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Kenneth Ko

THE UNFURNISHED apartments at The Repulse Bay are undergoing a major interior facelift to upgrade facilities and meet the increasing needs of tenants.

Property manager Tina Wong  said the refurbishment of the luxury residential complex overlooking Repulse Bay was intended to maintain the competitiveness and appeal of the property.

The upgrade programme was initiated early last year and proceeded as planned at the end of the year.

About half of the 141 unfurnished apartments measuring about 1,500 to 6,000 square feet have been fully refurbished.

Work on the remaining apartments would be carried out next year in a well-organised programme to reduce the impact on occupants.

'Good communication with tenants is important in the process. We make the utmost effort to minimise inconvenience to them,' she said.

To  make the refurbishment easier and reduce the inconvenience to residents, the landlord offered them temporary accommodation in its neighbouring de Ricou serviced apartments. It also arranged storage space for the furniture and household equipment of the tenants who had been affected.

Ms Wong said tenants' response to the refurbishment was positive and supportive.

Tenants at The Repulse Bay are mainly families of expatriate executives of multinational corporations and major business organisations. The refurbished apartments have been equipped with new fittings and finishings. The kitchens have new tiles, cabinets and electrical appliances, including two ovens and a wine cooler, to better suit the needs of expatriate families.

Ms Wong said: 'The apartments feature harmonious colour tones with new wall finishes and flooring.

'Bathrooms have been upgraded with a 1.8-metre bath tub, longer than the usual 1.5 metres, to cater for the taller build of expatriates. The bathroom in the master bedroom also features two basins and an additional shower.'

About 20 refurbished apartments measuring 2,150 to 2,380 sqft were recently released for lease.

Ms Wong said the response was strong and more than 60 per cent of the refurbished units had been taken up.

There was a reasonable upward adjustment in the rental rate for the refurbished units but she would not reveal the percentage change.

The occupancy rate for unfurnished apartments is more than 70 per cent.

The landlord will keep some of the units vacant for refurbishment work.

Ms Wong said luxury leasing demand had picked up since the end of the Sars crisis.

The office leasing sector looked more positive now with some companies beginning to expand their operations in Hong Kong, she said.

Ms Wong said there was steady demand for quality residences and expected the outlook to continue to be optimistic.

As part of efforts to increase commercial value and appeal, the 68 serviced apartments at de Ricou are also being refurbished.

About two thirds of the units have been completed.

The complex's clubhouse facilities have been upgraded with the gym refitted with better equipment, an exercise-bike room and a boxing room.



Refurbishment gives units a luxurious new lease of life