massive model of the development was the centerpiece of the showroom. Many apartments were labeled "selling fast" or "sold out."

Next, I headed over to a residential area called Kylin Apartment Complex. It looked big enough to accommodate hundreds of people, but the streets leading up to it were empty — I only saw one or two cars.

An apartment complex in Forest City.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Next, I headed over to a residential area called Kylin Apartment Complex. It looked big enough to accommodate hundreds of people, but the streets leading up to it were empty — I only saw one or two cars.

Every shop I saw in the complex appeared to be closed, empty, or abandoned.

Closed businesses in Forest City.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Many retail spaces appeared to be used for storage. I peered through the windows and saw carton boxes and prop furniture.

Abandoned retail spaces.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

There are two resorts in Forest City. At the time of my visit, one of them had been closed for two years, according to a security guard I spoke to at Kylin Apartment Complex. Out back, dragonflies were breeding in the pool, and the water looked discolored.

A half-filled pool in Forest City Marina Hotel.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

There are two resorts in Forest City. At the time of my visit, one of them had been closed for two years, according to a security guard I spoke to at Kylin Apartment Complex. Out back, dragonflies were breeding in the pool, and the water looked discolored.

As I headed for the beach, I found an open-air wedding venue. The trellis was decorated with fresh flowers, striking a stark contract with the tarnished benches and pillars.

An empty wedding site.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

As I headed for the beach, I found an open-air wedding venue. The trellis was decorated with fresh flowers, striking a stark contract with the tarnished benches and pillars.

It wasn't until I got to the beach that I saw signs of life.

Forest City's man-made beach.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Down on the beach, I found dozens of discarded beer bottles.

Discarded beer bottles in Forest City.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Later, I stumbled upon the estate's mall, where the lights were flickering and the smell of cigarettes wafted through the air. "No smoking" signs were plastered on walls.

Part of the mall.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Later, I stumbled upon the estate's mall, where the lights were flickering and the smell of cigarettes wafted through the air. "No smoking" signs were plastered on walls.

Finally, I spotted the duty-free shop — and, just as the couple on the beach had said, it was indeed full of people. It was the busiest spot in the entire development.

Duty Free shop in Forest City.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Finally, I spotted the duty-free shop — and, just as the couple on the beach had said, it was indeed full of people. It was the busiest spot in the entire development.

But Forest City's problems run deeper than merely its lack of interest among buyers and visitors. While it has lauded itself a "living paradise" and a "green, futuristic city," some experts have described it as an ecological ticking time bomb.

Partial map of Johor Bahru.Google Maps

But Forest City's problems run deeper than merely its lack of interest among buyers and visitors. While it has lauded itself a "living paradise" and a "green, futuristic city," some experts have described it as an ecological ticking time bomb.

Several locals and experts alike said the construction of Forest City took a particular toll on fishermen who lived in nearby villages.

A seafood market in the fishing village.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

On a road that leads back to mainland Johor Bahru, I found a shed surrounded by debris. Forest City housed its construction workers on sites similar to this one, several locals told me. The development's logo was displayed right outside the shed.

A shed where Forest City workers live.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

On a road that leads back to mainland Johor Bahru, I found a shed surrounded by debris. Forest City housed its construction workers on sites similar to this one, several locals told me. The development's logo was displayed right outside the shed.

As night settled around the development, the skyscrapers remained tellingly dark. Only a few apartments lit up a night.

Forest City at night.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

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Malaysia's $100 billion luxury estate was supposed to be a 'living paradise.' Instead, 6 years into development, it's a ghost town full of empty skyscrapers and deserted roads &mdash; take a look.

Forest City, a luxury estate in southern Malaysia, is one of the most controversial developments in the country's history. Six years into development, the $100 billion is already a ghost town.

In early May, I flew from Singapore to Malaysia and then took a car to Garden City. As my taxi driver drove into the city, I was struck by the size of the development — it felt like I had been transported into a futuristic movie set.

Once I got to the reclaimed island, I paid a visit to Forest City's showroom. A massive model of the development was the centerpiece of the showroom. Many apartments were labeled "selling fast" or "sold out."

Next, I headed over to a residential area called Kylin Apartment Complex. It looked big enough to accommodate hundreds of people, but the streets leading up to it were empty — I only saw one or two cars.

Every shop I saw in the complex appeared to be closed, empty, or abandoned.

Many retail spaces appeared to be used for storage. I peered through the windows and saw carton boxes and prop furniture.

There are two resorts in Forest City. At the time of my visit, one of them had been closed for two years, according to a security guard I spoke to at Kylin Apartment Complex. Out back, dragonflies were breeding in the pool, and the water looked discolored.

As I headed for the beach, I found an open-air wedding venue. The trellis was decorated with fresh flowers, striking a stark contract with the tarnished benches and pillars.

It wasn't until I got to the beach that I saw signs of life.

Down on the beach, I found dozens of discarded beer bottles.

Later, I stumbled upon the estate's mall, where the lights were flickering and the smell of cigarettes wafted through the air. "No smoking" signs were plastered on walls.

Finally, I spotted the duty-free shop — and, just as the couple on the beach had said, it was indeed full of people. It was the busiest spot in the entire development.

But Forest City's problems run deeper than merely its lack of interest among buyers and visitors. While it has lauded itself a "living paradise" and a "green, futuristic city," some experts have described it as an ecological ticking time bomb.

Several locals and experts alike said the construction of Forest City took a particular toll on fishermen who lived in nearby villages.

On a road that leads back to mainland Johor Bahru, I found a shed surrounded by debris. Forest City housed its construction workers on sites similar to this one, several locals told me. The development's logo was displayed right outside the shed.

As night settled around the development, the skyscrapers remained tellingly dark. Only a few apartments lit up a night.

Malaysia's $100 billion luxury estate was supposed to be a 'living paradise.' Instead, 6 years into development, it's a ghost town full of empty skyscrapers and deserted roads — take a look.