Cathay Organisation

The story begins in 1935 when a company in Malaysia was incorporated into what is now known as Cathay Organisation. Helmed by Dato Loke Wan Tho (son of Loke Yew, the Malaysian rubber & palm oil pioneer) and Mrs Loke Cheng Kim (wife of Loke Yew), the business grew quickly into a well-regarded name across the region, most notably for cinema theatres and movie production. Since then, the family’s business interests have expanded globally into real estate, hospitality and asset management. In 2017, the group made the decision to divest its interests in the entertainment industry and focus on growing and managing its real estate portfolio as well as its private investment holdings (Yew Capital).

 

Now headquartered in Singapore and helmed by 4th generation family members, Cathay Organisation owns and manages a global real estate portfolio including retail, office and residential assets across Singapore, Japan, the UK, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

Our diversified assets have lent us resilience across market cycles, and we continue to seek growth through stabilised income-producing real estate assets and active management of our investment portfolio.

Core Principal Activities:

Real Estate

Property & Leasing Management

Asset Management

Private Investments

Corporate History

THE BEGINNING 1930s-1950s

  • In 1935, Mrs Loke Yew established Associated Theatres Ltd as she had noticed a significant lacking of entertainment establishments for the community which allowed social interactions that a cinema offers and to provide a place for people to meet and be entertained
  • By 1950s, Dato Loke Wan Tho had expanded his business to include film production
  • Associated Theatre was renamed Cathay Organisation Pte Ltd in 1959

DIVERSIFICATION 1960s-1980s

  • Looking to diversify Cathay Organisation’s portfolio beyond cinemas.
  • Jackie’s Bowl was established with Cathay Organisation as the major shareholder.
  • Cathay started diversifying into properties and real estates.
  • 1979 new Cathay Organisation logo was developed. Each semi circle represented the “c” of Cathay & each circle represented the “O” in organisation

ENTERING MILLENIUM 1990s-2000s

  • Responding to the changing economic environment by the 1990s; Cathay Organisation rationalised its cinema business, selling out their cinema operations in Malaysia. In Singapore, Cathay chose to move with the trends and operated only quality Cineplexes converting its stand-alone cinemas into multi-screens.
  • Cathay Organisation Holdings was incorporated in 1992 to manage the different business portfolio under its management.
  • In 1994, Cathay Properties Pte Ltd was incorporated to provide property management and maintenance services for facilities operated under the Organisation.
  • Cathay Cineleisure Orchard opened at the former Cathay Orchard Cinema site in 1997 -providing a place for people to meet, shop and be entertained.
  • Cathay Cineplexes Pte Ltd was incorporated in 1998 to manage the cinema operations.
  • 1999, the launch of new Corporate identity; Cathay’s ‘liquid’ logo aims to bring our organisation towards a more modern and dynamic outlook in our evolution onto greater heights.
  • Hangout Hotels Pte Ltd was incorporated in 2003

A NEW ERA 2010s and beyond

  • With the changing environment and for an entertainment company to survive – Cathay Cineplexes need to broaden its extension into production, distribution, & etc . The difficult decision to let go of Cathay Cineplexes to mm2 was necessary for the brand to grow bigger and further.
  • Today, Cathay Organisation is a diversified Group with business activities in real estate, property-related management services, retail malls and museum gallery.
  • With the sale of cinemas, Cathay looked back into its rich history and launched a new corporate identity, taking the idea behind its 1980s logo of “C” & “O”, representing a group of companies providing a connecting space/place for the community to gather; whether it is for leisure or for work.
  • [email protected] ceased operations in March 2019 after 15 years in operation, making way for a modern new residential development set to open in 2022.
  • On 17 July 2019, Gather Cowork opened its doors as a visionary new office environment, strengthening Cathay’s corporate identity.