CapitaLand poised to ride on Asian growth
A FEW years back, Liew Mun Leong, chief executive of CapitaLand, came to Singapore Press Holdings and gave a talk to journalists. His talk left a deep impression on me. The topic was how he saw the property market going through a strategic inflection point. Mr Liew drew the idea of strategic inflection point from … Read more
Bad times throw up good opportunities for CapitaLand
As credit crunch lays rivals low, it’s ready to swoop on bargains in next 2 years: CEO A LOT of opportunities will be thrown up in the real estate market in the next two years and CapitaLand is well placed to take advantage of them, chief executive Liew Mun Leong says. ‘There will be distressed … Read more
M&As in S-Reit market imminent: Macquarie
RECENT developments in the S-Reit market suggest that consolidation has begun and more merger and acquisition (M&A) activity is imminent, says Macquarie Capital Advisers executive director and global head of property group Antony Green. In case there is any doubt, future M&As could turn hostile and will almost certainly grab the headlines. But Mr Green … Read more
The house that Teo helped to build
A former architect turned his vision of a dream home into reality. GEOFFREY EU reports RICHARD C H Teo’s new house along a popular residential street in the Holland Road area is a tale of two halves and – in a manner of speaking – two architects as well. As a trained architect who hasn’t … Read more
Reasonable rates for HDB facilities
I REFER to Wednesday’s letter by Mr Tan Thiam Huat, ‘HDB facilities costlier’. He compared the Jurong Town Council (JTC) booking fee for an open space or void deck with the $20 booking fee for a function hall in a condominium. JTC charges $50 for use of the facility and $20 for utilities. The $50 … Read more
Church-goers locked out over lease dispute
WHILE other Christians were observing Holy Week, the members of a Greek Orthodox church in River Valley Road found themselves locked out of their own place of worship. The parishioners of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church first found the locks changed on Wednesday; and then, on Thursday, found movers carting away their things. ‘We saved some … Read more
Mass market and mid-tier private apartments expected to do well this year
Prices of mass market and mid-tier condominiums are expected to remain strong this year. But those of high-end residential properties could taper off by up to 10 per cent. And if you’re looking to buy, the market is in your favour, according to Propnex’s CEO, Mohamed Ismail Abdul Gafoore, in a speech to alumni members … Read more
Testing times for Singapore Reits
AFTER several years of impressive achievement, Singapore’s real estate investment trust or Reit sector is clearly facing more testing times. In theory at least, the defensive nature of Reits with their dividend yields should be good shelter for investors in the current volatile market. Instead, Singapore Reits have taken a beating. The FTSE ST Reit … Read more
US regulators to blame for credit crisis
ANY number of entities have been blamed for America’s current financial crisis. There is the blame Asia school, which has faulted the ‘global savings glut’ for having flooded America with cheap money. There is the blame the consumer school, which has zeroed in on the inability of Americans to save. And there is the blame … Read more
Despite downgrade, Allco Reit gets some relief
It manages to secure extension of its debt repayment deadline. Allco Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust (Allco Reit) – which went to court to fend off a ratings downgrade – has succeeded in obtaining an extension of its debt repayment obligations, despite the ratings cut. The trust had sought to obtain an injunction to prevent … Read more
