A US$2.6bn (€2.2bn, £1.9bn) arts and design district in Kowloon, Hong Kong, has reached a major milestone with the completion of the 66-storey mixed-use tower at its heart.
Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Architects, the K11 Atelier building is located on the Tsim Sha Tsui harborfront, replacing a long-derelict warehouse terminal that was once integral to Hong Kong’s famous port.
It is the high-rise centrepoint of the Victoria Dockside scheme, being developed by local real estate corporation New World Development.
The 280m (918.6ft) tall tower contains office and commercial facilities, wellness amenities for staff, and from next year will house a Rosewood Hotel and Rosewood Residences with panoramic views of Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong Island.
With a design that “accentuates the Hong Kong skyline” the exterior and interior design have been planned to pay homage to its location on the historic Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong’s reputation as a hub of trade and ‘gateway to the Far East’.
The tower incorporates Portuguese limestone accented with bronze trims, and its interior, designed by Japan-based Simplicity, is lined with natural wooden materials to recall the site’s days as a maritime centre.
Renowned artists including Qin Feng, Nick Mauss and Alexander Tovborg have installed artwork throughout the tower, each incorporating different materials, from ink, tea, and coffee, to glass, mirror, felt, and wood.
“With this unmatched space, our goal is to give the new generation of talents what they really want: premium office space with the ability to connect with other like-minded, forward-thinking individuals to enjoy art and cultural experiences right in the heart of Victoria Dockside," said Adrian Cheng, K11 founder and executive vice-chair and general manager of New World Development.
“Increasingly, we're moving to a culture that embraces work and life together, and K11 Atelier offers a new way to enjoy the best of both worlds in one of the most exciting new neighbourhoods in Hong Kong.”
The wider Victoria Dockside development will cover three million square feet adjacent to the harbourfront promenade.
Set to fully open in 2019, it has been designed by landscape architects James Corner Field Operations to offer “a kaleidoscope of experiences” with New World hoping it will become “one of the most exciting new neighbourhoods of tomorrow” by “providing a blank canvas for artists, designers and businesses to maximize their creativity”.
The scheme includes a renovated esplanade built on top of existing bridge columns, leading visitors out into the harbour where they can experience sweeping skyline views, and a public promenade. The concept revolves around connecting the city to the waterfront in an inviting and active way.
