Southeast Asian investors become biggest foreign buyers of Hong Kong commercial property

In the latest commercial real estate transactions, Thai investors emerged as the leading foreign buyers of Hong Kong properties, with Southeast Asian purchasers accounting for a significant portion of the deals. According to Savills, a leading property consultancy, Southeast Asian investors alone contributed HKD3.37 billion (US$3.87 billion) to transactions involving commercial properties valued at over HKD50 million. This represents an 11% share of the total transactions.

The data, reported by the South China Morning Post, highlights a notable shift in foreign investment patterns. Southeast Asia's share has surged, now comprising roughly two-thirds of all non-local investment this year. This surge is in contrast to mainland Chinese buyers, who accounted for 5.8% of the total, and Hong Kong-based capital, which made up 83.2%.

Nicholas To, a senior associate director for investment at Savills Hong Kong, commented on the changing landscape. In 2025, mainland investors were the largest group of non-local buyers, representing nearly 34% of the HKD47.32 billion total. The U.S. and Canada followed, spending 16% of the total. Southeast Asian investors ranked third last year with a 3.7% share, while European investors purchased 2% of the total.

This year, Western investors have largely been absent from the Hong Kong market. However, notable acquisitions have been made by Singaporean companies and investors. DBS Bank (Hong Kong) purchased space at The Center, covering 14,121 square meters across several floors, for HKD2.62 billion. Additionally, Wee Hur Holdings acquired One Bedford Place, a 184,041 square foot office building in Tai Kok Tsui, for HKD748.8 million.