As its name suggests, the company's original business was in running wharfage and dockside warehousing, and it was originally known as The Hong Kong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company, Limited and founded by Sir Paul Chater.

In a more modern vein, the company owns two major flagship properties in the Harbour City and Times Square shopping centres in Hong Kong.

Other holdings in Hong Kong include i-CABLE, Cable TV and WTT, and Modern Terminals.

On 26 July 2016, it was announced that Wharf Holdings (through Novel Colour Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary) is investing RMB 150 million to form WWE & Company, a social mobile shopping platform technology company.

[4][5] In December 2020, the company was awarded a plot located on the Peak for $1.5 billion, marking the first sale of a parcel in the prestigious neighbourhood since 2011.