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THE LANDMARK SCHEME

Hong Kong, China

More than 30 years after it was originally built, still stands out as a most prominent up-

scale retail center and office address in . The Landmark Scheme, a HK$1.64 billion (US$210 million) upgrade completed in November 2006, has reinforced the prominence of this commercial com- plex that occupies a one-hectare (2.5 ac) site in Hong Kong’s central business district (known as Central Hong Kong, or Central). Development Team The four-story retail podium on Queen’s Road Central has been renovated, inside and out. The retail Owner/Developer environment in the Landmark’s atrium inside the podium has been upgraded with the addition of sig- nature outlets by global fashion brands. Landmark East, a low-rise annex building, was replaced with York Hong Kong, China House, a mid-rise office tower that complements the high-rise Edinburgh and Gloucester towers. A lux- www.hkland.com ury boutique hotel was added, and overall access and circulation—vehicle and pedestrian—to and within Executive Architect the podium has been improved with an internal two-lane passenger drop-off area. The 23-story York House—containing 11,500 square meters (123,785 sf) of Class A office space on 14 Aedas Hong Kong, China floors and 1,450 square meters (15,608 sf) of retail space—sits above the retail podium. On the podium’s www.aedas.com roof is a garden that surrounds the base of York House. The lower 14 floors of the 47-story Edinburgh Tower have been converted into a 113-room hotel, the Mandarin Oriental Landmark Hotel and Spa. Design Architect Although Hongkong Land developed the project privately, public authorities and the local council Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates were substantially involved in streetscape improvements and the construction of the new public road- New York, New York way. The Landmark Scheme provides two pedestrian skyways across Des Vouex Road and direct escala- www.kpf.com tor access to the MTR subway’s Central station. “Hongkong Land’s objectives were to rejuvenate Central Hong Kong, reinforce its reputation as the heart of the city, elevate the prestige and ambience of the Landmark complex, and enhance the sur- rounding cityscape,” says Clement Lau, head of development and valuations in Hongkong Land’s com- mercial property division. “The Landmark Scheme demonstrates Hongkong Land’s commitment to its core business, to its customers, and to the Central district. A redesigned atrium, the fourth global Louis Vuit- ton store, a Gucci flagship store, Asia’s first Harvey Nichols store, the Landmark Mandarin Oriental hotel, more premium office space, a unique roof garden, and improved access and circulation within the com- plex are just a few of the program’s components that have reinforced Central as the place to be. The scheme ensures the continued success of the Landmark and increases the value of the company’s portfolio.” Hongkong Land’s Brand CENTRAL program, an ongoing effort to boost Central’s reputation, demon- strates its commitment to improving and enhancing Hong Kong’s CBD. The Landmark Scheme is the most recent phase of the Brand CENTRAL program. Its intent was to create an integrated, around-the-

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clock live/work/play environment while also redefining the high-end retail experience. By designing the Project Data project in consultation with key retail tenants, Hongkong Land was able to incorporate their operational Website requirements and reduce market risk. www.hkland.com/commerical_ To expand and upgrade the Landmark’s retail offerings, architects Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates and property/hongkong_properties/the Aedas Limited carved out areas in the existing retail atrium for several two-story flagship stores and added landmark/index.html two new retail floors. A wall of folded glass panels envelopes the retail podium, unifying the project’s dis- Site Area parate elements. Conceived as a diaphanous veil, the zigzag glass screen both obscures and reveals the retail world within and brings this world out to the streets of Central. Lighting was integrated into the 1 hectare (2 ac) glass facade along Queens Road Central to maintain an exciting atmosphere even after stores have closed Facilities for the evening. At night, this wall emits a warm glow and a new facade along also uses 11,500 m2 (123,785 sf) office glass as a crystalline scrim. Additional landscaping, including new trees, help to make the Landmark as 24,600 m2 (264,792 sf) retail airy and inviting on the outside as it is on the inside. The project is a clear financial success, as evidenced by revenue growth for the complex of more than 113 hotel rooms 25 percent between 2002 and 2007, and capital growth of more than 70 percent between December 2002 56 parking spaces and December 2006. Land Uses retail, hotel, office, restaurant

Start/Completion Dates August 2003–November 2006

Jury Statement The redevelopment of the Landmark complex burnishes the crown jewel of the developer’s BRAND Central program with a new retail podium at the base of hotel and office towers in a prime Central Hong Kong location. Pedestrian skywalks, crystalline curtain walls, and direct escalators to the subway enhance the address’s centrality and accessibility.

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