Ascott Reaches 35,000-Apartment Milestone; Signs 4 More Properties in China

Ascott has secured contracts to manage four more properties in China with over 900-apartment units in Taiyuan, Beijing, Shanghai and Dalian.

The 170-unit Ascott Taiyuan is slated to open in 2018, the 195-unit Ascott Riverside Garden Beijing and 342-unit Somerset Sunland Shanghai are both slated to open in 2016, and an operating property in Dalian which has been rebranded as a 195-unit Somerset Grand Central Dalian.

Mr Lee Chee Koon, Ascott’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “As we celebrate Ascott’s 30th anniversary this year, we have made significant progress to grow our business and crossed a milestone of more than 35,000 apartment units globally. Besides acquiring a prime property in Hong Kong, we have clinched management contracts for eight more properties in Yangon, Wuhan, Taiyuan, Beijing, Shanghai and Dalian. We have also formed a strategic alliance with Vanke to drive Ascott’s growth in China and recently secured our first franchise agreements in Vientiane in Laos and Bali in Indonesia.”

Ascott Taiyuan (Opening in 2018)

Ascott Taiyuan is located along Longcheng Street in Longcheng new district, which is the fast developing Central Business District (CBD) of Taiyuan. The serviced residence is close to the International Exhibition Centre, Shanxi Sports Centre, shopping malls and several attractions such as Shanxi Theatre and Longcheng Park. The property is a 10-minute drive from both the Taiyuan International Airport and the new high-speed railway station that connects to Beijing. It is also within walking distance from the metro Longcheng West Station (Line 2).

Ascott Taiyuan will offer a range of studios to three-bedroom apartments that come with a fully-equipped kitchen, separate working and sleeping areas, as well as modern amenities. Facilities will include a business centre, children’s playground, gymnasium, meeting rooms, swimming pool, sauna, spa and residents’ lounge.

Ascott Riverside Garden Beijing (Opening in 2016)

Ascott Riverside Garden Beijing has a prime location along West Dawang Road in Chaoyang district. The property is surrounded by office buildings, shopping malls, and supermarkets such as Tesco, Metro and Walmart, and nearby attractions include Happy Valley, Longtan Lake Park and Panjiayuan Antique Market. The serviced residence is a 10-minute drive from the CBD, a 20-minute drive from Beijing’s Economic Technological Development Area and a 15-minute walk from the metro Shilihe Station (Line 10).

Guests will be able to choose from a range of studios to three-bedroom apartments and enjoy its many facilities including business centre, gymnasium, children’s playground, swimming pool, sauna, spa and residents’ lounge.

Somerset Sunland Shanghai (Opening in 2016)

Somerset Sunland Shanghai is part of a mixed-use project that also comprises a shopping mall. The serviced residence is close to the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (CSPFTZ) and Sunland Waigaoqiao development. CSPFTZ is the first and only Free Trade Zone in China that focuses on the development of financial and shipping services. Sunland Waigaoqiao project is a high-end integrated development comprising a shopping mall, office building, low-density residences, hotels and golf club. The property is a five-minute walk from the metro station (Line 6), within a 30-minute drive to Pudong International Airport and a 20-minute drive to Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone, which houses Shanghai Stock Exchange and numerous international financial institutions.

Somerset Sunland Shanghai will cater to the large potential pool of expatriates and domestic travellers working in the vicinity as well as their families. The serviced residence will provide a range of studios to three-bedroom apartments. The facilities will include a business centre, jacuzzi, gymnasium, multifunction room, meeting rooms, relaxation room with massage chairs, pool room and residents’ lounge.

Somerset Grand Central Dalian (Newly Opened)

Somerset Grand Central Dalian is located on Jinma Road in the CBD of Dalian Development Area. The serviced residence is within walking distance to a wealth of business, dining, shopping, entertainment and leisure options. The Korean Street, which is well known for its restaurants offering Korean delicacies, is right behind the property. The Mykal and Ansheng shopping malls, the stunning Golden Pebble Beach and Discovery Land theme park are also nearby. The serviced residence is a 10-minute drive from famous attractions in Dalian such as the Tongniuling scenic area and Boshiwan Beach, a five-minute drive from the light rail station, a 20-minute drive from the high-speed railway station and a 35-minute drive from the international airport.

At Somerset Grand Central Dalian, guests can choose from one-bedroom units to five-bedroom penthouses. Each apartment provides a living room, a separate dining area and a kitchen. Apartments facing the south offer views of the sea with their floor-to-ceiling windows. There is also heated flooring in the apartments to provide guests with comfort during winter.

The serviced residence has a wide range of facilities including indoor-heated swimming pool, sauna, gymnasium, aerobics room, children’s playroom, outdoor playground and terrace with barbeque area.

Mr Lee said, “In 2014, we have so far added 2,020 apartment units to Ascott’s portfolio and are on track to achieving our target of 40,000 apartment units globally by 2015. We will continue to seek investment opportunities in key markets where we have presence like Singapore, China, India, capital cities in Southeast Asia, Paris, London and key cities in Germany. We will also continue to expand Ascott’s presence through management contracts, strategic alliances and franchises which will be another of our key growth driver.”