The bustling shophouse hotel investment market in Singapore is heating up, particularly with the recent announcement that RB Family Office has put the 138-room Hotel 1900 up for sale. Strategically located on Mosque Street, just a stone's throw from Chinatown MRT station, the property carries a guide price hovering around its valuation of S$170 million (approximately $125 million USD). The esteemed firms CBRE and HSBC Investment Banking have been appointed to manage a private expression of interest (EOI) exercise for potential buyers.

Clemence Lee, executive director of capital markets at CBRE, highlighted the unique opportunity that Hotel 1900 presents: "This is a generational opportunity to acquire one of the largest boutique hotels housed in a row of conservation shophouses in Singapore." The hotel was previously known as Porcelain Hotel but underwent a significant renovation before its rebranding.

In a parallel development, Indonesian billionaire Leo KoGuan has made headlines with his acquisition of 21 Carpenter, an award-winning 48-room hotel developed by 8M Real Estate. Intended to celebrate Singapore's rich cultural heritage, this property is located opposite the Clarke Quay MRT station and boasts a prime spot near the Singapore River. The sale price is rumored to be around S$100 million, reflecting a impressive per-room price indicative of the hotel's well-designed and spacious accommodations.

KoGuan, who has long dedicated himself to philanthropy, expressed his vision for the hotel's contribution to Singapore's culture and heritage. The property itself, a composite of historic shophouses dating back to 1936 and a contemporary rear block, is situated in a conservation area that reflects the architectural richness of the locale.

In other transactions, Garcha Group has entered the sales arena with their Duxton Reserve Singapore, available for S$80 million. With 49 rooms, the property maintains a balance lease of around 62.5 years and showcases Garcha’s successful transformation efforts to elevate the space's appeal.

According to Nihat Ercan, CEO of JLL Hotels and Hospitality Group in the Asia-Pacific region, Singapore's reputation as a safe haven for hotel investors continues to strengthen, drawing both regional and global interest. Ercan anticipates robust sales volumes in the near future, especially among properties priced under S$100 million.

Rounding out key details about Hotel 1900, the property occupies 12 contiguous shophouses, with a total site area of 10,144 square feet. Its renovation, which took about S$10 million to S$11 million, included extensive upgrades to the hotel’s facade, guest rooms, and essential systems.

For potential buyers, the hotel offers various value-add opportunities—such as rebranding it to a high-end establishment or even converting part of the premises into office spaces for tech companies or luxury fashion brands seeking a distinguished corporate headquarters in a vibrant historic neighborhood.

As Singapore’s hotel landscape continues to evolve rapidly amidst a post-pandemic recovery, these developments signal an exciting time for investors keen on capitalizing on the dynamic hotel market in this thriving city-state.