Orchid Hotel in Tanjong Pagar Sold for About S$273 Million to Local-Foreign JV

The Orchid Hotel and an accompanying strata office unit of about 5,000 square feet on the second level have been sold by Orchid Hotel Pte Ltd, owned by the family members of the late property developer Ching Gun Huat, who founded CGH Group. Knight Frank brokered the deal through private treaty, and the transaction is expected to complete in the third quarter of 2026.

The buyer is a joint venture company majority-controlled by an entity linked to Low Ban Leong, one of the two owners of Singapore-based construction and property group Master Contract Services. The minority stake is held by Westmont Hospitality Group, a North America-headquartered firm that holds ownership interests in and operates or advises hotels around the globe. Westmont is expected to serve as the asset manager of the property.

The 20-storey building sits on a 99-year leasehold site near the corner of Tanjong Pagar Road and Tras Link, acquired at a state tender in 2007. The remaining land lease is about 80 years. The hotel occupies levels four to 20, with rooms starting from 32 square metres (about 344 sq ft). Amenities include a 25-metre outdoor swimming pool, a gym and a restaurant on the third level.

The first two levels of the building contain strata retail and office units, all but one of which have been sold by the developer over the years. The sole office unit remaining is part of this transaction. Car parking is provided in two basement levels. The hotel accounts for 89.5 per cent of the total share value in the strata-titled building.

Market watchers expect the new owners to appoint a global hotel chain to rebrand and manage the property, which was extensively refurbished a few years ago. With room sizes that are relatively generous by city-hotel standards, industry observers said a rebranding could allow the hotel to command higher rates.

Master Contract Services has prior experience in the hospitality sector, having been part of the consortium that developed the former Joo Chiat Police Station site in East Coast Road into Katong Square and two hotels: Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong and Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong. The group has also jointly developed residential projects including Skies Miltonia in Yishun and The Amore executive condominium in Punggol.