Blog

Simon Reid-Kay & Associates (SRKA) is honored to have played a pivotal role in the landmark HK$40 billion acquisition of “The Center,” an iconic commercial property in Hong Kong. This transaction, completed in 2018, is recognized as the world’s most valuable single-building deal to date. Our firm provided comprehensive legal counsel on the property’s debt financing aspects, ensuring a seamless and successful transaction.

The Center, located at 99 Queen’s Road Central, stands as the fifth tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong.

73 stories and a height of 346 meters, its distinctive steel structure and vibrant nighttime illumination make it a prominent feature of Hong Kong’s skyline. 

The acquisition was led by a consortium of investors, including notable figures such as Hui Wing Mau. The consortium employed innovative financial strategies, including bond issuances, to facilitate the purchase. 

This monumental deal was honored with the “Debt Market Deal of the Year” award at the 2018 Asian Legal Business (ALB) Hong Kong Law Awards. The ALB Awards celebrate legal excellence and the outstanding achievements of law firms and in-house counsel in Hong Kong. 

SRKA’s involvement in this transaction underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional legal services in complex, high-value deals. Our expertise in property law and debt financing was instrumental in navigating the intricacies of this record-breaking acquisition.

We extend our gratitude to all parties involved for their collaboration and trust. This achievement not only highlights SRKA’s capabilities but also reinforces Hong Kong’s position as a leading global financial hub.

For more information on SRKA’s services and other notable transactions, please visit our website.

NWMHK is a leading ministry for cancer patients and also provides ministry for asylum seekers and refugees. They go weekly to cancer centres in local communities around Hong Kong while asylum seekers and refugees attend their ministry once a week.

Simon Reid-Kay & Associates supports New Wine Ministries by attending their annual charity ball and sponsoring their event programme.

The Tin Shui Wai Pandas are a vibrant and ambitious Hong Kong rugby team, developed to foster a sense of belonging and community through participation in team sports. Since their founding, they have been dedicated to providing opportunities for players of all backgrounds to engage in competitive rugby, develop key life skills, and strengthen connections within their local community.

The team was established in 2011 with a core group of players from Operation Breakthrough, a social initiative launched by the Hong Kong Police. This program uses sports to help young people from underprivileged backgrounds develop discipline, teamwork, and confidence. Based in Tin Shui Wai, an area in the New Territories often described as a “city of sadness” due to its history of social challenges, the Pandas have played a key role in transforming lives through the power of rugby.

Their inaugural season was nothing short of spectacular—winning every single game they played. This early success propelled the club into higher divisions, where the level of competition increased significantly. Despite facing tougher opponents, the Pandas continued to prove their resilience, determination, and passion for the sport.

Since those early days, the club has grown substantially. It now boasts senior men’s and women’s teams, as well as a rapidly expanding youth section catering to boys and girls aged 12 to 18. The youth development program has been particularly impactful, offering young athletes not only a place to train and compete but also mentorship and a sense of community.

At Simon Reid-Kay & Associates, we are incredibly proud to be a main co-sponsor of the Tin Shui Wai Pandas. Supporting this club means investing in a future where sports can break down barriers, build character, and bring people together. We look forward to seeing the Pandas continue their journey, both on and off the field.

The Hong Kong Corporate Sevens is one of the most exciting annual rugby events in the city, bringing together corporate teams from leading companies such as HSBC, Swire, Savills, JLL, and Colliers. This year’s tournament, held on Sunday, 4 December 2016, saw a major shift in format, introducing Tag Rugby alongside the traditional men’s contact rugby games.

Simon Reid-Kay & Associates and co-sponsor Richards Basmajian were proud to support the Tin Shui Wai Pandas (TSWRFC) as they took part in the competition. The Pandas entered both a men’s team and a mixed team, the latter requiring a minimum of three women on the field at all times. In an outstanding performance, the Pandas’ mixed team won the Plate, proving their strength and versatility in this new format.

TSW Pandas: A Story of Growth and Success

Founded in 2011, the Tin Shui Wai Pandas Rugby Football Club (TSWRFC) has its roots in Operation Breakthrough, an initiative that uses sports to help at-risk youth develop teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills. Many of the club’s players have gone on to represent Hong Kong U20s, the Hong Kong Development Level, and the Hong Kong A squad.

The Pandas made an immediate impact in their inaugural season, with their first team going undefeated and winning the Championship Division. Their second team also claimed silverware at the National League level, with both teams earning promotion.

By the 2013/14 season, the Pandas expanded from two teams to four, including a men’s and women’s development team. The women’s team immediately made history by winning the 10’s B League Championship in their first season.

TSWRFC’s Competitive Success

The Pandas’ first two teams currently compete in Premiership A and Community League 3. The club has also invested in youth development, launching a Colts section in 2015 with U19, U16, and U14 boys and girls teams. Impressively, these young squads won silverware in their first season.

The 2015 season was a milestone year for the Pandas, with wins in:

• Women’s Xs Development League
• Men’s NL 5 Division
• Men’s Third XV Grand Championship Final (undefeated season)

Beyond their success on the field, the Pandas also earned recognition for their sportsmanship, winning the RFU ‘Trophy 21’ in 2015/16—awarded to the fairest and cleanest team in Hong Kong.

A Bright Future Ahead

With continued support from Simon Reid-Kay & Associates and Richards Basmajian, the Tin Shui Wai Pandas are set to grow even further, competing at higher levels while continuing to make a positive impact in their community. Whether through corporate competitions like the Hong Kong Corporate Sevens or grassroots youth programs, TSWRFC remains a shining example of how rugby can inspire, unite, and transform lives.