Showing posts with label Finance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Finance. Show all posts

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Florence Regency sold en bloc for $629 million

Source Website: http://www.tnp.sg/news/business/florence-regency-sold-en-bloc-629-million
By Grace Leong, The Straits Times (The New Paper), 21 October 2017 at 06:00 am


Florence Regency in Hougang Avenue 2 is sold to Logan Property.
PHOTO: Florence Regency in Hougang Avenue 2 is sold to Logan Property.
The sale follows that of two other former HUDC estates in the area - Rio Casa in Hougang Avenue 7 and Serangoon Ville in Serangoon North Avenue 1. [3]
ST FILE PHOTO
Picture posted by Grace Leong, The Straits Times on 21 October 2017 at 06:00 am

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GezNBxyxP8kXUIj0CNjZXoU7S_LP_PKC6mnsJVz6-uE-G8DBlrvSuaRJTM_lIsAdc9InKOwTMdMeoulfQvAfaLsqKAcB2L6N9_xLnyp39eLAv_ex3jNCqnZkbidnIFUs6ibftoMDHB4/s1600/NP_20171021_GLFLORENCE21_1645922.jpg
http://www.tnp.sg/sites/default/files/styles/rl680/public/articles/2017/10/21/NP_20171021_GLFLORENCE21_1645922.jpg?itok=m4xC3kIH
http://www.tnp.sg/news/business/florence-regency-sold-en-bloc-629-million



Florence Regency has finally closed a collective sale deal under private treaty after Chinese developer Logan Property (Singapore) agreed to match the independent valuation of $629 million for the property in Hougang Avenue 2.

Each owner will receive gross proceeds of between $1.84 million and $1.89 million.

Owners of the 336-unit former Housing and Urban Development Company (HUDC) estate had earlier received a bid from Chinese developer Kingsford that exceeded the reserve price of $600 million and two that did not, according to Mr Jagir Singh Touwana, chairman of the collective sale committee.

None of the offers met the $629 million valuation by independent valuer Colliers International. The tender closed on Sept 27, with the three bidders refusing to match the valuation.



The agent continued to try over a 10-week private treaty period to find a buyer who was willing to buy the property at or above the valuation price. [2]
PHOTO: The agent continued to try over a 10-week private treaty period to find a buyer who was willing to buy the property at or above the valuation price. [2]
PHOTO: ST FILE
Picture posted by Kenneth Lim, kenlim@sph.com.sg, @KennethLimBT on Friday, 26 October 2017 at 11:51 AM

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdXiZCSaymGl2ciGCKLGoXfjAC4j2rE5tETqAWLP8nViggKcnDmoxZes2PjtKzBrPZpiHf5R9Z78p2HVDOzjOiFB7-Une9z9mK_HKQdN-A449IYKLMsoKxroDmktZo4VWlQhcpPldL74/s1600/florence+regency+19726426+_0.jpg
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sites/default/files/styles/large_popup/public/image/2017/10/06/florence%20regency%2019726426%20_0.jpg?itok=ZYXkQBlN
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/florence-regency-seeks-buyer-in-private-after-tender-bidders-wont-raise-offers



The collective sale agreement required that the sale price be no lower than the valuation. This prompted sole marketing agent JLL to woo other developers in an attempt to close the deal under private treaty within 10 weeks of the close of the tender.

"We are relieved it is finally over. Given the circumstances and today's market, it is a good price and a fair amount," said Mr Touwana.

The 389,236 sq ft site is zoned residential with a gross plot ratio of 2.8 and could yield around 1,000 units. The land price works out to $842 per sq ft (psf) per plot ratio (ppr) after factoring in the estimated differential premiums of $288.6 million to top up the lease to a fresh 99 years and develop the site to the gross plot ratio of 2.8.

It is the second site that has been snapped up by Hong Kong-listed Logan Property, which made history in May when, together with Chinese developer Nanshan Group, it put in the top bid of $1.003 billion for a 21,109 sq m site in Stirling Road.

That was the first time a purely residential site in the Government Land Sales programme crossed the billion-dollar mark.



Privatised HUDC estate Florence Regency in Hougang has been sold for S$629million to Chinese developer Logan Property Company. [4]
PHOTO: Privatised HUDC estate Florence Regency in Hougang has been sold for S$629million to Chinese developer Logan Property Company. [4]
Photo: JLL
Picture posted by Tan Weizhen, Today on 20 October 2017 at 08:25 am

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8a2LyZ1H8Lyx3C_R5cv-Za4oZR-ySBYR1HgzhmYfSUZSF_JAQ5WMtIbLQeAEDXFVNstI4R3qVMvmlUOab8jxo7IFMCGKmrbIT6yJtDLI_KqnCFONkTLZ7BfGbm3d9XEaKEQDvuUIi0c/s1600/31166978.JPG
http://www.todayonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/new_app_article_detail/public/photos/43_images/31166978.JPG?itok=Bzvg_RDD
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/florence-regency-sold-chinese-developer-s629m-deal



"Florence Regency is one of the last few privatised HUDC estates in the north-east region. The future development will enjoy unblocked views, located next to landed housing estates and across the Hougang Stadium and the sports and swimming complex," said JLL's regional director Tan Hong Boon.

