港鐵康城12期火速開標會德豐力壓八財團得手
梁志堅：出價考慮疫情因素
武漢疫情在港蔓延，並纏繞樓市。港鐵日出康城12期周二截標後，昨日火速開標，由會德豐地產再下一城，並擊敗其餘8家財團奪得物業發展權，屬該公司第4度取得區內發展項目，晉身為區內大地主。會德豐副主席梁志堅表示，是次出價有考慮疫情因素。據悉，發展商除需向港鐵提供定額15%分紅比例外，亦需支付一筆額外款項作競投條件，有關金額成為發展商成功突圍關鍵。
在淡市下，港鐵將軍澳日出康城12期於周二截標，吸引9家財團入標競投。港鐵昨迅速公布結果，由會德豐地產力壓8家財團奪標，其餘入標發展商為長實、新地、信和、華懋、恒基、中國海外，另新世界則夥拍帝國集團以合資形式入標等。
會德豐副主席梁志堅表示，是次出價有考慮疫情因素，而集團過往於區內有多個發展項目，均錄理想成績，但相信疫情只屬短暫影響，集團對區內前景有信心。而投資額方面，因條款所限，目前未能透露。對於年內樓市發展，他指，料今年將健康平穩發展，樓價大跌機會不大，料有窄幅上落。
黃光耀：主打中小戶型
會德豐地產常務董事黃光耀表示，是次屬集團第4度於區內奪地，過往亦有多個項目先後推出銷售，集團對區內環境熟悉，亦了解區內客源及社區發展。而在過往銷售的項目中，以中小型單位最受市場追捧，而最新12期項目亦會主打中小型單位，以迎合市場需求，涉約2000伙；同時該期數可與系內區內發展項目產生協同效應。
第四度區內奪地
黃光耀續指，受疫情影響，料月內不論一手及二手成交量將會放緩，料今年首季樓市將有5%上下波幅。推盤方面，系內同區9C期早前已獲批預售，仍在籌備當中，集團會留意市場環境，再落實推售時間表。
資料顯示，該公司先後於區內連奪4個發展項目，部分更已推出銷售，分別為5期（MALIBU）、7期（MONTARA）及9期（MARINI）項目；連同是次的12期項目，晉身為區內大地主。
坐落商場上蓋
有代理表示，近日疫情屬短期影響。且近年不少發展商面對買地難問題，始終需要補充土地儲備，而且港鐵的項目有其吸引性。加上中標發展商於同區已有項目，銷售經驗十足。再者區內配套日漸成熟，商場即將開幕，對將來賣樓及定價有幫助。估計以中小型單位為主，落成後每呎可售16000元起。
該項目坐落於日出康城商場的上蓋，在港鐵康城站之南面，住宅樓面上限為96.1萬方呎，提供不多於2000伙；消息指，項目補地價27.25億，每方呎2835元。除補地價及固定分紅比例約15%外，並須以價高者得的「一口價」決定勝負，最少為3.5億，故該筆額外款項成發展商突圍的關鍵。綜合業界估值指，連同補地價金額，該地皮估值約52.8億至62.4億，樓面呎價約5500至6500元。
(星島日報)
中環中心呎租90元證券行續約兩年
中環指標甲廈中環中心錄一宗續租，市場消息指，該廈一個單位，面積約11644方呎，現址為證券行，剛以每呎90元續租，較舊租金加54%。
上址為中環中心42樓01室，面積約11644方呎，該全層業主陳秉志接受本報查詢時回應，該單位租客華泰證券，剛以每呎90元續租，涉及月租104.8萬，續約兩年，由於該單位舊租金為偏低水平，當時月租約67.84萬，平均呎租僅58.26元，故新租金加幅54%。
市場消息指，上環信德中心招商局大廈高層28D室，面積約2508方呎，於空置約一年後，以每呎約61元租出，每月租金15.3萬，有代理指出，該單位屬於優質單位，全海景，向東面望四季酒店，同類單位於市況回落之前，呎租高達68元，今番回落約10%，惟在當今市況下，屬於不俗水平。
信德每呎61元租出
信德中心近月承租單位，每呎由51至逾60元不等，去年11月，該廈西翼中層02室，面積1402方呎，以每呎約51元租出，涉資約7.15萬，屬該廈逾1年以來新低。有代理指，該單位景觀一般，因附設裝修才租出，較市價低約5%。
據代理資料顯示，該甲廈去年底承租個案，包括高層單位，面積2491方呎，以14.4萬租出，呎租約58元；另一宗亦為同層單位，面積約1352方呎，以83824元租出，呎租約62元。
(星島日報)
Wheelock wins bid for Lohas Park Phase 12
Wheelock and Company (0020) won the bid for the Lohas Park Phase 12 plot in Tseung Kwan O, and Centaline Property Agency expects prices of completed properties at the project to start from HK$15,000-16,000 per square foot.
MTR Corporation (0066) announced the result yesterday, one day after ending the tender submissions on Tuesday.
Nine developers submitted tenders for Phase 12 of Lohas Park in Tseung Kwan O on Tuesday, including Henderson Land Development (0012), CK Asset (1113) and Sun Hung Kai Properties (0016).
MTRC is asking for a land premium of HK$2.7 billion, or HK$2,835 per square foot, for the project, according to reports.
The per square foot price was 10 percent lower than the land premium of HK$3,194 per sq ft of the phase 11 of Lohas Park, which was won by Sino Land (0083), K Wah International (0173) and China Merchants Land (0978) last April.
Meanwhile, real estate agent expects the number of property transactions to fall 30 percent month-on-month in February, as market sentiment has turned sour due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
The number of private residential property transactions in Hong Kong fell 5 percent month-on-month to 613 in January, the lowest in 13 months, with the total consideration plunging 34 percent month-on-month to HK$7.28 billion, according to another real estate agent. However, the agent expects private residential property transactions to rally in February, as some registrations last month had to be delayed to February due to the epidemic.
In the secondary market, a 910-sq-ft flat at Whampoa Garden was available for HK$16 million after the owner cut HK$2 million from the original asking price.
In the commercial property market, a 3,000-sq-ft street shop at Cannon Street in Causeway Bay was rented for HK$300,000 per month, after HK$150,000 was cut from the original asking rent.
In the capital market, the overall Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate continued a pullback on Wednesday. The one-month Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate, which is linked to the mortgage rate, fell to 2.01 percent, a two-week low.
