Ageing Asia: Property benefits

With Asia accounting for half of the top ten fastest-aging countries during the next five years, insurance and pension funds in the region are set to invest as much as US$ 300 billion into global real estate markets by 2020 as they assess their ability to meet future obligations.

South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong are the world’s fastest-aging countries; Thailand is ranked sixth and China is number 10, based on recent numbers from the United Nations. The prospect of a shrinking working age population has already caused governments in the region to implement pension reforms and encourage personal savings.

“As the working age population shrinks in the coming years, global savings investment will surge,” explains David Green-Morgan, JLL’s Global Capital Markets Research Director and author of a new report on the correlation between demographics and real estate investment.

“This is particularly noticeable in China where the drop off in the size of the workforce mirrors that of Western Europe, the U.S., Canada, Japan and Australia.

“In most Asian countries (ex-Australia) pension assets as a percentage of GDP remain below the global average,” he said.

“Looking ahead, we will see increased allocations by the region’s pension funds into real estate as a result of the ageing population, pension reforms and capital market developments.”

Real estate investment markets have witnessed several new trends over the past 10 years as the sector has become truly global, helped by the asset class’ stable income stream and the attraction of diversified portfolios, lower risk and a hedge against inflation.

The definition of mainstream real estate investment has widened considerably and now includes healthcare, aged care, student housing, residential development, public and private real estate debt and the establishment of a multifamily sector outside of the United States.

Part of the reason for this expansion in the investment sector, which has pushed volumes close to previous peak levels, has been the unlocking of new capital sources from all over the world.

Asian buyers, notably sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and insurance companies, have been a major force behind climbing real estate values in the U.S. and Europe. Last year, the biggest sources of real estate capital were from the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

Qatar and the UAE dominated Middle Eastern movements while, from Asia, capital came from China, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea.

Among the most active buyers in recent years have been Chinese insurance groups, including China Life, PingAn and Anbang Insurance. Their global strategies have been supported by a change in domestic regulations in February 2014 that now allow Chinese insurance companies to increase their maximum real estate allocation (both domestic and foreign) from 20 percent to 30 percent of total assets.

Among Asian emerging economies that are implementing changes to currently inadequate pension systems are Vietnam and Indonesia while the Singaporean bank DBS and Manulife recently announced a 15-year regional distribution deal that will market insurance products to Asia’s rapidly aging middle class.

“The shift in Asia’s demographic profile means that more and more people are now planning for retirement than at any other point in history, and more and more capital is being deployed into private pension funds especially in Asia’s emerging economies where they remain a relatively new phenomenon,” said Green-Morgan.

As China develops its capital markets, it is also changing its pension system. According to media reports, China plans to create a unified pension system for residents in both rural and urban areas by 2020. At present, China’s pension contributions vary across provinces and the lack of a central record-keeping system has made worker mobility difficult.

Japan’s restructuring of its US$ 1.1 trillion Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) – the largest pool of retirement savings in the world – in which holdings are mostly low-yielding Japanese government bonds, is also expected to increase real estate investment allocations. GPIF has announced a new investment strategy and, among other changes, plans to create a new 5 percent allocation to alternative investments, including real estate. Other public and private Japanese institutional funds are likely to follow GPIF in rebalancing their portfolios, which will boost demand for real estate.

This column was written by David Green-Morgan, Global Capital Markets Research Director at real estate firm JLL, and was first published by
JLL’s Investor website
. It is reproduced with kind permission.


Agencies target luxury buyers

PropNex, Singapore’s largest home-grown real estate agency, and JLL, one of the largest and most successful global real estate consultancies, have announced the launch of a new initiative aimed at assisting developers and buyers of luxury homes in Singapore.

An exclusive sales team of about 200 luxury home specialists from PropNex’s 5,500 salespersons, have been selected to form a new group under a distinct identity ‘Luxury Real Estate – in Partnership with JLL’. This group of high-end agents will support the joint efforts of JLL and PropNex to better serve property developers of high-end homes with their sales and marketing.

Chris Fossick, JLL’s Managing Director for Singapore and Southeast Asia, said: “Developers of luxury properties in Singapore need more help than before to move their inventory. The challenges are largely owing to policies that have suppressed demand from foreigners and investors.

“While they need more hands on deck, these developers are extremely particular with the quality, reputation, consistency and effectiveness of their sales force.

“Between PropNex and us, we believe we have now developed an optimal solution that addresses this as we jointly undertake their project marketing mandates. This combines JLL’s quality research, global reputation and network, together with the absolute best from PropNex’s dynamic and the large talent pool.”

Both PropNex and JLL went through a rigorous process of carefully selecting sales persons who met strict criteria in terms of track record, communication skills, ethics, product and market knowledge. Shortlisted candidates then underwent compulsory training in project marketing to ensure a high and consistent standard of service delivery and were required to pass an interview before they could be certified under the Luxury Real Estate brand.

In a graduation ceremony this week the certified Luxury Real Estate agents were awarded their certificates.

“Out of a total of 1.3 million homes in Singapore, private and public included, JLL estimates that the stock of luxury homes represents a mere one per cent,” added Fossick.

“These properties are mostly located near Orchard Road, Marina Bay and Sentosa and their values can vary considerably – from S$5 million to S$50 million. Despite the small size of the market we see a strong need for a specialised approach to help our luxury developer clients, befitting the high value and quality of their real estate as well as the profile of the purchasers.”

This new initiative comes a year after JLL and PropNex entered into a strategic partnership, when JLL acquired a stake in PropNex’s project marketing business. Since then, both companies have broadened their scope of cooperation, in areas such as auction and project marketing of commercial developments.

“While PropNex offers a wide range of sales and leasing services – from HDB flats to condominiums, less is known about our immense success with sales of luxury homes,” said Ismail Gafoor, Chief Executive Officer of PropNex.

“PropNex, for example, was behind the sale of the most expensive penthouse in Singapore – the S$51 million deal at Le Nouvel Ardmore. Likewise, PropNex sold the penthouses at St Regis Residences for S$12.2 million and Marina Bay Suites for S$ 18.98 million. Our agents have also consistently brokered Good Class Bungalows (GCBs) and luxury houses at Sentosa.

“The Luxury Real Estate brand would hence serve to recognise and elevate the status of these highly successful agents who are well plugged into the world of high-net worth buyers. It will also serve to raise the standards of professionalism in the industry and motivate other agents to emulate their success,” added Gafoor.


AIPP/Property Frontiers merge

Asia Pacific Investment Partners (APIP) has completed a merger with overseas investment agency, Property Frontiers.

APIP is a 14-year-old company based in Hong Kong that has grown to become the largest integrated real estate company in Mongolia, with interests in other emerging markets including Myanmar, Kazakhstan, Cuba and China.

Commenting on the news, Lee Cashell (pictured left), the Chief Executive Officer of APIP said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Property Frontiers to the APIP family. With this merger, we see tremendous opportunity to build on the deep research expertise and relationships Property Frontiers has built across the emerging markets property space since their foundation in 2004.

“Our proven ability to complete design-driven property developments in frontier markets such as Mongolia, coupled with Property Frontiers’ research-led advisory and international sales network, creates a truly global integrated real estate platform able to execute sales and co-development projects in a variety of emerging markets.

“The combined global database of international property investors and the libraries of emerging market property research and analysis provides the company with an unparalleled foundation for the coming resurgence in emerging and frontier market real estate.”

The combined firms will continue to operate under the APIP umbrella brand, with Property Frontiers becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary and APIP’s flagship brand focusing on sales, research and selective co-developments in frontier markets outside Mongolia.

Ray Withers, who will remain as CEO of Property Frontiers, was enthusiastic for the prospects of the combined company.

He said: “We founded Property Frontiers with the vision of being pioneers in the emerging market real estate arena.

“Throughout our 12-year history we have built an award-winning business with a solid record of completing thorough research and diligence and assisting more than 2,500 clients to purchase real estate in over 30 international markets as diverse as Argentina, Poland, Belize, the Middle East, Malaysia, Brazil, China, Uganda, and of course Mongolia.

“With this transaction we are delighted to be able to move into the development side of the real estate industry as well. Partnering with APIP allows us to learn from an expert property developer who has a proven track record of success in frontier markets. We have worked together with the APIP team for many years and are delighted to continue the strong relationship as we grow together.”

The combined firms will boast a network of offices around the world including in Hong Kong, Singapore, Ulaanbaatar, North America, London and Oxford. They will aim to become the leading provider of real estate investment opportunities and research products across the emerging markets to family offices, property funds and high net worth individuals.


Airport travel tips

Living in Asia often involves a lot of international travel to neighboring countries – and it can be a hassle. We’ve found these great airport travel tips to help avoid chaos and promote easier travel. Spare yourself the headache and check out this infographic.

This infographic was originally posted at Toggl.com


All change for the luxury market

Experts see now as a buyer’s market for the luxury sector as prices bottom out.

Things could be about to look up for the luxury market. One sector that has slowed down over the last couple of years due to a combination a factors. A less profitable oil and gas industry saw fewer expatriates moving to the country. A profile of tenants who demand luxury lettings thus influencing the buy-to-let market. Plus tighter lending conditions where a 30 percent tax was levied on property’s sold within three years of the initial purchase date, and financing was capped for people with more than two properties. This was on top of a surplus of supply.

But now experts are expecting a brighter future for this sector of the industry. Partly due to the value that can be snapped up in the country. The Ringgit is currently very low against the US Dollar offering a sizable discount for foreign purchasers. Plus improvements to infrastructure and the high-speed rail link in Iskandar go to add to Malaysia’s appeal.

Overseas investors

This foreign capital is welcomed in the country. Whilst foreigners have to buy property in excess of MYR 1 million, there are no restrictions on the types of property bought. Alongside Singapore, Malaysia is the only country in the region where foreigners are allowed to freehold properties.
Also foreigners wanting to settle permanently in Malaysia can do with the
Malaysia My Second Home visa scheme
. With just a deposit of MYR 300,000, applicants can obtain a 10 year visa. Another string to Malaysia’s bow.

Kuala Lumpur is about to welcome shiny new projects with brand names such as Kempinski and Four Seasons firmly attached to them. These are just a couple of the 13,000 new luxury units that are expected in 2017.

Luxury schemes are already performing well. Considered affordable compared to similar properties in other capitals in the region, investors are taking advantage of this snapping up units at projects such as The Pavilion Group’s Banyan Tree. Activity has already increased for 2017 due to the weakening Ringgit drawing in investors from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and even as far as America. An upbeat sentiment that is set to continue.


All eyes turn to the office market

Malaysia’s office market could be about to receive unprecedented interest.

