Hongkong Land
An Asian property investment, management and development group best known for its prime commercial portfolio in Hong Kong's Central district.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Hongkong Land is a property investment, management and development group with a portfolio spanning prime offices, retail destinations, hotels, luxury residences and mixed-use developments across Asia. The company was established in Hong Kong in 1889 by Sir Paul Chater and James Johnstone Keswick and is now incorporated in Bermuda. It is part of the Jardine Matheson Group, which owns about half of the company. Hongkong Land Holdings Limited has a standard listing on the London Stock Exchange, together with secondary listings in Bermuda and Singapore. The company's defining asset base is its concentrated commercial portfolio in Hong Kong's Central business district. Hongkong Land owns and manages a connected collection of buildings including Alexandra House, Chater House, Exchange Square, The Forum, Jardine House, The Landmark and Prince's Building. The buildings are integrated through pedestrian bridges and the Central Elevated Walkway, creating a large office-and-retail ecosystem rather than a collection of isolated properties. The group has been described as the largest landlord in Central, with approximately 450,000 square metres of commercial property in Hong Kong. Hongkong Land's Hong Kong strategy has generally emphasized long-term ownership, refurbishment and redevelopment of prime assets. Major projects have included the construction of Exchange Square, the redevelopment of Swire House into Chater House, improvements to Prince's Building, and the expansion of The Landmark retail and hospitality complex. In 2012 the company introduced the LANDMARK brand to unite four of its best-known Central shopping destinations: The Landmark, Alexandra House, Chater House and Prince's Building. Its hotel interests include The Landmark Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong and Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing in Beijing. Outside Hong Kong, the company has expanded mainly through joint ventures with local partners. In Singapore it has interests in One Raffles Link, One Raffles Quay, Marina Bay Financial Centre and associated retail facilities, with approximately 165,000 square metres of office space held primarily through joint ventures. Its 50% interest in World Trade Center Jakarta provides a major commercial presence in central Jakarta. Other commercial or mixed-use interests and developments have included Gaysorn Village in Bangkok, WF CENTRAL in Beijing, Exchange Square in Phnom Penh, office buildings in Hanoi, One Central Macau and projects in Shanghai and other Chinese cities. Residential development is conducted through wholly owned subsidiaries and partnerships. MCL Land is Hongkong Land's Singapore-based residential development subsidiary, with activities extending into Malaysia. The wider group has developed or invested in high-end residential and mixed-use projects in Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. Examples include One Central Residences in Macau, Central Park and Maple Place in Beijing, developments in Chongqing and Chengdu, Parkville in Shanghai, WE City in Chengdu, Anandamaya Residences in Jakarta and Mandani Bay in the Philippines. Hongkong Land also has a community and social-impact profile through the CENTRAL Rat Race, an annual charity relay held in Central since 2006. The event raises funds for MINDSET, a charity supporting mental-health organizations and projects in Hong Kong and mainland China. Overall, the brand is positioned around premium locations, landmark architecture, institutional property ownership and long-term stewardship of major Asian business districts.
History
Hongkong Land was formed on 2 March 1889 as The Hongkong Land Investment and Agency Company Limited. Its founders were Sir Paul Chater, a businessman involved in brokerage and bullion, and James Johnstone Keswick, the taipan of Jardine, Matheson and Company. Chater had advocated the reclamation of land along Hong Kong's Central waterfront. Shortly after the company's formation, the government approved the Central Reclamation project, which created a large tract of developable land between the old shoreline and the new waterfront road. That reclaimed area, including the sites around Chater Road and Statue Square, became the physical foundation of modern Central and of Hongkong Land's long-term business. The company's early development activity included the New Oriental Building, completed in 1898 on the newly formed Connaught Road. During the first years of the twentieth century, Hongkong Land developed several major commercial buildings, including the Alexandra Building. By 1941 it held a substantial collection of Central properties, among them Marina House, Alexandra Building, Holland House, Queen's Building and Prince's Building. Operations were interrupted during the Second World War for three years and eight months. When the company recovered its buildings in September 1945, the properties were reportedly structurally sound, allowing post-war redevelopment to begin quickly. The first post-war projects included the addition of floors to Marina House and the replacement of older buildings with Edinburgh