Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-10-21 11:11Core Viewpoint - Alibaba and Ant Group have acquired the top 13 floors of the "One Island East" building in Hong Kong for $925 million, approximately 6.6 billion RMB, aiming to establish their headquarters in Hong Kong [3][4]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The seller, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, is controlled by the British Keswick family, which has a revenue of approximately 250 billion RMB for 2024 [3][4]. - The transaction is expected to be the largest commercial property sale in Hong Kong this year, occurring during a downturn in the real estate market [3][4]. - The average price per square meter for the purchased space is approximately 235,500 RMB, indicating a low sale price compared to previous valuations [5][7]. Group 2: Market Context - The "One Island East" project is located in a prime area of Hong Kong, with high demand for commercial properties, yet its value has decreased by 30%-40% from peak levels [4][7]. - The property was previously valued at 27 billion RMB in 2017, but the current sale price reflects a valuation of about 14 billion RMB, nearly a 50% discount [7]. Group 3: Strategic Moves - The sale is part of a broader strategy by the Keswick family to restructure their asset portfolio, which includes a simultaneous announcement of the privatization of Mandarin Oriental [10][11]. - The privatization aims to simplify corporate structure and support the hotel business's growth, with plans to double the scale of operations over the next decade [11][14]. - The proceeds from the sale will contribute to a special dividend for shareholders, indicating a strategic financial maneuver to enhance shareholder value [14]. Group 4: Future Prospects - The entry of a Fortune 500 company like Alibaba is expected to attract other businesses to the "One Island East" project, enhancing its market appeal [7]. - Mandarin Oriental is actively expanding in key urban areas and resort destinations, with a strong recovery in hotel revenues, indicating a positive outlook for the luxury hotel sector [15][16].