Malaysia’s office market could see a sudden demand among investors. This is due to a number of factors that include the weak ringgit and the government who are injecting considerable investment into infrastructure, residential and commercial projects. Couple this with other global events such as
Brexit
 and the
new administration in America
, many are shying away from this traditional investment safe havens and are enticed by the current
attractive qualities of Malaysia instead.

Considered to be a fairly low maintenance investment, now is proving to be a lucrative time to invest in commercial space. The slowdown of the oil and gas industries has freed up a lot of office space. This surplus in demand will ensure low prices that will entice investors whether they need the property for their own company or if they intend to become a landlord and let it out.

The announcement of a string of new developments has created a stir on an international level. Many investors have been spurred on to invest thanks to the Mass Rapid Transit plans, plus other projects that include Bandar Malaysia and Forest City. This heightened interest has increased the demand for both residential and commercial property.

According to CBRE, they recommend that investors consider office space in prime areas. The real estate firm have noticed an uptick in interest in the office space according to their Asia Pacific Investor Intentions Survey 2017. Citing that Malaysia has, ‘extraordinary stability of property investment’. CBRE expect interest in Malaysia to rise due to the low price points, potential for future appreciation and expect that once the oil and gas industry has recovered that demand will rise again.


Allow us to reintroduce ourselves

Dot Property General Manager James Claassen goes over the company's new look and shares what's next

This article on Dot Property Group appears in the newest issue of Dot Property Magazine.
Click here to download your FREE copy today
!

Dot Property is now Dot Property Group. This is much more than a name change, however. The company is revolutionizing how property professionals in Southeast Asia operate. Its newest innovations allow you to work faster, smarter and more efficiently than ever before.

Technology and real estate have an interesting relationship. Especially as it relates to how property professionals connect with those looking for a new home. Everything tends to be siloed meaning it takes more time and effort for real estate agents and homebuilders to accomplish their goals.

What if there was a way to streamline that? What if there was a way for you to reach more people in less time? Finding the answer to those questions has been driving Dot Property behind the scenes for nearly two years.

“The most important resource for real estate agents and developers in Southeast Asia is time. They have so much going on at any given moment. Understanding this inspired us to develop a technological solution that allowed property professionals to reach more people in less time,” James Claassen, Dot Property General Manager, explains. “It required us to examine who we were and how we could best support the real estate industry as a whole.”

Dot Property is now Dot Property Group

Dot Property Group has grown significantly each year since its launch

Since being founded in 2013, Dot Property has grown significantly. Early on, this came in the form of expanding into new markets, such as Vietnam. As the company grew, events like the Dot Property Awards were launched. There were also additions including the acquisition of Persquare in the Philippines and Hipflat in Thailand.

There was activity behind the scenes as well. Dot Property joined Mitula Group which was eventually acquired by LIFULL in 2019. Later that year, LIFULL Connect was born, creating one of the world’s largest global marketplace groups in the process.

After years of constant growth and progression, there was finally a chance for reflection. It was an opportunity to explore who and what Dot Property was.

“Something we struggled with was synergy. We have so many outstanding pieces, but there was nothing connecting them,” James details. “In Thailand, we have Thailand-Property, Dot Property and Hipflat. There is Dot Property Philippines which is the largest real estate website in the Philippines. And we can’t forget about the Dot Property Awards, events and other websites throughout Southeast Asia.”

He continues, “It became important for us to bring these altogether. Having everything segmented didn’t benefit our partners or those who rely on our websites to find their home. We had, in a sense, outgrown the Dot Property name.”

It’s cliche to say, but Dot Property needed a bigger roof to place all its offerings under. Thus, Dot Property Group was born. The new name allows the company to keep an identity people throughout Southeast Asia know and love while highlighting it is much more than one website or event.

“Dot Property Group encompasses everything we do as Southeast Asia’s leading online real estate marketplace,” James proclaims. “When someone heard Dot Property, they most likely thought of a specific website or service. When people hear Dot Property Group, they will think of a diverse, holistic real estate solution that goes far beyond any one thing.”

As Dot Property began its transition to Dot Property Group, a new tool was being developed to help streamline the online experience and prove this wasn’t simply a cosmetic name change.

Welcome to Proppit

The recently-launched Proppit allows property professionals to work more efficiently

When LIFULL Connect was formed in 2019, it saw Dot Property become a part of the world’s largest real estate aggregation network. Online real estate marketplaces in Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America joined together with global vertical search websites to form a property powerhouse.

The challenge was to turn this reach into something beneficial for real estate agents and developers. While there has been no shortage of property portals to expand their operations geographically, it hasn’t resulted in meaningful improvements for real estate professionals.

“There is so much focus on expansion and growth in our industry. We can sometimes end up equating bigger with being better. But that’s not always the case. For us, we needed to understand how being bigger could allow us to provide our partners with a better experience,” James says. “As we coalesced as Dot Property Group and all of LIFULL Connect began to understand the scope of our capabilities, we started working towards a solution.”

These efforts would eventually lead to the creation of Proppit, a forward-thinking innovation that allows property professionals to reach more people in less time. It’s an easy-to-use platform where you upload a listing to a centralized location and have it published across the Dot Property Group and three other leading vertical search websites.

Proppit is a single hub where you have the ability to increase your visibility and easily manage your stock without the endless hassle of dealing with multiple sites, platforms and payment schemes. Real estate agents and developers using it can save time, reduce costs and focus on clients.

“Proppit allows property professionals to work smarter. One thing I have learned about the real estate industry in Southeast Asia since moving here is that everyone is busy all the time,” James notes. “And yet, so many people spend a great deal of time on redundant tasks. Proppit eliminates that. You no longer have to post the same listing on six different websites, pay six different subscriptions and respond to leads on six different platforms. It can all be done here.”

And this is only the beginning. Additional tools, features and functionalities are already in development for Proppit that will see it cement its status as real estate industry’s preferred platform in the years to come.

What makes Dot Property Group different?

Dot Property Group’s hub in Bangkok

Many online real estate marketplaces and portals in Southeast Asia like to overpromise and underdeliver. It’s part of startup culture. There is so much focus on making the company more attractive so it can secure the next round of funding or woo potential investors that it is easy to lose sight of what’s actually being built. Having lived through this existence, Dot Property Group was keenly aware of the trap.

“Our growth and where we are at as a company allow us to now concentrate efforts on real improvements. We continue to work on truly beneficial innovations for property professionals and home seekers,” James states. “What makes those ambitions different today versus where we were at three or four years ago is that we aren’t a startup. We are part of something much larger and much stronger that has the ability to develop industry leading solutions like Proppit.”

If the old adage strength in numbers is to be believed, then Dot Property Group’s strength is unmatched in Southeast Asia. As part of LIFULL Connect, the company joined a network of 250 websites that span 63 countries and receive more than 200 million listing views monthly. But this strength goes well beyond numbers.

“Being part of LIFULL Connect provides us with more resources and capabilities. We are continually looking for ways we can elevate the search experience for both property buyers and sellers,” James says. “There are a lot of things in the pipeline we are really excited about.”

Looking ahead

A lot has changed for the Dot Property Group over the past two years. And that doesn’t even factor in the COVID-19 pandemic which has disrupted the real estate industry in unforeseen ways. It has been a transformational time which forced the company to reflect on just how it fits into the landscape.

“The pandemic required us to rethink how we fit in the real estate ecosystem. As Dot Property, our focus was on connecting buyers and sellers. As the Dot Property Group began to take shape, we saw our role was evolving,” James explains. “We are now a hub of activity and information that spanned beyond a single website, country or function. This is the foundation we are building upon.”

He continued, “Some of this has already been realized with the launch of Proppit along with digital events and Agent Days. But it is only the start of a much longer journey. We are working on several more impactful innovations that will be rolled out as the region emerges from COVID-19.”

Ultimately, Dot Property Group sees itself as a trusted partner for developers and real estate agents. The brand they turn to for help, advice, information or anything else needed to achieve success.

“We urge anyone who is interested to come speak with us. Take this opportunity to learn about how Dot Property Group can help you reach your goals,” James concludes.


Is allowing pets in your rental property a good idea?

More buildings permit them, but is allowing pets in your rental property a good idea?

Property investors and landlords face a lot of difficult decisions. There is a delicate balancing act between finding ways to make a property attractive and minimizing risks and unnecessary expenses. A growing number of projects are allowing pets which poses a conundrum for owners wanting to rent out their units.

With that mind, is allowing pets in your rental property a good idea? Well, that is a difficult question to answer so let’s dive into some of the considerations.

The upside is simple. Demand for pet friendly properties is far greater than the supply on the market, especially in condominiums. However, answering the question is not as simple as that.

Pets can cause damage which you probably don’t want in your rental property. Dogs and cats leave scratches and stains behind which need to be repaired once the tenant moves out. Before you make a decision, it’s vital to weigh the pros and cons of allowing pets in your rental property.

The good and bad of allowing pets in your rental property

Many pet owners are willing to pay higher rents in order to secure a home. That’s because finding a property that allows pets is much more difficult than an ordinary unit. Additionally, a renter in a pet friendly property may stay longer since it may not be possible to find another place that will let them keep a dog or cat.

Even if your building does allow pets, you shouldn’t necessarily allow them in your unit. Firstly, there is the risk of damage which we mentioned earlier. Secondly, pets can be noisy leading to disputes with neighbors and other issues.

How can you mitigate the risks?

If you own a unit in a building that allows pets, one way you can eliminate the risks of allowing pets in your rental property is to screen them. Ask them questions about their animal that will help you gain more information on if they will be troublesome or not.

You can also request pictures and videos of the pet as well as the house it lives in that gives you a better idea of the condition of the property and the behavior of the animal. Don’t forget to ask for a reference from the tenant’s current landlord if you want extra peace of mind.

Making your decision

Before deciding whether or not allowing pets in your rental property is a good idea, you want to consider a few more things. For starters, it is important to understand that accidents can happen with pets, no matter how well behaved they are. There is always a risk when it comes to animals in a home.

Additionally, don’t mistake having a pet friendly unit as meaning you have to accept anyone with a dog, cat, rabbit or something else. Make sure potential tenants know that there is a screening process they will need to pass.

At the end of the day, allowing pets in your rental property can make it easier to find long term tenants who may be willing to pay more. It’s not without risks, however. Property investors and landlords must realize the downside involved and if this outweighs any possible benefits.


Aman prepares for opening of Southeast Asia resorts

With COVID-19 restrictions slowly being eased in many parts of Southeast Asia, leading hospitality-group Aman announced a phased reopening of its resorts. The hotelier operates 21 properties in Asia including resorts in Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia.

