For Gilbert Ee, details matter. As CEO and one of two Executive Directors of GSH Corporation Limited, a regional property developer listed on the Singapore Exchange, his punctilious approach to design and functionality has guided the company into the upper echelons of the luxury property market. This dedication recently earned GSH the Luxury Waterfront Condominium Excellence Award at the SHAREDA Excellence Awards 2024 for its latest project, Coral Bay at Sutera Harbour in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
GSH Corporation, though a relatively young player, has quickly established itself across the region with properties in Singapore, China and Malaysia. Ee has been instrumental in shaping that trajectory. Besides Coral Bay, its Malaysian portfolio also includes Eaton Residences in Kuala Lumpur City Centre and an upcoming luxury development in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur.
GSH’s approach to luxury development is precise and considered, fuelled by a voracious appetite for ideas that work. Coral Bay, in particular, is a product of Ee’s global exploration, pulling together expertise from across continents: Singaporean architects, Thai landscape designers, and innovations from Dubai, Monte Carlo and beyond. The result is a development that feels as much a homage to the world’s beauty as it is a celebration of luxury living. “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel,” Ee says. “There’s so much brilliance out there. We just need to look around and learn from it.”
That philosophy is embodied in Coral Bay’s design. Inspired by the fluid forms of coral reefs and the cliffside villas of Santorini, the development strikes a fine balance between nature and architecture. A cascading waterfall, eight metres in height and 67 metres in length, greets residents at the entrance, while 360-degree views of the South China Sea, Mount Kinabalu and Sutera Harbour’s championship golf course frame the 12-storey property. Positioned on one of Kota Kinabalu’s prime seafront parcels, Sutera Harbour, Coral Bay offers luxury in both aesthetics and location, with the city’s amenities—from five-star resorts to private medical centres and shopping avenues—just steps away.
Yet, what makes Coral Bay truly unique isn’t just its stunning architecture or prized location. It’s the fact that it’s one of the first earthquake-proof buildings in Sabah. After witnessing the devastation of the 2015 Ranau earthquake that rippled through Kota Kinabalu, Ee was adamant that Coral Bay met the highest safety standards, ensuring it could withstand quakes of up to 6.0 on the Richter scale. “We couldn’t take any chances,” he explains. “We had to be absolutely certain that Coral Bay was safe for everyone.”
This no-compromise approach extends to the utilitarian aspects of Coral Bay’s design. Even the seemingly mundane—like the lighting for the swimming pool—receives careful consideration. Fibre optic lights, chosen for their durability and aesthetics, reduce the hassle of maintaining bulbs underwater. The car park, rather than standard cement, is finished with epoxy for a smooth, easy-to-clean surface. Ee’s design philosophy is clear: beauty is paramount, but functionality must go hand-in-hand. “We’re fussy,” he admits. “If something isn’t perfect, we fix it.” Even something as simple as a column’s alignment must meet his exacting standards: perfectly straight, at precisely 90 degrees. In Ee’s world, there’s no room for error.
But, for all the grandeur of his developments, Ee holds a simple view of luxury that permeates his work and personal aspirations. “Luxury is a state of mind,” he says. “It’s the little things—taste, speed, looks, materials—that bring you comfort. Luxury should make you feel good, not for someone else, but for yourself.”
He recounts a dear friend who is equally fastidious about his love for luxury watches and has become the go-to expert for all things horological. During his free time, you would find Ee’s friend carefully disassembling a Patek Philippe only to reassemble it again. “This is the kind of love and knowledge that drives the pursuit of luxury,” Ee explains. “He could take the watch apart, strip it down and put it back together!” he laughs. “That’s really cool.” In fact, he and his friend are not so different from each other.
Gilbert Ee is the CEO and Executive Director of GSH Corporation Limited. The company’s latest project, Coral Bay in Sutera Harbour, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, is the gold recipient of the Luxury Waterfront Condominium Excellence Award at the SHAREDA Excellence Awards 2024.
Stay tuned to read more stories about other SHAREDA members: Datuk Chua Soon Ping, Datuk Susan Wong, Datuk Matthew Tan, Wilson Loke, Datuk Quek Siew Hau, Tan King Hong, Datuk Seri Panglima Tang and Soh Wai Fong.
Photographed by Xerxes/Awesome Image
Make up and hair by Celin Chin
Art Direction by Penn Ey, Chee