(The Standard)
NWD halts all construction over outbreak
New World Development (0017) became the first local developer to shut down all of its construction sites for two weeks from yesterday until February 17 amid the coronavirus outbreak, as the number of completed private residential units fell to a four-year low in 2019.
The developer said it would review the epidemic's development on a weekly basis and adjust the reopening day of construction sites if required.
It also denied that any employees were infected with the virus, saying none of its staff were confirmed or suspected cases and the suspension was a proactive measure to protect its staff and their families.
The company has been developing six residential and commercial projects, among which, the project atop the Tai Wai Station is expected to offer 3,090 units with the first batch to be launched in the first half of this year.
The Hong Kong Construction Association estimated that 20-30 percent of Hong Kong's construction workers had visited the mainland during the Lunar New Year holiday, and other developers may follow NWD in suspending projects as virus cases escalate.
Meanwhile, the number of completed private residential units dropped 35 percent year-on-year to 13,600 in 2019, a four-year low, according to the Transport and Housing Bureau.
A real estate agency firm expects the number of completed units to continue to fall in the future, as developers are on the sidelines amid the escalation of the coronavirus crisis.
The Transport and Housing Bureau expects that in the following few months, six residential sites could be ready for construction and could provide 3,900 units.
In other news, Wharf Holdings (0004) is set to hand out 10 million yuan (HK$11 million) to establish a fund for the prevention and control of the coronavirus following donations by NWD and Henderson Land Development (0012), but the largest two property operators - Sun Hung Kai Properties (0016) and CK Asset (1113) - have yet to make such an announcement.
(The Standard)
Nine target Lohas site as valuation slips from virus
Nine developers have submitted a tender for Phase 12 of Lohas Park in Tseung Kwan O yesterday, including Henderson Land Development (0012), CK Asset (1113) and Sun Hung Kai Properties (0016).
But analysts have revised down the site's valuation to as little as HK$4.8 billion in view of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak.
Empire Group said although the virus has impacted the company's bidding price, the group believes it will not affect the development of the whole project in the long term. Besides, there are few units atop the MTR station and they have a rigid market demand.
MTR Corporation's chief property manager David Tang Chi-fai billed the response to the tender submissions as enthusiastic.
A real estate agency valued the site at HK$4,500 per buildable square foot, down by 10 percent due to the Wuhan virus outbreak, and the estimated price for the land at about HK$4.33 billion.
Meanwhile, another agency valued the site at HK$6,000 to HK$6,500 per buildable square foot as primary flats in the same district have sold well and the price should be higher than that of phase one.
In other news, the overall Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate saw a pullback yesterday. The one-month Hibor, which is linked to the mortgage rate, fell to 2.15661 percent.
(The Standard)
上月甲廈交投跌50% 50指標項目僅三宗買賣
肺炎事件令商廈市場觀望氣氛濃罩。據代理資料顯示，上月50大甲廈僅錄3宗成交，按月急挫逾50%，創兩年以來次低水平。
兩年來次低水平
代理數據顯示，今年1月50大甲廈僅錄3宗買賣，較去年12月份的7宗跌逾半，是近兩年以來的次低水平，僅較去年9月份的1宗為多。1月份的成交面積僅約1.7萬方呎，按月急挫64%。該行預期，疫症問題短期內仍會繼續困擾市場，並影響投資氣氛，相信第一季交投仍繼續冰封。
若以區域劃分，上月九龍區錄2宗，按月減少4宗，至於港島區錄1宗，並已是連續第3個月僅1宗買賣。上月錄得成交的大廈，分別為灣仔海港中心、觀塘寧晉中心及觀塘宏基資本大廈，這亦意味着上月高達47座甲廈「零」成交，屬去年9月份以後最多。
該代理表示，本地政治事件雖然逐漸緩和，但疫症事件爆發，對市場交投打擊沉重，部分睇樓活動也因而暫停。至於整體第一季，雖然新春假期將過，但預計市場仍然會觀望疫症事件去向，參照2003年「沙士」時的經驗，疫症大約持續數個月，市場成交大幅萎縮，代理相信今次肺炎事件亦影響市場交投步伐，第一季成交量仍會於低位徘徊。
(星島日報)
上環信德中心 比鄰港澳碼頭
上環信德中心為區內地標，因比鄰港澳碼頭，吸引不少來往中港澳三地業務頻繁的企業進駐。
信德中心位於上環干諾道中168至200號，設有兩座辦公室大樓，信德中心西翼及招商局大廈。物業樓高41層，分別於1985年及1986年落成，樓齡約34年。
全層2.3萬呎 合總部使用
其中信德中心西翼，為一梯12伙的設計，單位面積由1,354至2,559平方呎，業戶可選擇將單位打通作全層使用，全層面積約2.3萬平方呎，適合公司當作總部使用。
西翼大樓共設有16部客用升降機，以樓層分隔，每層有4部升降機可到達，有效疏導人流。而洗手間則為全層共用。
物業可享多種景觀，向北的單位可外望維多利亞港海景，景觀開揚；另一邊的單位外望為中上環一帶都市景觀。
由於物業鄰近港澳碼頭，往返中港澳三地便捷，故吸引不少有需要來往兩地辦公的企業，如貿易公司等進駐。物業亦有多國駐港領事館，如挪威及智利駐港領事館。
而物業基座為信德中心6層商場，設有不少食肆及商店，日常飲食及購物選擇一應俱全。商場連接上環港鐵站，旁邊亦設有巴士總站，比鄰亦有電車，出入相當方便。
中層戶去年7月 呎造4萬
另物業亦提供停車場設施，方便業戶駕車出入；信德中心設有行人天橋連接中上環各主要地區，四通八達。
信德中心西翼交投未見活躍，對上一宗要追溯至去年7月，一個中層09室單位，面積1,391平方呎，以5,564萬元易手，呎價4萬元。
租賃方面則較為活躍，今年1月份共錄2宗租賃，平均呎租為48元。最新近一宗成交為中低層06A室，面積1,000平方呎，以5.5萬元租出，呎租55元。
(經濟日報)
Adidas租觀塘海濱匯 呎租30
近期商廈租務以九龍區相對活躍，體育品牌Adidas剛承租觀塘海濱匯全層合共約7萬呎樓面，呎租約30元，品牌原租用港島東，搬遷可節省租金及整合業務。近日該廈連環錄成交，包括宏利保險租全層。
市場消息指，東九龍錄大手租務成交，涉及觀塘海濱匯10樓全層，及9樓部分樓面，總面積約7.2萬平方呎，成交呎租約30元。據悉，新租客為體育品牌Adidas。
該品牌原租用港島東太古城中心商廈，以及觀塘Landmark East，兩個辦公室合共涉約10萬平方呎，按太古城中心呎租約50元計，搬遷後樓面有所縮減，既可節省少許開支，亦整合業務。
宏利近日租11樓5.2萬呎
領展 （00823） 旗下觀塘商廈項目海濱匯去年入伙，大廈賣點為全層面積大，逾5萬平方呎，為同區罕有，總樓面達90萬平方呎，出租率達8成。事實上，該廈近日亦曾錄租務成交，涉及物業11樓，樓面面積約5.2萬平方呎，呎租約30元，新租客為宏利保險，該集團總部正比鄰海濱匯，早年購入全幢並命名為宏利大廈，租用海濱匯作擴充業務。
整體市況一般，近期大手租務多涉及節省開支，因此租金較便宜的九龍區，租務相對活躍。消息指，尖沙咀港威大廈中層半層樓面，面積約1.3萬平方呎，以每平方呎約55元租出。據悉，新租客為英國皮鞋品牌Dr. Martens，該品牌目前租用天后電氣道商廈，搬遷料可整合業務。港威大廈最近亦有不少機構洽租，包括友邦保險洽租大廈高層全層，面積約2.6萬平方呎，呎租料約60元。
(經濟日報)
Coronavirus fears will further slow Hong Kong’s sluggish construction work, say analysts, as property transactions slump to 13-month low
Property transactions in Hong Kong fell to a 13-month low as analysts warned the coronavirus outbreak is likely to further derail the world’s most expensive housing market.
