Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 678 Golden Position
Aaron nodded. "Let's get the Furama Hotel development by Lai Sun Group sorted out first. As for Jardine Matheson, I'll find some time to meet with Henry Keswick first."

"Anyway, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is not a very important component of the Jardine Matheson Group."

Jardine Matheson Group's core businesses include Dairy Farm International and Hong Kong Land, and it is currently investing in K. Wah Auto and Indonesia's Astra Group, among others.
It's just a high-end hotel group. What could Jardine Matheson possibly be reluctant to give up? They just need to negotiate a satisfactory price.

That evening, Wang Zhuxian arrived at Aaron's residence, but seemed somewhat helpless!
"What's wrong with you?"

In the bedroom, Aaron held Wang Zhuxian, who was lying on top of him, and asked, "Have you run into any difficulties again?"

Recently, the movie "Thunder Cop" was also released in various parts of China.

"Well, it was alright. It's just that 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' performed only so-so in Hong Kong. It was released in Taiwan and Hong Kong at the beginning of last month."

"The box office was only HK$14 million, but it did well in Taiwan, with NT$200 million."

Wang Zhuxian kissed the man, "It hasn't been released in mainland China yet, so it probably won't do any good results?"

Aaron stroked the woman's soft skin. "Isn't Taiwan a good option? 2 million New Taiwan Dollars, which is roughly 4500 million Hong Kong Dollars!"

"Moreover, the majority of revenue for Ang Lee's films comes from the North American market, and the main investor in 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' was also Dawn Crescent Pictures."

"Oh, Media Asia Films is in charge of the Hong Kong market, so I guess they didn't make much money."

Aaron couldn't help but laugh. Besides Dawn Crescent in the United States and Media Asia in Hong Kong, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon also had sponsorships from Central Television in Taipei and China Film Corporation.

Central Motion Picture Corporation is responsible for the Taiwan market, China Film Corporation is responsible for the mainland China market, Media Asia Films is responsible for Hong Kong and Macau, and the remaining market belongs to Dawn Crescent!

"Art films have never had much of a market in Hong Kong. Even the previous film, 'Farewell My Concubine,' did not gross more than HK$1000 million in Hong Kong, let alone other art films."

Thinking about it this way, Wang Zhuxian realized that "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" wasn't so bad after all, "Farewell My Concubine" had won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film!
Aaron rolled over, pinning Wang Zhuxian beneath him and kissing her. "Why think about these things? 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' will have a limited release in North America at the end of the year, aiming for the Oscars."

"Then, when it comes to next year, it will be officially released in theaters. As long as it performs well at the Oscars, that will be enough."

Originally, the film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was rich in cultural connotations and humanistic elements, and could be seen as a microcosm of Eastern and Western cultures.

It embodies Western humanistic thought: the pursuit of freedom and liberation, the unlimited expansion of desires, and a competitive spirit;

There is also Confucianism, which represents the East: introversion and restraint, and the tolerance of desires.

Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" depicts not only a martial arts world, but also the clash between Eastern and Western cultures.

The film offers audiences more than just the sensory stimulation of martial arts films; it also conveys a broader humanistic sentiment!

"Hmm," Wang Zhuxian whispered, wrapping her arms around the man's neck, "How long will you be staying this time?"

Aaron felt the woman's softness. "I'm here this time to acquire the Furama Hotel and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. I expect to stay for a while longer."

"Ah, these are the assets of Lai Sun Development and Jardine Matheson Group?"

Wang Zhuxian's breathing quickened. "It seems this investment is quite substantial again!"

“Of course, Haihua Real Estate is going all out to enter the Chinese real estate market.” Wang Zhuxian closed her eyes. “It seems there’s a big Hollywood movie being filmed in Cambodia, Southeast Asia, based on a game, called *Tomb Raider*.”

"Hong Kong newspapers reported that Universal Music has actually fallen behind?"

"Mmm," Aaron didn't say anything, but directly sealed Wang Zhuxian's lips with his and kissed her.

Tomb Raider? With Dawn Group in its current state, would they even care?

……

With Edgar Irwin representing Hai Wah Properties and Lai Sun Development in talks to acquire Furama Hotel, Singapore’s Baiteng Group was the first to be eliminated;

Haihua Properties also directly partnered with AIG to acquire the Furama Hotel, offering HK$30 billion at a premium.

For Lai Sun Development, which is heavily indebted, this price is simply irresistible!

"Rest assured, Haihua Real Estate and AIG are only acquiring the property rights of the Furama Hong Kong Hotel; we don't want the Furama Hong Kong Hotel brand."

"That is, the Furama Hotel brand still belongs to Lai Sun Development."

In the office of the Furama Hotel in Central, Aaron and Lim Por-yen sat on the sofa, conducting their final negotiations.

Haihua Real Estate and AIG have reached an agreement to jointly acquire the Furama Hong Kong Hotel. Haihua Real Estate will hold 70% of the shares, and AIG will hold 30%, with both parties contributing capital proportionally.

After acquiring the Furama Hotel, it will be demolished as soon as possible and a new Grade A office building will be constructed!
Lin Baixin looked at Aaron and said, "Sigh, this is truly a failed investment."

Aaron smiled. "Mr. Lin, in business, there are always gains and losses. Once Lai Sun Development overcomes its difficulties, we can reopen the Furama Hotel."

"Moreover, I don't think any company would offer HK$30 billion in cash."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Lim Por-yen said, "Mr. Anderson, this plot of land is located at 1 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong—the best prime location in Hong Kong!"

"Beside Victoria Harbour, even if we stop operating the hotel and build new office buildings in the future, we will not lack tenants."

Lai Sun acquired ATV a few years ago, and the Furama Hotel really suffered huge losses!
Aaron shrugged. "If it weren't for its good location, this land wouldn't be worth anything."

After all, although the Furama Hotel is made up of two plots of land connected by a middle section, its area is not very large.

“Perhaps, Haihua Properties could cooperate with Lai Sun Development in mainland China in the future,” Aaron suddenly said.

Lin Baixin paused for a moment, then said, "Oh, that's a good idea!"

Haihua Real Estate has strong financial resources and has already made large-scale investments in Beijing and Shanghai, and there will definitely be other moves to come.
Lai Sun Development, as a long-established real estate group in Hong Kong, certainly has more history than newer real estate groups like Hai Wah Properties, but Hai Wah Properties has money!

Soon after, news broke that Hai Wah Properties and AIG had jointly acquired Lai Sun Development's Furama Hotel for HK$30 billion.
At the same time, Haihua Real Estate also announced that the Furama Hotel will officially close and be demolished next year, and a new five-star Grade A office building will be constructed in its place.

(End of this chapter)