Family offices are increasingly moving beyond traditional wealth preservation and iconic property holdings, emerging as sophisticated global investors with a growing influence on real estate markets.
As wealthy families professionalise their investment operations, they are building institutional-grade teams, strengthening governance and leveraging international networks to pursue more diversified opportunities. Rather than concentrating on high-profile trophy properties, many are now targeting sectors that offer reliable income and long-term growth potential.
Recent research from the Asia Pacific Real Assets Association (Aprea) shows family offices are directing more capital towards sectors where specialist expertise, local partnerships and patient capital can unlock value. These include residential housing, co-living, student accommodation, hospitality, self-storage, logistics, digital infrastructure, operational real estate and private credit.
According to the report, these investments provide exposure to long-term demographic and technological trends while delivering resilient cash flows.
Yvonne Siew, Managing Director and Head of Product Development and Wealth Markets for Private Capital Markets at CapitaLand Investment, says family offices are increasingly balancing growth ambitions with portfolio resilience.
Alongside investments linked to technology, artificial intelligence and healthcare, she notes growing interest in living-focused real estate, driven by urbanisation, changing lifestyles and greater mobility. Logistics facilities, infrastructure and private credit also continue to attract investors because they offer diversification and dependable income.
This trend is reflected in a recent survey by Knight Frank, which found family offices are adopting more thematic investment strategies. Investors are showing greater interest in sectors such as data centres, value-add real estate, student housing, logistics and healthcare-related property, where demand is supported by long-term economic and demographic fundamentals.
Regional investors look beyond domestic markets
Across Southeast Asia, family offices are increasingly expanding across borders instead of focusing on a single market.
Knight Frank’s latest wealth report forecasts continued growth in the region’s ultra-high-net-worth population over the next five years, fuelled by entrepreneurship, stronger capital markets and expanding economies.
Goh Wee Ping, Chief Investment Officer of Wee Hur Holdings and CEO of Wee Hur Capital, believes Southeast Asia is entering an especially attractive period for investors. He points to a new generation of business leaders who are more internationally connected through education and global networks, making cross-border investment opportunities more accessible while recognising that local market expertise remains essential.
The next generation is also placing greater emphasis on sustainability alongside financial performance.
Ho Ninghao, Group Managing Director of Ho Group, says preserving wealth across generations requires the ability to adapt as markets evolve. In his view, sustainability, operational excellence and strong investment returns should complement one another rather than compete for attention.
Australia remains a key destination
Australia continues to attract significant family office interest, particularly among investors seeking opportunities beyond conventional commercial property.
Ho highlights private credit secured by first mortgages on premium residential developments in Sydney as an attractive opportunity. Higher interest rates, conservative lending practices and an ongoing shortage of luxury housing have created favourable conditions for investors looking for stable, asset-backed returns.
He describes Australia as one of the Asia-Pacific region’s most attractive markets for family office capital, citing its transparent property market, political stability and growing technology talent base. Rather than simply purchasing established assets, Ho believes long-term investors can generate value by identifying overlooked opportunities and positioning them to benefit from future demand.
Global portfolios require trusted partnerships
As wealthy families expand internationally, tax planning, geopolitical diversification, lifestyle considerations and broader investment opportunities are all encouraging them to establish more global portfolios.
Singapore and Hong Kong continue to serve as the region’s leading family office hubs, supported by clear regulatory frameworks, favourable business environments and well-developed professional services ecosystems, according to Siew.
With portfolios spanning multiple jurisdictions, effective governance, rigorous due diligence and carefully selected partners have become increasingly important.
Ho believes successful cross-border partnerships depend on shared investment philosophies, aligned risk tolerance and transparent decision-making. He says Ho Group’s collaborations with institutional investors have focused on creating long-term value throughout market cycles rather than pursuing short-term opportunities.