ZACD Group executive director Nicholas Mak said the land rate is fairly reasonable, adding: "It is a bit cheaper, compared with Serangoon Ville, which was sold at the land rate of $861 psf ppr, and the Government Land Sales site in Serangoon North Avenue 1 sold at $965 psf ppr in July."

Florence Regency's sale brings the total number of former HUDC estates that have been sold en bloc since 2005 to 12, according to consultants.

Ivory Heights is on the market, while Braddell View, Pine Grove, Laguna Park and Chancery Court have started the process.



Rio Casa in Hougang Avenue 7 [5]
PHOTO: Rio Casa in Hougang Avenue 7 [5]
An aerial view of Rio Casa, a 286-unit development at Hougang Avenue 7.
Photo: Knight Frank Singapore
Picture posted by Keshia Faculin on 05 October 2017

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YiHmz8suQcttn6GiXopZRJt2YtxAEIAwtvXml5hxBnifUA_gqgR9uOJEYaFrNwJepGhsShOnME4LfjMi2eCCAFcTONwUz-QVnCeObbUVHr1XUYyeljDrLxkHudouytV684UFI1L7Ea0/s1600/Rio-Casa-Aerial.original.jpg
https://sg2-cdn.pgimgs.com/cms/news/2017/04/Rio-Casa-Aerial.original.jpg
http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/2017/10/161971/7-ex-hudc-estates-have-begun-en-bloc-process


By Grace Leong, The Straits Times (The New Paper), 21 October 2017 at 06:00 am



Reference
[1] Grace Leong, The Straits Times, Florence Regency sold en bloc for $629 million, posted on 21 October 2017 at 06:00 am, http://www.tnp.sg/news/business/florence-regency-sold-en-bloc-629-million

[2] Kenneth Lim, kenlim@sph.com.sg, @KennethLimBT, Florence Regency seeks buyer in private after tender bidders won't raise offers, posted on Friday, 26 October 2017 at 11:51 AM, http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/florence-regency-seeks-buyer-in-private-after-tender-bidders-wont-raise-offers

[3] Tan Weizhen, Today, Florence Regency sold to Chinese developer in S$629m deal, posted on 20 October 2017 at 08:25 am, http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/florence-regency-sold-chinese-developer-s629m-deal

[4] Lynette Khoo, lynkhoo@sph.com.sg, @LynetteKhooBT, China's Logan Property buys Florence Regency for S$629m, posted on Saturday, 21 October 2017 at 5:50 AM, http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/chinas-logan-property-buys-florence-regency-for-s629m

[5] Keshia Faculin, 7 ex-HUDC estates have begun en bloc process, posted on 05 October 2017, http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/2017/10/161971/7-ex-hudc-estates-have-begun-en-bloc-process

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Darjeeling unrest threatens shortage of prized tea

Source Website: http://www.tnp.sg/news/world/darjeeling-unrest-threatens-shortage-prized-tea
By The New Paper, 05 August 2017 at 06:00 am


An idyllic path along the Happy Valley Tea Estate in Darjeeling.
PHOTO: An idyllic path along the Happy Valley Tea Estate in Darjeeling.
A file photo of people walking along a path at Happy Valley Tea Garden during an indefinite strike in Darjeeling.
Photo AFP
Picture posted by The Himalayan Times on 05 August 2017 at 3:23 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lnck3YdNyqYZv702QtuFQCbBSxW90gifV86mXMGyozoEba66YJuCt6cf4NzfsfFJONvthYehfWho2vFM6viXJnzwksnGmxlapC7ozONVvelE0GptX7_V2dOK7r_RgXKl6WzYp0Fngis/s1600/Happy-Valley-Tea-Garden-Darjeeling.jpg
https://1hu9t72zwflj44abyp2h0pfe-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Happy-Valley-Tea-Garden-Darjeeling.jpg
https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/darjeeling-unrest-threatens-tea-shortage/



DARJEELING, INDIA: The world faces a shortage of the prized Darjeeling tea because of deadly unrest in the idyllic Indian Himalayan foothills, where it is grown.

The June-August harvest season normally provides the bulk of the nearly 8 million kg of tea sold a year.

But with a showdown between native Gurkhas, who provide the majority of plantation workers, and the West Bengal government now 50 days old, production fell by 90 per cent in June.



Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has been at the forefront of decades of agitation calling for a 'Gorkhaland' within West Bengal.
PHOTO: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has been at the forefront of decades of agitation calling for a 'Gorkhaland' within West Bengal.
Photo Credit: AFP
Picture posted by Times Now, Agencies on 04 August 2017 at 13:45 IST

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEPsnDVPzLfWJ9VzalbJyAHyFrmg8EgLU5VlS5W5NddgPjjxAyWpNEy_Y5GUyc_M7-KA6Mn8r3q7klUeM1VVV7mcWaFMPM02avq11jS-99FtlflZd6hbw2BaXYwcVxz1nogMuSEOe0vk/s1600/1501825503-000_R300F.jpg
http://cloudfront.timesnow.tv/story/1501825503-000_R300F.jpg
http://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/darjeeling-deadly-unrest-threatens-tea-shortage-gorkhaland-west-bengal-tourism-hit/69035



Tourism has also been badly hit by the dispute, in which the main Gurkha group has halted harvesting and called for a shutdown of the tea industry.



Tourism has also been badly hit by the dispute, in which the main Gurkha group has halted harvesting and called for a shutdown of the tea industry.
PHOTO: Tourism has also been badly hit by the dispute, in which the main Gurkha group has halted harvesting and called for a shutdown of the tea industry.
Picture posted by  Holiday Travellers - Darjeeling Tour Package
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FNEbQ2fE-h4UXVRMhhPJNHctNl5SKub68oQ6LptvCN1SwumRmp3hcXZ0agkOJESX5XMGAGEdXWh53YlJauXiqolhkApXoa1BRNCI3C5657AB52KUA1afD0a3Wmkk6Zp4Wt9Zy0jCmzE/s1600/NorthSikkim.jpg
http://www.aviyantoursandtravels.com/public/images/trip_type/NorthSikkim.jpg
http://www.holidaytravellers.co.in/domestic-tours.htm



There have been predictions that prices could rise more than 20 per cent and some tea gardens could take years to recover.

"This year's harvest is lost," Mr Sanjay Mittal, director of Ambiok Tea estate, said, adding that "if the stalemate ends, we hope to return next year".

But Mr Ankit Lochan, president of the Siliguri Tea Traders Association, said that if the strike continues for another few months, "almost 50 per cent of the estates will close down for at least two to three years".



IANS, 30 June 2017: Darjeeling: There was fresh violence in north Bengal hills on Thursday night, as Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) activists attacked a police-CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) patrol party, injuring six security personnel in Teeta Valley, and ransacked a police outpost.
PHOTO: IANS, 30 June 2017: Darjeeling: There was fresh violence in north Bengal hills on Thursday night, as Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) activists attacked a police-CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) patrol party, injuring six security personnel in Teesta Valley, and ransacked a police outpost.
Mr Ankit Lochan, president of the Siliguri Tea Traders Association, said that if the strike continues for another few months, "almost 50 per cent of the estates will close down for at least two to three years".
Posted by KALIMPONG NEWS.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEO6Xj_37IWeFJsSJ8QVGueT9kaMohGS7VJtiWUkLbhQjsxoi7nGQb_VfJREzA5T_lWi9OBnFfb7oua0f2ty07W0zqMBd_qIeJpkMWGORavSuQIGT39koq9cKRz5EHV20bpBlQ1FDDNg/s640/Police+Stop+Proterters.jpg
http://kalimpongonlinenews.blogspot.sg/2017/06/two-police-vehicles-were-burnt-by-irate.html



Tea Board India, the regulatory body, said only 140,000kg of tea was produced in June, a plunge from the 1.33 million kg in the same month last year.

The latest flare-up started after the government ordered Bengali lessons in state schools, angering the ethnic Gurkhas, who speak Nepali.

 

Trinamool-GJM Clash in Darjeeling
PHOTO: Trinamool-GJM Clash in Darjeeling
Supporters of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) rally as they carry bodies of protesters who were killed in clashes with security forces in Darjeeling.
In last one month, nearly eight Gorkhaland supporters have lost their lives in police firing. The local administration is trying to hide the death toll and still claiming that only two people have died. We are going to intensify our agitation from July,” the GJM spokesperson added.
Image: Reuters
Picture posted by News18.com on 18 July 2017 at 12:33 PM IST

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFR6G9mNLxOtvGpc7dbvKE4S2nXh1Udo_z_6aVE5uLybAj8DrDvie5gxvDbxga2DfOZDDUsB5TLDHXheexec3CyFcOfHTkgWxprLd-VOZtRVUcb0yZo4fbCFcjJN7c5HRaGvzD1qHM5TU/s1600/Darjeeling-unrest.jpg
http://img01.ibnlive.in/ibnlive/uploads/875x584/jpg/2017/07/Darjeeling-unrest.jpg
http://www.news18.com/newstopics/gorkha-janmukti-morcha.html


By The New Paper, 05 August 2017 at 06:00 am



Reference
[1] Agence France Presse (AFP), The New Paper, Darjeeling unrest threatens shortage of prized tea, posted on 05 August 2017 at 06:00 am, http://www.tnp.sg/news/world/darjeeling-unrest-threatens-shortage-prized-tea

[2] Agence France Presse (AFP), The Himalayan Times, Darjeeling unrest threatens tea shortage, posted on 05 August 2017 at 3:23 am, https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/darjeeling-unrest-threatens-tea-shortage/