Home > About Us > Corporate History and Profile

Corporate History and Profile

The Link Real Estate Investment Trust (“The Link REIT”) is the first real estate investment trust listed in Hong Kong, and currently Asia's largest REIT and one of the world's largest retail focused REITs in terms of market capitalisation. Wholly owned by private and institutional investors, The Link REIT has been listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”) since 25 November 2005.

The portfolio consists of properties with an internal floor area (“IFA”) of approximately 11 million square feet (“sq ft”) of retail space and approximately 80,000 car park spaces.

The portfolio’s retail facilities primarily serve the daily needs of our shoppers. The car parks mainly serve tenants and customers of the retail facilities and residents of the surrounding neighbourhoods.

The current investment strategy of The Link REIT’s manager, The Link Management Limited (the “Manager”), is to invest in sustainable, income-producing non-residential properties (predominantly retail-based, but excluding hotels and serviced apartments) and car parks in Hong Kong and to maximise their value through asset enhancement works encompassing improvements in physical structure, trade mix, customer service and promotional activities. As these enhancement projects progress, the portfolio offers customers a better shopping experience with more choices at reasonable prices, whilst improving returns for unitholders of The Link REIT (“Unitholders”).

The Manager is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (the “SFC”) to conduct the regulated activity of asset management and is responsible for managing The Link REIT’s portfolio of properties.

Business Model

Milestones

2013 March The Link REIT was included in the FTSE4Good Index Series, a first for Hong Kong-listed REITs.
January "The Link Together Initiatives" launched to contribute further to community sustainability through charitable donations.
		2012 November The Link won the Platinum Award and the Significant Improvement Award at the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants Best Corporate Governance Disclosure Awards.
		November Completed asset enhancement work at Leung King Plaza.
		July The Link won the Bronze Award of the Hong Kong Management Association Quality Award.
		January Acquired Maritime Bay in Tseung Kwan O, marking The Link REIT's second acquisition. This, together with the shopping centres within the district, will create synergy and enhance the growth potential of The Link REIT.
2011 November Mr Nicholas Sallnow-Smith, Chairman, and Mr George Hongchoy, Chief Executive Officer, were awarded Directors of the Year Awards by The Hong Kong Institute of Directors.
November Completed asset enhancement work at Stanley Plaza.
July Acquired Commercial Podium of Nan Fung Plaza, marking The Link REIT's first venture into a private sector retail facility.
April Supported the introduction of a minimum wage, and offered outsourced workers lunch breaks and paid rest days by reimbursing the additional expenditures incurred by contractors.
April The Link’s flagship property, Lok Fu Plaza, celebrated its Grand Opening.
February First Mystery Shopper Programme was launched to further improve frontline service quality.
January HK$200 million was earmarked by The Link to bring facilities in line with new standards of barrier free access.
		2010 November The Link celebrated its 5th anniversary. May Mr George Hongchoy appointed as CEO of The Link.
2009 November The Link assumed on-site management across its portfolio to strengthen professional management and act more responsively to the needs of tenants, customers and the community.
		2008 November The One-Link-Pass was launched after full implementation of an automation system across The Link’s car parks, allowing customers to park at around 160 car parks at a fixed rate.
		June The Link Tenant Academy was launched to assist Quality Independent Operators in their businesses.
2007 November The Link Fun Academy was launched to offer children and youth inspiring and innovative learning experiences. April Mr Nicholas Sallnow-Smith joined The Link as Chairman and Independent Non-Executive Director.
		2005 November The Link REIT, Hong Kong’s first listed and largest REIT, was listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on 25 November 2005.

Background on Initial Public Offering

In 2005, The Hong Kong Housing Authority and The Link Management Limited announced details of the listing of The Link Real Estate Investment Trust (The Link REIT). At the time, this was the world’s largest initial offering of a real estate investment trust.

As Hong Kong’s first listed REIT and Hong Kong’s largest privatisation of its kind at the time, The Link REIT’s listing was a milestone for Hong Kong’s financial market and the community at large. The divestment has been mutually beneficial for the Government, the real estate and financial markets, and the people of Hong Kong.

Since the listing, The Link has focused on rejuvenating properties in its portfolio and realising the full potential of its properties in line with its vision of being a world-class real estate investor and manager that serves and brightens the lives of people in the local community.

Press Release on 13 November 2005

View Our Properties

Know More

Vision, Mission and Values