The value of all properties changing hands in January dropped 17 per cent to HK$29 billion, while the number of transactions slipped to 3,776 from 3,908 a month earlier, the Land Registry revealed on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, data from the Transport and Housing Bureau showed a total of 13,600 new flats were built last year, the lowest number since 2015.
That was a drop of 35 per cent from the previous year, as developers held back in a housing market rocked by months of social unrest, the effects of the US-China trade war, and an impending vacancy tax that would penalise them for harbouring unoccupied, finished apartments.
Now the viral outbreak that started in Wuhan, China, and has infected at least 15 people in Hong Kong looks set to further dampen sentiment in the world’s most expensive property market.
New World Development announced it would stop construction work at its sites from Tuesday afternoon for two weeks to minimise the threat of the virus.
It was “a proactive measure to better protect the health of our staff and their families,” New World said in a statement. It added: “We will review the development of the epidemic on a weekly basis and may adjust the reopening day of our construction sites if required.”
Some contractors have had to stop work as they failed to get a government permit while civil servants worked from home last week, according to a consultancy firm.
“They expect the situation will continue as most business will be disrupted until the end of the coronavirus,” the consultant said.
On January 28, the government ordered civil servants to stay away from the office for a week as part of efforts to minimise the spread of the disease. Government offices began to resume work this week.
The release of the construction data itself had been delayed from January 31 to today because of the special working arrangements.
In the week ended February 2, sales of used homes dropped to a 23-week low of just 51 deals across 50 housing estates tracked by a real estate agency firm.
“Prospective buyers are reluctant to go out to view flats as the government advises people to avoid public gatherings during the outbreak of the coronavirus,” the agent said.
The health emergency is also likely to disrupt shipments of vital construction materials, another agent said.
“The latest coronavirus will somewhat slow the construction activities in the first quarter since imports of some materials and appliances, in particular from China, will not be as smooth as expected,” the agent said. “However, local construction activities are expected to pick up in the second quarter and thereafter.”
The consultant said last year’s fall in construction of new homes was down to a combination of the impending vacancy tax, protracted anti-government protests and the US-China trade dispute.
“As developers acknowledged these negative factors would dampen buying demand, there were no incentives for them to build fast. On the other hand, developers would be liable to pay vacancy tax if their completed units remain empty for six months,” he said.
The government proposes levying a tax of 5 per cent of a flat’s value if it is left empty for six months or more after it receives an occupation permit, to stop developers from hoarding completed but unsold properties, and to ease the city’s housing shortage.
The consultant does not believe the low completion rates will push up prices.
“The upward pressure on home prices would be offset by the depressed market sentiment,” he said.
The official price index for used homes dipped 1.7 per cent to 378.5 in December, according to the Rating and Valuation Department.
Panic-selling has seen some flats change hands at large discounts as homeowners fear prices could fall further in the coming months.
In Tung Chung, a 736 square-foot unit at Caribbean Coast was sold for HK$7.18 million, after the vendor slashed the price twice from the original asking price of HK$9.5 million last April.
“The owner reduced the price again last week in view of the coronavirus becoming more serious. The flat finally sold without the buyer even viewing the unit,” another agent said.
(South China Morning Post)
Masks order for close of Lohas Park tenders
The tender submission for Phase 12 of Lohas Park in Tseung Kwan O will end today but there will be a special arrangement for media interviews.
The MTR Corporation (0066) said media personnel should wear masks and take temperatures at the press briefing.
The residential project has a gross floor area of 961,100 square feet and will offer up to 2,000 flats.
Meanwhile, buyers are walking away from home purchase deals as the Wuhan virus crisis continued to weigh on the lackluster property market.
A potential purchaser forfeited deposits of about HK$490,000 after cancelling the purchase of a 318-sq-ft flat at L'aquatique in Tsing Lung Tau, which was priced at HK$4.87 million.
In the primary market, mainland developer Minmetals Land (0230) will apply for pre-sale consent for the Shung Shun Street Project in Yau Tong, which will provide about 690 flats and is expected to hit the market in the third quarter.
Minmetals Land said it will not provide nano flats, and the studio flats will measure at least 230 sq ft.
Property markets in Tai Wai and Diamond Hill are expected to benefit from the opening of the first phase of the Tuen Ma Line, property consultancy said.
In the luxury property market, a 3,780-sq-ft home at Crown of St Barths in Ma On Shan sold for HK$118.8 million, or HK$31,429 per sq ft, by tender.
