UOB Sells Two Properties This Week: Here Is What I Think It Means for SingLand and UOL

Two property transactions caught my attention this week, both with UOB (SGX: U11) as the seller.

The first: Singapore Land Group (SGX: U06) acquired UOB's stake in Novena Square Development and Novena Square Investments for SGD 299 million in cash. Including a strata lot acquired by the joint entity, the total value came to SGD 318.5 million. Post-deal, UOL Group (SGX: U14) holds 60% and SingLand holds 40% — together they own 100% of the commercial strata lots in Novena Square.

The second: UOL acquired UOB's remaining interest in 230 Orchard Road (former Faber House) for SGD 68.5 million. The property is being redeveloped as the NoMad Hotel, a mixed-use development on Orchard Road. Both transactions were valued by Knight Frank.

I hold UOL as part of my portfolio and have been watching the Faber House redevelopment since UOL announced the NoMad Hotel anchor. The 230 Orchard Road location — right in the heart of the Orchard Road corridor — is genuinely irreplaceable real estate. NoMad as a brand operates at occupancy rates in the 80-85% range in its existing properties. If the Singapore location performs similarly, the economics are solid and the asset will be a meaningful contributor to UOL's NAV per share over time.

The UOB angle is also worth noting. UOB is clearly exiting legacy property co-investments and redeploying capital toward its core banking and wealth management businesses. This is not distressed selling — both assets were independently valued at market by Knight Frank. It is strategic capital recycling by a bank that wants to simplify its balance sheet.

For UOL specifically, the incremental consolidation of Orchard Road commercial property reinforces the thesis I have held for several years: UOL is accumulating irreplaceable Singapore assets that the market continues to discount relative to NAV. That discount has not fully closed. I continue to hold.

I am not adding more UOL at current prices — the recent rally has compressed the margin of safety somewhat. But I am certainly not selling either. 💰