The Cullinan celebrates its status as a cut above the rest
The Cullinan, Hong Kong's tallest residential towers and West Kowloon's newest luxury residential development, is celebrated in The Cullinan - Your Jewel in the Crown - a book launched at a glittering event on Wednesday.
The two 270-metre-tall blocks in The Cullinan project are in keeping with the luxury theme of the entire integrated Kowloon station property development, named after the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond which was presented to King Edward VII of England. The nine largest gems cut from the diamond are mounted in the British crown jewels.
The book, produced by the South China Morning Post's team of designers and editorial staff, also keeps to the theme of gems and luxury, with its shimmering bronze cover that reflects light like an expertly cut gemstone.
According to the Post's Special Reports team, which produces other customised projects and a range of glossy magazines including Premier Property, Golf + Resorts, Good Eating, and Macau Today, the aim of The Cullinan - Your Jewel in the Crown is to sum up different aspects of the art of living. The book presents some of the other choices made by chic, cosmopolitan readers and the enjoyment these choices represent.
The book contains chapters on trends in collecting modern and traditional Chinese art, jewellery, watches and wine and on investing in second or holiday homes and other kinds of real estate.
It also outlines the worldwide trend towards mixed-use developments in cities such as New York, Toronto and Dubai and looks at how this trend is changing modern urban lifestyles and promoting environmental awareness.
And it gives readers insight into the benefits of location and how living in a 21st-century skyscraper offers panoramic views plus everything you need in shopping, transport and entertainment, all within easy reach.
The two towers of The Cullinan house 825 units, with typical units ranging from 900 to 2,300 sqft.
The HarbourView Place, which offers 266 premium serviced suites, is also housed in the complex, on floors 50 to 70 in Tower II of The Cullinan. There are a range of suites available, including those with one, two and three bedrooms, and 2,290-3,270 sqft Presidential Suites on the 70th floor. There is also a heated rooftop pool on the 76th floor.
Signature Homes, Sun Hung Kai Properties' luxury residential leasing arm, describes The HarbourView Place as a sister project to Four Seasons Place in Central, which provides 519 serviced suites. The luxury suites at The HarbourView Place are drawing keen interest from expatriates and local guests looking for flexible accommodation in a self-contained development above Kowloon station.
The project's comprehensive list of personalised services and amenities include round-the-clock multilingual concierges, a fitness centre, lounge and reading area.
Guests at The HarbourView Place and residents of The Cullinan will benefit from the building's proximity to the prime business venue of ICC Tower and Elements mall, which offers a host of upscale restaurants and retail outlets. They can also access the Kowloon station transport hub that includes a three-minute rail link to Central, the Airport Express and planned high-speed rail lines to Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
Both ICC Tower and The Cullinan have been built to high environmental standards. According to Sun Hung Kai, there are more than 100 innovative eco-friendly features incorporated into the ICC design, including a new 'energy optimiser' air-conditioning system and double-decker intelligent lifts.
These two technologies are able to result in energy savings of 10 to 15 per cent. The energy saved each year is equivalent to the power needs of 6,500 families of four for a month.
The building also allows for the recycling of condensed water while carbon dioxide detectors help maintain indoor air quality.