In the secondary market, a 384-sq-ft flat at Chelsea Court in Tsuen Wan changed hands for HK$5.9 million, or HK$15,365 per sq ft, after HK$600,000 was slashed from the original asking price.
The number of licensed real estate agents in Hong Kong dipped 0.5 percent month-on-month to 39,322 at the end of January, the lowest in 18 months.
Another property agency only recorded 15 secondary transactions at 35 major housing estates over the past week, down by 54.5 percent week-on-week, the lowest in 25 weeks, due to the coronavirus outbreak.
In the Grade-A office market, the 50 major offices recorded only three transactions in January, down by 57 percent month-on-month and almost to a two-year low, due to the Wuhan virus crisis, the agent said.
The agent expects the virus crisis to weigh on the market in the short term and dampen sentiment, says the Estate Agents Authority.
In the capital market, the one-month Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate, which is linked to the mortgage rate, rose to 2.25286 percent yesterday.
(The Standard)
HK office space deals plunge in January
The 50 major grade A office spaces only recorded three transactions in January, down by 57 percent month-on-month and hit a two-year low, due to the Wuhan coronavirus crisis, according to property agent.
The agent expects the coronavirus crisis to weigh on the market in the short term and dampen sentiment.
The agent also estimates the transactions in the first quarter to remain low as the epidemic may last for a few months.
(The Standard)
Secondary deals remain subdued
The escalating Wuhan coronavirus epidemic continued to weigh on the sluggish local property market, with secondary transactions for major projects remaining in single digits last weekend.
A property agency recorded only three secondary deals for the 10 major housing estates it tracks, the same number as the previous weekend. Visitings have plunged by 70-80 percent last weekend amid the outbreak, according to the chief executive of the property agency.
Another property agency saw single-digit deals for a third weekend, with four units sold in the 10 major projects last weekend.
In Tin Shui Wai, a 551-square-foot flat at Kingswood Villas changed hands for HK$5.18 million, or HK$9,401 per sq ft, after the vendor cut 11 percent from the initial asking price. South Horizons in the Southern District and City One in Sha Tin saw one transaction each.
In Tuen Mun, a 536-square-feet flat at Ori changed hands for HK$6.18 million, or HK$11,530 per sq ft, after HK$1.32 million was slashed from the original asking price. The vendor would incur a loss of about HK$100,000 after paying stamp duties and commission fees.
In Yuen Long, In 498-sq-ft apartment at the Grand Yoho a sold for HK$7.68 million, or HK$15,422 per sq ft, compared with an initial asking price of HK$8.08 million. The seller bought the unit at HK$69.5 million in 2016.
Elsewhere, a three-bedroom unit at Lake Silver in Ma On Shan, where three confirmed patients of the Wuhan coronavirus have lived, changed hands for HK$14.8 million, or HK$15,102 per sq ft, around 10 percent lower than market valuation. A two-bedroom flat at Sunshine City in the same district sold for HK$5.58 million, or HK$16,034 per sq ft, after HK$620,000 was cut from the initial asking price.
The former owner of an 826-sq-ft apartment at The Pavilia Bay, Tsuen Wan, sold the unit at HK$17.3 million, or HK$20,944 per sq ft, 13.5 percent higher than the initial purchase price in 2017.
Landlords were also cutting rents to woo tenants with a three-bedroom flat at The Belcher's in Kennedy Town rented for HK$51,000 per month, or HK$46 per sq ft, after HK$5,000 was slashed from the original asking price.
However, in the primary market, a 1,425-sq-ft special unit at Poggibonsi in Discovery Bay sold for HK$36 million, or HK$25,263 per sq ft, the highest price for the project.
(The Standard)
信德中心每呎68元市價租出
正當中環美國銀行中心單位租金接連錄新低，較高位回落50%，上環信德中心租金相對「企得住」，一個細單位以每方呎68元租出，雖較兩年前高位僅跌15%，代理指，呎租屬市價水平。
市場消息透露，信德中心西翼1408B室，建築面積約615方呎，以每方呎68元租出，涉及月租約4.18萬，代理指出，該單位屬罕有細單位，兼且望全海景，假若在市況好時出租，呎租必然創新高。
望全海景優質單位
信德中心最貴租金於2018年2月錄得，該廈西翼28樓8至9室，建築面積2752方呎，望全海景，以每月逾22萬租出，呎租高達80元，屬於該廈新高。
較高位回落15%
該廈近期新低租金於去年11月錄得，信德中心西翼中層2室，建築面積約1402方呎，以每月7.15萬元獲承租，平均呎租51元，該單位望干諾道中樓景，該單位於去年4月易手，透過買賣公司形式成交，市傳作價4486.4萬，平均呎價約3.2萬現時，回報僅1.9厘。
同區商廈信裕大廈亦錄連環承租，低層單位面積約2660方呎，以3.99萬租出，平均呎租約15元；另一租務為同廈低層單位，面積約1668方呎，以4.17萬租出，平均呎租25元。另外，灣仔德士古大廈中層單位，面積約2220方呎，以58830元租出，平均呎租約26.5元。
觀塘萬兆豐中心連環承租，該廈中層D室，面積1915方呎，以58407.5元租出，平均呎租約30.5元；同廈另一中層D室，面積約1915方呎，以45960元租出，平均呎租約24元。
(星島日報)
Office rents plummet as coronavirus drags Hong Kong’s commercial property transactions to an all-time low
Hong Kong’s commercial property market, already reeling from last year’s protests, is about to slide further into the doldrums as the coronavirus epidemic saps demand, according to analysts.
The volume of transactions for office, retail and industrial properties is poised for a historic low in February, having already sunk to record levels in the previous two months. Meanwhile, a grade-A office building near Central has seen its rent plummet by two thirds to HK$42 (US$5.4) per square foot, the lowest in 10 years.
The number of deals signed in the commercial real estate sector is likely to fall below 200 this month for the first time since records began in July 1995, real estate agent said.
“The number has been below 300 for a period of five straight months, averaging about 250, and that’s the first time that has happened,” the agent said. “The figure in January [202] has not reflected the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. Transactions are likely to remain low.”
In particular, the number of office transactions in the three months to March may add up to fewer than 150, marking an all-time low, according to another real estate agency firm.
