221-unit property in Docklands, Melbourne is Ascott’s fourth acquisition in partnership with Qatar Investment Authority within seven months

(TRAVPR.COM) SINGAPORE - July 12th, 2016 - CapitaLand’s wholly owned serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), is acquiring its first serviced residence in Docklands, Melbourne as part of its A$500 million (S$500 million) strategic partnership with Quest Apartment Hotels (Quest), one of the largest serviced apartment operators in Australia. The 221-unit property will be acquired for A$71 million (S$71 million) through a 50:50 joint venture between Ascott and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). Quest will lease the serviced residence, which will be named Quest NewQuay Docklands, and operate it under Quest’s franchise when the property opens in 2019. Quest NewQuay Docklands will be Quest’s largest property in its network.

Mr Lee Chee Koon, Ascott’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Ascott is a global serviced residence leader that owns and manages over 46,000 units worldwide and we have a strong base of customer accounts that are multinational companies, while Quest is a leading operator in Australia with more than 80% of its customers from Australia’s top companies. Through our strategic partnership with Quest, we can combine our expertise to drive Ascott’s expansion in Australia and enjoy stable income as Quest will provide fixed leases for the properties and operate them under its well-established franchise. By taking a stake in Quest, Ascott also stands to benefit from the growth of the Quest franchise. Ascott focuses on prime city centre locations whereas Quest primarily targets suburban locations with underserved demand. Together, we can lead the expansion of the serviced residence sector which has significant untapped potential.”

Through the Ascott-Quest alliance formed in late-2014, Ascott will invest up to A$500 million in new properties that Quest will secure for its franchise in Australia until 2019. Ascott has a right of first refusal to acquire the properties sourced by Quest. Quest will provide a lease for the properties, which will be operated under franchises using the Quest brand. In addition, Ascott acquired a 20% stake in Quest, with an option to increase it to 30%. At the same time, Ascott’s real estate investment trust, Ascott Residence Trust, also acquired three operating serviced residences in Greater Sydney from Quest. Quest Sydney Olympic Park, Quest Campbelltown and Quest Mascot are being operated under franchises by Quest.

Mr Lee added: “Forging strategic alliances globally with partners such as Quest and QIA, as well as industry leaders from land owners to property developers, construction firms, online platforms and tech companies; enables Ascott to deepen our presence and build scale in key cities. Ascott’s US$600 million equity joint venture fund with QIA has boosted our capacity to invest and grow quickly. This property in Melbourne is our first acquisition in Australia in partnership with QIA and our fourth within a span of seven months. The four acquisitions have expanded our portfolio across four gateway cities. Our partners have chosen to collaborate with us due to Ascott’s strong capabilities in managing award-winning serviced residences globally for the past over 30 years. We expect these strong partnerships to gather more momentum as we pursue Ascott’s target of 80,000 apartment units globally by 2020.”

Ascott’s serviced residence global fund was set up through a 50:50 joint venture with QIA in July 2015 with each contributing US$300 million of equity funds to the joint venture. The fund invests in serviced residences and rental housing properties with an initial focus on Asia Pacific and Europe. Ascott’s four acquisitions made in partnership with QIA have a total investment amount of US$270 million and would be funded partly by debt.

Mr Paul Constantinou, Chairman of Quest Apartment Hotels, said: “Quest has the largest and fastest growing network of serviced apartments in Australia. Our partnership with Ascott will fast-track our plans to grow the Quest network to about 200 properties in Australia and New Zealand by the end of the decade. We are actively sourcing for opportunities particularly across the Central Business District and suburban areas of Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.”

Mr Constantinou added: “Demand for accommodation in Australia from both international and domestic corporate customers remains strong but the supply of new accommodation has been lacking. Melbourne’s accommodation sector has been getting high occupancies of above 80%, driven by its strong events calendar, growing convention market and business activities. Ascott’s investment will not only enable us to accelerate Quest’s growth to cater to the demand in Australia, our tie-up with Ascott also provides a solid platform for us to take the Quest brand overseas.”

In Australia, Ascott currently manages five serviced residences with more than 670 apartment units in Melbourne, Perth and Hobart under the Citadines and Somerset brands. Quest has more than 150 properties with over 8,000 existing units in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, and a further 1,500 units under construction.

