Frasers Hospitality Asset Management secures double win at Real Estate Asia Awards 2026

It developed a tech-enabled micro-hotel in Ginza and a next-gen premium rental apartment under a refreshed brand in Shenzhen.

Frasers Hospitality's Investment and Asset Management arm clinched two prestigious accolades at the Real Estate Asia Awards 2026, taking home Hotel Development of the Year - Japan and Specialised Living Space Development of the Year - China categories for two standout projects in Tokyo and Shenzhen, respectively. 

Unlocking value on one of Tokyo’s most constrained urban sites

YOTEL Tokyo Ginza marks Frasers Hospitality’s first ground-up development and direct investment in Japan, representing a significant milestone within one of Asia’s most competitive gateway cities. Completed in late 2024, the hotel was developed on a compact site in downtown Ginza, where tight zoning rules and extreme land scarcity demanded a highly optimised development strategy. Frasers Hospitality successfully achieved a near-full utilisation of the permissible floor area ratio, maximising both development yield and long-term asset value, in partnership with YOTEL. Originally envisioned as a serviced residence, the project was strategically repositioned during the pandemic amidst escalating construction and labour costs. Drawing on its deep market understanding and development agility, Frasers Hospitality pivoted the development to a tech-enabled micro-hotel concept, significantly increasing room count within the same footprint, whilst aligning with the resilient short-stay demand in central Tokyo.

The result is a highly efficient hotel that combines compact smart design, operational efficiency, and strong commercial performance in one of the world’s most supply-constrained hospitality markets.

Beyond development optimisation, sustainability was embedded throughout the hotel’s design and operations. YOTEL Tokyo Ginza received CASBEE Design certification in 2024 and outperformed benchmark returns for comparable core-city assets, reinforcing both its investment resilience and environmental credentials. Key sustainability features include LED lighting, occupancy-based controls, and water-efficient fixtures that reduce water consumption by up to 45%. A green roof further enhances insulation and mitigates urban heat build-up whilst operational initiatives such as refillable bathroom amenities and a guest linen reuse programme, help minimise ongoing environmental impact. 

Pioneering next-generation premium rental living in Shenzhen

Modena by Fraser Shenzhen reflects Frasers Hospitality's capability to anticipate and respond to evolving urban living patterns through innovative, lifestyle-led living concepts. The 325-unit development marks its strategic move into China’s premium rental apartment segment, capitalising on rising demand for flexible, high-quality long-stay living accommodation amongst young professionals, cross-border commuters and modern families. Located within a mixed-use tower in Shenzhen’s Luohu District, a major gateway connecting Shenzhen and Hong Kong, the project was thoughtfully curated and designed to address the changing expectations of today’s urban residents who increasingly prioritise flexibility, mobility and community.

Demonstrating Frasers Hospitality’s expertise in space planning and resident-centric design, the apartments incorporate multifunctional layouts and transformable furniture solutions that maximise liveability within compact urban footprints. The wider development integrates co-working facilities, wellness amenities, and curated communal spaces to support productivity and social interaction.

The development also showcases Frasers Hospitality’s operational capabilities in building vibrant long-stay communities through on-site resident engagement programmes and lifestyle-driven experiences tailored for its target demographic. Sustainability and wellbeing were integral to the development strategy, with the property achieving LEED Gold, China Green Building Label (2-Star), and Fitwel certifications. 

Together, the Tokyo and Shenzhen developments highlighted Frasers Hospitality’s ability to adapt its development strategies and approach to distinct urban conditions, market dynamics, and consumer behaviours, leveraging its expertise to create resilient, high-performing, and future-proofed assets that balance commercial success, operational excellence, and sustainable urban living.   

The Real Estate Asia Awards proudly shines a spotlight on exceptional achievements in the dynamic world of real estate across Asia. It seeks to recognise those who consistently push the boundaries of innovation and excellence, making a lasting impact on their local communities.

The Real Estate Asia Awards is presented by Real Estate Asia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2027 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's exceptional projects or initiatives in the Real Estate industry, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez at [email protected].