Singapore honours Oxley Holdings’ Ching Chiat Kwong as Real Estate Personality 2017

Ching Chiat Kwong, executive chairman and CEO of Oxley Holdings Limited, has been named by the editors of PropertyGuru Property Report as Singapore’s 2017 Real Estate Personality of the Year.

The property magnate was honoured at the industry’s premier property event, the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore), which celebrated the best in Singaporean real estate on 7 November 2017, at an exclusive event held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands.

“This is an honour for me and my team at Oxley Holdings. It is a most exciting time for Oxley as we make a comeback to the Singapore market and also expand our presence in the ASEAN market. This award is a testament to my team’s collective effort to grow our presence and to make an impact in the domestic and international property markets,” said Ching.

Entrepreneurial ambitions

It’s been an arduous journey for Ching, whose entrepreneurial ambitions were born at the age of nine selling greeting cards. Later, he also opened smaller businesses and even opened his own bar.

Three years after graduating from the National University of Singapore and joining the Singapore Police Force, he established Oxley Construction, entering the real estate sector. About a decade ago, he transitioned into real estate development of micro-residential units, with his first project being Trywhitt 139, which sold out in three hours.

Hedging his bets initially with investments in shoebox properties, it wasn’t until Ching’s firm branched out beyond Singapore’s borders that the developer truly came into its own.

Footprint far beyond Singapore’s shores

“Through a series of successful joint ventures and ambitious mixed-use developments, our Real Estate Personality has aggressively expanded his firm’s footprint far beyond Singapore’s shores,” said Property Report’s head of publishing Liam Aran Barnes, who presented the special award to Ching.

“Seeking out opportunity where others may have seen obstacles, his risks have more often than not proven to be hugely successful. From Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, to Canary Wharf in London, the company has built up an enviable global portfolio.”

Oxley Holdings listed on the Singapore Exchange in 2010, with a market capitalisation of SGD525 million (USD390 million). As of October 2017, Oxley’s market capitalisation is approximately SGD2 billion, with a global portfolio in 11 countries.

Approval of industry experts

In Singapore, a new project called T-Space, which is being developed by Goldprime Land Pte Ltd, a joint venture between Lian Beng Group Ltd and Oxley Holdings Limited, was awarded Best Industrial Development at the 2017 PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore).

Two other current developments have won the approval of industry experts: Oxley Tower took home the Best Office Architectural Design gong, while Novotel Singapore on Stevens, Mercure Singapore collected the Best Hotel Architectural Design award. Oxley Holdings Limited also received a Special Recognition in Corporate Social Responsibility.

In 2016, the company supported the SGX Bull Charge Charity Run for the benefit of underprivileged children and families, disabled people and the elderly, women’s welfare, and autistic patients. The company has also donated to international relief efforts and various fundraisers.

Ability to shape communities

There’s no stopping Ching and his formidable Oxley team from further expanding after a decade of developing niche real estate and leading his team to successful overseas ventures. According to Ching, Oxley will be boldly taking on township projects in ASEAN in the next five years. Why does he do it?

“What I love about development is its ability to shape communities. As we take on larger township projects, I feel that my biggest achievement is in changing the landscape of towns, building communities, and in turn allowing people to build their dreams,” he said.