House. The company also redeveloped the triangular site around Des Voeux Road Central, Chater Road and Ice House Street, producing a later Alexandra House. By the middle of the 1960s, Hongkong Land owned numerous Central office blocks, the Prince's Building shopping complex and The Mandarin Hotel. Pedestrian bridges connected several of these properties, establishing a model of linked commercial assets that remains central to the company's identity. During the 1970s, Hongkong Land began investing beyond Hong Kong, with interests in markets including Australia, Hawaii, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. A major domestic project was Connaught Centre, acquired through a 1970 land auction and completed in 1973. At the time, the 52-storey building was Hong Kong's largest and most advanced office block. It was renamed Jardine House in 1989. The company also expanded its residential activity, developing projects such as May Tower, Branksome and Chi Fu Fa Yuen, a large residential community in Pok Fu Lam. Hongkong Land acquired the last major available Central site in 1982 and developed Exchange Square. The project was one of Hong Kong's largest and most technologically advanced commercial complexes when it opened in phases during the 1980s. The same period brought a severe property-market downturn: rents fell sharply, debt pressures increased and the company reorganized. It sold international and non-core Hong Kong assets, including interests in Hong Kong Telephone and Hong Kong Electric, while retaining the prime Central properties that formed its core franchise. As the market recovered, Exchange Square was completed and The Forum was opened. In the 1990s, the company continued modernizing its Hong Kong office portfolio while seeking Asian expansion opportunities. The redevelopment of Swire House began in 1997 and resulted in Chater House, completed in 2003. In Singapore, Hongkong Land developed One Raffles Link, completed in 2000, and subsequently expanded its Marina Bay presence through One Raffles Quay and an interest in Marina Bay Financial Centre. The group also built or acquired interests in commercial and mixed-use projects in Jakarta, Bangkok, Beijing, Macau, Phnom Penh, Hanoi and other cities. In the twenty-first century, Hongkong Land has increasingly used joint ventures with local developers to enter residential and mixed-use markets. Partners and projects have extended across mainland China and Southeast Asia, while MCL Land has served as a significant Singapore residential platform. The company has combined continued investment in its Central assets with development of luxury residential, retail and mixed-use projects in cities such as Beijing, Chongqing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Jakarta, Manila, Bangkok and Macau. Its present brand is therefore built on two complementary capabilities: long-term ownership and management of landmark commercial property, and partnership-led development of premium projects across Asia.
- 2012
LANDMARK retail identity is introduced
[1]Four connected Central destinations are brought under a unified luxury retail and lifestyle brand.
- 2006
CENTRAL Rat Race begins
[1]Hongkong Land launches its annual charity relay in support of MINDSET and mental-health initiatives.
- 2003
Chater House redevelopment is completed
[1]Swire House is redeveloped into Chater House, a major modern office asset in Central.
- 2000
One Raffles Link is completed
[1]Hongkong Land completes its Singapore office project and expands its presence in the city's commercial core.
- 1989
Connaught Centre is renamed Jardine House
[1]The landmark Central office tower receives its current name.
- 1985
First phase of Exchange Square opens
[1]One and Two Exchange Square open as the Hong Kong property market begins recovering from its early-1980s downturn.
- 1982
Exchange Square site is acquired
[1]Hongkong Land acquires the last major available Central site and begins developing Exchange Square.
- 1973
Connaught Centre opens
[1]The 52-storey office tower opens as Hong Kong's largest and most advanced office building of its time.
- 1970
Connaught Centre site is acquired
[1]Hongkong Land pays HK$258 million at auction for a major Central Reclamation site.
- 1941
The company holds a major Central portfolio
[1]Hongkong Land owns 13 Central properties before the interruption caused by the Second World War.
Products and positioning
A premium, long-term Asian property owner and developer focused on landmark commercial districts, luxury retail, high-end residential projects and integrated mixed-use destinations.
Commercial property
Central commercial portfolio
Hongkong Land's core commercial offering consists of prime office and retail properties in Central, Hong Kong. The portfolio includes Alexandra House, Chater House, Exchange Square, The Forum, Jardine House, The Landmark and Prince's Building. Connected walkways and shared retail infrastructure make the assets function as an integrated business and shopping district.
Luxury retail · 2012
LANDMARK
LANDMARK is the unified identity introduced for four connected Hong Kong destinations: The Landmark, Alexandra House, Chater House and Prince's Building. It presents luxury fashion, dining, hospitality and premium office environments as a coordinated destination in the heart of Central.