“The emergence of the latest coronavirus outbreak has undoubtedly taken a toll on the office market,” the agent said. “Like during the Sars outbreak, this epidemic will freeze the turnover of offices in the short term.”
Central’s premium office rents dropped the most among Hong Kong’s core business districts as its vacancy rate reached 4 per cent in January for the first time in more than five years, according to an international real estate agency firm.
Bank of America Tower in Admiralty recently leased a unit measuring 2,367 square feet for HK$110,700 (US$14,212) a month, or HK$42 per sq ft, the lowest in a decade, agents said.
The rent per square foot is 67.2 per cent lower than another unit of 3,100 square feet in the same tower that leased for a record high of HK$128 per sq ft in mid-2018.
The amount of grade-A office space being leased fell by 173,600 square feet last month as freshly vacated premises remained on the market, according to the agent.
“Immediate demand has weakened off the back of the coronavirus, as a number of businesses put decision-making on hold,” the agent said.
The outbreak threatens the outlook for this year, “forestalling any possibility of a near-term economic recovery”, another international real estate agent said.
“The Covid-19 outbreak deals a second blow to Hong Kong’s property market, already weakened from the social unrest in 2019, with most sectors to remain under pressure over the near term,” the agent added. “The office market has come under increased pressure from depressed occupier demand in the face of uncertainty.”
Average Hong Kong and Central office rents will fall by 8 per cent and 13 per cent respectively this year, according to property agency.
“Inspection activity [people viewing properties] should decline and hence leasing momentum will probably remain slow,” another agent said. “A challenging business situation will hinder expansion.”
The agent added the city is likely to see “postponement of IPOs or companies’ plans to open offices in Hong Kong”.
(South China Morning Post)
200,000 new homes to be built in 5 years
The SAR administration estimates that nearly 200,000 private and public housing homes can be offered over the next five years, and it is to set aside about HK$22 billion to invest in Hong Kong-based projects.
The estimated annual supply of private housing from 2020 to 2024 is 19,600 units on average, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said in his budget speech yesterday.
Potential land supply from the 2020-2021 land sale program, railway property development and private development and redevelopment projects are expected to provide about 15,700 homes, and another six commercial sites are estimated to be able provide a floor area of about 830,000 square meters, Chan said.
"I don't think there is a big problem in achieving the target of 19,600 between 2020 and 2024," a real estate agent said. "But if land sales continue to be limited that may impact the actual completions beyond 2024. And in 2025 or beyond we may see a significant drop in completions."
The latest land forecast will be released in the second quarter.
Meanwhile, the estimated production of public housing for the next five years is 100,400 units, comprising 74,400 public rental homes and Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme units and 26,000 subsidized sale units.
Chan said the government will commence rezoning procedures for another 25 sites in the coming year, which will involve nearly 85,000 units. More than 90 percent will be public housing.
And government sources said the Wang Chau Phase 2 development is involved. That is expected to provide about 14,000 public housing units.
Government sources also said the SAR has finished the assessment of 160 hectares of brownfield sites, which can mean more than 20,000 public housing units completed within 10 years.
And Chan said Hong Kong will continue to pursue new development area projects, to rezone sites for housing development and to develop brownfield clusters and urban squatter areas to provide land to increase the housing supply.
Separately, Hong Kong is to set aside HK$22 billion from the Future Fund to set up the Hong Kong Growth Portfolio for direct investments in projects with a "Hong Kong nexus."
(The Standard)
華人行全層通海證券呎租80
整體租務市場雖然淡靜，但仍有個別機構擴充。內地通海證券租用中環華人行全層，呎租約80元，作擴充業務。
市場消息指，中環華人行錄全層租務，涉及物業中層全層，面積約9,337平方呎，以每平方呎約80元租出，屬市價水平。
據了解，新租客為內地通海證券，該集團於1986年開始在香港設立證劵和期貨經紀業務，集團附屬公司的業務範疇多元化，其中包括企業融資和諮詢、基金、資產管理、投資移民等。據悉，該集團一直租用華人行18及19樓，如今擴充業務租用全層，為近期較罕見機構擴充業務。
皇后大道中8號全層 呎租約100
另消息指，同區皇后大道中8號中高層全層，面積約3,012平方呎，以每平方呎約100元租出。金鐘海富中心2座低層06A室，面積約488平方呎，以每月約2.8萬元租出，呎租約57元，略低於市場水平。另尖東南洋中心2座中層1室，面積約3,694平方呎，成交月租約10.7萬元，呎租約29元。
Olympus呎租30 租KCC
另一方面，相機品牌Olympus租葵涌九龍貿易中心 (KCC) 3.5萬呎樓面，呎租約30元，可節省租金。
市場人士透露，葵涌KCC錄得大手租務成交，涉及物業A座26樓全層，以及9樓、11樓部分單位，面積合共約3.5萬平方呎，成交呎租約30元，屬市價水平。
新租客為相機品牌Olympus，現租用朗豪坊42樓單位，作客戶服務中心等用途，呎租料約50餘元，如今轉租葵涌KCC商廈，可節省約4成租金。
(經濟日報)
New World Development sells two malls
New World Development (0017) sold two shopping malls, Telford Plaza II in Kowloon Bay and PopCorn 2 in Tseung Kwan O for HK$3 billion.
NWD has signed a legal agreement with MTR Corporation (0066) and the deal will be completed on or before March 31.
The economic interests of Telford Plaza II and PopCorn 2, which are non-core assets of NWD was sold at HK$2.3 billion and HK$1.3 billion, respectively to make best use of assets and business portfolios to increase cash flow for the core businesses, such as Victoria Dockside.
The group will look for new projects and acquisition opportunities to strengthen the long-term development.
