Youssef Akila, head of Design, Masterise Homes, and Gerard Evenden, senior executive partner, head of Studio, Foster + Partners, in the strategic partnership signing ceremony to develop the new downtown in Ho Chi Minh City

On February 21, Masterise Homes has announced the appointment of Foster + Partners for its first township development – The Global City.

The firm will act as an architectural advisor for the development, providing innovative and sustainable design solutions to create a truly global city in Ho Chi Minh City. The partnership with the global award-winning studio for architecture, urbanism, and design, also demonstrates the developer’s vision to create a world-class township.

Foster + Partners is among today’s most recognised and respected names in architecture around the world. Founded in 1967, the studio, over more than five decades, has pioneered a sustainable approach to architecture and urbanism through a wide range of works, including offices, cultural buildings, airports, and industrial designs.

Foster + Partners has designed some of the world's most notable buildings, including the Hearst Tower in New York, The Gherkin in London, and the Hong Kong International Airport. Its founder, Norman Foster, has been awarded architecture’s highest accolades, including the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the Praemium Imperiale Award for Architecture in Japan, the RIBA Royal Gold medal, and the AIA Gold medal.

Youssef Akila, head of Design at Masterise Homes commented, “We are delighted to be partnering with one of the world’s most recognised names in architecture and design to realise our vision for The Global City. There is a natural synergy at Foster + Partners, whose ongoing commitment towards sustainability and green projects are aligned with our commitment to creating an iconic development with worldwide recognition, contributing to the community and promoting sustainability. The Global City will be another milestone in our journey of bringing world-class excellence to Vietnam.” 

Following the concept of New Urbanism, The Global City will be a diverse and sophisticated neighbourhood, integrating a full range of facilities for a future downtown city alongside residential units.

The development, located in Thu Duc city, boasts excellent connectivity with easy access to highways, major roads, and metro lines. The 117,4-hectare masterplan will include high-rise and low-rise apartments, villas and social housing, schools, medical and administration facilities, a 125,000sqm shopping mall, and other amenities to create a sustainable community.

The natural synergy with Foster + Partners is aligned with Masterise Homes’ commitment to creating an iconic development with worldwide recognition, contributing to the community, and promoting society sustainability

Toby Blunt, senior partner at Foster + Partners said, “The ambition and scale of the project are striking, and we are delighted to be working with Masterise Homes on this unique residential project, which brings together their progressive vision and our extensive experience in large-scale masterplans to create a distinctive global city. This will be our first township in Vietnam, and we are excited to extend our footprint in the country.”

The development, previously known as Sai Gon Binh An township, was renamed and introduced by Masterise Homes – the new developer – in January. The entire project is set to be completed in 48 months.

Foster + Partners is a global studio for architecture, infrastructure, design, and engineering services. Its team of 1,500 people is headquartered in London, with studios in 13 other cities. The team commands over 65 languages and counts more than 200 skills by qualification.

Masterise Homes – a member of Masterise Group – is a pioneer in bringing world-class excellence to the development, operations, and management of luxury real estate products and services in the Vietnamese market and beyond. With a one-of-a-kind portfolio comprising the largest branded residences in Southeast Asia, Masterise Homes demonstrates world-class capabilities via a strategic partnership with Marriott International, the largest hotel brand in the world.