Andrew MacGeoch

Andrew MacGeoch
  1. People /

Andrew MacGeoch

Andrew MacGeoch

Partner


Singapore/Hong Kong SAR
Andrew MacGeoch
  1. People /

Andrew MacGeoch

Andrew MacGeoch

Partner


Singapore/Hong Kong SAR

Andrew MacGeoch

Partner

Singapore/Hong Kong SAR

Partner and Head of Asia Real Estate & Infrastructure Group and Global Co-Head of Hospitality & Leisure Group

T: +65 6571 6625

T: +852 3143 8402

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Biography

A market-leader in the Corporate Real Estate, Hospitality and Project sectors. Andrew has been representing developers, owners, institutional investors, governments and statutory corporations for nearly 30 years in Asia on a range of development matters.

He has extensive experience in dealing with infrastructure developments and mixed-use projects from power generating plants to stadia, multi-purpose venues and exhibition centres with a significant focus on hospitality projects and integrated resorts. He is passionate about principled negotiations, problem solving and the drafting of the full range of corporate and commercial agreements required for such projects (including joint ventures, project concession and development agreements, facilities management, leases and related contracts.  His practice involves projects throughout Asia. He is best known for his work across Hong Kong SAR, Macau, Mainland China, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand.

He regularly advises on the drafting and negotiation of hotel management and related agreements and has been involved in transactions (acting primarily for owners) involving more than 50 hotel and lodging brands.  These include the Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Marriott, Intercontinental, Sofitel, Grand Hyatt, Aman, Shangri-la, St. Regis, W, Sheraton, Regent, Mandarin Oriental, Six Senses, Le Meridien, Novotel and many other brands for hotels and serviced apartments.

He is a regular writer on hotel topics and frequent presenter and moderator at hotel and real estate investment conferences.

He has co-chaired the Asian Hospitality Development Council for ULI (Urban Land Institute).  He has also chaired the M&A Deal of The Year Awards at HICAP for a number of years and sits on the advisory board of HICAP.

He has been a long-standing member of the HK General Chamber’s RE & Infrastructure Committee, an active member of the HK British Chamber Real Estate Committee, its Business Policy Unit and a co-opted member on its GenCom.

He also chairs the Trustee Board of the Home of Loving Faithfulness, a Hong Kong SAR based charity which provides life-time care for the disabled (without any charge).

25

For well over 25 years in Asia, Andrew has been representing developers, owners, institutional investors, governments and statutory corporations.

50

Andrew has been involved in transactions involving more than 50 hotel and lodging brands. 

"Andrew MacGeoch is of outstanding character and high level of integrity with a global perspective."

Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2024

Band 3: Real Estate: International Firms in China, Chambers and Partners Greater China Region, 2024

Leading Individual: Real Estate in Hong Kong, Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2024

"Andrew is great to work with. He provides sound advice to us, and demonstrates great commercial and legal sense." Chambers and Partners Greater China Region, 2024

"Andrew is very professional and highly respected in the hotel industry."  Chambers and Partners Greater China Region, 2024

"Andrew MacGeoch is of outstanding character and high level of integrity with a global perspective." Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2024

"He's professional and grabs the point very quickly." Chambers & Partners Greater China, 2023.

"Extremely seasoned professional with lots of ideas and solutions to difficult structures." Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific, 2022.

He is "willing to argue his corner," and also to "stand firm if he thinks he is giving the right advice." Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific, 2021.

Clients are impressed with his ability to provide clarity on complex issues, with one stating: “He’s a good communicator and is able to explain the potential challenges and solutions to the client.” Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific, 2020.

He is very “candid, sensible and efficient.” Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2020.

Tier 1: Real Estate in Hong Kong, Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2024

Tier 2: Projects and Energy in Hong Kong, Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2024

Band 3: Real Estate: International Firms in China, Chambers and Partners Greater China Region, 2024

THE SUSTAINABILITY IMPERATIVE

Spoken Languages

  • English

Admissions

  • England and Wales (non-practicing)
  • Hong Kong

Related Practice Areas

  • Real Estate Sector

  • Redevelopment

  • Hotels and Hospitality

  • Data Center & Digital Infrastructure Team

  • Sustainable Real Estate

  • Real Estate

  • Infrastructure

  • Healthcare & Life Sciences

  • Commercial Real Estate

  • Betting & Gaming

  • Corporate

  • Regulation, Compliance & Advisory

  • Licensing

Experience

  • Advising a Hong Kong SAR statutory body for an expansion project in Hong Kong SAR which includes advising on the terms of the draft land grant supplied by the Legal Advisory and Conveyancing Office.
  • Advising an international manufacturer on its sale and leaseback transaction regarding a 20,725 square metre factory site in the PRC with a state-owned enterprise as buyer.
  • Advising the client as a shareholder in a JVCO in relation to a proposed tender for the hotel operator of an existing luxury hotel property in Hong Kong SAR.
  • Advised a prominent Hong Kong SAR property developer on various Hotel Management Agreement contracts and various COVID-related matters for a branded hotel in Shanghai.
  • Represented a private equity fund on the hotel management agreements in connection with a resort in Asia, including a settlement agreement to mutually agree termination of the HMA.
  • Advised hotel owners on the conversion and rebranding of hotels in Hong Kong SAR.
  • Advised hotel owners in Macau on HMA force majeure clauses in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Awards
Jan 24, 2024
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The Policy Address 2023 was delivered by the Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive, John Lee (“CE”) on 25 October 2023. In addition to some expected initiatives to further promote the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” and further enhancements of National Security, the CE has introduced 73 new initiatives in what was probably one of the longest ever policy address speeches.  Alongside the key initiatives to increase land and housing supply, the CE is also promoting various real estate, infrastructure and development projects to combat the slow-moving economy and a lacklustre property market. We set out a list of key takeaways which are relevant to our firm’s practice in the real estate and infrastructure space. There are also other key areas which others may focus on such as the long awaited need to reform the GEM listing approach.  A new listing route for R&D focussed companies will be created with new Listing Rules being promised for Q1 2024. An important boost for the financial services sector.
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