Aman revealed that all of its resorts have been adapted to ensure the health and safety of guests but remain unchanged in spirit. The serene hideaways feature the brand’s signature style which many believe could be a blueprint for the future of travel.

From the architecture and design of standalone pavilions with private pools, to the low room count and subtle service, Aman’s ultra-luxury resorts are already ideal for practicing social distancing by providing the unassuming, warm hospitality of a gracious private home.

However, a number of measures have been put in place to provide travelers with added peace of mind. Every single property has taken all appropriate steps in line with guidelines from the World Health Organization and the government authorities according of each location prior to reopening.

The result allows you to enjoy some of the Earth’s most remote destinations and beautiful locations in the coming months after a prolonged period of being stationary. Aman hopes guests can find their sanctuary, a sense of calm and familiarity at one of its ‘places of peace’ in Asia.

Amanpuri in Phuket is set to fully reopen on July 1. This was Aman’s first property and has been open for more than 30 years. In the Philippines, the awe-inspiring Amanpulo will welcome guests again on June 26 while the brand’s five Indonesian resorts are set to open between June 19 and August 1.

The Amanoi in Vietnam and Amansara in Cambodia remained open during the pandemic in line with local regulations. Aman’s four resorts in China have already reopened while implementing the company’s additionally safety measures. All reopening dates in Asia are tentative and may be adjusted due to the changing global situation.


Aman taps Nai Lert site for Bangkok luxury residences and hotel

Aman Nai Lert Bangkok will have a hotel and private residences

The upscale Aman hospitality brand revealed it will launch a luxury branded residence and hotel project inside Bangkok’s Nai Lert Park. Aman Nai Lert Bangkok is being developed in partnership with Nai Lert Park Development and completion is expected to happen in 2023.

The project is surrounded by the area’s century-old tropical gardens with the design embracing this space to create a tranquil sanctuary, a signature of the Aman brand. The project will stand 36-storeys and both the hotel and private residences will feature ultra-luxury amenities that suit the unique surroundings.

“We are honored to have been entrusted with the privilege of operating Aman’s flagship development in Bangkok,” Naphaporn “Lek” Bodiratnangkura, CEO of Nai Lert Park Development, notes. “Nai Lert Group takes pride in its spirit of hospitality and we are pleased to be able to weave our legacy with Aman’s.”

Architect Jean-Michel Gathy, founder of Denniston and a long-time collaborator of Aman, has been entrusted to design Aman Nai Lert Bangkok. He found ways to remain true to the Aman identity while drawing upon the scenery around the project to ensure a special and authentic sense of place.

Aman Nai Lert Residences Bangkok will contain 50 units spread across the 11
th
 to 18
th
 floors of tower. The residences will feature uninterrupted views of Nai Lert Park and the Bangkok skyline which can be enjoyed from a private terrace. One-, two-, and three-bedroom units will be available along with exclusive penthouses that have a private entrance.

The luxury branded residences will also come with their own amenities which are unavailable to hotel guests. These include a swimming pool, fitness center and a dining room with dedicated chefs.

As for the hotel, it contains 52 suites located on floors 9-19. It will feature separate amenities from the residences along with several eateries which are shared. The hotel’s signature facility will be a large Holistic Wellness Centre that is equipped with a fully integrated medical clinic, a wellness lounge and a spa house.


Amazing Phuket villas that are perfect for WFH

While some people are now returning to the office, many other companies are implementing permanent work from home (WFH) policies. Interestingly, that has seen employees rethink where they live.

After all, if you take part in WFH and it doesn’t matter where your home is, why not live in a beautiful tropical paradise like Phuket? You are seeing more and more individuals opting to make the island their base.

That’s because it already has all you need for a comfortable life. Improved infrastructure and an international airport mean getting around is a breeze. International schools make it possible to bring the entire family while large shopping centers ensure small comforts are always within reach. And, of course, you have the stunning beaches and plentiful recreation opportunities.

Those thinking about working from Phuket will need a place to live. And that’s where
Thailand Property
 comes in. We have found four amazing Phuket villas that are perfect for WFH on our website.

Related:

Explore the most exclusive branded residences in Southeast Asia

4 amazing Phuket villas that are perfect for WFH

Botanica Luxury Villas

Starts at:
 THB35 million

Botanica Luxury Villas can be customized to your preferences

Botanica Luxury Villas appear to be works of art. Featuring bespoke designs and large usable areas, residences are crafted around a natural stone-tiled swimming pool that supports a free-flowing floorplan. The vaulted, teak wood ceilings produce an elegant and authentic look throughout each home while natural light is welcomed in to create a positive feeling.

Customization is also possible to ensure your ideal WFH setup is available. Located in the tranquil Phuket hillside, Botanica Luxury Villas are only a kilometer away from stunning Bangtao Beach and it is within easy walking distance to local markets and a major shopping complex.

Click here for additional details

Ansaya Phuket

Starts at:
 THB15.1 million

Ansaya Phuket features architecture design inspired by Thailand’s cultural heritage

Also located near Bangtao Beach is Ansaya Phuket, a modern villa development featuring architecture design inspired by Thailand’s cultural heritage. These residences may look a little different from what many people are used to, but there is a good reason for that. A great deal of effort has gone into crafting homes that provide a connection with nature while allowing for the most comfortable living experience.

An example of this is how the design enhances ventilation through the local breeze. Other touches, such as the Thai style courtyard and sala, found in the villas are spaces where you can be inspired to do your best work.

Click here for additional details

Riverhouse Phuket

Starts at:
 THB16.9 million

Riverhouse Phuket is the island’s most sustainable villa development

Villas at Riverhouse Phuket will appeal to those who want a modern, vibrant home that combines the tropical and loft lifestyles. The incorporation of open space and tasteful industrial elements gives it a distinct vibe when compared to other residences around the island. From a work context, you can create an office space, but you’ll also find private corners and other spaces that allows you to break up daily monotony.

What is truly unique about Riverhouse Phuket is its commitment to sustainability. Each home is fitted with solar panels that are part of an integrated system that helps power the entire development. Other innovations include an in-home dehumidifier that keeps residences free of fungus and smells without needing to use air conditioning.

Click here for additional details

MONO Luxury Villa Pasak

Starts at:
 THB8.9 million

Homes at MONO Luxury Villas come fully furnished and are move-in ready

Situated close to Laguna Phuket, MONO Luxury Villa Pasak is a bespoke estate featuring fully furnished residences that are move-in ready. While homes here may be a but smaller than some of the others we have featured, this doesn’t mean you are sacrificing quality. On the contrary, every villa here has a pool and the same level of amenities.

This makes it ideal for couples or entrepreneurs who want the privacy and space a villa provides without the extra bedrooms.

Click here for additional details

Find more amazing Phuket villas

Our list is only a start, however. Thailand Property has numerous other amazing Phuket villas that are perfect for your unique WFH needs.
Find yours today
!


What amenities should you look for in a new condo?

A large swimming pool with a view is a great amenity, but only if you plan on using it

If you are planning on buying a new condo, price and location are leading your search. And this is understandable. Chances are you already have a good idea of where you want to live and how much you are willing to spend. But what happens when you find condos you like with similar asking prices?

This is when you need to start focusing in on a key aspect of new
condo projects
: amenities. Amenities are spaces like a gym that offer residents a bonus for living there. Meanwhile, conveniences are little details that make life easier. These include things like parking spaces and other things on-site.

So with this in mind, what amenities matter most for new condo buyers when there are a lot of units to choose from? For starters, it’s important to separate the ordinary from the extraordinary. For example, most new condo buildings have swimming pools. While some of these are nicer than others, a pool is no longer a unique amenity.

However, a park or other large green space is an amenity that stands out. Most new condo developments are not blessed with a lot of room making it difficult to incorporate large, open green areas into the design. This is why many new condo buyers are quick to scoop up units in any development that has a park.

Another popular amenity is the on-site convenience store or retail area. Nothing beats being able to grab a Coke or a late night snack without needing to venture out onto the streets. While the size of these can vary, we’ve seen everything from small 7-11 outlets to full blown shopping malls, there is no doubt having at least a small store in your condo building makes life easier.

What new condo amenities are overrated?

The single most overrated amenity in new condo buildings is the fitness centre. That’s because these are small and serve no purpose if you already have a gym membership. Now, there are a few condo buildings that have proper fitness centres, but these are few and far between.

Another overrated amenity in condo buildings is the lobby. In reality, you’ll spend little to no time your lobby so it doesn’t really matter how big it is. While a luxurious lobby may catch your attention when looking for a new condo, be sure to consider its practical implications.

Ready to start your condo search?
Dot Property has thousands of listings at your disposal
!


AmiSa Private Residences selected as Philippines People’s Choice Award for Project of the Year 2022

For the second consecutive year, the Philippines People’s Choice Award for Project of the Year is staying in Cebu. Some 12 months after Grand Residences Cebu from developer Grand Land was presented with the honor, RLC Residences’ AmiSa Private Residences earned the affection of the public.

Online voting took place in September with the votes tallied shortly before the Dot Property Philippines Awards 2022 presentation ceremony in Metro Manila. After all was said and done, the exceptional AmiSa Private Residences was announced as the Philippines People’s Choice Award for Project of the Year 2022.

AmiSa Private Residences has proven to be a popular project with buyers seeking a place that could serve as both an upscale holiday home and sound investment. In fact, it’s been so well received that
RLC Residences recently decided to launch a fourth tower at the development
 which is located behind the Dusit Thani Mactan Resort on Mactan Island.

Philippines People’s Choice Award for Project of the Year 2022 Finalists

AmiSa Private Residences

The Piazza at The Grand Citygate Davao

Joy Residences

Woodsville Crest

Gold City

Air Residences

Sierra Valley Gardens

The Sapphire Bloc

Calm Residences

Glade Residences

Light 2 Residences

Primeworld Pointe

City Clou

Park Cascades from Alveo Land won the inaugural People’s Choice Award for Project of the Year at the Dot Property Philippines Awards 2019 while Grand Residences Cebu from Grand Land took home the honor in 2021. There was no winner in 2020 as the awards were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read More:

SMDC and RLC Residences lead an impressive collection of winners at the Dot Property Philippines Awards 2022


Angsana Lăng Cô in Central Vietnam is your personal paradise

This story on Angsana Lăng Cô is part of our Asia’s Best Beaches’ series that appears in the latest issue of Dot Property Magazine.
Click here to read it
!

Having recently celebrated its 5
th
anniversary, Angsana Lăng Cô continues to introduce guests to charms of Central Vietnam. From the beautiful beach to a wide array of activities, a stay at the resort can be tailored to what you like best.

