Landlords have ‘not yet faced reality’ as a ‘negative spiral’ makes recovery ‘improbable within the next decade’, analysts say
Swiss bank UBS got a steal in 2003 when it leased 146,000 sq ft across six floors in Two International Finance Centre – then the tallest building in Hong Kong – for less than HK$20 (US$2.55) per square foot. The landlords, MTR Corp and a consortium led by Sun Hung Kai Properties, signed the 10-year agreement as the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) was ravaging an already weak market.
Fast-forward a decade, and UBS had to pay five times more to extend the lease, thanks to a booming office market amid a blazing-hot economy.
Your personal data will be processed and information from your device (cookies, unique identifiers, and other device data) may be stored by, accessed by and shared with 88 TCF vendor(s) and 20 ad partner(s), or used specifically by this site or app.
Some vendors may process your personal data on the basis of legitimate interest, which you can object to by managing your options below. Look for a link at the bottom of this page or in the site menu to manage or withdraw consent in privacy and cookie settings.
