Bali’s neighboring island of Lombok has long been a destination loved by surfers, climbing enthusiasts, and laid-back backpackers.
The island is about to undergo a series of massive development projects that will transform the landscape. Two Australian developers have confirmed that they will be investing $6 billion in creating a new smart city in Lombok.
The new Marina Bay City, which is already under construction and is being built in the vision of two Australian developers and business partners, Jamie McIntyre and Adrian Campbell.
McIntyre is the founder of the Australian National Review, and together with his business partner Campbell, who is the CEO of the real estate company Kinnara.
The duo has embarked on a mission to create one of Southeast Asia’s most ambitious developments. The smart city will cost no less than $6 billion to build and has been touted as the next “Dubai meets Bali”.
Marina Bay City will feature everything from luxury villas to world-class resorts, a private hospital, a wellness centre, educational districts, a lifestyle precinct, gated communities, canal-front living, and high-rise apartments and villas. The city will span over 150 acres of ‘master planned luxury’ in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone, close to Kuta Beach, Lombok.
The Marina Bay City team shares, “Marina Bay is a master-planned coastal city designed for high-net-worth individuals, discerning travelers, and forward-thinking investors. From ultra-luxury resorts and canal-front villas to world-class wellness, dining, and entertainment — this is your chance to get in early on Southeast Asia’s rising star.”
The team adds, “Developed by the award-winning team behind Lux Property Group, Marina Bay City brings together high-yield investment opportunities, future-forward architecture, and resort-style living. Whether you’re an investor seeking strong annual returns, an expat looking for your next home base, or a traveler drawn to the beauty of Lombok, Marina Bay is where it all comes together.”
Properties at Marina Bay City start from AUD 139,000, with price points designed to attract both early-stage investment and Westerners seeking to build a new life in the sun. The city is said to be incorporating smart infrastructure as well as ‘eco-conscious design’ to help promote sustainable long-term growth in Lombok.
Campbell told reporters, “Marina Bay City represents more than just real estate-it is a visionary city of the future.”
Adding ”The Marina Bay Group’s commitment to excellence and innovation, combined with Kinnara’s extensive global marketing platform, ensures this development will be world-class and highly sought after. South-West Lombok is now poised as one of Asia’s most exciting and promising coastal frontiers.”
It is not only Marina Bay City that will be coming to Lombok in the near future, but even more development within the Mandilika Special Economic Zone.
In April 2025, the Indonesian state-owned enterprise ITDC signed a multi-trillion rupiah contract to develop the Mandalika Special Economic Zone in Lombok.
The ITDC is a state-owned enterprise responsible for the ultra-luxurious resort of Nusa Dua in Bali, a destination that has hosted world leaders, heads of state, celebrities, and the world’s elite, as well as hosting global events such as the G20 Summit.
Lombok’s Mandalika is one of Indonesia’s super-priority destinations. Over the last decade, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism has identified five super-priority destinations to promote tourism growth nationwide.
Aside from Mandalika, the four other priority destinations are Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, and Likupang in North Sulawesi.
At the signing of the signing of the joint venture partnership agreement for the development of Mandiklika Special Economic Zone on 22nd April, the President Director of the ITDC, Ari Respati, told reporters, “This is an important step in adding to the portfolio of world-class accommodation in the eastern Mandalika area, especially Tanjung Aan Beach.”
The new five-star hotel project has secured IDR 2.1 trillion in investment as part of a joint venture between the ITDC and corporations from across Indonesia, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates.
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Karen
Tuesday 8th of July 2025
"Good returns for investors". Except you cant make money in Indonesia, it is illegal. And i can tell you they are cracking down on illegal rentals.
Raoul
Thursday 3rd of July 2025
I thought the project looked interesting until I researched one of the two gentlemen mentioned in the articile.
Here is quite a long list naming his various scams:
LINK
Steve bm
Friday 4th of July 2025
@Raoul, well there's a story to investigate Bali sun and other media go hard investigate with facts please
Exp
Friday 4th of July 2025
@Raoul, Good catch. It's a given his "partner" is not that more solid. Early "investors" can say goodbye to their "deposits" when it is announced that "due to unfortunate circumstances the project could not go ahead."
WAYAN BO
Thursday 3rd of July 2025
If tourists from northern hemisphere become finally smart nobody will come here for holidays anymore, except perhaps in June, July and August. Because human body need time for acclimatization and many of them have to travel back before or after acclimatization finished and then to acclimatize in their country’s again. This is medical argument to extend visas on arrival without time limit. - It seems that idea for smart city came from my consumption of magic mushrooms, the nearest smart city is called S’pore 🤣
Reece spoon
Thursday 10th of July 2025
@WAYAN BO, to have a smart city u woud hope to get smart people to come but unfortunatly only the local crooks and the drunken bule will come.
Mackay
Wednesday 2nd of July 2025
This is all smoke and mirrors; a complete and utter farce. At this time next year we'll all be wondering what happened to this 'pie in the sky' project.
Reece spoon
Wednesday 2nd of July 2025
Lucky lombok, say by by to ur rice paddys bule are on the hunt for more things to destroy..money money money its a rich mans game
Steve bm
Thursday 3rd of July 2025
@Reece spoon, Yes but it's the Lokal big bosses that sign everything off legally on non legally as they see that big mirage of trillions
Exp
Wednesday 2nd of July 2025
@Reece spoon, The enablers are the local leaders and permit authorities. They get exactly what they want: Money. And will stop for nothing to achieve that.