As more tourists flock to Southeast Asia, it is getting difficult to find those secluded beach getaways that made the region famous in the first place. With a record number of visitors heading to Phuket, Pattaya and Bali and Boracay closed for the foreseeable future, a destination such as Lăng Cô in Central Vietnam is worth exploring if you want to get away from the crowds.

See more:

Asia’s Best Beaches – Central Vietnam

This was one of the aspects I enjoyed most about a recent stay at Angsana Lăng Cô. The layout of the property provides a level of serenity and peace that was astounding. I remember swimming in Canh Duong Beach, the hotel’s private beach, with my wife and feeling as if we had the entire East Sea to ourselves.

Just a few steps away from the golden sands and blue waters of the East Sea is the impressive 300-metre swimming pool at Angsana Lăng Cô. It wraps around the entire resort to ensure no room is very far from the water. Additionally, there are countless lounge chairs surrounding the pool area meaning you can always find a place to relax.

Always something to do

There are all kinds of fun things at the pool and beach to keep you and the family entertained. Inner tubes, water tennis, sand volleyball and all kinds of other goodies are available to use. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, the Laguna Water Sports Centre is the place to go. You can checkout a kayak, hop on a jet ski or take advantage of a number of sporting options offered.

Speaking of sports, Angsana Lăng Cô boasts an 18-hole championship golf course designed by the legendary Sir Nick Faldo. The course accommodates players of all levels and incorporates the stunning surroundings to create a unique environment. There are also tennis courts available as well as a fully-equipped fitness centre.

And this is simply the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fun times. The resort organises all types of classes and events throughout the day. From cooking classes to hiking excursions, it’s impossible to be bored. There is also a shuttle that can take you to the city of Hoi An where you can go sightseeing and enjoy some authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

Retreat to the room

To say the rooms in the resort are spacious would be an understatement. With the smallest rooms coming in at 52 square metres and one-bedroom suites ranging from 90 to 102-square metres, the accommodations suit all types of travellers.

Those wanting a romantic retreat can opt for the one-bedroom suite that is equipped with a plunge pool while families may find the courtyard suite, which has a private pool and sundeck, more to their liking.

Each room comes with a modern bathroom that has a bathtub and modern finishes. All of the accommodations also have a private balcony where you can enjoy the scenery and even gaze out at the stars when it gets dark. I was also impressed by the speed of the Wi-Fi in the rooms. Despite being in a secluded location, there were no issues checking email and even streaming videos.

Moomba, one of the restaurants at Angsana Lăng Cô

Dining delight

I found all the dining options at Angsana Lăng Cô to be nice, but my favourite was Moomba. Located behind the beach, you can enjoy your meal as the waves crash in the background. Be sure to try the fresh seafood. We had the steamed sea bass served with a mango and pomelo salad and it was a treat.

On the roof of Moomba is Upper Deck, a pleasant outdoor bar that is the perfect place to cap off a day in your personal paradise. You can order from the hotel’s extensive wine list or indulge in any of your other favourites.

Final thoughts on Angsana Lăng Cô

Angsana Lăng Cô really won me over. While it is a bit of a trek from Da Nang International Airport, the resort is an hour away by car, it is definitely worth the drive. In fact, on our way back to the airport, both me and my wife couldn’t help but note how refreshed we felt after spending two nights in this paradise.

From the outstanding staff to the unique experiences, Angsana Lăng Cô is an ideal place to stay if you want to check out Central Vietnam or are looking for a new beach hideout in Southeast Asia.

For more information, please visit:
www.angsana.com/en/vietnam/lang-co-central-vietnam


APAC commercial property investors eye overseas safe havens

APAC commercial property investors scooped up assets in Singapore

APAC commercial property investors are placing their money in safe haven markets with the United Kingdom, United States and Singapore the top three destinations, according to research from Knight Frank. The consultancy found commercial transaction volumes in Asia-Pacific rose by eight percent year-on-year reaching USD53 billion during the first quarter. Even greater activity is predicted moving forward.

“Even with macroeconomic and geopolitical headwinds, investors have sustained their allocations to real estate in the last quarter. The fundamentals of investment market are sound, although growth rates are moderating on the back of higher borrowing cost and inflationary pressure. Acquisitions by Asia-Pacific REITs who are facing pressure to scale up will drive momentum in the coming year, and we expect activity to strengthen in the second half of 2022,” Christine Li, Knight Frank Head of Research, Asia-Pacific, explained.

Read More:

Data centers primed to be the next big growth area for the Philippine real estate industry

According to Knight Frank, South Korea,
Singapore
 and
Australia
 were the most active among APAC commercial property investors. The office sector was their primary focus with transactions here accounting for around 41 percent of total investment volume. Industrial expenditure declined in the first quarter when compared to 2021, but there was a spike in hotel deals.

“Well-located, sustainable office assets remain highly sought-after by investors in the region, reflected in the elevated number of office deals transacted in the last quarter,” Neil Brookes, Knight Frank Global Head of Capital Markets, reported. “With more Asian economies reopening, investors looking to move up the risk curve will increase their exposure in hospitality and retail assets in search of higher yields amid the recovery of these sectors.”

With travel restrictions being eased, APAC commercial property investors will increase their deal making to close out the year. Singaporean outbound investment, in particular, bears watching.

“With the easing of travel restrictions, Asia-Pacific investors are now able to travel more frequently to inspect deals, retracing their pre-pandemic steps globally. Singapore remains the powerhouse of the region, with one out of every two outbound deals involving Singaporean capital which is focused on the core markets of the UK, US and Australia, with allocations spread evenly across sectors,” Brookes concluded.

Related:
New survey finds investment sentiment towards Asia Pacific real estate remains positive


Applications open for new Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa as BOI hopes for success

Applications for the Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa are now open

Attempts at creating a successful Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa have proven to be problematic in the past. A
THB10 million investment visa implemented in 2014
 never received much traction. The SMART visa aimed at attracting talent to support the government’s Thailand 4.0 initiative also struggled to get off the ground.

The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) has worked with key stakeholders, including Thailand’s foreign business community, to create a program it hopes will appeal to what the agency calls wealthy global citizens. The latest Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa is open to four groups with individuals in each one needing to meet certain financial requirements.

“The LTR program is designed to further enhance the country’s attractiveness as a regional hub for living and doing business for high-potential individuals in targeted groups, to facilitate their entry and stay, and to provide them with a range of tax and non-tax benefits,”
Khun Duangjai Asawachintachit, BOI Secretary-General, explained
. “Making the hiring of foreign talent easier will certainly enhance the country’s available talent tool and create more opportunities for technology and knowledge transfer to the Thai workforce.”

Related:

4 Things To Know About Bangkok Condo Investment In 2022

Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa requirements

“This represents a new approach to attract more long-term residents to Thailand that will help boost the Thai economy by spending and making investment in the country, as well as contributing professional skill transfer to drive new industries such as EV, smart electronics, and digital, and help move Thailand to the next level,” M.L. Chayotid Kridakon, Thai Trade Representative and Advisor to the Prime Minister, stated. “The LTR visa is an important component of the Better and Green Thailand 2030 scheme.”

Perhaps the most notable aspect of the new Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa is that it is being fully overseen by the BOI with full support from the government. This means applicants will not have to deal with multiple agencies which should eliminate run around or uncertainty. In fact, all immigration and work permit facilitation services are set to be handled by the One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit.

Applications for the new Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa opened at the start of September. The BOI hopes the program brings in more than one million wealthy or highly skilled foreigners over the next five years.

Read More:

Expat cost of living in most of Southeast Asia falls due to weakening currencies


Asia boost for CoAssets

Australian listed crowdfunding platform CoAssets, born in Singapore, will commence crowdfunding from June in addition to real estate crowdfunding.

The company has recently become a corporate authorised representative of Melbourne Securities Corporation, allowing CoAssets via its wholly owned Australian subsidiary, to target the burgeoning Australian business and real estate crowdfunding market.

While the company has already been able to assist with financing needs of Australian real estate projects through the Singapore platform and from Singaporean investors, as well as projects in Thailand and Vietnam, the Australian platform will allow Australian businesses to turn to Australian investors for their funding needs. Australian retail and sophisticated investors will be able to access debt-based investment opportunities through the platform.

The company’s unique Lead Generation platform model allows registered users the ability to view, research, and ultimately invest, in real estate or Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) debt instruments. The company is currently looking at its first business crowdfunding project in Australia.

As the Company will commence operations in Australia, non-executive director Dan Smith will move to an executive role. As part of its expansion plans, Smith has been tasked with establishing the Australian operations team, and working alongside Singapore-based management, in leveraging the vast user network, to replicate the company’s success in Australia.

The start of Australian operations will provide CoAssets with exposure to five key markets: Singapore, China, Indonesia, Australia and Malaysia.

Co-founder Getty Goh, commenting on the Australian operations said: “As flagged back in November 2015, CoAssets sees its Australian operations as a key driver of future growth.

“The company will now be operating its leading crowdfunding platform in five countries, targeting a combined population of more than 1.5 billion, and an addressable market estimated to be US$ 100 billion annually.

“The Australian Government has set a big focus on innovation with crowdfunding and P2P lending being a part of this, and following our record of accomplishment in different countries, now is the right time to expand our offering in Australia.

Goh added that Dan has been involved with the Company for 18 months, and he has played a key role in focusing the company’s efforts in Australia.

“His knowledge of the business, experience, and his enthusiasm to get more involved with day-to-day operations is crucial to our Australian success.”

Executive Director of CoAssets, Dan Smith, added: “We are really excited about growing our business in Australia. We have a proven model, track record, and see significant potential in applying that same business model here in Australia. Australian investors are financially well educated, with an acute understanding of risk versus return; we feel that there will be strong interest for the type of opportunities found on our platform.

“We are an alternative source of capital for Australian property developers and SMEs, and look forward to facilitating them with competitively priced capital in a timely fashion.”

The timing of the Australian platform launch coincides with another key milestone, as the registered user base recently passed 44,000. The company continues to see strong organic growth in its user base, while also experiencing improved conversion rates thanks to big data analytics. Successful marketing activities, coupled with the Company’s EPIC events and Crowdfunders magazine has ensured that the demand for capital via CoAssets matches the demand for yield from investors.


Asia-Pacific co-working provider The Great Room acquired by US-based firm

The Great Room's popular location in Bangkok's Gaysorn Tower

Consolidation in the co-working sphere continues after regional outfit The Great Room was acquired by Industrious, a US-based operator. The Great Room has facilities in Singapore,
Bangkok
 and Hong Kong with the brand known for its premium offerings and unique approach to flexible work.

