The SOHO units are located along each of four short blocks on Shanghai's University Avenue. The seven-storey buildings, which will be built in four phases and completed before the 2010 World Expo, feature an interior courtyard designed to create interaction among residents as well as the community around them.

The loft apartments draw their inspiration from the modernist living spaces found in New York in the 1950s, when artists and bohemians were looking for bright, open places where they could live and work in a central and creative environment. The new SOHO units are bright and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in an abundance of natural light, high ceilings which create a feeling of space and a two-level open design that provides ample room for both work and living activities.

In total, the SOHO units offer more than 100 similar floor plans ranging in area from 60 square metres to 200 square metres. The ceilings are a maximum of 4.8 metres in height and each unit has a main bathroom and an en suite bathroom. Hundreds of other units will come on line in mid-2007 when Phase II of SOHO opens, followed by Phase III a year later and Phase IV before the World Expo.

When complete, the development will offer living space for about 5,000 people.

Shui On Land's director of projects, Hui Shing-sui, said the company was very proud of the SOHO units because the lofts were a new style of housing in Shanghai and created 'a living environment where work and living is closely associated'.

He also praised the adjacent Jiangwan Sports Park, which has been refurbished as part of the KIC project, saying the proximity of the exercise facilities is a prime attraction for both SOHO residents and companies working in the development centre.

'The whole sports complex is really for health and wellness. The work is good, but we want this to be a meeting point for people. We want to encourage people to exercise and think,' the Hong Kong native said.

'When we designed SOHO, we were thinking of the knowledge worker. The whole concept is that you can live in your workplace and you can work in your home.'

About half of the units in the first phase of SOHO are for residential use, with the rest earmarked for offices. The stylish, low-density spaces are vertical in design and industrial in feel. Sliding partitions are prominent and can be closed to create a bedroom or work area, or left open to provide maximum space.

The kitchen is compact but elegant, and fitted out with brand-name appliances. The shower-only bathrooms are a decent size and equipped with stylish and modern fittings.

The courtyard in each housing block will provide a communal area and include shops and recreational facilities. Mr Hui said Shui On Land created SOHO because it wanted to encourage the owners of small businesses to live and work in the KIC development.

He said it was a creative environment geared to young single people rather than families.

'It's more for young people who want to work in a 24-hour environment. It is work hard, play hard - all in one location.'