Innovation and Experimentation | SD 2030 Strategy | Swire Properties Sustainability Report 2025

Innovation and Experimentation

A creative mindset of innovation and experimentation is crucial to the continued success of our sustainability initiatives. Throughout the year, Swire Properties worked to retain our position on the cutting edge of sustainability and technological trends.

New Ventures

Swire Properties’ New Ventures (“NV”) department identifies emerging trends in real estate technology and accelerates the adoption of creative solutions. Established in 2017, the department adds strategic value by fast-tracking best-in-class technologies across the Company, particularly scalable off-the-shelf solutions that drive business growth. It also plays a pivotal role in shaping Swire Properties’ innovation strategy by engaging with tech companies, thought leaders and emerging trends. NV supports the development of new technology-enabled businesses that align with Swire Properties’ long-term growth ambitions.

Corporate Venture Capital Fund

Established in June 2020, this US$50 million venture fund invests in global Series A to Series C technology startups around the world. These investments are selected based on their potential to support Swire Properties’ strategic priorities and innovation roadmap. In 2025, NV portfolio companies continued their strong growth, despite a slowing global economy. Notably, our portfolio company and luxury maternal and infant wellness partner Saint Bella was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in June 2025.

Supporting Technology Trials

NV also sponsors trials of new technologies, particularly those involving property technology (“PropTech”), artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, blockchain, logistics, and Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) companies. In 2025, the department supported several impactful technology trials that advanced operational efficiency and digital transformation across Swire Properties. These included

ACC – A best-in-class building information management (“BIM”) collaboration and construction project management platform.
Tenantslink – A WeChat-based mini-programme deployed at HKRI Taikoo Hui in Shanghai to enhance tenant engagement and access to amenity access.
Dajie – A Shanghai-based robotics platform used to automate prefabrication workflows using AI-optimised design-to-fabrication software for complex building components.

NV also supported sustainability-focused start-ups including YiDesign and Sambo, which are innovatively employing circular materials and energy systems to make significant contributions Swire Properties’ sustainability goals.

The NV Speaker Series

The long-running NV Speaker Series continued to inspire in 2025, featuring three presentations on innovative topics that attracted around 400 participants in total. These were complemented by expert panels and internal sharing events across Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, helping teams stay ahead of emerging technologies and their business implications.

Revolutionising Real Estate: Pi Labs Insights on the European PropTech Landscape (January)

This session explored how European tech startups are transforming sustainable construction, efficient buildings, the future of work, and retail. It was presented by representatives from Pi Labs, a UK-based venture capital firm that backs companies at the forefront of digitalising the real estate and construction sectors.

Mixed Reality in Real Estate – A Panel Discussion with ArchiFiction (April)

This panel discussion focused on the application of mixed reality in the real estate context. Our guests were representatives from Archifiction, an immersive technology company, and together we explored how multi-reality experiences are reshaping our industry. Particular focus was given to the “Step-in VR Box”, introducing the future workplaces at Taikoo Place Beijing.

AI Meets Legal: CoCounsel in Action at Swire Hotels (August)

This talk featured insights and lessons learned by Justen Li, General Counsel of Swire Hotels. He provided a first-hand look at how generative artificial intelligence (“GenAI”) is being trialled in legal operations, providing a walkthrough of the CoCounsel platform, a legal AI assistant powered by Thomson Reuters Practical Law, launched in partnership with NV.

Digital Transformation and Digital Curriculum

Swire Properties is building for the future through our digital transformation journey. Our digital curriculum is structured around four key components:

Digital Explorer e-learning – Launched in October 2024, this programme introduces office-based staff to practical digital skillsets and tools. It inspires with success stories and offers insights into how digital technologies can enhance work effectiveness through smarter processes and data-driven decision-making.
Microsoft Power Platform Training – Piloted in 2024 and officially launched in 2025, this hands-on training focuses on data visualisation dashboards and process automation. In 2025, six training sessions were held, with more than 400 colleagues in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland completing the programme by year-end.
Digital Project Management Training – This training equips digital project leaders with practical tools and examples tailored to the Swire Properties context enabling them to manage the full digital project lifecycle effectively.
AI Literacy Sessions – These include luncheon talks and hands-on learning sessions that explore real-world use cases and encourage application through discussion and practice. We held two sessions in 2025, with more than 200 colleagues in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland taking part in person or online.

To support continuous learning, the Digital Strategy and Transformation team continued to promote AI literacy and adoption across the Company this year. In July, the team launched the AI Knowledge Portal, a platform offering tools, tutorials, prompt libraries, and weekly AI news roundups that reach around 2,000 colleagues per week. They also introduced the fun AI Connect Championship, drawing nearly 200 entries and boosting portal traffic.

The team also encouraged the use of the Microsoft Copilot tool, using use cases, practical tips and the influence of “power users” to drive utilisation and productivity. Working closely with Digital and IT teams in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, the team is also driving adoption of the Swire Properties AI Platform, building an ecosystem of chatbots with Company domain knowledge. These assist colleagues with queries across multiple topics – from HR policies and IT support to tenant sustainability programmes.

