Gaw Capital Partners, through its funds under management, and its consortium partners, acquired 29 Hong Kong-based community shopping centers and associated facilities in March 2018 and March 2019.
Gaw Capital Partners officially started to operate over 29 assets and facilities near the public estates and established “People’s Place”. “People” stands for the public and the residents, whereas “Place” here is an allusion to the idiomatic Chinese term for a location of virtue and tradition, as well as a well-governed community; “Place” also connotes the solidarity of the local neighborhood. All in all, “People’s Place” stands for a place rich in sentiments and compassion, bringing strangers together in constructing a vibrant, cozy living environment. People’s Place aspires to transform obsolete commercial facilities into vibrant community hubs by creatively utilizing its space and bringing brand new experiences to residents, tenants and community stakeholders.
In partnership with experienced educators in China, Gaw Capital has invested in the development and operations of Stellart International School of Arts (SISA), an international arts education platform in China. The platform is initially seeded by a commercial site conveniently located in Sanshan New Town in Nanhai, Foshan, which has excellent connectivity nationally via the Guangzhou South Station. The site has a GFA of c.50,000 sqm in total. Operating under the SISA brand and developed by Gaw Capital Partners, the school houses up to 600 full-time high school students in its 6-storey tall academic block and 7-floor dormitory. 
June 11, 2019, Shanghai – Gaw Capital Partners is delighted to announce that ‘People’s Place – Kai Yip Recreation Centre’, a revitalized recreation and open space in Kowloon Bay’s Kai Yip Estate in Hong Kong that is managed by a fund under its management, was announced among the winners of this year’s ULI Asia Pacific Awards for Excellence in Shanghai.
Once a desolate cluster of basketball courts on top of Kai Yip Shopping Centre, Gaw Capital and its partners completely transformed the 20,000 sq. ft. court into attractive and popular recreational facilities for the residents of Kai Yip Estate, restoring the site to its 1980s former glory when it was known as the “Golden Cage”. Working with designers Trilingua Design and One Bite Social, as well as SLAB – the local basketball community – the consortium introduced a distinct new design to the courts with striking colors that resemble Hong Kong’s classic neon light signs, as well as reflect the technicality and high tempo of street basketball.
Designed to improve functionality and inclusivity, the new recreation center also includes an additional running track, a new volleyball court and outdoor zone incorporating new fitness training equipment and a children’s playground, in addition to the iconic basketball courts. The upgrades have created a space that can be a training ground for basketball lovers and runners, an outdoor gym and a children’s playground, reflecting the spirit and identity of the ‘People’s Place’ brand as an area that is open and inclusive for all.
Goodwin Gaw, Chairman, Managing Principal and Founder of Gaw Capital Partners, commented, “The revitalization of Kai Yip Recreational Centre is the first ‘community hub’ project we have worked on since we acquired the first batch of 17 community shopping centers in Hong Kong in March 2018. Winning the ULI Asia Pacific Award for Excellence reflects the effort of Gaw Capital and our partners to create shared value by driving innovation and growth, while not losing sight of addressing societal needs. The rejuvenated space is the product of strong collaborative partnerships with the local community and creative young talent, which has created a space that serves as a fresh source of pride for local Kai Yip residents.”
ULI Asia Pacific Awards for Excellence Programme honors outstanding development projects in both the private and public sectors that demonstrate best practice across all types of real estate development. Picked by an elite jury, the winners represent the very best in terms of architecture, design, planning, construction, amenities, economics and management, as well as demonstrate clear positive benefits for local communities.