HKR International Limited is a conglomerate headquartered in Hong Kong. HKR was founded by founded by Cha Chi-ming, a textile industrialist from Shanghai and one of the pioneers of Hong Kong's industrial boom in the 1950-70s. The establishment of HKRI can be traced back to Hong Kong Resort Company Limited founded in 1973. In 1977, the Cha Family The company acquired the rights to Discovery Bay development on Lantau Island in an opaque and much criticized deal. HKRI now manages Discovery Bay as a privately owned and operated town of 20,000 people. HKRI became notorious in 2018 for the planned eviction of 200 families living aboard houseboats in the Discovery bay Marina. HKRI managing director Victor Cha is married to Laura Cha, a US-trained financial services lawyer, HSBC board member and member of the Executive Council of the HK government. Born in Shanghai, Laura Cha became a US citizen, but "re-Sinicised" herself in 2001 and is now a delegate to China's National People's Congress. HKRI is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, with a stock code 00480. The company has interests in real estate development and investment, property management, hotels and serviced apartments, healthcare services and other investments in Hong Kong, Mainland China and other parts of Asia.
Real estate development and investment is the core business of HKRI across Asia, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Thailand and Japan. Discovery Bay on Lantau Island is its major project. At present, there are over 8,000 households with a total population of about 20,000.
Hong Kong
Covering a site area of 650 hectares, Discovery Bay has undergone continuous development. Facilities in the community include a golf course, a marina, a manmade beach, two clubhouses, two shopping centres, education options ranging from kindergarten to secondary schools, and a developed transportation system. HKRI's other projects in Hong Kong include La Cresta in Kau To, Shatin; 2GETHER in Wu On Street, Tuen Mun; Coastal Skyline in Tung Chung; and Discovery Park in Tsuen Wan. Over the years, a total GFA of more than 1.4 million square metres has been developed. For commercial properties, HKRI holds CDW Building in Tsuen Wan which includes a commercial building and a shopping centre named 8½. Other commercial properties are: DB Plaza and DBN Plaza in Discovery Bay, as well as West Gate Tower in Cheung Sha Wan.
Mainland China
The development projects of HKRI located in Shanghai, Zhejiang and Tianjin. In Shanghai, HKRI has partnered with Swire Properties to develop a project called HKRI Taikoo Hui. With a GFA of approximately 320,000 square metres, HKRI Taikoo Hui is a mixed-use complex comprising a retail centre, two Grade-A office towers, two hotels, one serviced apartment building, a number of event venues and the “Cha House”, a revitalized historic building. HKRI Taikoo Hui locates in Jing’an district in Shanghai. Key anchor tenants include the first international Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room in Asia and the largest CitySuper supermarket in mainland China. There are over 40 dining outlets, offering various types of cuisine, including Shanghai Club, the premium brand under Jardin de Jade, and Paris Blanc, a grill house managed by Paris Group. HKRI has other residential projects in Zhejiang Province and Shanghai. City One in Jiaxing provides about 600 units, while the adjacent Riviera One, is composed of low- and high-rise apartment units. Other projects include Oasis One in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, and Elite House, located in Changning District, Shanghai. The Exchange is HKRI's investment property in Tianjin. It has a total GFA of over 152,000 square metres, and comprises two Grade-A office towers, a service apartment tower, and a retail mall named Heping Joy City – Tianjin.
Thailand
The Sukhothai Residences is located in Bangkok's CBD and provides 196 units. On top of The Sukhothai Residences, HKRI acquired a piece of freehold land on Wireless Road in 2010. In December 2015, it further acquired 10 plots of land at Rama 3 Road by the Chaophraya River.
Japan
HKRI has a mix of residential and commercial properties in Tokyo: Proud Roppongi, Horizon Place Akasaka, Souei Park Harajuku, Veneo Minami-Azabu and Haluwa Shibakoen, and Graphio Nishi-Shinjuku. Apart from Tokyo, HKRI also holds a plot as land bank with a site area of approximately 60,700 square metres in Niseko, Hokkaido, in the vicinity of Niseko Annupuri ski village.
Hospitality
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong opened in 2013. The hotel provides 325 guest rooms and a number of event space and function venues, including a Pavilion by seaside.
Thailand
In Thailand, The Sukhothai Bangkok is located in the heart of city and is a member of the Design Hotels. It has 210 guest rooms and suites, 7 restaurants and 11 function rooms.
