4 Nov, 2009
Expanded commitment reinforces attractiveness of MBFC as Asia’s Best Business Address
Singapore, 4 November 2009 – BHP Billiton, the world’s largest diversified resources company, has committed to a further 89,000 sq ft (or four additional floors) of prime Grade A office space at Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower Two. This comes on top of the 142,000 sq ft which was committed a year ago, Raffles Quay Asset Management Pte Ltd (RQAM) said today. With this expansion, MBFC Phase 1 comprising Tower One & Two is now approximately 72% pre-committed, bringing total pre-commitments of MBFC (Phase 1 & 2) – which comprises Tower One, Two and Three – to approximately 64%.
Expanding on their 2008 leasing contract, BHP Billiton will now occupy 11 of the 12 floors of Tower Two’s high rise zone with a ten year lease that commences in 2011. The total floor area now leased by BHP Billiton stands at 231,000 sq ft on levels 40 to 50 of MBFC’s Tower Two. At 50 storeys high, with approximately one million sq ft of prime Grade A office space, BHP Billiton will enjoy unrivalled views of the Marina Bay waterfront as well as the green oasis at Central Open Space.
RQAM CEO Wilson Kwong said that BHP Billiton’s decision to take up additional space is testament to MBFC’s vision to be ‘Asia’s Best Business Address’. He added that the global recovery is spurring companies to seek out quality commercial space, such as those available at MBFC.
BHP Billiton’s additional space sign up comes just two months after Servcorp leased 22,000 sq ft of a high rise floor at Tower Two.
MBFC continues to experience strong leasing momentum and offers its tenants the convenience of having 176,000 sq ft of retail space within the development itself, as well as direct access from the ground floor level of the office towers to the current Raffles Place MRT station and the upcoming Downtown MRT Station (Downtown Line) via its subterranean mall. The area is also made vibrant by the many attractions, including the Esplanade Theatres, the Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort, Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Barrage.
As Singapore’s single largest mixed-use development in the heart of Singapore’s new CBD at Marina Bay, MBFC is steadily living up to its ‘Work.Live.Play’ environment, which integrates business, residential and retail facilities all within one development, and fulfilling its promise to be Asia’s Best Business Address.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Chan Kwai Seng
Fleishman-Hillard
DID: +65 6424 6383
Email: chank@fleishman.com
Ms Alison Ong
Fleishman-Hillard
DID: +65 6424 6361
Email: alison.ong@fleishman.com
About Marina Bay Financial Centre
Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) is being developed by a joint venture comprising three of Asia’s most experienced and trusted property developers – Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd, Hongkong Land and Keppel Land, and managed by Raffles Quay Asset Management (RQAM).
MBFC sits on a prime 3.55 hectare waterfront site at the heart of Singapore’s new downtown. The tenant-centric design of this purpose-built financial centre combines the best in form and function, making it a key draw for businesses and befitting Singapore’s position as a global financial hub.
MBFC offers a breathtaking blend of three distinguished office towers with nearly 3 million sq ft of Grade A office space, two residential towers comprising 649 luxury apartments and penthouses as well as approximately 176,000 sq ft of retail space to meet the daily convenience of our business community and residents.
MBFC achieved the Green Mark Gold for its office towers 1 & 2, Marina Bay Residences and Marina Bay Suites and the Green Mark Gold Plus for its office tower 3 conferred by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore. This award recognises the efforts made by the developers to encourage sustainable design practices, and makes MBFC one of the few developments to win more than one BCA Green Mark award.
For more information about Asia’s best business address, please visit the MBFC website @ http://www.mbfc.com.sg/
About Raffles Quay Asset Management Pte Ltd
Incorporated in 2001, Raffles Quay Asset Management Pte Ltd (RQAM) was established by Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd, Hongkong Land and Keppel Land Ltd with the mandate to market and manage One Raffles Quay. Its portfolio has since expanded to include the Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC), which stands out together with One Raffles Quay as premium developments in Singapore’s new downtown at Marina Bay.
About Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited/ Hutchison Whampoa
Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited is a property development and strategic investment company based in Hong Kong. It is one of the largest property developers in Hong Kong, having developed about one in seven private residences in the territory. The company also owns a large portfolio of commercial, residential and industrial premises in Hong Kong, and is a major developer of the Central District.
In Singapore, Cheung Kong’s residential property portfolio includes Cairnhill Crest, an oasis of tranquillity ensconced in prime district 9, and Costa del Sol, a prestigious east coast marine-themed development.
In terms of commercial property, the Company developed One Raffles Quay in its first joint venture with Keppel Land and Hongkong Land in Singapore.
Cheung Kong is a substantial unit holder in Fortune REIT – which holds 11 retail malls in Hong Kong and was listed on The Singapore Exchange in August 2003 – with a 26.92% stake.
About Hongkong Land
Hongkong Land is one of Asia’s leading property investment, management and development groups. Founded in Hong Kong in 1889, the Group has interests across the region. Hongkong Land’s business is built on partnership, integrity and excellence.
In Hong Kong, the Group owns and manages some five million sq. ft of prime commercial space that defines the heart of the Central Business District. In Singapore, it is helping to create the city-state’s new Central Business District with the expansion of its joint venture portfolio of new developments. Hongkong Land’s properties in these and other Asian centres are recognised as market leaders and house the world’s foremost financial, business and luxury retail names.
Hongkong Land also develops premium residential properties in a number of cities in the region, not least in Singapore where its 77%-owned listed affiliate, MCL Land, is a significant developer.
Hongkong Land Holdings Limited is incorporated in Bermuda. Its primary listing is in London, and its shares are also listed in Bermuda and Singapore. The Group’s assets and investments are managed from Hong Kong by Hongkong Land Limited. Hongkong Land is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.
About Keppel Land Limited
Keppel Land Limited is the property arm of the Keppel Group, one of Singapore’s multi-national groups. The Company is one of the largest property companies by total assets on the Singapore Exchange.
One of Asia’s premier property companies, Keppel Land is recognised for its sterling portfolio of quality award-winning residential developments and investment-grade commercial properties, and high standards of corporate governance and transparency.
Keppel Land is geographically diversified in Asia and has a strategic focus on two core businesses of property development and property fund management.
It is a leading prime office developer in Singapore, with landmark developments such as Ocean Financial Centre, One Raffles Quay and Marina Bay Financial Centre.
The Company is also Asia’s premier home developer with world-class iconic waterfront residences such as Reflections at Keppel Bay, Marina Bay Residences and Marina Bay Suites in Singapore.
Keppel Land has received several Green Mark awards by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority for its commercial and residential developments in Singapore and overseas. In Singapore, these include Ocean Financial Centre (Platinum), Madison Residences (Gold), Reflections at Keppel Bay (Gold), Sixth Avenue Residences (Gold), The Promont (Gold) and The Tresor (Gold). Keppel Land’s development The Estella in Ho Chi Minh City is also the first development to receive the Green Mark Gold award in Vietnam.
Keppel Land has also garnered several FIABCI awards for its developments including Prudential Tower (Office Category – 2004) and Caribbean at Keppel Bay (Residential category – 2006).