“Industrious has historically created spaces that focus on hospitality, quality, and service, which has enabled us to set a new standard for what the workplace should look and feel like,” Jamie Hodari, CEO and co-Founder at Industrious, stated. “We are thrilled to bring on The Great Room within the Industrious ecosystem, especially given our aligned intent to provide high-quality, flexible workplaces. We look forward to expanding our offering on a global scale to better support work-from-anywhere models, while keeping our commitment to the highest customer satisfaction in the industry.”

Founded in 2016, The Great Room is based in
Singapore
 and currently operates seven flexible workplace locations across Asia-Pacific. As part of the deal, it will continue to operate under its own brand which is set to be used in regional expansion efforts.

“We are looking forward to joining Industrious and to growing our footprint in Asia-Pacific to best support emerging work models,” Jaelle Ang, CEO and Co-founder of The Great Room, noted. “We are at the crossroads of a fundamental paradigm shift in how and where people work, a key element of which is the evolution of how companies think about the workplace.”

She continued, “The Great Room was born to change the way people work, meet and socialize, and we look forward to the opportunity to influence new communities across Asia Pacific through our unique human-centric approach to design, hospitality and programming. Together with the visionaries at Industrious, The Great Room will be able to grow our Asia-Pacific footprint with pace and energy to meet the needs of an ever-evolving metropolitan workforce.”

Related:

Here’s how virtual offices are helping businesses unlock the potential of Malacca


Asia-Pacific transactions dip

Asia Pacific’s real estate transaction volumes during the first quarter of 2016 fell 5 percent from the same period a year earlier to US$ 23.7 billion, as weakness in Japan outweighed gains in Hong Kong, Australia and South Korea.

Volumes in Japan, the region’s biggest market, dropped 26 percent year-on-year but climbed 65 percent quarter-on-quarter to US$ 9.6 billion, according to real estate firm JLL’s latest global capital flows data.

“The BOJ’s (Bank of Japan) decision to move to negative interest rate policy earlier this year caused some uncertainty,” explained Megan Walters, Head of Asia Pacific Capital Markets research.

“A number of deals were pulled from the market to be refinanced.”

Japan’s interest rates may move lower

In February, the BOJ surprised global markets by adopting a negative interest rate on excess reserves.

“With little evidence of an improving economic outlook and the Yen climbing to its strongest level against the US dollar since 2014, the BOJ may potentially push interest rates further into negative territory,” said Walters.

“Negative interest rates will continue to attract more equity investment as investors seek yielding assets,” said Stuart Crow, Head of Asia Pacific Capital Markets.

“Fund terminations expected in 2016 will support transaction volumes, although deal flow in certain markets remains limited.”

Cross-border transaction volumes in Japan totalled US$ 3.2 billion in the quarter.

Australia, Hong Kong volumes rise

Elsewhere, Australia transaction volumes climbed 32 percent on the same period last year based on USD and 44 percent in AUD$. Foreign buyers accounted for around two-fifths of total transactions.

In China, volumes were 10 percent ahead of the same period last year despite the volatility seen in the country’s financial markets at the start of 2016.

Hong Kong had a couple of big asset sales pushed volumes up 186 percent. China Everbright’s US$ 1.3 billion purchase of Dah Sing Financial and LINK REIT’s US$ 760 million acquisition from the Hong Kong Government supported the deal flow.

“Investment appetite by Chinese investors showed no signs of abating after setting record transaction pricing in 2015,” said Crow.

In South Korea volumes climbed 207 percent. The office sector saw strong activity, led by Alpha Investment Partners’ acquisition of a Grade ‘A’ building (US$ 320 million) from two strata-title owners.

“The pricing gap between buyers and sellers narrowed, which helped to boost volumes.

Moving ahead JLL expects that domestic investors to remain active purchasers and deal volumes to climb as landlords look to solidify profits given high vacancy rate and as the rate of capital value growth slows,” added Walters.

Subdued investment activity for Thailand in Q1

Despite strong investor interest, Thailand had no direct commercial property investments recorded during the first quarter of 2016.

Suphin Mechuchep, Managing Director of JLL in Thailand, said: “Both domestic and foreign investors have continued to show strong interest in acquiring good-quality commercial properties in Thailand, particularly office buildings in Bangkok. However, the country saw no direct real estate investment activity in the first quarter of this year due to the lack of assets put up for sale.”

The most significant investment transaction recorded in the first quarter was the acquisition of a six-rai site on Silom Road in Bangkok by NYE Estate and Minor International Group on a 50-year lease term.

The transaction was concluded by JLL on behalf of the landlord. However, it was not included in JLL’s Global Capital Flows, which excludes land transactions.

“NYE Estate and Minor International Group acquired only the land while the existing three office buildings on the site will be removed to make room for a new commercial development project,” Suphin explained.

Intra-regional flows jump

In light of global economic uncertainty, Asian investors preferred markets closer to home. This was evidenced by the jump in capital flows between countries within the region.

Intra-regional buyer transaction volume rose to US$ 4 billion in the first three months of this year from US$ 1.1 billion the same period a year ago. This compares with inter-regional (international) purchaser capital flow, which fell by 74 percent to US$ 1.2 billion from US$ 4.7 billion.

“The fact that more Asian investors have chosen to put their money within the region is indicative of a shift in global investment trends as the region moves towards a more aggressive expansionary monetary policy mode,” said Walters.

“Going forward, we could see more Asian capital staying within the region as a divide in global monetary policy continues with the US moving on to a restrictive policy approach.”


Asia Pacific winners revealed

The winners have been revealed in the Asia Pacific categories of the International Property Awards, which took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, late last week.

Winners in numerous categories collected either a ‘Five-Star’ or ‘Highly Commended’ accolade, while those chosen as ‘Regional Nominees’ will represent the region against the world in the International event later in the year.

The International Property Awards are open to residential and commercial property professionals from around the globe. They celebrate the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and real estate industry. An International Property Award is considered to be a world-renowned mark of excellence.

The annual Asia Pacific awards event brings together the top players in real estate, architecture and interior design from 25 countries. Now in its 24th year they are the region’s largest, most prestigious, and widely recognised awards programme.

Entries are judged by an independent panel of 70 industry experts, who focus on design, quality, service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability.

Here are the list of regional nominees, as well as the five-star winners from each category.

REGIONAL NOMINEES

Best Apartment Asia Pacific

HBS View360

HBS Realtors Pvt. Ltd.

Best Apartment Asia Pacific

Windmill Upon Hills @ Genting Highlands

PJ Development Holdings Berhad

Best Architecture Multiple Residence Asia Pacific

The Vista @ Sutera

Swan & Maclaren Pte Ltd

Best Architecture Multiple Residence Asia Pacific

The Deck

Somdoon Architects Ltd * Development by Sansiri PLC

Best Architecture Single Residence Asia Pacific

Peacock and the Woods

Aijaz Hakim Architect

Best Architecture Single Residence Asia Pacific

A2-House shell house

Architect Show Co., Ltd

Best Commercial High-rise Architecture Asia Pacific

Greenland Huangpu Center

Greenland Hong Kong Holdings Limited

Best Commercial High-rise Architecture Asia Pacific

Paragon @ Pan’gaea

OSK Property Holdings Berhad

Best Commercial High-rise Development Asia Pacific

18 On Lan

Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd. and Kwai Hung Group

Best Commercial High-rise Development Asia Pacific

Paragon @ Pan’gaea

OSK Property Holdings Berhad

Best Commercial Landscape Architecture Asia Pacific

Desa ParkCity : Central Park and Primary Streetscape

Walrus Design for Perdana ParkCity Sdn Bhd

Best Commercial Landscape Architecture Asia Pacific

Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Taipei

Walrus Design for Kai Tai Fung International Company Ltd.

Best Condominium Asia Pacific

Principal Garden

UOL Group Limited & Kheng Leong Company

Best Condominium Asia Pacific

Twinpalms Residences MontAzure

Kamala Beach Resort & Hotel Management Co., Ltd.

Best Developer Website Asia Pacific

www.bpmcorp.com.au

BPM

Best Developer Website Asia Pacific

www.avidaland.com

Avida Land Corp.

Best Development Marketing Asia Pacific

Peel

Milieu

Best Development Marketing Asia Pacific

HBS Towers

HBS Realtors Pvt. Ltd.

Best Golf Development Asia Pacific

Prestige Golfshire

Prestige Estates Projects Ltd.

Best Golf Development Asia Pacific

The Enclave

Pulai Springs Resort Berhad

Best Hotel Architecture Asia Pacific

St. Regis Hotel

Aedas

Best Hotel Architecture Asia Pacific

Te Waonui Forest Retreat

Dalman Architecture

Best Hotel Interior Asia Pacific

Sheraton Shanghai Jiading Hotel

Peddle Thorp Architects (SH)

Best Hotel Interior Asia Pacific

The St. Regis Langkawi

Integrated Nautical Resort Sdn. Bhd.

Best Industrial Development Asia Pacific

Primz Bizhub

OKH Global Ltd.

Best Interior Design Apartment Asia Pacific

The Lake Dragon

Clifton Leung Design Workshop

Best Interior Design Apartment Asia Pacific

You City

PJ Development Holdings Berhad

Best Interior Design Private Residence Asia Pacific

Sierra II Private Residence

Be In Design Solutions Sdn Bhd

Best Interior Design Private Residence Asia Pacific

The Modern Chinoiserie House

Design Intervention Pte Ltd

Best Interior Design Show Home Asia Pacific

One Avighna Park

Avighna India Ltd

Best Interior Design Show Home Asia Pacific

Dharmawangsa Residences II

Prestige Global Designs Pte Ltd

Best Leisure Architecture Asia Pacific

Grand Star Platinum Euroville

Swan & Maclaren Pte Ltd

Best Leisure Architecture Asia Pacific

Green places Community Clubhouse

CHAIN 10 URBAN SPACE DESIGN

Best Leisure Development Asia Pacific

Andara Signature Resort & Villas

Andamandara Development Co., Ltd.

Best Leisure Interior Asia Pacific

The Capital, Beijing Clubhouse, The Hong Kong Jockey Club

InArc Design Hong Kong Limited

Best Leisure Interior Asia Pacific

Carmen Futura

Alexander Wong Architects Limited

Best Lettings Agency Asia Pacific

Barfoot & Thompson

Best Lettings Agency Asia Pacific

CBRE Philippines

Best Mixed-use Architecture Asia Pacific

Jewel

Wanda Ridong (Gold Coast) Development Pty. Ltd

Best Mixed-use Architecture Asia Pacific

INFINITY ONE CONDOMINIUM

CREATE GREAT DESIGN Company Limited

Best Mixed-use Development Asia Pacific

Datum Jelatek

DATUMCORP INTERNATIONAL S/B

Best Mixed-use Development Asia Pacific

Vinhomes Central Park

VinGroup

Best Office Architecture Asia Pacific

Main Building of Guangdong Macau Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park

Aedas

Best Office Architecture Asia Pacific

Paragon @ Pan’gaea

OSK Property Holdings Berhad

Best Office Development Asia Pacific

L&T Seawoods Grand Central

L&T Seawoods Ltd.

