Property Hunter Magazine Property Hunter Magazine Issue 50 - January 2014 | Page 66

/// International Property News E&O Sets Up Sales Gallery in Singapore He did not rule out the possibility of partnering with some of its existing partners again but noted that Avira Wellness City – a joint venture between Khazanah Nasional Bhd,Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd and E&O – for instance, will last the developer for five to seven years. He will be launching Avira next month. Grand opening: (from left) Chan, group corporate strategy director Lyn Chai and group hospitality and lifestyle director Michael Saxon at the official launch of E&O’s sales gallery in Singapore. Eastern and Oriental Bhd (E&O) has established a new sales gallery in Singapore at One Raffles Link. Deputy managing director Eric Chan says the 4,118 sq ft sales gallery is an important platform in the international arena. Its neighbours include iconic landmarks, multinational companies, foreign banks and upscale commercial buildings. “Once we identified the right location and size, we then envisioned a space that catered to discerning clients. (We want to ensure) our clients could immediately relate and be inspired by E&O values the moment they step into our gallery,” Chan told StarBiz. Brandishing the line “Expect nothing ordinary”, the showroom welcomes its guests with its signature marble columns, known as Palissandro Blue, a natural stone sourced from Italy. He says the gallery is a significant investment and the developer took almost two years to identify the location. “The opening of the E&O Property Gallery is vital in our efforts to extend our reach overseas. Singapore is a gateway to the rest of Asia, which enables us to reach a wider regional and global audience,” he says, 66 adding that the Lion City has a growing number of affluent and high net worth individuals. “Singapore has naturally been a key anchor market in our foreign buyer segment. This is understandable given the proximity of our two countries, cultural ties and the pull of Malaysia’s relatively more affordable properties.” He says international homeowners are exploring new frontiers and have become more open in investing in properties overseas. They will be looking for a trustworthy brand. “Based on our clientele profile of more than 20 nationalities, there is a growing recognition of our brand and acceptance outside Malaysia,” he says. E&O’s international home buyers represents about a third of its total buyers for its St Mary Residences project in Kuala Lumpur. They come from Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, China and Britain. Singaporeans made up 36% and 34% for the overall foreign buyers for St Mary Residences and Quayside, Penang respectively. Its ties with international establishments has also helped open doors to an international audience. www.PropertyHunter.com.my “We have invested a lot of time and effort with (Japanese developer) Mitsui Fudosan and we hope this will continue after The Mews,” he says. It has proposed to acqu \