It was the supercar lifestyle and fraternity that led Dato’ Tan Sucheng, CEO of Antharas Hills, towards the path of property development. His frequent drives up Genting Highlands eventually persuaded Dato’ Tan and his supercar-loving friends to combine their energies into launching Antharas 1, a serviced apartment project comprising 476 fully-furnished units with a gross development value of RM380 million located at Genting Permai.

For Dato’ Tan, whose life has led him through Europe, New York City, and back to Malaysia, his next career evolution is his most exciting yet. Through his work, he is pioneering advanced living concepts for a new world, courtesy of the innovative property technology-focussed DNA of Antharas Hills, which he co-founded with his fellow Ferrarista Kenneth Teh. His present-day schedule revolves around working out at the gym or playing pickleball or golf, working on revolutionising the way in which we live, and, of course, enjoying the exhilaration of the open road from his high-adrenaline lifestyle, whether it be through cycling, go-karting or going for a drive in his Ferrari.

What makes Geo Antharas and your future projects unique?

In design, we always consider human needs and, right now, the costs of maintaining a home are skyrocketing, from facilities to maintenance, and even managing our daily lives. This is why we have embedded technologies, programming, and artificial intelligence in our buildings. This investment cuts out superfluous costs of human elements, such as excessive security detail because we have night-vision drones regularly patrolling the development round the clock instead.

Our coders also ensure that the buildings, as a whole, are much smarter, allowing elevators to be expressed to the destination floor instead of multiple stops, which are a waste of time and energy. Most importantly, we aim to create liveable and likeable neighbourhoods, through shared facilities of electric vehicles and scooters, and apps that enable residents to connect socially in real time—so they can optimise the collective support of being in a real community, from getting help with babysitting and sharing meals, to carpooling and setting up pickleball sessions.

What is your vision for what is next to come?

Our projected pipeline of projects will see different types of developments, including villas in some of the most scenic locations around the region. We are deeply invested in ASEAN’s growth and its importance. In time, buyers of our developments will also be able to access these resort villas as a perk of their home ownership, giving them greater options and lowered costs for leisure.

How did your love for automobiles begin?

From the age of around nine, I was fascinated with two things: a Lego set gifted to me by my aunt and my model cars. Then, in the 1980s, when I was waiting tables in New York city, I received a very generous tip—I still remember it was US$200 on a US$90 bill—from two female diners, who, as I found out, drove a shiny, silver Ferrari 308. It was the first time I had seen a Ferrari and, from that moment on, the desire to own a Ferrari was etched in my mind.

Your favourite Formula One racer?

Without a doubt, my favourite racer in Formula One is Michael Schumacher. I’ve had the privilege of meeting and observing him across the nine years that I served as a race marshal during the Malaysian Grand Prix. And what impressed me beyond his legendary discipline and knowledge of car engineering was his intensity. While the other drivers would head off to parties after the race, Schumacher—despite having won the race—would hold a debrief with his team to identify areas for improvement.

What is your exercise routine?

I make sure to exercise every day. It’s a combination of sports, such as golf or cycling, and hitting the gym for at least 40 minutes, separated into morning and evening sessions on busy days.

Your strongest memory and emotion associated with a car?

I still recall my first Ferrari, a 360 Modena. I still miss the initial feeling of its speed and agility, being so tight on corners as well as its amazing braking system. I still remember, in those days, on Jalan Maarof, I could hit the pedal and the car would understeer just a little, before launching off. That was really the best feeling.

Who is your guru?

My first mentor and inspiration is my late father, who taught me about life and, by the age of 15, about business. I didn’t pick up his singing ability but he deeply influenced me in understanding that, in business, one should always be kind because ‘knowing is enough’—you never push the other party to the brink, even when you have evidence that they have wronged you.

My teachers during my schooling in Singapore also shaped my life. My school principal, Carmine Lim, insisted that I should explore my artistic side, despite me being in science classes. She even appointed me to head the school art club. And I’m forever grateful to my math teacher, Mr Koh, who ferried me to various competitions, where I began winning accolades that gave me the confidence to pursue a career in design. Sadly, he passed three years after I first knew him, and I was one of his pallbearers.

What kind of music makes you happy?

I enjoy techno. And I listen to classical music most of the time. Also Blackpink.

What is your idea of success?

For me, success isn’t one thing. It’s an accumulation of many small achievements. Like the first time I bought my first Ferrari—that certainly felt like a big day. And, mostly, just waking up every day in a good state, feeling energetic, and with absolute mental, spiritual, and emotional clarity. That makes me feel like I’m in a good place.

Photography by Anna Rina. Clothes courtesy of Descente.

Location: Poltrana Frau flagship store along Jalan Maarof in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.