Best Office Development Asia Pacific

Blue Mountain Corporate Offices

Blue Holdings (Pvt) Ltd

Best Office Interior Asia Pacific

Peak One Sales Office

Fusion Design Ltd

Best Office Interior Asia Pacific

Prestige Global Designs Showroom

Prestige Global Designs Pte Ltd

Best Property Consultancy Asia Pacific

JLL

Best Property Consultancy Asia Pacific

CBRE Thailand

Best Property Consultancy Marketing Asia Pacific

The Pasco

Assembly Branding

Best Property Consultancy Marketing Asia Pacific

Hahei Holiday Resort

CBRE New Zealand

Best Property Consultancy Website Asia Pacific

www.savills.com.au

Savills Australia

Best Property Consultancy Website Asia Pacific

www.cbre.co.th

CBRE Thailand

Best Property Single Unit Asia Pacific

Parc Priva

NYE Estate

Best Public Service Architecture Asia Pacific

Kellett School – Kowloon Bay Campus

P&T Group

Best Public Service Architecture Asia Pacific

Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi Restoration Works

aLM Architects

Best Public Service Interior Asia Pacific

Fuji Xerox Towers

designphase dba pte ltd

Best Public Service Interior Asia Pacific

RMIT International University

OUT-2 Design

Best Real Estate Agency Asia Pacific

Barfoot & Thompson

Best Real Estate Agency Asia Pacific

Savills Vietnam

Best Real Estate Agency Marketing Asia Pacific

La Maison & The Fabulist

Kay & Burton

Best Real Estate Agency Marketing Asia Pacific

Prestige Real Estate International Ltd

Best Real Estate Agency Website Asia Pacific

www.uniqueestates.com.au

Unique Estates Australia

Best Real Estate Agent Asia Pacific

Fenny Gunawan

ERA

Best Residential Development Asia Pacific

The Residences by Anantara

Minor International PCL

Best Residential Development Asia Pacific

The Point

VinaCapital Danang Golf Course Ltd

Best Residential High-rise Architecture Asia Pacific

Shanghai Bay

HWCD

Best Residential High-rise Architecture Asia Pacific

Tao Zhu Yin Yuan

BES Engineering Corporation

Best Residential High-rise Development Asia Pacific

Serai

BRDB Developments Sdn Bhd

Best Residential High-rise Development Asia Pacific

Landmark 81

VinGroup

Best Residential Landscape Architecture Asia Pacific

Principal Garden

UOL Group Limited & Kheng Leong Company

Best Residential Landscape Architecture Asia Pacific

Vinhomes Times City – Park Hill

VinGroup

Best Residential Renovation/Redevelopment Asia Pacific

HBS View360

HBS Realtors Pvt. Ltd.

Best Retail Architecture Asia Pacific

MOKO

Aedas

Best Retail Architecture Asia Pacific

Northwest Shopping Centre

The Buchan Group

Best Retail Development Asia Pacific

L&T Seawoods Grand Central

L&T Seawoods Ltd.

Best Retail Development Asia Pacific

Imago Mall

Asian Pac Holdings Berhad

Best Retail Interior Asia Pacific

DARRY RING JEWELRY SHOP

One Plus Partnership Limited

Best Retail Interior Asia Pacific

The Members Entrance, Happy Valley Racecourse, The Hong Kong Jockey Club

InArc Design Hong Kong Limited

REAL ESTATE AWARDS

Best Lettings Agency New Zealand

Barfoot & Thompson

Best Lettings Agency Philippines

CBRE Philippines

Best Lettings Agency Thailand

Cyansiam Company Ltd

Best Property Consultancy Australia

CBRE

Best Property Consultancy China

JLL

Best Property Consultancy Hong Kong

JLL Hong Kong

Best Property Consultancy India

JLL

Best Property Consultancy Indonesia

PT Jones Lang LaSalle

Best Property Consultancy Japan

Jones Lang LaSalle

Best Property Consultancy New Zealand

CBRE New Zealand

Best Property Consultancy Philippines

CBRE Philippines

Best Property Consultancy Singapore

CBRE Singapore

Best Property Consultancy South Korea

JLL

Best Property Consultancy Taiwan

CBRE Taiwan

Best Property Consultancy Thailand

CBRE Thailand

Best Property Consultancy Vietnam

Savills Vietnam

Best Property Consultancy Marketing Australia

The Pasco

Assembly Branding

Best Property Consultancy Marketing Hong Kong

The Assembly

IP Global

Best Property Consultancy Marketing New Zealand

Hahei Holiday Resort

CBRE New Zealand

Best Property Consultancy Marketing Philippines

Estancia Capital Commons

CBRE Philippines

Best Property Consultancy Marketing Sri Lanka

Lake Corrido – Bolgoda

Blue Mountain Properties (Pvt) Ltd

Best Property Consultancy Website Australia

www.savills.com.au

Savills Australia

Best Property Consultancy Website Thailand

www.cbre.co.th

CBRE Thailand

Best Real Estate Agency Australia

1st City

Best Real Estate Agency China

Savills China

Best Real Estate Agency India

Cushman & Wakefield India Pvt Ltd.

Best Real Estate Agency New Zealand

Barfoot & Thompson

Best Real Estate Agency Philippines

CBRE Philippines

Best Real Estate Agency Thailand

CBRE Thailand

Best Real Estate Agency Vietnam

Savills Vietnam

Best Real Estate Agency Marketing Australia

La Maison & The Fabulist

Kay & Burton

Best Real Estate Agency Marketing New Zealand

Prestige Real Estate International Ltd

Best Real Estate Agency Marketing Philippines

KMC MAG Group Marketing 2016

KMC MAG Group

Best Real Estate Agency Website Australia

www.uniqueestates.com.au

Unique Estates Australia

Best Real Estate Agent Indonesia

Fenny Gunawan

ERA

DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

Best Apartment India

HBS View360

HBS Realtors Pvt. Ltd.

Best Apartment Malaysia

Windmill Upon Hills @ Genting Highlands

PJ Development Holdings Berhad

Best Commercial High-rise Development Hong Kong

18 On Lan

Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd. and Kwai Hung Group

Best Commercial High-rise Development Malaysia

Paragon @ Pan’gaea

OSK Property Holdings Berhad

Best Condominium Malaysia

Harrington Suites

Interland Properties Sdn Bhd

Best Condominium Singapore

Principal Garden

UOL Group Limited & Kheng Leong Company

Best Condominium Thailand

Twinpalms Residences MontAzure

Kamala Beach Resort & Hotel Management Co., Ltd.

Best Condominium Vietnam

Flora Sakura

Nam Long Investment Corporation

Best Developer Website Australia

www.bpmcorp.com.au

BPM

Best Developer Website India

www.prestigeconstructions.com

Prestige Estates Projects Ltd.

Best Developer Website Philippines

www.avidaland.com

Avida Land Corp.

Best Development Marketing Australia

Peel

Milieu

Best Development Marketing Malaysia

BSP 21

LBS Bina Group Berhad

Best Development Marketing Sri Lanka

Grandsburg

Blue Mountain Apartments (Pvt) Ltd

Best Golf Development India

Prestige Golfshire

Prestige Estates Projects Ltd.

Best Golf Development Malaysia

The Enclave

Pulai Springs Resort Berhad

Best Industrial Development Singapore

Primz Bizhub

OKH Global Ltd.

Best Leisure Development Malaysia

Lavile

Orando Holdings Sdn Bhd

Best Leisure Development Thailand

Andara Signature Resort & Villas

Andamandara Development Co., Ltd.

Best Mixed-use Development China

Greenland Huangpu Center

Greenland Hong Kong Holdings Limited

Best Mixed-use Development India

HBS City

HBS Realtors Pvt. Ltd.

Best Mixed-use Development Indonesia

Urban City @Metland Transyogi

Metropolitan Land Tbk

Best Mixed-use Development Malaysia

Datum Jelatek

DATUMCORP INTERNATIONAL S/B

Best Mixed-use Development Philippines

Filinvest City

Filinvest Alabang, Inc.

Best Mixed-use Development Singapore

South Beach Mixed Use Development

South Beach Consortium Pte Ltd

Best Mixed-use Development Thailand

MontAzure

Kamala Beach Resort & Hotel Management Co., Ltd.

Best Mixed-use Development Thailand

Whizdom 101

MQDC Magnolia Quality Development Corporation

Best Mixed-use Development Vietnam

Vinhomes Central Park

VinGroup

Best Office Development India

L&T Seawoods Grand Central

L&T Seawoods Ltd.

Best Office Development Philippines

The Finance Centre

Daiichi Properties Inc.

Best Office Development Sri Lanka

Blue Mountain Corporate Offices

Blue Holdings (Pvt) Ltd

Best Property Single Unit India

Prestige Silver Springs

Prestige South City Holdings

Best Property Single Unit Malaysia

Verge 32

KCC Development (M) Sdn Bhd

Best Property Single Unit Thailand

Parc Priva

NYE Estate

Best Residential Development Australia

Tip Top Brunswick East

Little Projects

Best Residential Development China

Palais sur Montagne (Palaces on the Hill)

Beijing Zhongjun Real Estate Development Co., Ltd

Best Residential Development India

HBS Towers

HBS Realtors Pvt. Ltd.

Best Residential Development Malaysia

d’Laman Greenville

WCT Land Sdn Bhd

Best Residential Development Mongolia

River Garden Residence

NCD Group

Best Residential Development Thailand

The Residences by Anantara

Minor International PCL

Best Residential Development Vietnam

The Point

VinaCapital Danang Golf Course Ltd

Best Residential High-rise Development Australia

Capitol Grand and LK Tower

LK Property Group

Best Residential High-rise Development China

Greenland Huangpu Center

Greenland Hong Kong Holdings Limited

Best Residential High-rise Development India

One Avighna Park

Avighna India Ltd

Best Residential High-rise Development Malaysia

Serai

BRDB Developments Sdn Bhd

Best Residential High-rise Development Myanmar

Rosehill Residences

Soilbuild Group Holdings Ltd

Best Residential High-rise Development Philippines

The Radiance Manila Bay

Robinsons Land Corporation

Best Residential High-rise Development Singapore

Principal Garden

UOL Group Limited & Kheng Leong Company

Best Residential High-rise Development Thailand

The Lofts Ekkamai

Raimon Land PLC

Best Residential High-rise Development Vietnam

Landmark 81

VinGroup

Best Residential Renovation/Redevelopment India

HBS View360

HBS Realtors Pvt. Ltd.

