Guest-of-Honour Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr Lawrence Wong (7th from left) joined CDL Executive Chairman Mr Kwek Leng Beng (6th from left), CDL Group CEO Mr Sherman Kwek (5th from left) and members of the CDL Board of Directors and key management team onstage to launch CDL's Diamond Jubilee Celebration.
CDL Celebrates
60 Years
Of Legacy
The Diamond Jubilee celebration marks six decades of trailblazing milestones.
City Developments Limited (CDL) recently marked its 60th Anniversary with a Diamond Jubilee Celebration on 5 September 2023 at Orchard Hotel Singapore. The event was graced by Guest-of-Honour Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Finance Mr Lawrence Wong, and attended by 600 guests, including government officials, ambassadors, foreign dignitaries, business partners, industry representatives, as well as CDL’s directors, management and staff.
Six Decades Of Remarkable Growth
The celebration commemorated CDL’s remarkable growth from just eight employees in 1963 to a global real estate company with over 8,000 employees worldwide, flying the Singapore flag high with a global presence in over 20 countries. Over the past six decades, CDL has transformed from an unprofitable company into a global industry forerunner, growing its assets from S$18 million in 1972 to S$31 billion, redefining skylines with iconic skyscrapers and over 50,000 luxurious homes.
Together with its hospitality arm, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Limited (M&C), the Group has grown from one hotel in 1970 to over 155 hotels today.
Humble beginnings: CDL began in a small, rented office in Amber Mansions on 7 September 1963, staffed by only eight employees, to acquire, develop and sell property. The Company went public in November 1963 and its shares were listed on what was known then as the Malayan Stock Exchange (circa 1950).
Fast forward six decades, CDL is a global industry forerunner with iconic skyscrapers and S$31 billion in assets. Together with M&C, the Group has over 155 hotels today, including the Grand Hotel Palace Rome in Italy (pictured above) under M&C’s Leng’s Luxury Hotel Collection.
In the last decade, CDL embarked on a journey of renewal and transformation, with a strategic diversification push to build its overseas property development and asset management platforms, and now has a presence in Australia, China, Japan, the UK, the US and Vietnam. Beyond geographical growth, the Group has also expanded into new asset classes, including rental apartments, student accommodation, workers’ dormitories and business parks, and is also steadily growing its fund management business.
Located in the heart of London, the 23-acre St Katharine Docks estate fronts the River Thames, adjacent to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. The iconic mixed-use marina estate comprises over 500,000 sq ft of Grade A office, F&B, retail and residential, and a marina with berths up to 185 yachts.
Brickworks Park in Brisbane, Australia is a new master-planned neighbourhood at the historic Brickworks site in Alderley, with 215 apartments and townhomes and a range of amenities including a club house lounge, art studio, a dog park, and veggie garden. (Artist’s Impression)
Reflecting on the Group’s achievements, CDL Executive Chairman Mr Kwek Leng Beng expressed his pride at being closely involved in the company’s growth journey, ever since he and his late father, the late Hong Leong Group Founder, Mr Kwek Hong Png, took the plunge to acquire a block of CDL shares from a group of professional architects – a worthy calculated risk that destined the future of the CDL Group.
“From a home-based group, we grew beyond Singapore’s shores to the region and further onto the global stage, operating businesses across five continents. 三代人心血、 一甲子榮耀 – Three generations of blood and sweat, 60 years of glory and honour. We are humbled and grateful to have grown and prospered, marked by our numerous achievements. CDL will continue our endeavours and remain dedicated and committed to serving Singapore, our stakeholders and our customers in Singapore and around the globe. In the years to come, I would like CDL to have more presence in many parts of the world. I think there are opportunities, but all we need to do is to grab them and ride the storm,” he noted.
During his speech, Chairman Kwek Leng Beng said after three generations of blood and sweat and 60 years of glory and honour, “we are humbled and grateful to have grown and prospered, marked by our numerous achievements.”
CDL CEO Mr Sherman Kwek in his speech emphasised the importance of teamwork and said, “We must never rest on our laurels and should always strive for continuous improvement.”
To honour his steadfast devotion to the company, Mr Kwek was presented with an appreciation token from CDL Group Chief Executive Officer (Group CEO) Mr Sherman Kwek and Group General Manager Mr Chia Ngiang Hong. Painted by Spanish artist Sergi Cadenas, the exclusive art piece titled “Lasting Legacies” depicts the three generations of the Kwek leadership and signifies the family’s entrepreneurial spirit and legacy over the past 60 years.
CDL Group CEO Mr Sherman Kwek also took to the stage to deliver his tribute message to the past and present visionary leaders of CDL such as the late Mr Kwek Hong Png, the current Executive Chairman Mr Kwek Leng Beng and the late Deputy Chairman Mr Kwek Leng Joo. He recalled the start of his own leadership journey in January 2018 when he took over as the CEO and introduced the Group’s GET (Growth, Enhancement and Transformation) strategy, which continues to form the blueprint for the Group’s activities. He also elaborated on the importance of upholding the core values of CDL, which are collaboration, integrity and innovation.
CDL Executive Chairman (right) presented DPM Wong (left) with a special CDL skyline artwork to thank him for gracing the celebration. Displayed onstage is "Lasting Legacies" by Spanish artist Sergi Cadenas, which depicts the three generations of the Kwek leadership and signifies the family’s entrepreneurial spirit and legacy over the past 60 years.
Emphasising the importance of teamwork, he added, “We must never rest on our laurels and should always strive for continuous improvement. People are the most important asset in any organisation, and I would like to thank all my colleagues for their passion, dedication and support that has given us so much to be proud of. When the various business units work together as one in a cohesive manner, that’s when we can truly deliver the best outcomes for CDL and for our customers,” he said.
Never Forgetting Its People And Communities
In celebration of its 60th Anniversary, CDL has been working closely with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) to set up a new wellness centre for children and families which will be housed at its City Square Mall, as well as raising funds for Community Chest. The 14,400 square feet (sq ft) Family Wellness Square @ City Square Mall will serve as an important community support facility with tailored programmes and care catered for the well-being of children and families.
In celebration of its 60th Anniversary, CDL has partnered NCSS to set up a new wellness centre for children and families at City Square Mall (pictured above), as well as raising funds for Community Chest. 
CDL supports numerous community initiatives including the ongoing partnership with the National Parks Board on the CDL Green Gallery (pictured above). Located at the Singapore Botanic Gardens Heritage Museum, the CDL Green Gallery is the first zero-energy gallery in Singapore.
CDL is also supporting other community initiatives, including the ongoing partnership with the National Parks Board (NParks) on the CDL Green Gallery and Garden City Fund as well as partnering with MigrantWell Singapore to enhance the wellbeing and health of our migrant workers. CDL will also be expanding the Singapore Sustainability Academy (SSA) in City Square Mall with a new annex, the first ground-up initiative and zero-energy facility in Singapore dedicated to capacity building and thought leadership for climate action and sustainable development. A partnership involving six government agencies and 15 founding industry and NGO partners, it was designed and built by CDL in 2017. It has since hosted 870 sustainability-related events as at 1H 2023, with over 30,500 in-person attendees apart from participants from over 25 countries joining virtually.
Shaping Skylines. Lasting Legacies.
Discover CDL’s dedication to entrepreneurship, excellence, innovation and sustainability through a collection of stories: cdl.com.sg/ourstories
To view CDL's achievements over the years, please enjoy the company's 60th Anniversary Celebration video below.