(The Standard)
中環美國銀行中心 呎價2.88萬4年低
市況波動，甲廈呎價亦見回調。消息指，中環美國銀行中心單位以3,900萬易手，呎價2.88萬元，為4年新低。
代理表示，中環美國銀行中心錄得成交，涉及物業2812室，面積約1,354平方呎，以3,900萬易手，呎價約28,800元。該代理指，原業主於1999年購入，持貨逾20年，有見最近疫情令市況增添很多不明朗因素，最終決定沽出。
近期錄多宗 低價租務成交
按呎價計，屬該廈近4年新低，亦屬4年首度呎價跌穿3萬元。2016年，物業2801至03室，面積約4,132平方呎，以約1.16億元成交，呎價約28,150元。該廈對上一宗買賣成交，為去年12月，物業中層單位，面積約1,137平方呎，以約4,880萬元易手，呎價約42,920元。去年初，物業2807至08室，面積約2,659平方呎，以約1.43億元易手，呎價高見53,800元。
受社會事件影響，甲廈租務淡靜，租金去年出現下跌，近期疫情持續，令業主減價招租更為明顯。以美國銀行中心為例，近期錄得多宗低價租務成交，本月初中低層5至9室，面積約3,497平方呎，以每月約18.2萬元租出，呎租約52元，為4年新低。
商舖2月註冊暫36宗 減7.7%
另一方面，有代理的研究報告指出，2月份截至19日，商舖註冊數錄36宗，較上月同期減少7.7%，金額錄4.82億元，按月回落7.9%，比2003年沙士時期更差。不過，2月份的註冊數字仍未全面反映疫症的影響，相信3月份的商舖註冊數字有望略再下跌。
代理表示，數據尚未完全反映肺炎疫情的影響，預計短期內商舖註冊量仍會於低位徘徊，第一季商舖料僅約150宗註冊，或挑戰24年來歷史新低。由於今次疫情規模比沙士大，本港政治事件仍未完全平息，經濟也有顯著下行風險，料今次疫症後舖市的復甦路將十分遙遠。
(經濟日報)
空置率上升 業主減租吸客
疫症影響機構擴充意慾，多區甲廈空置率上升，而業主漸願降低叫價，以招攬租客。
據代理資料顯示，1月份港島核心商業區甲廈空置率大致向上，包括金鐘、中環、上環及灣仔，升幅約0.07至0.53百分點不等。港島5個地區甲級商廈空置率，包括金鐘、銅鑼灣、中環、上環、及灣仔，當中4個地區空置率都見上揚，僅銅鑼灣下調約0.22百分點。而4個上升區域中，以灣仔區升幅最大，由12月約5.91%上升至1月約6.44%，升幅約0.53百分點；中環位居第二，按月增加0.34百分點，至1月約3.83%。
海富中心 空置率升至4.13%
港島區有5幢指標商廈空置率錄得升幅，包括海富中心，北海中心、英皇集團中心、信德中心及力寶中心，其中金鐘海富中心一座空置率升幅最大，由12月錄得約1.89%，相隔一個月已大幅上升2.24百分點至約4.13%；至於力寶中心1及2座的空置率亦有0.37及0.59個百分點升幅，而力寶中心1及2座放租盤亦相對較高，過去兩個月1及2座分別維持在逾30個放租盤。
疫情持續 美國銀行中心降價8%招租
近日業主漸願降低叫租，如中環美國銀行中心低層05室，面積約3,562平方呎，意向呎租約55元，涉及月租約19.6萬元，現已交吉。單位可望海景，備有寫字樓裝修，租客可即租即用。據了解，業主去年曾以每平方呎約110元招租，及後遇上社會運動，業主議價空間逐步擴大，8月份呎租約80元，至去年底前再減至約60元，新近因應肺炎疫情再度下調8%招租。
代理又指，金鐘力寶中心一座高層03A室，單位面積約2,446平方呎，意向呎租約56元，涉及月租約13.7萬元。據知，單位備有全裝修及寫字樓傢俬，據悉，業主原以每平方呎約62元放租，但有感過去大半年間市況持續淡靜，故主動減租一成吸客。
分析指，近半年受社會運動影響，機構擴充意慾降低，令近月商廈租務活動淡靜，如今加上疫症爆發，擴充興趣進一步下跌。在需求降低下，核心區甲廈空置率上升，散業主為免單位長期交吉，故漸降低叫價，相信短期內甲廈租金有下行壓力。
(經濟日報)
余道生家族西營盤舊樓 獲准拆卸
老牌家族罕有參與重建，九巴創辦人余道生家族西營盤第三街44至50號舊樓獲准拆卸，料可重建成約2萬平方呎商住項目，而中銀香港 (02388)亦獲准重建銅鑼灣的南業大廈成商廈。
可重建2萬呎商住項目
根據資料顯示，屋宇署在去年12月共批出10份俗稱為「拆樓紙」的拆卸同意書，包括位於第三街44至50號的一批舊樓。該批舊樓屬於5至6層高，在2017及2018年陸續由益富(中國)有限公司，以合共2.74億元購入，早前正式獲批准拆樓紙可展開重建。
該公司董事包括余啟超、余銳超及余淦超等，當中余啟超為多福有限公司主席，亦是九巴創辦人余道生家族後人、余振強兒子。按照該批舊樓佔地約2,000多平方呎計算，屬於「住宅(甲類)」用途，料可重建成約1.9萬至2萬平方呎樓面的商住項目。
中銀銅鑼灣商廈准重建
近年樓市熾熱，亦吸引不少老牌家族參與地產發展，包括有逾百年歷史的林護家族，近年亦發展筲箕灣ONE EIGHTY。
同期由中銀持有的銅鑼灣的軒尼詩道472號南業大廈重建，預計可重建成1幢商廈，總樓面約1.9萬平方呎，將於2021年落成。
另外，隨着新界東北項目啟動發展，新世界(00017) 就一直空置多年的粉嶺烏鴉落陽項目拆卸，相信是為日後原址換地鋪路。
項目由新世界在2003年以3億元購入，雖然發展商有意作中高層發展，不過由於地盤早在購入前已經完成補地價以地積比率0.4倍發展，故此新世界之後在2006年將項目建成70個單位，一直保持空置狀態，但隨着政府去年開始新界東北發展，預計項目可以補地價提高地積比發展。
(經濟日報)
金鐘為本港核心商業區，甲廈林立，其中遠東金融中心位於地鐵站上蓋，出入相當方便，吸引用家及投資者進駐。
遠東金融中心坐落甲級寫字樓核心地段，與鄰近著名商廈如美國銀行中心、海富中心、力寶中心等由架空天橋連接。
大廈可經由天橋直達太古廣場、萬豪酒店、港島香格里拉酒店及香港公園，更比鄰政府總部，位置優越。
物業樓高41層，外牆為其標誌性的金色玻璃幕牆。大廈基座為商場，設有不少食肆可供選擇。而步行至金鐘一帶等商廈亦有不少選擇。物業寫字樓大堂位於1樓，項目設有10部客用升降機，以樓層分開，有助分散人流。
每層1萬呎 多分間4伙
每層樓面面積約1.08萬平方呎，每層多分間成約4伙，單位面積約2,500平方呎。洗手間位於升降機旁，故全層業戶需共用洗手間。
由大廈單位外望，大部分單位可享金鐘及中環一帶景致，部分單位更可享中環摩天輪景致，相當開揚。至於大廈業戶方面，相當多元化，韓國駐港領事館設於大廈5樓，而其他著名租戶包括中國光大集團、光大控股及光大國際等。
遠東金融中心位處夏愨道與紅棉道交界，盡享交通之便。地鐵金鐘站舉步即達；巴士、小站、的士及電車站均近在咫尺，往返各區皆方便快捷。
去年僅錄1成交 呎價4.2萬
項目買賣交投不多，今年未錄成交，而去年則錄1宗成交，為低層08至13室，面積5,680平方呎，以2.3856億元售出，呎價4.2萬元。
而租賃成交方面，今年錄2宗成交，平均呎租約59元，其中中層11室，面積2,606平方呎，月租156,360元，呎租60元。參考同區比鄰的力寶中心一個相若呎數成交，1座高層單位，2,263平方呎，月租135,780元，呎租60元，與遠東金融中心相若。
(經濟日報)
疫情影響 甲廈租售價料回落
上月尾爆發新冠肺炎，甲廈買賣全綫叫停，業內人士指，業主漸擴闊議價空間，料短期甲廈租售價回落。