Best Retail Architecture Malaysia

Imago Mall

Asian Pac Holdings Berhad

Best Retail Development India

L&T Seawoods Grand Central

L&T Seawoods Ltd.

Best Retail Development Indonesia

Summarecon Mal Serpong

Summarecon Group

Best Retail Development Malaysia

Imago Mall

Asian Pac Holdings Berhad

Best Retail Development New Zealand

Northwest Shopping Centre

The Buchan Group

Best Retail Development Thailand

CentralPlaza Rayong

Central Pattana Public Company Limited

INTERIOR DESIGN AWARDS

Best Hotel Interior China

Sheraton Shanghai Jiading Hotel

Peddle Thorp Architects (SH)

Best Hotel Interior Hong Kong

W Hong Kong

GLAMOROUS co.,ltd.

Best Hotel Interior Malaysia

The St. Regis Langkawi

Integrated Nautical Resort Sdn. Bhd.

Best Hotel Interior Maldives

Cheval Blanc Randheli

Denniston

Best Hotel Interior Tajikistan

Sheraton Hotel

areen hospitality

Best Interior Design Apartment Australia

Balmoral Apartment

Design Intervention Pte Ltd

Best Interior Design Apartment China

The Lake Dragon

Clifton Leung Design Workshop

Best Interior Design Apartment Hong Kong

Citypoint

Grande Development Limited

Best Interior Design Apartment India

Prestige Kingfisher Towers – Apt

Morph Design Company

Best Interior Design Apartment Indonesia

Dharmawangsa Residences II

Prestige Global Designs Pte Ltd

Best Interior Design Apartment Malaysia

You City

PJ Development Holdings Berhad

Best Interior Design Apartment Singapore

Mount Faber Apartment

Design Intervention Pte Ltd

Best Interior Design Private Residence Australia

Louisa Road

design4space

Best Interior Design Private Residence Hong Kong

The Vineyard

Anson Cheng Interior Design Ltd.

Best Interior Design Private Residence India

Gunjay Villa

The BNK Group

Best Interior Design Private Residence Indonesia

Dharmawangsa Residences II

Prestige Global Designs Pte Ltd

Best Interior Design Private Residence Malaysia

Sierra II Private Residence

Be In Design Solutions Sdn Bhd

Best Interior Design Private Residence Singapore

The Modern Chinoiserie House

Design Intervention Pte Ltd

Best Interior Design Private Residence Taiwan

Origami Chatter House

Simple Brilliance Architecture Interior Design

Best Interior Design Show Home China

Hanking Peak Boulevard

LWMA

Best Interior Design Show Home Hong Kong

The Graces Residence

PTang Studio Ltd.

Best Interior Design Show Home India

One Avighna Park

Avighna India Ltd

Best Interior Design Show Home Indonesia

Dharmawangsa Residences II

Prestige Global Designs Pte Ltd

Best Interior Design Show Home Malaysia

Corallia

LBS Bina Group Berhad

Best Interior Design Show Home Philippines

Fame Residences Showroom

SM Development Corporation

Best Interior Design Show Home Singapore

D’Leedon Garden Villa – Exquisite Couture

Cynosure Design Pte Ltd

Best Interior Design Show Home Sri Lanka

Blue Mountain – Luxury Show Apartment

Blue Mountain Apartments (Pvt) Ltd

Best Interior Design Show Home Thailand

Parc Priva

NYE Estate

Best Leisure Interior Australia

Soho in Balmain

design4space

Best Leisure Interior China

The Capital, Beijing Clubhouse, The Hong Kong Jockey Club

InArc Design Hong Kong Limited

Best Leisure Interior Hong Kong

Carmen Futura

Alexander Wong Architects Limited

Best Leisure Interior Thailand

Havana Social

Soho Hospitality

Best Leisure Interior Vietnam

ALMAZ Entertainment Complex

OUT-2 Design

Best Office Interior Azerbaijan

Media Center Office

Interior Services

Best Office Interior China

ABB Chengdu Ltd

DPWT Design Ltd

Best Office Interior Hong Kong

Peak One Sales Office

Fusion Design Ltd

Best Office Interior Malaysia

Interior Design & Fit-out Works for Tradewinds Corporation Berhad

SW1 Solutions Sdn Bhd

Best Office Interior Philippines

Avida Headquarters

Avida Land Corp.

Best Office Interior Singapore

Prestige Global Designs Showroom

Prestige Global Designs Pte Ltd

Best Office Interior Thailand

Covestro (Thailand) Co.,Ltd.

Sense Sign Co.,Ltd

Best Public Service Interior China

Tang Foundation

Woods Bagot Architectural Design Consultants (Shanghai) Company Limited

Best Public Service Interior Singapore

Fuji Xerox Towers

designphase dba pte ltd

Best Public Service Interior Thailand

PMK Dialysis Center

Bareo co., LTD.

Best Public Service Interior Vietnam

RMIT International University

OUT-2 Design

Best Retail Interior China

DARRY RING JEWELRY SHOP

One Plus Partnership Limited

Best Retail Interior Hong Kong

The Members Entrance, Happy Valley Racecourse, The Hong Kong Jockey Club

InArc Design Hong Kong Limited

Best Retail Interior Singapore

Hairhaus

Urban Habitat Design Pte Ltd

ARCHITECTURE AWARDS

Best Architecture Multiple Residence India

HBS Towers

HBS Realtors Pvt. Ltd.

Best Architecture Multiple Residence Malaysia

The Vista @ Sutera

Swan & Maclaren Pte Ltd

Best Architecture Multiple Residence Singapore

One Surin

A_Collective Architects

Best Architecture Multiple Residence Thailand

The Deck

Somdoon Architects Ltd * Development by Sansiri PLC

Best Architecture Single Residence Australia

Curva House

LSA Architects

Best Architecture Single Residence India

Peacock and the Woods

Aijaz Hakim Architect

Best Architecture Single Residence Indonesia

J House – Modern Tropical House

ESPERTA architecture & interior

Best Architecture Single Residence Japan

A2-House shell house

Architect Show Co., Ltd

Best Architecture Single Residence Malaysia

Pavilion Ponderosa

PCA Architecture

Best Architecture Single Residence Singapore

Villa Mistral

Mercurio Design Lab Srl

Best Commercial High-rise Architecture China

Greenland Huangpu Center

Greenland Hong Kong Holdings Limited

Best Commercial High-rise Architecture Malaysia

Paragon @ Pan’gaea

OSK Property Holdings Berhad

Best Commercial Landscape Architecture India

Hyatt Place, Goa

Landscape Tectonix Ltd

Best Commercial Landscape Architecture Malaysia

Desa ParkCity : Central Park and Primary Streetscape

Walrus Design for Perdana ParkCity Sdn Bhd

Best Commercial Landscape Architecture Philippines

South Park District

Avida Land Corp.

Best Commercial Landscape Architecture Singapore

Holiday Inn Express, Clarke Quay

ONG&ONG Pte Ltd

Best Commercial Landscape Architecture Taiwan

Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Taipei

Walrus Design for Kai Tai Fung International Company Ltd.

Best Development Marketing India

HBS Towers

HBS Realtors Pvt. Ltd.

Best Hotel Architecture China

St. Regis Hotel

Aedas

Best Hotel Architecture India

Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Karjat

Chapman Taylor India LLP

Best Hotel Architecture Malaysia

The St. Regis Langkawi

Integrated Nautical Resort Sdn. Bhd.

Best Hotel Architecture New Zealand

Te Waonui Forest Retreat

Dalman Architecture

Best Hotel Architecture Thailand

Grande Centre Point Thonglor

Palmer&Turner (Thailand) Ltd.

Best Hotel Architecture Vietnam

Alma Resort

ONG&ONG Pte Ltd

Best Leisure Architecture Cambodia

Grand Star Platinum Euroville

Swan & Maclaren Pte Ltd

Best Leisure Architecture Hong Kong

ZCB Bamboo Pavilion

by Client: Construction Industry Council’s ZCB * Designer: Chinese University of Hong Kong, * School of Architecture

Best Leisure Architecture Indonesia

Go!Wet Water Adventure

Sinar Mas Land

Best Leisure Architecture Japan

Terrace Building & Hill Top Building

Key Operation Inc. / Architects

Best Leisure Architecture Philippines

WANAKASA: Forest in the Mist

Edward Co Tan + Architects

Best Leisure Architecture Taiwan

Green places Community Clubhouse

CHAIN 10 URBAN SPACE DESIGN

Best Leisure Architecture Vietnam

Alma Resort

ONG&ONG Pte Ltd

Best Mixed-use Architecture Australia

Jewel

Wanda Ridong (Gold Coast) Development Pty. Ltd

Best Mixed-use Architecture China

Vanke Charm City

PH Alpha Design Limited

Best Mixed-use Architecture Indonesia

Habitat – Lagoi Bay

Indo Primer Properti

Best Mixed-use Architecture Malaysia

Datum Jelatek

DATUMCORP INTERNATIONAL S/B

Best Mixed-use Architecture Singapore

South Beach Mixed Use Development

South Beach Consortium Pte Ltd

Best Mixed-use Architecture South Korea

Cha Bio Complex

KMD Architects

Best Mixed-use Architecture Thailand

INFINITY ONE CONDOMINIUM

CREATE GREAT DESIGN Company Limited

Best Office Architecture Cambodia

JSM Corporate Office & Training Centre

OUT-2 Design

Best Office Architecture China

Main Building of Guangdong Macau Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park

Aedas

Best Office Architecture Hong Kong

Global Trade Square

Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd. *2nd line pls* Hip Shing Hong (Holdings) Co. Ltd.

