九龙湾商贸区 增358万呎商用楼面

近年逐步转型成为本港第二个核心商业区一部分的九龙湾，在活化工厦2.0措施下，区内工厦重建进一步加快，目前6个重建项目，预计能够释放出约358万平方呎商业楼面供应。

6工厦重建 啟祥道20号规模最大

九龙湾过往属于以工厂、货仓为主的工业区，随着政府将啟德、九龙湾及观塘组成的九龙东定位为第二个核心商业区，并推动起动九龙东计划，并将区内改名为九龙湾商贸区，区内商业气氛逐步成形。目前九龙湾区内至少有6个工厦重建项目正在推展，涉及358万平方呎楼面，当中规模最大为中信股份旗下的大昌行集团大厦。

该项目于啟祥道20号，现为一幢工厦设有多层停车场，邻近有高银金融国际中心、中国建设银行中心等商厦，规划为「其他指定用途(商贸)」用途，发展商向城规会申请放宽两成密度和高限，重建成2幢商厦。

项目佔地约10.26万平方呎，以地积比率14.4倍发展，兴建2幢32层高商厦，以作办公室、商店、服务行业和食肆用途，总商用楼面多达约147.7万平方呎，设有3层地库停车场、2层零售平台及1层平台花园，其餘以上楼面均用作商业用途，属于区内近年其中一个规模最大的商厦项目。

嘉里危险品仓 拟建26层高商厦

另外，2018年由「重庆李嘉诚」张松桥及资本策略 (00497) 等以约80亿元向南丰购入临泽街8号啟汇，前称傲腾广场，虽然楼龄只有大约10年，不过发展商在今年6月向屋宇署申请建筑图则，涉及67.98万平方呎楼面。而邻近的的嘉里危险品仓，早年曾经获批重建成住宅发展，兴建216个豪宅单位，不过嘉里在去年底就向城规会申请地积比率由9.5倍放宽至11.4倍，拟建26层高商厦，总楼面约52.7万平方呎。

永泰 (00369) 旗下常悦道13号瑞兴中心，在去年提出重建成34层高商厦，但由于商厦高度太高，所以遭城规会拒绝，近日发展商再闯关申请重建一幢30层高的商厦(包括4层地库)，提供约26.3万平方呎楼面。

(经济日报)

更多九龙湾区甲级写字楼出租楼盘资讯请参阅：九龙湾区甲级写字楼出租

德永佳前高层 1.77亿售九龙塘洋房

楼市气氛稍为好转，市场频录名人沽货，德永佳 (00321) 前执行副主席潘机泽，以1.77亿沽出九龙塘喇沙利道28号洋房；另外卓悦 (00653) 前大股东叶俊亨亦以1,800万沽出何文田豪宅。

近日豪宅市场频频录得大额成交，消息称，喇沙利道28号一幢洋房，实用面积5,230平方呎，刚以1.77亿元沽出，实用呎价33,843元。原业主于2005年透过公司名义购入单位，公司董事为潘机泽。潘为德永佳前执行副主席，当年以6,023万元购入单位，持货15年，易手帐面获利1.1677亿元。资料显示，潘于2016年时曾豪斥3.5亿元购入MOUNT NICHOLSON一个分层单位。

卓悦叶俊亨何文田宅 1800万售

另外，土地註册处显示，何文田亚皆老街雅丽居1座高层复式D室，实用面积1,114平方呎，刚以1,800万元售出，呎价16,158元。单位由一家公司持有，董事包括卓悦前大股东叶俊亨及钟佩云，于2005年以811.1万元买入上述单位，持货15年帐面赚988.9万元。

张卫健蚀卖欧意花园大屋

据土地註册处显示，艺人张卫健刚售出上水欧意花园双号屋，单位实用面积1,466平方呎。资料显示，艺人张卫健与其母亲以联名形式在1997年以1,180万元购入单位，如今以1,035万元售出，成交呎价7,060元。如对比购入价，今次张卫健转售物业帐面要蚀145万元离场。

据媒体报道，张卫健的弟弟张卫彝在2018年初被发现倒毙在上址，故可能影响今次物业转售价钱。

(经济日报)

上环全幢商住楼5900万售 长情业主沽货54年升值1022倍

受疫情打击，市场气氛未明朗，部分长情业主亦加入沽货行列。上环乐古道全幢商住楼，以5900万售出，呎价约1.55万，买家料享回报约3厘，原业主为长情业主，持货54年，物业升值近1022倍。

据土地註册处资料显示，上环乐古道全幢商住楼，于上月12日以5900万成交，买家以公司名义志龙有限公司(CREATIVE DRAGON LIMITED)，註册董事为黄耀荣。原业主于1966年8月以5.77万购入，故持货54年帐面获利5894.2万，物业期间升值约1022倍。

据业内人士指出，上述商住楼7层高，总楼面约3800方呎，以易手价计，呎价约1.55万，该物业早前曾于市场以1亿放售，最终大幅减价4100万，现时全幢月租收入共15万，买家料享租金回报约3厘。