1月份為農曆新年假期，屬傳統甲廈租售淡季，而上月中更爆發疫症，打擊投資氣氛。據代理的十大指標商廈統計，上月僅錄1宗買賣。至於上月更大手的甲廈成交，為灣仔海港中心低層單位，以1.27億元易手。涉及單位為10至11室，單位面積約3,952平方呎，平均呎價約32,136元。
美國銀行中心 租金4年新低
租務方面，整體租務成交不多，而租金偏軟。如去年尾錄得數宗低價成交的中環美國銀行中心，再錄新低租務個案，涉及中層5室至9室，面積約3,497平方呎，以每月約18.2萬元租出，呎租約52元，屬4年來新低。另外，日前中層19室，面積約674平方呎，成交呎租約56元，亦屬偏低水平。另金鐘統一中心高層全層，面積約20,489平方呎，以114.7萬租出，平均呎租約56元，租金略低於市價。業主於2016年11月以約5.12億元購入，呎價約2.5萬元，其後進行放售及放租。
業主擴闊議價 調整難免
代理分析，由於疫情蔓延，令整體投資氣氛亦更為淡靜，個別業主看淡後市，漸願降低叫價，如中環美國銀行中心高層12室，面積約1,359平方呎，1月份以5,164萬元放售，呎價約3.8萬元，近日見市況轉弱，即降至4,756萬元，減幅約8%。另金鐘統一中心極高層1至3室，面積約1.7萬平方呎，業主原叫價每呎2.7萬元，近日表示願擴闊議價空間。
該代理認為，因疫情未受控，相信短期甲廈租售氣氛仍受影響，成交料偏低，價格亦出現調整。代理指，目前仍處低息環境，業主持貨力強，相信甲廈租售價大跌機會仍不高，料上半年下挫幅度約1成。
(經濟日報)
上環中遠大廈複式舖 9億標售
發展商推售非核心物業，消息指，新世界現標售上環中遠大廈商舖部分，總樓面約2.7萬平方呎，意向價約9億元。
消息稱，新世界標售上環中遠大廈商舖。涉及物業地下至3樓，合共4層，每層面積由3,590至11,608平方呎不等，合共約27,808平方呎。
連19車位 價值甚高
據了解，該舖位曾由健身中心租用，目前則交吉。由於中遠大廈為上環甲廈地標之一，屬罕有核心地段大樓面商舖放售。
此外，項目連同2樓及7樓停車場，合共19個車位，值得留意，由於上環區商廈車位一向短缺，中遠大廈車位造價甚高。據了解，業主意向價約9億元。
市場上亦有其他發展商推售非核心商舖，如信置標售火炭御龍山商場連9個商業車位。涉及物業兩層商場，街舖面向火炭港鐵站。兩層商場總面積約為28,771平方呎。物業將以「現狀」及連現有租約出售，市值約6億元。
(經濟日報)
灣仔卓凌中心全層
6245萬放售
灣仔仍是乙廈投資者熱門選擇之一，現區內卓凌中心高層全層，意向價約1.8萬餘元，全層涉資約6,245萬元。
意向呎價逾1.8萬
有代理表示，灣仔道133號卓凌中心高層全層，面積約3,376平方呎，意向呎價約1.8萬餘元，涉及總額約6,245萬元，現已交吉；物業同時亦以每呎約20餘元招租。代理續表示，項目屬大廈特色單位，附有平台可作休憩用途，另單位備有基本寫字樓裝修，景觀方面，物業望開揚山景。
該代理指，卓凌中心屬灣仔優質乙廈，其大堂質素上乘，樓底高且設計華麗具氣派，地板及牆身都採用雲石。代理亦指，卓凌中心除了有全層放租外，亦有1,000餘平方呎單位供選擇，例如位於大廈中層A室，面積約1,564平方呎，意向呎租同為約20餘元。
(經濟日報)
零售疫境 Neway尖東粉嶺店結業
G2000數分店放頂租 包括美麗華複式舖
本地事件衝擊加上疫症蔓延，令零售及服務行業經營雪上加霜，個別出現結業。Neway卡拉OK位於尖沙咀安達中心旗艦店，近日正式結業，而粉嶺分店亦告結業；另本地時裝G2000亦把旗下數間分店放頂租，包括美麗華複式舖。
本港連鎖卡拉OK Neway，近日關掉尖東安達中心CEO分店，該品牌官方網站顯示，目前尖沙咀僅餘尖東港晶中心分店，而安達中心分店已除名。該分店原位於安達中心地庫，現場所見，服務台、房間等尚未改動，惟已沒有職員，部分「CEO」掛牆名牌亦已拆除。
業主料重新招租 約60萬租
據悉，Neway租用安達中心已10多年，涉及物業地庫1樓，佔地約29,467平方呎，早年品牌極力打造高級分店，便以「CEO」分店之名，為每間房進行大翻新，加設獨立洗手間。2008年，安達中心全幢以7.3億元轉手，品牌仍繼續租用，直至最近才正式結業。業主料重新招租，月租料約60萬元。
另外，該品牌位於粉嶺分店亦告結業，涉及粉嶺中心商場地下，據悉該分店於2010年開業，而昨日店舖外貼上「租約期滿，結束業務」的告示。
事實上，近年Neway有所縮減業務，如早年租用銅鑼灣糖街樂聲大廈多層，作首間CEO Neway，提供獨立洗手間及主題房間，佔地逾7.8萬平方呎，為香港最大型卡拉OK店，2009年更以285萬元續租。直至2017年，品牌決定縮減規模，僅保留2及3樓，而放棄1樓及地下樓面，及後由戲院租用。
核心區舖租 料跌20至25%
近半年零售業處低潮，個別連鎖服裝品牌有見生意轉弱，擬放棄舖位節省開支。市場人士透露，本港時裝品牌G2000，有意放棄位於尖沙咀及旺角分店，其中位於尖沙咀美麗華廣場兩層複式舖，面積約4,585平方呎，G2000於2018年以每月約150萬租用，開業不足兩年，品牌已有意放棄舖位，於市場尋求頂租。另一間位於旺角亞皆老街32號地下至3樓，合共約7,200平方呎，月租料約100萬元，據悉品牌亦正尋求頂租。
有代理分析，上月初因本地事件相對緩和，零售及餐飲生意似略為改善，惟疫症急劇蔓延，旅客暫停來港，市民亦不敢外出消費，零售及餐飲必受重創，估計相繼出現商戶結業情況。該代理指，年初預測市況可望在今年中轉勢，在疫情持續下難望好轉，料核心區舖位租金，上半年跌20至25%，舖價亦同步下挫。
(經濟日報)
中保集團大廈為中環優質乙廈之一，面積由900呎至全層1.5萬呎單位均有提供，正合不同機構使用。
中保集團大廈位於德輔道中，屬於中環傳統商業地段，大廈干諾道中正門有天橋，連接國際金融中心(ifc)及四季酒店，以及上環信德中心。
早年曾翻新 大堂光猛
位置上，大廈處中環及上環中間，由港鐵香港站出口前往國際金融中心，再步行至該廈，需時約10分鐘，若由上環港鐵站前往該廈亦方便。此外，干諾道中及德輔道中分別有巴士及電車站，交通甚為便利。
物業至今樓齡逾50年，而早年曾進行翻新，大堂光猛，乙廈來說質素不錯。物業樓高32層，按層數區分出共6部客用升降機，來往各層，有助分散人流。地面有多個商舖，租戶包括快餐店等。
大廈每層樓面近1.5萬平方呎，單位伙數則可按業主自行分間，亦可打通多個單位，一般來說，單位面積由900多平方呎至9,000多平方呎不等，可適合不同規模機構使用。分層樓面通道闊落，不會有侷促感覺。
單位大部分單位向北，外望為中上環一帶的景致，可享維港海景，景觀尚算開揚。至於大廈另一面單位，外望半山景致。
大廈因鄰近中環核心商業區，故吸引不少專業人士落戶於此，目前包括律師事務所、醫務所、商務中心、會計師樓。
呎價見17549 創新高
買賣方面，該廈交投一向不多，2017年，資深投資者楊超成，以6,700萬元購入物業8樓15至18室，面積約5,003平方呎，其後於2018年，以8,780萬元沽出，呎價約17,549元，創該廈呎價新高。
業主持貨不足1年，帳面獲利約2,080萬元，物業升值逾3成，並成為該廈對上一宗買賣。
租務上，去年該廈錄得多宗成交，去年8月，物業2506室，面積約900平方呎，成交呎租約46元。另同月803室，面積約1,219平方呎，以每平方呎約38元租出。
(經濟日報)