Quest NewQuay Docklands

The serviced residence is located within the business and lifestyle precinct of NewQuay in Docklands, an extension of Melbourne’s Central Business District which is a 10-minute drive away. The ongoing development of Docklands is one of Australia’s largest urban renewal projects and the area has already attracted more than A$10 billion of private investment. Upon completion of the Docklands redevelopment in 2025, the State Government of Victoria expects Docklands would have received A$17.5 billion of private investment and be home to approximately 60,000 office workers, signifying potential demand for Quest NewQuay Docklands.

Quest NewQuay Docklandsis expected to draw strong demand from corporate customers as it is located close to some of Australia’s largest companies and government institutions. These include ANZ Bank, National Australia Bank, Australian Customs Services, Medibank, Myer, Channel 9 and Channel 7. The serviced residence is also located opposite the last lot within the NewQuay precinct where an office building is slated to be built. Quest NewQuay Docklands is within walking distance to Etihad Stadium where major concerts, conferences and events are held; Harbour Town Shopping Centre; O’brien Group Arena which has one of Australia’s biggest ice skating rinks; as well as a range of waterfront dining outlets. The serviced residencewill offer studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as facilities such as conference rooms, a gymnasium and an outdoor terrace with barbeque pits.

About The Ascott Limited

The Ascott Limited is a Singapore company that has grown to be the world's largest international serviced residence owner-operator. It has over 28,000 operating serviced residence units in key cities of the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, as well as over 18,000 units which are under development, making a total of more than 46,000 units in over 290 properties.

The company operates three award-winning brands – Ascott, Citadines and Somerset. Its portfolio spans more than 100 cities across 27 countries.

Ascott, a wholly owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Limited, pioneered Asia Pacific's first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984. In 2006, it established the world's first Pan-Asian serviced residence real estate investment trust, Ascott Residence Trust. Today, the company boasts over 30 years of industry track record and award-winning serviced residence brands that enjoy recognition worldwide.

Ascott’s achievements have been recognised internationally. Recent awards include World Travel Awards 2015 for ‘Leading Serviced Apartment Brand’ and ‘Leading Serviced Apartments’ in Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Thailand and Vietnam, Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards 2015 for ‘Best Serviced Residence Brand’, Business Traveller UK Awards 2015 for ‘Best Serviced Apartment Company’, Business Traveller China Awards 2015 for ‘Best Serviced Residence Brand’ and 'Best Serviced Residence', Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2016 for 'Best Serviced Apartment Company', TTG China Travel Awards 2016 for ‘Best Serviced Residence Operator in China’ and DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2016 for ‘Best Serviced Residence Brand’. For a full list of awards, please visit http://www.theascottlimited.com/en/aboutus/awards 

Visit www.the-ascott.com for more information and connect with us on social media at www.the-ascott.com/connect.

About CapitaLand Limited

CapitaLand is one of Asia’s largest real estate companies headquartered and listed in Singapore.  The company leverages its significant asset base, design and development capabilities, active capital management strategies, extensive market network and operational capabilities to develop high-quality real estate products and services. Its diversified global real estate portfolio includes integrated developments, shopping malls, serviced residences, offices and homes.  Its two core markets are Singapore and China, while Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam have been identified as new growth markets.  The company also has one of the largest real estate fund management businesses with assets located in Asia.

CapitaLand’s listed real estate investment trusts are CapitaLand Mall Trust, CapitaLand Commercial Trust, Ascott Residence Trust, CapitaLand Retail China Trust and CapitaLand Malaysia Mall Trust.

Visit www.capitaland.com for more information.

About Quest Apartment Hotels

Quest is the largest and fastest growing apartment hotel operator in Australasia with over 150 properties located across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. 

Established in Melbourne, Victoria in 1988, the growth of Quest has been achieved through its commitment to meeting the accommodation needs of the extended stay business traveller.

Quest Apartment Hotels are managed by franchisees who follow a proven and successful franchise model. 

For more information on Quest Apartment Hotels, go to www.questapartments.com.au.

Issued by: The Ascott Limited         Website: www.the-ascott.com             

168 Robinson Road, #30-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912

For more information, please contact:

Joan Tan, Vice President, Group Communications

Tel: (65) 6713 2864      Email: joan.tanzm@capitaland.com

Joey Wong, Manager, Group Communications