Mixed-use commercial property · 1985
Exchange Square
Exchange Square is a landmark Central complex comprising office towers, retail and transport-linked public spaces. Hongkong Land developed the project in phases during the 1980s and later redeveloped The Forum portion into a five-storey office building leased to Standard Chartered Hong Kong.
Commercial property · 2012
One Raffles Quay and Marina Bay Financial Centre
These Singapore projects form a major part of Hongkong Land's commercial platform outside Hong Kong. The company developed One Raffles Quay and holds a one-third interest in Marina Bay Financial Centre, supported by related retail and pedestrian-link facilities.
Mixed-use development
One Central Macau
One Central Macau is a waterfront joint venture with Shun Tak Holdings comprising luxury residences, retail, the Mandarin Oriental Macau hotel and hotel-managed residences. It combines hospitality, residential and shopping uses in a single premium development.
Luxury retail
WF CENTRAL
WF CENTRAL is a luxury retail centre in Beijing's Wangfujing area. It represents Hongkong Land's expansion from Hong Kong commercial property ownership into premium retail and mixed-use destinations in mainland China.
Residential property
MCL Land residential developments
MCL Land is Hongkong Land's wholly owned Singapore residential development subsidiary. It develops high-end housing in Singapore and has also been active in Malaysia, complementing Hongkong Land's commercial and mixed-use investments.
Residential property
Asian luxury residential portfolio
The group develops and invests in premium residential projects across Hong Kong, mainland China and Southeast Asia. Examples include Central Park and Maple Place in Beijing, projects in Chongqing and Chengdu, Parkville in Shanghai, One Central Residences in Macau, Anandamaya Residences in Indonesia and Mandani Bay in the Philippines.
Marketing campaigns
- 2012LANDMARK brand launch
Hong Kong
Hongkong Land introduced a new visual identity and the LANDMARK name for four connected Central properties, using the initiative to present the portfolio as a coordinated luxury retail destination.
Outcome. The four destinations received a common brand platform and logo.
- 2006CENTRAL Rat Race
Hong Kong · Mainland China
An annual charity relay held in Hong Kong's Central district. The event raises funds for MINDSET, which supports mental-health organizations and projects in Hong Kong and mainland China.
Outcome. The inaugural event raised more than HK$2 million; by 31 December 2015, cumulative funds raised were reported at approximately HK$25 million.
Brand decisions
2012
Unify four Central retail destinations under LANDMARKStrategyBackground
Hongkong Land held several connected premium properties whose retail and lifestyle uses could be marketed as a single destination.
Action taken
The company launched the LANDMARK name and a new logo covering The Landmark, Alexandra House, Chater House and Prince's Building.
Aftermath
The initiative gave the company's luxury retail cluster a common identity linked to Central's pedestrian network.
1997
Redevelop Swire House as Chater HouseGeneration changeBackground
Hong Kong's Central district faced increased office supply and changing expectations for modern prime office space.
Action taken
The company began a major redevelopment of Swire House into a new premium office building.
Aftermath
Chater House was completed in 2003 and became a central component of the modern Central portfolio.
1982
Acquire and develop the major Exchange Square siteStrategyBackground
Hongkong Land sought to reinforce its Central franchise during a period when the district remained the company's strategic centre.
Action taken
The company acquired the last major available Central site at auction and developed Exchange Square in multiple phases.
Aftermath
Exchange Square became one of the company's defining commercial properties and expanded its connected Central office network.
Auction acquisition price. HK$4.7 billion (1982)
1982
Restructure after the Hong Kong property downturnStrategyBackground
Hong Kong's property market fell sharply in the early 1980s, and rents reportedly declined by about half over the following two years.
Action taken
Hongkong Land reorganized, reduced debt through disposals and sold international and non-core Hong Kong assets, including interests in Hong Kong Telephone and Hong Kong Electric.
Aftermath
The company retained its core Central holdings and emerged with a more focused property portfolio.
Recent events
West Bund Central publishes climate resilience report[3]
Reported:
West Bund Central and Hongkong Land, with Marsh, published a report quantifying the investment returns of climate resilience measures in real estate. The report used West Bund Central as its core case study.
The Marq developers introduce sales incentives[4]
Reported:
Hongkong Land and An Khang introduced a sales policy for The Marq units deposited between May 25 and August 24, 2020. The policy included an interest-subsidy program, a flexible payment schedule, and a 0% premature repayment fee during the subsidy period.
Sources5 sources
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