平均呎价约1.55万

另一方面，虽然市场观望气氛仍浓，惟核心区甲厦仍录高市价承租。

市场消息指出，由金利丰行政总裁朱李月华持有的中环中心59楼01至03室、及13室，合共面积9428方呎，以每方呎90元租出，涉资约84.9万。据业内人士指出，该甲厦最高市值租金仅约70元，故上述租金较市价高逾2成。

中环中心每呎70元租出

资料显示，受多项不明朗因素困扰，中环中心近期租金持续受压，该甲厦低层单位，面积约1973方呎，以约7.95万元租出，平均呎租约40元，创该甲厦10新低水平。

同时，朱李月华持有中环中心多层单位，早前她以约4.05亿向「磁带大王」陈秉志购入该甲厦42楼全层连车位的70%业权，平均呎价约2.7万，造价属三年来新低，同时亦令朱李月华于中环中心合共持有8层楼面。

(星岛日报)

更多中环中心出租楼盘资讯请参阅：中环中心出租

美领馆正审议多份标书寿山村道物业下周三最终定案

由美国政府持有的南区寿山村道37号豪宅，原先于8月底开标，但美国领事馆发言人对本报指出，目前正审议多份标书，将延至下周三公布最终买卖定案，有知情人士认为，财团普遍出价较保守，有发展商只出价每方呎楼面地价约5万入标，涉资逾20亿，令美方须更多时间考虑。

寿山村道37号项目于7月底已截标，根据招标条款，须于1个月内、即约8月底开标。美国领事馆发言人对本报指出，正继续审议多份标书，并延至本月9日(即下周三)公布最终买卖定案。

美领馆发言人：延迟公布

据知情人士指出，中美关係依然紧张，是次入标增加政治风险，加上疫情影响，本地发展商出价趋保守，更相信中资财团未有入标，同时有发展商只出价楼面呎价约5万入标，涉资只有逾20亿，在出价偏低下，美方亦须更多时间作考虑，甚至与入标财团磋商价钱。

同时亦有测量师指出，项目虽位处传统豪宅地段的南区，但由于本港经济前景不明朗，价格难免受压，难以与2年前华润置地以楼面呎价约8.6万，购入毗邻的寿山村道39号相提并论。

出价每呎约五万

至于该项目曾市传以约28亿沽出，每方呎楼面地价约5万，并以长实夺标的呼声最高，但长实发言人其后指出，未有中标该项目。

项目于五月底时以暗盘形式推出，并邀请各发展商入标，当时有发展商指出，由于疫情持续，豪宅市况低迷，当时项目每方呎估值约六万多元，涉资约三十亿左右。

政经不明朗影响出价

项目地盘约9.4万多方呎，现有建筑楼面47328方呎，可以地积比率达0.5倍重建，可建约47398方呎。另外，亦可以补地价形式，把地积比率增至0.75倍，届时楼面将增至7.1万多方呎。

土地註册处资料显示，上址第一手业主ERIC GRIMBLE，于1941年以3.3万购入地皮，及后于1948年，美国政府以逾31万购入，并持有至今，并于83年完成重建。

现址为6幢3层高的低密度住宅，提供26个单位，以及52个车位。另设室外游泳池，由于地盘布局修长，对海门面极宽阔，届时可重建为海景豪宅独立屋项目，每户均可享深水湾景致。

(星岛日报)

Shouson Hill tender results pushed back

The United States government will disclose the tender results for its residential property at Shouson Hill on September 9 due to lower than expected bidding prices, local media reports.

The US government previously said the result will be disclosed on or before August 30.

Last week, CK Asset (1113) denied a claim it secured the six low-rise blocks after a tender closed on July 31.

Washington had held the six blocks at 37 Shouson Hill Road in Southern District since 1948 and recent estimates have put the value at HK$3.2 billion to HK$7.1 billion.

The six blocks have a gross floor area of 47,382 square feet, and can be demolished and rebuilt with a gross floor area of up to 71,097 sq ft.

The property flurry came after the United States stripped Hong Kong of its special trade privileges in response to the National People's Congress imposing national security legislation on the SAR.

A price comparison shows that in July 2018 China Resources Land (1109) bought a 92,087-sq-ft site at 39 Shouson Hill Road for HK$5.9 billion, or about HK$85,847 per sq ft, from the family of Shouson Chow, one of Hong Kong's earliest tycoons.

But the Covid-19 pandemic has dealt a huge blow to the luxury property market, with more loss-making transactions recorded of late.

In other news, CK Asset sold 20 flats at Sea to Sky in Lohas Park in August.

(The Standard)

Owners suffer steep losses in home sales

Homeowners are dumping their properties at hefty losses amid the ongoing pandemic and bleak economic outlook.

The secondary market recorded at least 36 loss-making sales in August, according to local media reports, and some property agents left the lucrative industry last month.

