Page 16 - Sphere No.25 (Aug 2009)

14 SPHERE
In London, with the Albion
Riverside project, designed by
Lord Norman Foster, Hutchison
turned a former bus depot into a
high profile up-market residen-
tial development that has signifi-
cantly improved the image of the
generally run down Battersea area
and substantially raised the value
of nearby property.
Lawrence Pigeon is the Director
of elite kitchen and bathroom out-
fitters Alternative Plans, which has
a retail outlet in the Albion River-
side complex. “We have been in
this location for about 30 years and
Albion Riverside has improved the
area enormously,” he said. “Since
its completion, Albion Riverside
has helped the area go up-market.
“The improved river access has
been an attractive addition and
the whole place now has a more
presentable environment and is
more sales friendly. Albion Riv-
erside has lifted the profile and is
now much more of a destination.
This area has now become a pres-
tigious location.”
Back in Hong Kong, Harbour
Plaza Hotels and Resorts already
manages more than a half dozen
hotels across the territory, but the
Harbour Grand Hong Kong is the
Group’s first five-star luxury hotel
on Hong Kong Island, and is now
its flagship.
This is a major vote of confi-
dence in North Point, and the
new hotel – built on a spectacular
waterfront site formerly occupied
by a warehouse – will have a posi-
tive effect on the district as a whole. One obvious reason for
this is that guests of luxury hotels automatically have a certain
spending power and the quality of local retailing and food and
beverage (F&B) services tends to align itself with the elevated
expectations of the new visitors.
North Point may also become more attractive as an office lo-
cation with the development of new commercial buildings con-
veniently close to the complementary new facilities the hotel
offers. International companies which want easy access to ac-
commodation of a high standard for visiting clients and senior
executives are likely to be particularly attracted.
here has attracted a lot of different types of restaurants. There
are French, Italian, Thai, and Japanese and of course plenty of
Chinese restaurants. It adds to the enjoyment of living here.”
Nor has Hutchison confined its urban renewal initiatives to
HongKong.On theChinesemainland theChongqingMetropoli-
tan Plaza &Tower, which includes the Harbour Plaza Chongqing
Hotel, is one of the largest comprehensive development projects
in southwest China. Formerly occupied by a meat and vegetable
market, it has been acknowledged by the authorities as one of
the most influential projects in the city’s revitalisation and a key
element in Chongqing’s branding.
POSITIVE CHANGE
South Horizons occupies the site of the former Hongkong Electric
Power Station on Ap Lei Chau.
Albion Riverside in London turns a former bus depot into an
up-market residential development.
Whampoa Gardens is built on the site of the former
Whampoa Dockyards in Hung Hom.
Present
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