How Malaysia’s Millennia Village is changing the way senior living works

A few months ago, a curious piece of content popped up on my TikTok account’s FYP (For You Page). It wasn’t a cat meme, a new dance trend, or one of Gen Z’s latest celebrity crushes, but a tour of a new retirement village in Seremban, Malaysia, that’s been carved out of a former granite quarry.

The video purportedly racked up 600,000 views within 20 minutes and more than 6 million views to date. This is according to Diane Chia, executive director of Millennia Village, who believes that the video’s success is due to its presentation of “a fresh perspective on senior living that is often overlooked”.

A family affair

Perhaps it helped that Diane herself — a certified fitness coach and co-founder of wellness brand l1vin — fronted the video. It isn’t exactly common for a relatively young (she’s in her late 30s), fit, and good-looking individual to discuss this topic on camera.

Defying convention is pretty much the whole ethos of the project. “We want to be the benchmark in active senior living and have purposefully designed Millennia Village with today’s modern, active, and engaged seniors in mind,” shares executive director Joanne Chia, Diane’s sister. The property was developed by their father, John, chairman and group managing director of semiconductor company Unisem Group.

“Forget the tired cliches of retirement,” chimes chief architect Peter Ho. “We want to change the mindset of people that assisted living units need not be traditional old folks’ homes with their depressing ‘waiting to die’ outlooks.”

Ho founded Peter Ho Architect in 1994. He adds, “I now know that adding life to our years is as important, if not more, than adding years to our lives. Mornings (in Millennia Village) might begin with tai chi classes in the courtyard, followed by lively discussions in the book club. 

“The afternoon could see a watercolour painting workshop unfold, while evenings come alive with traditional music performances or movie nights under the stars. This is a place where minds stay sharp, bodies stay active, and spirits soar.”

Village people 

Retirement villages aren’t a new concept in this part of the world, although they are relatively uncommon. The idea is for the elderly to age in place, preferably with their families. Given this cultural context, Diane continues to face hurdles in marketing the project but shares that a mindset shift is already underway. 

“Many are realising that multi-generational homes aren’t always ideal,” she explains. Nevertheless, her approach emphasises that senior living resorts don’t erode family values; in fact, they contribute to the well-being and happiness of the entire family, including the elderly. 

There is also a strong emphasis on community. “We envision Millennia Village to become a thriving community of like-minded seniors that incorporates all the fundamental aspects of a ‘Blue Zone’,” says Joanne, referring to regions that are known for their high concentration of centenarians and low rates of chronic illness. Ergo, the 32-acre property features 50,000 sq ft of communal spaces dedicated to socialising, wellness, and nutritious dining. 

The idea for Millennia Village was first mooted in 2015. Construction began in 2019, only to be waylaid by the pandemic. The village finally opened to residents in December 2023 and was officially launched in June 2024. 

Located on the outskirts of Seremban, about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), the property boasts 344 rooms in two tower blocks that are available for rent for one month to three years. 

The three room categories range in size and layout. The 465 sq ft Studio costs MYR 5,500 ($1,600) per month, while the 878 sq ft, 2-bedroom Suite costs MYR 7,500 monthly. Daily breakfasts and dinners, as well as utilities and housekeeping fees, are included. 

Under one roof

Architecturally, Millennia Village borrows the language of traditional tulou houses in Fujian, China. These large, circular clan dwellings are organised around a central courtyard and can house up to 800 people — an entire village. They are unique to the Hakka ethnic group, which Peter, who is of Hakka descent, is proud of.  

In Millennia Village, the central piazza — sheltered by a soaring roof — houses the reception, concierge and amenities such as the restaurant, wellness spaces, library and infinity pool. The latter overlooks a dramatic granite cliff face. 

“In the village area, all public amenities have wide and tall doors, and each floor is planned as a single level with no drops in between,” explains Peter. “This promotes ease of access and a sense of spatial openness. We’ve placed benches and sitting areas in unexpected spots to create gathering and rest points, encouraging dialogue and discourse.

“We wanted to pay homage to the natural green surroundings of our land, so we made landscaping a central focus,” he adds. The central courtyard has been planted with trees native to the area, and every unit has a balcony where residents can tend their gardens.

“We (also) created a community farm garden on an adjacent three-acre lot where residents can grow their fruits and vegetables. The residents can learn about permaculture and gardening from fellow residents, village staff, and invited experts.

The produce that is harvested will be used in the preparation of village meals and events. The excess will be distributed to bless communities outside of the village.”

Next change

At present, plans are already underway for Phase Two, which will be built adjacent to Phase One. This, shares Joanne, is a 75-unit assisted living residence suited to seniors who need moderate to round-the-clock care. With the nearest medical facilities located 10 to 15 minutes away, the development is currently negotiating with a local hospital to set up an on-site medical clinic and TCM centre.

The third and final phase will comprise larger, more luxurious units, but these will be catered to independent living. For Singaporeans contemplating living out their golden years across the border, Diane advises applying for the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) scheme, as Singapore passport holders can only stay in the country for up to 30 days at a stretch.

With its focus on holistic wellness and a plethora of activities to engage the mind, body, and soul, Millennia Village appears to be the ideal destination for seniors to engage in a meaningful and active lifestyle while enjoying the tranquillity of nature and the comfort of a supportive community.

One can’t help but wonder if this is a peek into the future, with more such developments set to mushroom as the population ages.

This article was originally published in The Peak.