The verdant hills that once drew people to Castle Peak Road are being levelled to make room for more residents

CASTLE PEAK ROAD, known as 'green hill road' in Cantonese, is a two-lane road which meanders through the green hills of the western New Territories and is one of the best areas in Hong Kong to admire a golden sunset. In the 1950s and '60s, many factory owners, looking for land to build their villas and holiday resorts, flocked to the area. Today, the old villas remain scattered along the road, but new neighbours have come along in the form of sprouting high-rise resorts and large-scale private residential developments. The rush to buy agricultural land started around in 1993 when Sun Hung Kai Properties successfully enlarged its land reserve by converting large plots in Yuen Long for residential use. Many developers followed suit, exploring the remote northwest areas of the New Territories. Castle Peak Road became popular. The road, which stretches from Tseun Wan to Tuen Mun, is dotted with beaches and settlements. With the hills as a backdrop, most houses and apartments face south overlooking the sea and the grandeur of the Tsing Ma Bridge. In some feng shui studies, it is said that Tsing Yi is Castle Peak Road's green dragon, situated on its left, while Lantau on the right is the white tiger. Both serve protective purposes for the people and the land. One new development, launched last month, is Ocean Pointe. Located in Sham Tseng, it can be clearly spotted when leaving the Ting Kau Bridge, heading into Castle Peak Road. Reaching 60 storeys high, the three residential blocks which form the Kerry Properties development are erected on a podium right on the waterfront, rimmed by a public promenade. Ocean Pointe overlooks Tsing Yi and Ma Wan Island, another small island undergoing development for residential purposes. There are not many other residential spaces which offer such splendid views of the Tsing Ma Bridge as well as sweeping ocean panoramas. Properties sold at the 560-unit development last month ranged from HK$2,900 to HK$4,500 per square foot, depending on the floor and quality of view. About 130 units of the flats are still available and with between HK$2.9 million and HK$3.6 million, you could acquire a two-bedroom, 888 sq ft apartment. Frank Marriott, FPD Savills' senior director of residential sales, said most buyers were from Tseun Wan, Kwai Chung and Hong Kong Island. He said apartments in Tower 2 had been retained by the developer for rent at around HK$25 per sq ft. The proximity of Ocean Pointe to a small community of village houses with rows of shops, supermarkets and Chinese restaurants makes it convenient to purchase daily necessities. Another new, large-scale project is Wheelock Properties' residential-commercial development on the former San Miguel brewery site next to Ocean Pointe. The project, which will be completed late next year, is expected to breathe more vitality into Sham Tseng. As you drive down Castle Peak Road towards Siu Lam it becomes greener and more secluded. Here you will find the two largest and most luxurious estates, completed in 1999 by Sun Hung Kai Properties. A total of 856 units in six towers make up Grand Pacific Views. Sister development Grand Pacific Heights has four towers. The developments were inspired by the design concept of Hawaiian resort hotels. On entering the main lobby, you melt into the luxury of space and comfort. The developments are surrounded by a 350,000 sq ft landscaped garden with waterfalls and outdoor pools. The barbecue pits are always fully booked during evenings and at weekends, according to one resident. Flats are typically 1,400 sq ft to 1,500 sq ft in size, with the smallest about 880 sq ft. There are 20 duplexes of more than 2,800 sq ft in size, with sea views. About 15 per cent of the apartments remain unsold, according to Centaline Property Agency associate director Adrian Wong Chak-man. They average about 1,500 sq ft in size and are priced at about HK$3,000 per sq ft. Secondary market prices at Grand Pacific Views and Grand Pacific Heights are on average HK$3,100 per sq ft, as there is more demand for smaller units - which have already been taken up in the primary market. A two-bedroom, 832 sq ft apartment would cost about HK$2.6 million. Rentals are on average HK$15 per sq ft, meaning a 1,500 sq ft flat would cost about HK$22,000 per month, including rates. The estate is linked to a smart-card system which allows residents to book club house services via the Internet from their personal computers at any time. Property prices are generally about 15 per cent cheaper than those at Villa Esplanade in Tsing Yi, according to Mr Wong. 'Prices on Castle Peak Road are now stable compared to some months ago. Other than professionals, many residents who invest in properties here are factory owners who have factories in Tsuen Wan and Cheung Sha Wan, which are just 15 minutes drive away,' said Mr Wong. Shuttle buses run to Tsuen Wan MTR station every half hour and from there it takes about 30 minutes to Central or Kowloon. Since the opening of the Western Harbour Tunnel, however, a drive into Central takes only about 15 to 25 minutes. One downside for residents is planned road-widening works along the shoreline. More green, open spaces will disappear under tarmac and shotcrete. As Mr Wong says, there used to be plenty of green hills here, but many have been removed for development over the years. Next week: Wong Tai Sin Graphic: pro25gwz