(HONG KONG) – Hines, the international real estate firm, announced today that it has opened an office in Hong Kong—which will now become the firm’s Asia Pacific headquarters—to target additional real estate investment, development and management opportunities. The firm first entered the region with an office in Beijing, China in 1996 and remains one of the few American real estate developers doing business there. Since that time, Hines’ development and acquisition experience in the Asia Pacific region totals 12 million square feet, valued at more than $2.4 billion. The firm’s 15 projects in the region include the recently-completed One Museum Place in Shanghai, a 60-story Class A tower in the Jing'an District, designed by Gensler.
The Asia Pacific Region, which includes operations in China and Australia, will be led by Co-CEO Ray Lawler, where he will oversee the firm’s overall development, acquisitions and operations activity as well as establishing new ventures in other major Asia Pacific markets. In addition to offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Australia, the firm also maintains regional offices in Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, South Korea.
Mr. Lawler joined Hines in 2007 and most recently served as a Senior Managing Director in the West Region responsible for the acquisition, development, asset management and disposition of over 8 million square feet of office, residential, industrial and retail projects. Before joining the firm, he was a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and a Naval Aviator, receiving multiple commendations including the Bronze Star with Valor. Lawler graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA from Boston University and earned his MBA from Harvard Business School. Mr. Lawler is a member of YPO SoCal and previously served as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Newport Beach.
Lawler advised, “Hines is very enthusiastic about the real estate market in the Asia Pacific Region and foresees long-term growth potential in a number of new business opportunities and diverse product categories. We have a long-term commitment to the region and ambitious plans for our expansion.”
Joining Mr. Lawler in the new office are Managing Director Claire Thielke and Director Drew Huffman, where they will be responsible for pre-development, development, entitlement, asset management, acquisition, disposition, leasing and financing, as well as pursuing new business efforts in Hong Kong and throughout the Asia Pacific Region.
Ms. Thielke joined Hines in 2009 and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Investment Management. She earned her undergraduate degree in Urban Planning and Design from Stanford University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. After earning her master’s degree in Construction Management from Stanford’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, she continued to earn her Degree of Engineer from Stanford’s Civil Engineering Ph.D. department. She has written numerous scholarly contributions on green building, city planning, adaptive reuse and urban revitalization. She is also a member of Stanford University’s adjunct faculty, teaching on the intersection of technology, institutional investment and real assets.
Since joining the firm in 2011, Mr. Huffman has been a key member of the team responsible for the acquisition and disposition of over 30 assets exceeding 8 million square feet. He earned his undergraduate degree in Public Policy, Management and Planning from the University of Southern California and serves as a board member for the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County (CASA).
Hines’ success in China has been and continues to be led by Country Head and Senior Managing Director Jim Morrison, who added, “I am proud of the portfolio of exceptional buildings we have created in China over these last two decades, especially One Museum Place, our world-class office tower just opening in Shanghai. With our team of 138 Hines professionals located already here in China, we look forward to aggressively pursuing new opportunities in the region with our greater Asia Pacific Team.”
Hines will continue to build on its exceptional track record in Australia, under the leadership of Managing Director David Warneford. “We continue to see excellent investment and development opportunities in Australia. The opening of the new Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong will be a major positive in ensuring that we continue to take advantage of these opportunities and continue to grow our business here”
The firm now has eight regions around the globe: U.S West, Midwest, Southwest, Southeast, East, Europe, Eurasia and Asia Pacific.
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Hines is a privately owned global real estate investment firm founded in 1957 with a presence in 214 cities in 24 countries. Hines has approximately $120.6 billion of assets under management, including $66.5 billion for which Hines provides fiduciary investment management services, and $54.1 billion for which Hines provides third-party property-level services. The firm has 128 developments currently underway around the world. Historically, Hines has developed, redeveloped or acquired 1,348 properties, totaling over 444 million square feet. The firm’s current property and asset management portfolio includes 512 properties, representing over 223 million square feet. With extensive experience in investments across the risk spectrum and all property types, and a pioneering commitment to sustainability, Hines is one of the largest and most-respected real estate organizations in the world. Visit www.hines.com for more information.
