Ascott Caps Record Growth Year Of Over 21,000 Newly Added Units With Its First Foray Into Africa

CapitaLand's wholly owned serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), is boosting its record growth this year with its first foray into Africa. It has secured contracts to manage two properties in the heart of Accra, one of Africa's top cities for investment. The 220-unit Ascott 1 Oxford Street Accra will open in phases from 2019, while the 40-unit Kwarleyz Residence will open in 4Q 2018.

Mr Lee Chee Koon, Ascott's Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are excited to close a record year of growth for Ascott with the successful addition of another continent, Africa, to Ascott's global footprint. Ascott added 18 new cities across nine countries and secured a record of over 21,000 units in 2017. This is not only twice the increase in 2016, but also Ascott's largest ever portfolio expansion in a single year. As these properties progressively open and stabilise, we can expect more fee income contribution to Ascott annually. Ascott is set to surpass its target of 80,000 units well ahead of 2020 as we continue with this growth trajectory, expanding through strategic alliances, management contracts, franchises and investments."

Mr Lee added: "Ascott has been managing world-class serviced residences globally for the last 30 years and we see huge opportunities to bring Ascott into Africa, the world's second fastestgrowing economy after Asia1 . Africa's economic growth is fuelled by massive infrastructure development, favourable investment policies and a young population. Ascott is bringing an internationally renowned, well-loved brand to the heart of Accra, the capital of Ghana. We expect strong demand from the influx of business and leisure travellers as foreign direct investment continues to increase rapidly in this economic and administrative hub."

Mr Thomas Wee, Ascott's Deputy Managing Director for India, Middle East & Africa, said: "The serviced residence industry in Africa has significant untapped potential. Managing Kwarleyz Residence gives us quick time-to-market as it is already under development, while we design our second property under our premier Ascott The Residence brand, which will offer top business executives luxurious living in an exclusive environment. Ascott 1 Oxford Street Accra will be one of the tallest towers in Accra, within walking distance to the financial district, recreational and retail outlets, while Kwarleyz Residence is in an upscale residential area surrounded by embassies. With the properties' prime locations and Ascott's awardwinning hospitality, both properties will be a huge draw for business and leisure travellers."

The International Monetary Fund forecasts that Africa's economy will be the second-fastest growing in the world with an annual growth rate of 4.3% from 2016 to 20202 . With a current population of over one billion, Africa will be home to the world's largest working-age population in less than two decades2

Ghana is one of Africa's most attractive investment destinations. According to the World Investment Report 2017, foreign direct investment in Ghana increased by 9% to a record US$3.5 billion in 20163 . The World Travel & Tourism Council expects the tourism industry in Ghana to expand by 5.6% in 2017 and maintain an annual growth rate of 5.1% from 2017 to 2027, and that the country will attract over two million international tourists in 20274 .

Ascott has embarked on an aggressive expansion this year as it acquired an 80% stake in Synergy Global Housing, a leading accommodation provider in the U.S., and increased its stake in Quest Apartment Hotels to 80% to establish itself as the largest serviced residence provider in Australasia. Coupled with other investments and management contracts, Ascott's portfolio has increased from more than 51,000 units at the end of last year to close to 70,000 units.

Refer to Annex for details of Ascott 1 Oxford Street Accra and Kwarleyz Residence.

Ascott 1 Oxford Street Accra (opening from 2019)

Located along Oxford Street in Osu, Accra's business, entertainment and commercial hub, Ascott 1 Oxford Street Accra is about a 15-minute drive from Kotoka International Airport with easy access to the other parts of the city via public transportation. The serviced residence is about a 10-minute walk to the business district and a variety of amenities including restaurants, banks, entertainment outlets and supermarkets. Ascott 1 Oxford Street Accra will offer a total of 220 units spread over two towers, which will open in phases from 2019.

Ascott 1 Oxford Street Accra will be one of the tallest towers in Accra. Soaring at 230 feet above ground, the serviced residence will provide expansive views of the city. It will offer a range of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Guests will get to enjoy facilities such as a gymnasium, outdoor swimming pool, breakfast lounge, residents' lounge, business centre, meeting rooms, spa and sky bar.

Kwarleyz Residence (opening 4Q 2018)

Located in the upscale residential area of the Cantonments district, Kwarleyz Residence is surrounded by embassies and the headquarters of gold mining companies. About a five-minute drive from Kotoka International Airport, the property is within easy access to the Marina Mall at Airport City and Tema Industrial City, via the Motorway. The 40-unit serviced residence will offer studio, one- to three-bedroom apartments. Its facilities include a breakfast lounge, gymnasium, outdoor swimming pool, roof garden, sky bar and parking lots.

About The Ascott Limited

Since pioneering Asia Pacific's first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984, Ascott has grown to be a trusted hospitality company with more than 940 properties globally. Headquartered in Singapore, Ascott's presence extends across more than 220 cities in over 40 countries in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the USA.

Ascott's diversified accommodation offerings span serviced residences, co-living properties, hotels and independent senior living apartments, as well as student accommodation and rental housing. Its award-winning hospitality brands include Ascott, Citadines, lyf, Oakwood, Quest, Somerset, The Crest Collection, The Unlimited Collection, Preference, Fox, Harris, POP!, Vertu and Yello; and it has a brand partnership with Domitys. Through Ascott Star Rewards (ASR), Ascott's loyalty programme, members enjoy exclusive privileges and offers at participating properties.

A wholly owned business unit of CapitaLand Investment Limited, Ascott is a leading vertically-integrated lodging operator. Harnessing its extensive network of third-party owners and in-market expertise, Ascott grows fee-related earnings through its hospitality management and investment management capabilities. Ascott also expands its funds under management by growing its sponsored CapitaLand Ascott Trust and private funds.

For more information on Ascott's industry record of 40 years and its sustainability programme, please visit www.discoverasr.com/the-ascott-limited. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

About CapitaLand Investment Limited

Headquartered and listed in Singapore, CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) is a leading global real estate investment manager (REIM) with a strong Asia foothold. As at 30 September 2023, CLI had S$133 billion of real estate assets under management, and S$90 billion of real estate funds under management (FUM) held via six listed real estate investment trusts and business trusts, and more than 30 private vehicles across Asia Pacific, Europe and USA. Its diversified real estate asset classes cover retail, office, lodging, business parks, industrial, logistics and data centres.

CLI aims to scale its FUM and fee-related earnings through fund management, lodging management and its full stack of operating capabilities, and maintain effective capital management. As the investment management arm of CapitaLand Group, CLI has access to the development capabilities of and pipeline investment opportunities from CapitaLand's development arm.

As a responsible company, CLI places sustainability at the core of what it does and has committed to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions for scope 1 and 2 by 2050. CLI contributes to the environmental and social well-being of the communities where it operates, as it delivers long-term economic value to its stakeholders.

Visit http://www.capitalandinvest.com/ for more information.

Jasmine Sim
Senior Manager, Group Communications
(65) 6713 2867
The Ascott Limited