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.