Horizon Plaza has made its name as one of the best places in Hong Kong for furniture. While there is a huge range of modern furniture within its myriad floors, there are also antique gems and superior reproduction pieces.
The pressure on available space that is evident in other locations popular for antiques, such as Hollywood Road and Queen's Road East, is not present at Horizon Plaza, where shops are thousands of square feet - large enough for the most impressive Chinese wardrobe.
Some of the shops - especially those selling reproduction pieces - have similar merchandise, so if you can tolerate the slow-moving service lifts that stop every second floor, it is worth shopping around. Most of the stores can take care of the packing and shipping for you, though you may want to check the entry requirements if you are shipping items overseas, so as to lessen the chance of delays or extra costs.
The 6,000 sqft store, Old Shanghai, moved to Horizon Plaza from Hollywood Road in 2003. It is a leading wholesaler and retailer for classical Chinese furniture and folk arts. Located on the 15th floor, it collects, restores and reproduces antique pieces. 'Ten years ago, when we started the business, we only sold antiques,' says proprietor Andy Ngou. 'But because the number of antiques is declining, now almost 80 per cent of our pieces are reproductions.'
Ngou says Old Shanghai sources wood from old houses that are marked for demolition in provinces such as Shandong. That way, the reproduction pieces have the look of period furniture and are using recycled materials. It also means that customers who have a particular preference in terms of dimension or colour can ensure the reproduction piece is built to meet their needs.
'Popular choices are low cabinets that people use for TV stands, beds, coffee tables and dining room furniture,' Ngou says.