Family capital / Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Kwok family

Kwok Tak-seng, a grocery wholesaler who emigrated to Hong Kong after WWII, co-founded Sun Hung Kai Enterprises in 1963 with two partners. The company sold over HK$565 million of property by 1972, when it incorporated as Sun Hung Kai Properties and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Real estate developmentProperty investment

How the fortune was built

After Kwok Tak-seng died in 1990, his three sons — Walter, Thomas, and Raymond — took over, growing SHKP into one of the world's largest developers by market value, with landmark projects including Two IFC and the International Commerce Centre. The company remains a major mainland China developer, with large ongoing projects in Hangzhou and Guangzhou.

Where the family invests today

In 2012, Thomas and Raymond Kwok were arrested in Hong Kong's largest-ever corruption case, accused of bribing a former government official for confidential land-sale information; Thomas was convicted in 2014 and later rejoined the group, while Raymond was acquitted and now serves as sole chairman. Unlike several other Hong Kong families, the Kwoks do not run a distinct branded investment or venture arm — capital deployment continues mainly through SHKP's own Hong Kong and mainland China property portfolio.

Investing in Hong Kong

See the full market guide for Hong Kong — currency, exchange, regulator, and how everyday investors there put money to work.

Go to Hong Kong →

Other Hong Kong families

See the trends these families are backing

From family offices to venture investing — explore what's shaping capital across Asia.

Explore trends

Frequently asked questions

What is the history behind the Kwok family?
Kwok Tak-seng, a grocery wholesaler who emigrated to Hong Kong after WWII, co-founded Sun Hung Kai Enterprises in 1963 with two partners. The company sold over HK$565 million of property by 1972, when it incorporated as Sun Hung Kai Properties and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
How did the Kwok family build its fortune?
After Kwok Tak-seng died in 1990, his three sons — Walter, Thomas, and Raymond — took over, growing SHKP into one of the world's largest developers by market value, with landmark projects including Two IFC and the International Commerce Centre. The company remains a major mainland China developer, with large ongoing projects in Hangzhou and Guangzhou.
Where does the Kwok family invest today?
In 2012, Thomas and Raymond Kwok were arrested in Hong Kong's largest-ever corruption case, accused of bribing a former government official for confidential land-sale information; Thomas was convicted in 2014 and later rejoined the group, while Raymond was acquitted and now serves as sole chairman. Unlike several other Hong Kong families, the Kwoks do not run a distinct branded investment or venture arm — capital deployment continues mainly through SHKP's own Hong Kong and mainland China property portfolio.