One vendor suffered a loss of HK$8.41 million on paper after selling a 2,115 sq ft house at The Beverly Hills for HK$22.28 million, or HK$10,534 per sq ft.

In Wong Chuk Hang, a mainland vendor suffered a loss of HK$38 million on paper after selling a 3,408 sq ft house at Marinella for HK$100 million.

This came as private residential prices in Hong Kong dipped 0.5 percent month-on-month in July after climbing for two consecutive months, data from the Ratings and Valuation Department showed, as well as property agency forecast that home prices will drop about 5 percent this year.

In the commercial property market, another agency recorded only 43 transactions at 50 major Grade A office buildings in the first eight months, down by about 60 percent from the same period last year.

In August, the number of transactions at 50 major Grade A office buildings fell to four from five in July, although the Hong Kong Monetary Authority relaxed the loan-to-value ratio caps for mortgage loans on non-residential properties by 10 percentage points from 40 percent to 50 percent two weeks ago.

In Causeway Bay, a cake shop rented an 850 sq ft street shop at Lai Yuen Building for HK$120,000 per month, or HK$141 per sq ft, after HK$210,000, or 63.6 percent, was cut from the original asking rent, according to property agent.

Meanwhile, the number of licensed real estate agents in Hong Kong fell to 39,858 last month from 39,945 in July, ending the previous three consecutive monthly increases in the number, data from the Estate Agents Authority showed.

In the primary market, Sino Land (0083) will offer seven units at 133 Portofino in Clear Water Bay for sale by tender on Friday. Also in the area, Chinachem will offer seven luxury houses at Villa Cove for sale by tender on Friday.

(The Standard)

Landlords of Hong Kong’s ‘Ginza-style’ commercial buildings slash rents and target non-restaurant tenants amid coronavirus downturn

Buildings housing restaurants, bars and shops on higher floors are struggling to retain tenants as previously unaffordable street-level rents tumble

Landlords are cutting rents to compete, and targeting a broader range of tenants, such as medical clinics and beauty salons

Landlords of Hong Kong’s “Ginza-style” commercial buildings are slashing rents by up to 40 per cent and shifting their focus away from restaurants and bars to survive the dramatic downturn in the catering and retail sectors caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

As rents of street-level shops and restaurants have tumbled, these projects – buildings typically packed with cafes, bars and small shops on higher floors – are struggling to retain tenants.

With no sign of a rebound in the food and beverage industry, some of them are now targeting a new tenant mix including such businesses as beauty parlours and medical clinics.

“If you enlist tenants without transforming, the [rent] offers will be very low because there are too many choices,” agent said. “Street shops have had their rents slashed, and social distancing rules have hit the catering industry very seriously. So the vacancy rates [in the Ginza buildings] are high.”

Named after one of Tokyo’s busiest shopping districts, the term Ginza is used by real-estate agents to refer to commercial properties shared by many different businesses under the same roof. The term was coined when sky-high rents for street-level shops forced stores in the city to move upwards, where space was more affordable.

Such commercial buildings are usually in relatively small single blocks. They sprouted across Hong Kong, especially in tourist districts like Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, during a boom in tourism to satisfy demand in a city famous for its shortage of space.

Their landlords, particularly those in Causeway Bay, traditionally preferred to lease to restaurants as they could boost footfall and afford higher rents.

The new strategy is to market the premises to businesses in other sectors, rather than wait – potentially for a very long time – for a meaningful recovery in the food and beverage industry, agent said.

Buildings seeking to transform include Circle Property Development’s Circle Plaza and Circle Tower in Causeway Bay, according to property agency. Circle did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Such buildings in Causeway Bay are more than half empty now – a phenomenon described by the agent as “horrible”.

Before the social unrest in the second half of last year, occupancy of such buildings could reach 95 per cent. Monthly rents could reach about HK$60 (US$7.74) per square foot.

Rents of Ginza-style establishments have fallen 30 to 40 per cent since then. In Causeway Bay, the rate would be less than HK$40 per square foot now.

Potential tenants are more inclined now to choose a premises at street level, which have become cheaper. Street shops in places like Jaffe Road only cost around HK$60 per square foot a month now. Before social unrest and the health pandemic, they could fetch over HK$100 per square foot.

The agent was hopeful the change in tenant mix would help improve vacancy but it has not shown a marked sign yet because it has only just started.

Another agent said a total lack of demand from restaurant owners for space in Ginza-style buildings was driving their transformation to serve different purposes.

“No tenant would rent it. There is no demand,” the agent said. “That’s why they change; it’s easier to find doctors.”

Tse said the trend would continue in the next three to four months since the catering industry was “a disaster”, particularly for hotpot and buffet restaurants that would usually rent such spaces.

Another agent was equally pessimistic.

“The food and beverage sector will continue to suffer the hardest hit, and restaurant receipts are expected to further contract in the third quarter,” agent said. “As consumption sentiment remains weak, the retail market is unlikely to hop on the trajectory of recovery for the rest of 2020. Therefore, we may see more cases of substantial rent cuts later this year.”