HONG KONG: Over three decades, Nan Fung Group founder Chen Din-hwa successfully transformed the former textile company into a major property developer in Hong Kong.

Now, his daughter Vivien Chen Wai-wai is at the helm and, in her two years as chairman, has worked to keep up the momentum by pursuing high-quality projects and aggressive expansion on the mainland.

HONG KONG: When Will Toye and Nicole Schoeni bought a top-floor apartment in Pok Fu Lam, they wanted to make the most of the roof, with its panoramic views of Mount Davis and Victoria Harbour. But they were not happy about the black metal staircase that spiralled down from the rooftop — it descended smack into the living room, wasting space and making the whole place feel small.

LONDON: Insurers could help get the mortgage market moving again by sharing some of the risk with housebuilders to make it easier for first time buyers get a foot on the housing ladder, the Home Builders Federation (HBF) said in an interview on Monday, July 4.

SYDNEY: Tighter government regulations  introduced by some Asian countries to cool sizzling house prices are helping to drive demand for new flats in Australia, CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) said.

The Australian apartment market is bucking a softening of the overall housing market, notably in Sydney.

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB) subsidiary has been given a RM128.7 million contract to upgrade Little India in Brickfields and build government quarters.

MRCB said its 70%-owned Country Annexe Sdn Bhd signed a privatisation agreement with the government and Syarikat Tanah dan Harta Sdn Bhd (Hartanah) on Tuesday, July 5.

KUALA LUMPUR: Property developer Bolton Bhd saw 20.78% of its shares done off market in several tranches at a slight 2.9% discount to open market prices on Tuesday, July 5.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) project is likely to be implemented sooner rather than later as costs will increase by 10% for every year it is delayed, MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd director Datuk Ng Kee Leen said.

"We believe the government would want to roll out the project as soon as possible [to mitigate against further cost increase]," Ng said.

HUA HIN (Thailand): Best Western International, the world's largest hotel chain, has opened the second Best Western Plus in Thailand's renowned beach resort town. Best Western Plus Serenity Hua Hin is 10 minutes away from all convenience and leisure, including but not limited to night street market, restaurants and golf courses.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bertazzoni LaGermania range cookers has made its debut in Malaysia. In true Italian glamour, a lavish introduction was held last Friday, July 1 at the Archidex 11 in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

KUALA LUMPUR: MBM Resources Bhd (MBMR) held its official groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, July 5 for its new RM240 million Menara MBMR project. The 24-storey office tower will replace the Federal Auto building along Jalan Syed Putra.