Best Office Architecture India

Punjab Kesari Headquarters

Studio Symbiosis

Best Office Architecture Indonesia

Duta Indah Iconic Office Park

PT Indomegah Cipta Bangun Citra

Best Office Architecture Malaysia

Paragon @ Pan’gaea

OSK Property Holdings Berhad

Best Office Architecture Philippines

Megawide Construction Corp. Headquarters

Edward Co Tan + Architects

Best Office Architecture South Korea

Seoul Mapo Post Office

Haenglim Architecture & Engineering Co. Ltd

Best Office Architecture Taiwan

139 NTC National Trade Center

Aedas

Best Public Service Architecture China

Library of Chongqing Real Estate College

PH Alpha Design Limited

Best Public Service Architecture Hong Kong

Kellett School – Kowloon Bay Campus

P&T Group

Best Public Service Architecture Malaysia

Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi Restoration Works

aLM Architects

Best Public Service Architecture South Korea

Ulsan City Library

Haenglim Architecture & Engineering Co. Ltd

Best Public Service Architecture Thailand

Setthasiri Ratchaphruek – Charan

Sansiri PLC

Best Residential High-rise Architecture Australia

V by Crown Group

Crown Group

Best Residential High-rise Architecture China

Shanghai Bay

HWCD

Residential High-rise Architecture Hong Kong

The Wings II

P&T Group

Best Residential High-rise Architecture India

HBS Towers

HBS Realtors Pvt. Ltd.

Best Residential High-rise Architecture Malaysia

I-Santorini

Ideal Property Group

Best Residential High-rise Architecture Singapore

Echelon

Freshview Developments Pte Ltd

Best Residential High-rise Architecture Taiwan

Tao Zhu Yin Yuan

BES Engineering Corporation

Best Residential High-rise Architecture Thailand

The Portrait Condominium

stu/D/O

Best Residential Landscape Architecture India

One Avighna Park

Avighna India Ltd

Best Residential Landscape Architecture Malaysia

Astoria Ampang

Land & General Berhad

Best Residential Landscape Architecture Philippines

Shell Residences

SM Development Corporation

Best Residential Landscape Architecture Singapore

Principal Garden

UOL Group Limited & Kheng Leong Company

Best Residential Landscape Architecture Vietnam

Vinhomes Times City – Park Hill

VinGroup

Best Retail Architecture Hong Kong

MOKO

Best Retail Architecture New Zealand

Northwest Shopping Centre

The Buchan Group


Asia roadshows for Sydney’s V

Australian developer Crown Group has partnered with Jones Lang Lasalle to release the final residences at V by Crown Group to potential buyers in three Asian cities: Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai.

Designed by the award-winning, Sydney-based Allen Jack + Cottier architects along with Koichi Takada, V by Crown Group (pictured) is a stunning tower of apartments in Parramatta with sweeping views across Sydney’s skyline and the Heritage Parklands.

Known as Parramatta’s vertical village, V by Crown Group features an iconic 29-story tower offering 590 luxury apartments situated atop a lively ground-level retail piazza with al fresco dining and shops. The tower enjoys an ideal location at the intersection of Macquarie and Marsden streets, within easy walking distance from the new Parramatta Square, the train station, and the Heritage Parklands.

Crown Group has joined JLL to offer three exclusive events for potential buyers in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai. Interest in V by Crown Group has been keen, especially amongst business executives, foreign investors seeking to lock in a luxury residence in a high-growth area, as well as people looking to downsize while staying in a vibrant, urban area.

“There is strong demand in the Sydney market for luxury, turnkey living in central locations,” said Prisca Edwards, Project Director, Sales and Global Capital of Crown Group Australia.

“With stunning, high-end interiors and shared, five-star resort-style amenities and services, V by Crown Group is truly the cream of the crop for urban living in New South Wales.”

V by Crown Group offers a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, executive studios and exclusive penthouses. Features include stunning floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor balconies along with high-end appliances, fixtures and finishes.

Prices start from AUD $ 556,000 rising to AUD$ 2.42 million.


Asian prices underperforming

New research has revealed that Asian mainstream residential property markets recorded only 1.9 percent annual price growth, lower than the global average of 3 percent.

Turkey, meanwhile, topped the chart and saw property prices rise by 18 percent during 2015 as the country is increasingly viewed as a safe haven for Middle Eastern investors.

In its
Global Price Index research report for Q4 2015
, real estate firm Knight Frank monitored and compared the performance of mainstream residential markets in 55 countries. The Index increased by 3 percent during 2015, up from 2.3 percent in 2014. Concerns over the global economy in 2015 failed to dent buyer confidence; instead the lingering low interest rate environment influenced sentiment.

A total of 43 of the 55 housing markets tracked in the Global House Price Index saw prices rise, up from 10 countries in the aftermath of the Lehman’s collapse in September 2008.

The company noted that Belgium and New Zealand were the least affordable countries when house prices are compared to incomes. Ukraine and Greece were the weakest housing markets in 2015, recording prices falls of 12 percent and 5 percent respectively.

Nicholas Holt, Head of Research for Asia Pacific, said: “Last year saw Asian mainstream residential markets recorded only 1.9 percent annual price growth, lower than the global average of 3 percent.

“While a number of markets experienced positive growth, Taiwan and Singapore, which have seen negative growth for a number of quarters, were joined by Hong Kong this quarter, which saw its residential market decline by 3.7 percent during Q4 2015.

“While long-term growth prospects remain positive, the continued economic uncertainty in the region is likely to weigh on housing market sentiment in the near term.”

Kate Everett-Allen, Partner, International Residential Research, Knight Frank, added: “Although house prices in Hong Kong increased in 2015, the rate of growth has slowed significantly from 17 percent in the year to September, to 7 percent in the year to December 2015. The slower rate of growth is attributable to rising supply (more than 11,200 homes were completed in 2015), as well as China’s financial market volatility and the expectation of increasing interest rates.”

Data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics shows house prices rose marginally in 2015 (0.4 percent) having reached their peak in the first quarter of 2014. Cities such as Shenzhen and Shanghai continue to outperform the national average due in part to favourable government policies and strong demand in first-tier cities.

Australasia was the strongest-performing world region in 2015, buoyed by the strong performance of New Zealand and Australia, both of which saw annual price growth in excess of 10 percent.

Housing affordability, or the lack of it, is rising up policymakers’ agendas worldwide. According to the latest data from the OECD, which measures house prices against incomes for 24 of its 34 members, Belgium and New Zealand are currently the world’s least affordable markets, whilst home ownership is most accessible in South Korea and Japan.

Everett-Allen said: “Our outlook for 2016 is muted. We expect the index’s overall rate of growth to be weaker in 2016 than in 2015. The global economy is experiencing a potentially dangerous cocktail of low oil prices, a strong dollar and a continued slowdown in China.”


Asian property prices slowing

Asian property markets are losing momentum, according to
new research published by The Global Property Guide
.

The influential website noted how the world’s housing markets are now two-tiered, with most of Europe and North America still experiencing strong house price rises while Asia and the Middle East are slowing sharply. It named the five strongest housing markets in its global survey for 2015 as Turkey (+14.32 percent), Sweden (+12.34 percent), Qatar (+10.61 percent), China (+9.12 percent) and Romania (+7.74 percent).

The biggest year-on-year house-price declines, it said, were in Russia (-15.35 percent), Egypt (-14.22 percent), the UAE (-14.09 percent) and Puerto Rico (-14.09 percent).

During 2015 house prices rose in 33 out of the 44 world’s housing markets which have published housing statistics using inflation-adjusted figures. The more upbeat nominal figures, more familiar to the public, showed house price rises in 34 countries and declines in 10 countries, it said.

It noted that Asian housing markets are losing steam, except in China. Seven of the ten Asian markets for which figures are available saw house price increases during 2015, but these were mostly modest increases with only China’s performance very strong. Moreover, only three performed better in 2015 than the previous year.

China’s housing market soared to new highs, after many government measures to support the housing market. In Shanghai the price index of second-hand houses rose by 9.12 percent in 2015, in sharp contrast to a decline of 2.89 percent the previous year. During the latest quarter, house prices in Shanghai rose by 3.79 percent.

The Philippines’ housing market is also slowing, despite strong economic growth. The average price of 3-bedroom condominium units in Makati’s CBD rose by 2.96 percent during 2015, down from increases of 4.29 percent in 2014, 9.86 percent in 2013 and 4.87 percent in 2012. Housing prices dropped 0.84 percent q-o-q during Q4 2015.

South Korea’s nationwide housing purchase price index rose by a modest 2.25 percent in 2015, an improvement from the rise of 0.82 percent in 2014 and the biggest y-o-y rise in since 2006 amidst low interest rates and relaxed mortgage lending rules. House prices increased by 0.7 percent q-o-q during the latest quarter.

Asian housing markets with minimal house price rises included Thailand, with house prices rising by 1.98 percent during 2015, Tokyo, Japan (0.92 percent), Vietnam (0.86 percent) and Hong Kong (0.05 percent). All, except Japan and Hong Kong recorded positive quarter-on-quarter growth in Q4 2015. However, all showed weaker performance in 2015 compared to the previous year.


Asia’s Best Beaches – Central Vietnam

This story on Central Vietnam is part of our Asia’s Best Beaches’ series that appears in the latest issue of Dot Property Magazine.
Click here to read it
!

If you enjoy the beach, there are plenty of them around Da Nang in Central Vietnam. Some 92 kilometres of coastline can be found north and south of the city, all of which are clean and fairly quiet. The waters of the East Sea, as it is called in Vietnam, are clear and beautiful, but can sometimes be a little rough.

Da Nang and the surrounding areas are still relatively new to many tourists. The Vietnamese government made a big push a few years back to focus on Central Vietnam as a tourist hub and these efforts are starting to pay dividends. There are now several of resorts and residences backed by world famous hotel brands in the region.

Some very prominent individuals have taken note of Central Vietnam. For example, Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo purchased a home at Cocobay Towers in Da Nang last year. Empire Group is developing the project and the firm claims it will be a tropical paradise when completed.

The city itself is surrounded by a seemingly endless supply of beaches with each one offering something unique. Xuan Thieu Beach and Thanh Binh Beach in the north of the city are best known for their picturesque white sands and blue waters that look as if they have come straight from a dream.

My Khe Beach and Non Nuoc Beach are among the most popular areas in the southern reaches of Da Nang. Both are very clean and fairly quiet on most days. You will also find plenty of smaller beaches for you to choose from. If you’re feeling more adventurous, Lang Co is about an hour north of Da Nang and also has some wonderful beaches.

What to know about Central Vietnam

Monsoon season in Da Nang runs from September until March but usually starts to taper off in February. There is the possibility of heavy rains and even flooding during this time, but most storms pass through quickly. It can get a little chilly towards the end of the year, especially in the evenings.

The best time to visit is April and May before the peak of tourist season. However, the weather is favourable until August even if the crowds are a bit bigger.

Central Vietnam is served by Da Nang International Airport. A new terminal opened last year to improve the airport’s capacity and better serve international arrivals. Non-stop flights to Da Nang from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Seoul are currently available while Vietnam Airlines offers connections via transit in either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.