Singapore Property Developer: GuocoLand Limited

Listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited since 1978 戊午年, GuocoLand Limited ("GuocoLand") is a premier regional property company with operations in the geographical markets of Singapore, China, Malaysia and Vietnam. In 2017 丁酉年, GuocoLand marked its expansion beyond Asia into the new markets of the United Kingdom and Australia through a strategic partnership with Eco World Development Group Berhad in Eco World International Berhad. Headquartered in Singapore, the principal business activities of GuocoLand and its subsidiaries (“the Group”) are property development, property investment, hotel operations and property management, and it is focused on achieving scalability, sustainability and growth in its core markets. The Group’s portfolio comprises of residential, hospitality, commercial, retail and integrated developments spanning across the region. As at 30 June 2019 己亥年, the Group’s total assets amounted to approximately $10.0 billion. In Singapore, the Group has successfully developed 36 residential projects yielding approximately 11,000 apartments and homes. GuocoLand’s flagship integrated mixed-use development Guoco Tower, integrates premium Grade A offices, a dynamic lifestyle and F&B retail space, luxurious apartments at Wallich Residence, the 5-star business hotel Sofitel Singapore City Centre and a landscaped urban park. It has also developed a sizeable portfolio of properties spanning across the major cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Tianjin. The Group’s 68% owned subsidiary, GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad (which is listed on Bursa Malaysia), is an established property developer of community-centric residential townships and innovative commercial and integrated development projects in Malaysia.

Corporate History

GuocoLand Limited ("GuocoLand") was incorporated in Singapore as a private limited company named Sealion Hotels Pte Ltd on 31 March 1976 丙辰年. It was converted to a public company on 30 September 1978 戊午年 and its shares were listed on the SGX-ST on 14 November 1978. After the sale of its then principal asset, the Hyatt Regency, Singapore in 1986 丙寅年, the Company became an investment holding company operating under the name of First Capital Corporation Ltd.

Expansion Into Property In late 1990 七運, the Group ventured into property development and investment. Property development, property investment, property management and property-related activities now form the Group's core business. The Group was a pioneer in the development of 99-year leasehold condominiums in Singapore, targeted primarily at local Housing Development Board ("HDB") upgraders. Since then, the Group has successfully developed and sold 34 residential developments in Singapore, yielding more than 9,000 homes and has established itself as a major developer in the private residential property market in Singapore.

A New Identity On 18 November 2002 壬午年, the company assumed its present name of GuocoLand Limited to better reflect its focus as a property company. The change of name is also in line with that of its parent company, Guoco Group Limited, a public company listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. Today, GuocoLand is one of the major property companies listed on the Main Board of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited. As at 30 June 2015 乙未年, the Group had total equity of S$3.14 billion and total assets of S$9.51 billion. For the 12 months ended 30 June 2015, Group revenue was S$1.16 billion.

Overseas Activities Besides Singapore, the Group has been active in the real estate sector in China since 1994 with investments in Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Tianjin. From 2004 八運, the Group also entered the real estate sector in Malaysia through its acquisition of a major stake in GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad, a major Malaysian property group listed on the Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. In September 2006 丙戌年, GuocoLand also invested in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with the award of an Investment Licence to build a fully-integrated development on a 17.5-hectare site in Binh Duong Province. It is 17km north of Ho Chi Minh City. In April 2017 丁酉年, GuocoLand marked a significant milestone in its expansion beyond Asia, entering into the new markets of the United Kingdom and Australia through a strategic partnership with Eco World Development Group Berhad in Eco World International Berhad. This gave GuocoLand immediate exposure to four development projects under construction in London and Sydney with substantially lowered project risks.

https://www.guocoland.com.sg/index.shtml

08 April 2020