The leasing market for luxury apartments is gaining momentum on increased demand from local families and expatriates. With the restoration of confidence in the property market, the luxury sector has demonstrated strong resilience and taken the lead in turning around from previous weakness. Overseas investment funds are also showing revived interest in Hong Kong's luxury apartments, lending weight to the rebound in both prices and rents. Property agents say luxury leasing activity has improved considerably in recent months with accelerated housing demand from an influx of expatriates amid signs of recovery in the local economy. Luxury rents have risen, especially for properties on Hong Kong Island, where supply of new top-end apartments is limited. The market has witnessed a significant number of newcomers, while many international companies that had moved their headquarters out of Hong Kong are returning in force. The expansion of international companies means the presence of more senior executives, which is boosting demand for large, quality residential units in the rental range of $150,000 to $200,000 a month. Riding on the market recovery, Kerry Properties, a dominant player in the Mid-Levels luxury residential property market, is offering tenants a comprehensive range of leasing choices. The developer boasts three distinctive properties in the prestigeous residential area - Aigburth, Tavistock and Branksome. 'Clients are still very particular in selecting their residence and hence only quality apartments with exceptional services are on their priority list,' says Kerry Real Estate Agency senior marketing manager Lily Choi. 'Joining Tavistock, which is 100 per cent occupied, Aigburth and Branksome enjoy an occupancy rate of more than 95 per cent.' Located on scenic Tregunter Path in Mid-Levels, Aigburth features extensive facilities including an enormous swimming pool, a spacious clubhouse fully equipped with a fitness centre, a children's playroom and a range of private function rooms. The building has 64 stylish apartments, with a standard size of about 3,000 square feet. Spacious, bright and airy, the apartments command a mix of spectacular views across Central to Victoria Harbour or of The Peak and its surrounding hills. The project is known for its attentive and personalised service. A few minutes' walk will take you to Tavistock, which presents 24 units on 12 storeys, evoking the ambience of a colonial decor elaborated with a traditional fireplace. In addition to its 35,000 sqft of clubhouse facilities, an extremely spacious layout is another attribute of the luxurious residential tower. Twenty-two of the units are 4,200 sqft each. A popular leasing property among expatriates, Tavistock also includes two penthouses of 6,030 sqft each with open terraces. Another jewel of the developer along Tregunter Path is Branksome, a twin-tower residential property offering 94 apartments with three bedrooms. With its newly renovated lobbies, Branksome is notable for its practical and user-friendly layout, featuring rectangular living and dining areas, spacious balconies, ample storage space and two maid's rooms for each unit. The development has apartment sizes ranging from 2,700 sqft to 4,486 sqft, plus terraces. Before committing to a leasing contract, tenants may want to check out the neighbourhood. Tucked away on Hollywood Road is Gallery Oi Ling, known for its quality, genuine Chinese antique pieces. Schoeni Art Gallery on Old Bailey Street is respected internationally for being a progressive, ever-changing force in the art world and firmly at the cutting edge of contemporary Chinese oil paintings. In a new extension on Hollywood Road, the gallery expands its reach into contemporary Asian and European paintings. Good living would not be complete without fine dining. When it comes to eating, nearby Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo are up there with the best. On Wyndham Street, Wyndham Thai has come up with a Thai fusion menu marrying the best from Thailand and Australia. At Habibi restaurant on Wellington Street, there is the option of exotic Egyptian cuisine.