Swire Properties will launch its residential project StarCrest in Wan Chai early next month. The project comprises 329 units, including four duplexes. Standard flats range from 700 to 1,200 square feet each and a duplex is about 1,900 sq ft. Swire Properties obtained pre-sale consent for the project in November. A company spokesman said internal sales of six units would begin today with the price negotiable. It is understood the price of six StarCrest flats on upper floors is between $8,000 per square foot and $10,000 per square foot, although this was not confirmed by the developer. Five property agents, including Centaline Property Agency and Midland Realty, were appointed to help boost sales. Patrick Fung Kim-chiu, manager of Midland Realty for the Mid-Levels district, said the firm received some inquiries from interested parties. He declined to reveal the initial response and also did not predict possible pricing levels. Some agents expected average prices to be slightly higher than those of Sun Hung Kai Properties' Le Sommet, sold recently. Le Sommet was sold at $5,628 per square foot for the first batch for cash payments but prices were raised to more than $7,000 per square foot for some standard units on upper floors.