We also rolled out the Digital Transformation Champions Programme later in the year to embed digital strategy and product management capabilities across business units. The programme seeks to align our digital and IT investments with business-led digital strategies, optimise digital product development processes and enable transformation through AI and automation.

Innovation Accelerator

Swire Properties’ Innovation Accelerator (“IA”) programme, launched in 2020, fosters a culture of innovation across the Company by empowering employees as Change Agents. Through extensive tailored training and direct engagement with senior leadership, participants gain the skills and opportunities necessary to incubate their ideas.

Shifting from a two-year to a one-year format, IA returned in August 2025 with the programme’s third cohort of Change Agents – 150 colleagues from 27 business units in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Aligning the programme structure and timeline across regions fosters synergy, facilitates knowledge-sharing, and ensures a cohesive experience for all participants.

At the opening ceremony, the new Change Agents came together with senior leaders, including our Chief Executive and Director of Human Resources, to discuss IA’s vision and purpose. Alumni also shared their journeys in a panel discussion, offering valuable insights and encouragement.

IA events in 2025 aimed to encourage collaboration, skill development, and the exchange of innovative ideas among Change Agents. Stand-out sessions included:

Change Agent Core Training

This workshop combined the Change Agent DNA and Influencing Skill modules into a one-day learning experience. Three sessions explored what it means to be “inquisitive, influential, and impactful”, and taught 58 participants practical techniques to communicate, build relationships and influence effectively – equipping them with the mindset and tools to lead innovation and drive meaningful change across the Company.

Networking Social

Our newest Change Agents connected with programme alumni at a networking social event, brainstorming project ideas and sharing experiences. Our Assistant General Manager of Digital Strategy & Transformation contributed her valuable perspective, giving a further energy boost to the new recruits.

Executive Insights Session

This breakfast forum brought together 13 participants for a dynamic dialogue with our Director of Human Resources. The session featured reflections on embedding innovation into organisational culture, covering topics from the employee experience to workplace transformation.

In 2026, these Change Agents will take part in carefully designed training sessions and workshops, executive insight sessions, networking mixers, company visits and a newly introduced initiative – Intelligence Labs. This internal collaboration platform will empower them to gather challenges and pain points from business units, develop AI-assisted solutions and share ideas through storytelling.

HKUST Decarbonisation Partnership

Swire Properties and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (“HKUST”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) to develop a collaborative framework aiming to expedite research and the implementation of decarbonisation solutions within the built environment. Under the framework, both parties will leverage their respective expertise, resources, and networks to accelerate the testing and adoption of innovative decarbonisation solutions, and foster further research and development in this critical domain.

The partnership will encompass knowledge exchange, the development of a challenge statement, a pilot project and public results sharing. For the pilot project, we presented two challenges to HKUST – the first being making air conditioning and dehumidification more efficient and the second being reducing fan energy use. The HKUST team is now actively engaged in developing potential solutions to these challenges.

“Step-in VR Box” in ONE INDIGO Lobby

As the massive Taikoo Place Beijing development project continues, Swire Properties is offering tenants, businesses, and the greater Beijing community a taste of what the this expansive commercial complex will look like upon completion. The “Step-in VR Box” in the ONE INDIGO lobby gives visitors an immersive virtual reality experience, allowing them to explore this next-gen business and wellness destination firsthand.

The dynamic experience hub uses 3D technology, interactive virtual reality and customised visualisation, immersing visitors in a vivid exploration of the buildings and features of Taikoo Place Beijing and explaining how it exemplifies the workplace of the future. The installation received a user experience award at the iF Design Awards – the only commercial real estate initiative to be recognised out of 11,000 global entries.

Innovative Solutions for the ZHANGYUAN Restoration Project

ZHANGYUAN is an ambitious redevelopment project that is revitalising one of Shanghai’s most famous historic districts. As the project continues, Swire Properties and our partners are employing innovative technology in surprising ways.

The district’s complex architecture, with its narrow lanes, mix of foundation types and demanding preservation requirements, make conventional construction equipment unusable. Instead, ZHANGYUAN is demonstrating how AI and robotics can be useful urban renewal tools in historic districts. Highlights include:

Historic Building Relocation

The team used 432 robotic walking devices to lift and successfully move China’s largest cluster of Shikumen-style buildings . Weighing 7,500 tonnes, the buildings were relocated to allow underground construction to begin while preserving the historic structures.

Underground Development Plan

Technology was used to plan the complex three-level underground space that will be used for commercial and cultural uses and parking facilities. It will also connect three metro lines to enable indoor transfers at West Nanjing Road Station.

Robotic Construction Technology

Multiple specialised construction robots are being deployed in tight spaces – some alleyways are only 1.2m wide – to ensure heritage sites are preserved. These include miniaturised drilling and piling machines that operate indoors, and compact excavators with AI-based obstacle avoidance and path planning software.

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