Homebuyers shrug aside Hong Kong’s coronavirus fears, snapping up every Mid-Levels flat offered by Henderson Land for sale
Hong Kong’s homebuyers shrugged aside a coronavirus outbreak that has kept office workers, shoppers and visitors to stay indoors, snapping up a limited release of new flats over the weekend.
Henderson Land Development, the city’s third-largest property developer, sold all 15 flats at its The Richmond project in the swanky neighbourhood of Mid-Levels on Hong Kong Island. The single block, due for completion in November 2021, comprises 90 apartments of between 206 and 300 square feet (27.9 square metres), priced between HK$6.3 million (US$811,000) and HK$9.7 million.
The successful sale, following a January 21 sell-out of 30 flats at the project, raises the revenue tally from The Richmond to HK$360 million, Henderson said.
“Sixty per cent of buyers came from Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories, each making up 20 per cent” of the customers, said Henderson’s general manager Mark Hahn, adding that the satisfactory” sales response gives the developer the confidence to offer a third-round sale soon.
The brisk sales, even amid a coronavirus outbreak that has stopped property exhibitions and an ongoing political crisis, shows how the Hong Kong government’s easing of mortgage rules is effectively attracting more first-time buyers into the market. Some analysts are forecasting property prices to rise 10 per cent this year.
In October, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced a measure that allowed government-backed Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation to relax the ceiling on mortgage financing schemes for first-home buyers. Purchasers will be able to borrow up to 90 per cent of a property’s value to a maximum of HK$8 million from HK$4 million previously.
“The Richmond continues to be popular among buyers, especially investors,” because the combination of the location with the price point makes the project attractive, a real estate agent. “Even with the coronavirus [outbreak] … buyers are still interested in entering the market and looking for high-quality units.”
In the case of The Richmond, buyers only need to put down 10 per cent of the sale price, or at least HK$630,000, if they choose staggered payments and will only need to start servicing their mortgages when they take possession of their property.
The price range of the project is relative cheap for a premium address in Hong Kong, with easy access to the Central business district making the neighbourhood the ideal location for expatriates and professionals.
Apartments at The Richmond are likely to be leased for between HK$80 and HK$90 per square foot per month on average, at least 23 per cent higher than the prevailing market price in Mid-Level West, according to data by property consultant Knight Frank.
“The project has great rental potential [for expatriate and professionals], so it is favoured by long-term investors,” the agent said. “About half of the buyers are investors. New flats in Hong Kong Island is always popular as new supply is limited.”
(South China Morning Post)
