Corporate History and Profile
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Corporate History and Profile
The Link Real Estate Investment Trust (“The Link REIT”) is the first real estate investment trust in Hong Kong and currently the largest in Asia 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.
 
As at 30 September 2011, 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, located on the doorstep of over 40% of Hong Kong’s households, primarily serve the daily needs of people in Hong Kong. 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 properties in Hong Kong that are mainly for retail and car park use and to maximise their value through asset enhancement works encompassing 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
Business Model
 
Milestones
  

​2011

Acquired Maritime Bay, 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.

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Maritime Bay

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​Completion of asset enhancement work at Stanley Plaza. ​Stanley Plaza ​
​Acquisition of Commercial Podium of Nan Fung Plaza marks first venture into private sector retail facility
 ​Nan Fung Plaza ​
​First Mystery Shopper Programme was launched to further improve frontline service quality. ​Mystery Shopper Programme ​
​Supported the minimum wage and offered out-sourced workers lunch break and paid rest day by reimbursing the additional expenditures incurred by contractors. ​Supported the minimum wage ​
Grand opening of The Link’s flagship property, Lok Fu Plaza
Lok Fu Plaza
​HK$200 million earmarked by The Link to bring facilities in line with new standards of barrier free access. ​New standards of barrier free access ​
The Link Staff Meeting
2010
5th Anniversary of The Link
 
Mr George Hongchoy appointed as CEO of The Link.
2009
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.

Direct Management Adoption
Tenant Academy
2008
The Link Tenant Academy was launched to assist Quality Independent Operators in their businesses.
 
Car Park 'One-Link-Pass'
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.
2007

Mr Nicholas Sallnow-Smith joined The Link as Chairman and Independent Non-Executive Director in April 2007.

 

The Link Fun Academy was launched to give children and youth an inspiring  and innovative learning experience as its centres. 
Fun Academy
 
IPO
2005
The Link REIT, Hong Kong’s first 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 world’s largest initial offering of a real estate investment trust at that time, The Link Real Estate Investment Trust (The Link REIT).
 
As Hong Kong’s first REIT and Hong Kong’s largest privatisation of its kind at that time, The Link REIT’s listing was a milestone for Hong Kong’s financial market and the community at large. The divestment has brought a three-win situation for the Government, the real estate and financial markets, and the people of Hong Kong.
 
Since the listing, The Link has been focusing 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 brightening the lives of people in the local community.
 
 
Press Release on 13 November 2005