Located in the Changning district, the new office space boasts 6,668 square metres (71,774 square feet) and was bought for approximately USD 51 million. The transaction is expected to close in late August this year.
Global Sources’ Chairman and CEO, Merle A. Hinrichs, said: “The purchase of office space in Shanghai addresses our long-term needs as we continue to expand in China.
“The office is located near the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and a regional transportation hub connecting to the Yangtze River Delta areas.
“In addition, the offices are adjacent to the Shanghai Metro stations, which are ideal for our team members.”
Global Sources is one of the largest business-to-business media companies in the East and uses English-language-based media to enhance trade from China to the rest of the world.
Currently, the company delivers information on more than 5.7 million products and more than 262,000 suppliers.
Recently, Shanghai’s rival city, Hong Kong, topped the list of the world’s most expensive office spaces; however, according to a recent CB Richard Ellis survey, it is also the most popular city for global businesses.
Singapore ranked second, closely followed by Tokyo, London, and finally Shanghai.
However, Hong Kong’s sky-high prices and lack of supply could be pushing firms to look at other Asian cities, which could work in Shanghai’s favour.
The Director of CBRE’s research for Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Edward Farrelly, said: “Global corporate strategies are increasingly focused on cost efficiency and the lack of available office space in Hong Kong is proving counterproductive.”
Editor’s notes: In 2018, the UK-based Clarion Events, which is owned by The Blackstone Group, completed its acquisition of Global Sources, supported by Blackstone.
As of September 2026, Clarion Events litsed its Singapore address as 1 Raffles Place, One Raffles Place Mall, Singapore 048616.
Singapore CBD Grade A office rents rose 1.4 per cent quarter-on-quarter in Q1 2026, amid tighter supply and sustained flight-to-quality by occupiers. Gross effective rent stood at S$11.36 per square foot per month at quarter-end.
CBD Grade A office vacancy rates fell to 4.1 per cent in the quarter from 4.4 per cent in Q4 2025.
Savills reported in Q4 2025 that Singapore was the 9th most expensive location in the world in which to rent office space, with a Net Effective Cost to the Occupier of USD 156.13 per square foot per annum.