Case Studies

Vietnam Property Developer

Skymont’s investment in a leading developer in HCMC, Vietnam has supported its growth as a  pioneer in incorporating sustainability elements in its landmark projects in HCMC.

Our Portfolio Company

SonKim Land is a leading developer in HCMC specializing in developing high-end, transformational residential and commercial projects, which have won nearly 30 prestigious industry awards since 2015.  The developer has been a sustainable building pioneer in Vietnam, including the development of Sentinel Place, the awardee of the “2011 Best Office Development in Vietnam” and one of the first Grade A offices located in the heart of Hanoi.

SonKim Land on the meaning of its Logo: “Inspired by nature,  the green background of tropical leaves represents the vibrancy of life and the purity of nature.  The image expresses the desire to contribute more value to life as well as transparency in all activities of SonKim Land.  Three pieces forming the letter S on the green background represent three key elements: Heritage, Art and Lifestyle.  For SonKim Land, sustainability is …our contribution to the community for mutual development and towards better values in life.” 

Sustainable Development Example  Metropole Thu Thiem

Metropole Thu Thiem is a 7.6-hectare high-profile mixed-use development situated in the core of the Thu Thiem New Urban Area, District 2, HCMC.  With the serial launch of three high quality residences over 2018-2020, and Grade-A premium office complex on the way, the iconic Project is transforming the surrounding area into a modern lifestyle model that balances the fast CBD work rhythm with supportive living amenities and versatile recreational choices.

The Galleria Residence, Phase I of the Project, received Special Recognition in CSR awarded by the Vietnam Property Awards in 2019 for its success in creating high quality living experience 

The 200,000-sqm Grade A premium office complex will contribute 30% of Grade A office space in HCMC’s new CBD upon completion.  The office complex will target Green Mark Gold Certificate under the BCA Green Mark Certificate Scheme  

Key building features shall include:

  • Climatic responsive design
  • Building energy performance evaluation
  • Resources stewardship 
  • Smart and healthy building
  • Advance green efforts

Sustainability Guidelines

Introduction

Skymont Capital (Skymont) is an international investment manager that invests on behalf of its client-investors in private real estate and real estate related assets and businesses. Skymont is a fiduciary for its clients and regards its primary responsibility to maximize investment returns for its client-investors subject to the confines of its management agreements with clients. Skymont believes that sustainability factors should be considered as they have the potential to impact value to its investments to varying degrees across asset classes, markets, jurisdictions, and time. Skymont commits to integrating sustainability initiatives in the context of fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities.

Purpose

This Sustainability Guideline is designed to:

(I)Define Skymont’s perspective toward sustainability

(II)Provide Skymont’s employees with guidelines regarding the implementation of the sustainability principle when evaluating and managing investments and partnerships

(III)Communicate with clients, vendors and other stakeholders how Skymont shall integrate sustainability considerations into its investment management, partnership formation and vendor selection processes, and which sustainability factors Skymont may weigh over the processes while remaining focused on maximizing long term investment performances

Skymont believes incorporating sustainability considerations into various aspects of our investment management process will help us better fulfill our fiduciary responsibility to our investors, creating and preserving lasting value.

Investment

Skymont applies ESG integration to its investment decision making. When assessing a potential investment, sustainability is an important dimension of its due diligence process. For each deal under scrutiny, Skymont’s sustainability considerations behind it include but are not limited to natural resources preservation, clean energy adoption, local community empowerment, health and wellbeing enhancement, etc. Skymont targets to deliver sustainable returns and minimize ESG risk exposure, while trying to create positive environmental and societal impacts. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, Skymont has actively adopted various digitalization tools to digitize its sourcing and due diligence efforts (e.g.,virtual site inspections, meetings), which has increased work efficiency while reducing expenses and carbon footprint.

Operation and Reporting

Operation and reporting comprise two important pillars of Skymont’s portfolio management:

By partnering with the best-in-class operators and creating specialized operating platforms that best understand the respective market and sector, Skymont has been facilitating best practices in the operation of its investments, creating value and driving performance therein.

Skymont has maintained a rigorous fund stewardship and a transparent reporting process supported by institutional fund infrastructure, promising peace of mind to our investors that they continuously have timely access to an accurate view of our investment performance.

Partners, Vendors and Tenants

Skymont believes in the power of working together to achieve synergy, and has integrated sustainability considerations into the assessment and choice of its potential partners, vendors and tenants, and regularly communicates on and promotes the sustainability principle with its existing partners, vendors and tenants to encourage alignment in practice. Most of Skymont’s existing partners and vendors have explicit sustainability policies in place, and are sustainability practice leaders in their respective fields, often recognized by preeminent ESG awards.

For both existing and potential partners, vendors and tenants, Skymont adopts an approach of fairness and integrity in the interest of fostering long term relationships.

Company Culture and Employee Training

Skymont believes its employees are vital to the implementation of its corporate strategy and to ensuring sustainable business success. Therefore, Skymont continuously engages and empowers its employees by maintaining a lean decision structure that fosters employee involvement and creativity, and encouraging lifelong learning and brainstorming with innovative minds both inside and outside the traditional real estate world. Skymont believes this will keep itself uniquely competitive in formulating strategies and decisions that shall capitalize on the long-term trends. Meanwhile, Skymont also supports ESG learning for its employees to ensure that ESG integration starts from the doorsteps of our office.

Looking Ahead

Moving forward, Skymont looks forward to furthering its commitment to the sustainability principle by systematically integrating more ESG dimensions into its investment management and operational processes.

Skymont will take a holistic approach in its investment selection process that shall seek sustainable returns, minimize ESG risk exposure that can create positive environmental and societal impacts to the surrounding world. Meanwhile, Skymont will continue to improve its operating performance and reporting transparency.