Corporations and small- to medium-sized enterprises are increasingly looking for prestige when searching for new premises and Harbour City, in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui's thriving business district, is proving to be a sought-after site. This is despite fierce competition from a batch of shiny towers sprouting up nearby in West Kowloon. The complex's key value is the plus plus advantage of its location, harbour views, integral shopping and entertainment all coming together under one roof. Dave Siu Wing-koon, general manager (office leasing) at Harbour City Estates, believes it is this unmatched combination that makes it so popular. 'This location provides unmatched prestige, convenience and access to all major business areas in Hong Kong, Kowloon and China,' Mr Siu said. 'Situated in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, Harbour City is in the hub of the city's most sought-after business district.' The 10 office towers, with total office space exceeding 4.3 million gross sqft, form the largest business complex in Kowloon. These include Tower1, Tower2, Tower6, Prudential Tower, Sun Life Tower, Ocean Centre, World Finance Centre (North and South Towers) and the Wharf T&T Centre. Available rentable spaces range from 500 to 50,000 sqft, and all units are spacious, well-planned and flexible in design, with ample potential for expansion and growth, and allowing for different requirements for tenants' needs. The complex is near the Star Ferry and the China Ferry Terminal, and within walking distance of the MTR and the former KCRC's cross-border rail links. It is also less than a 10-minute drive to the Airport Express Kowloon Station. And for those heading to business meetings in Central by taxi there is the choice of the Cross-Harbour and Western tunnels, which also make destinations such as the Convention and Exhibition Centre and Causeway Bay easily accessible. But where Harbour City really gains in the user-friendly stakes is the proximity of its 499 luxurious serviced flats to its offices and the other facilities, including three hotels. Mr Siu said The Gateway Apartments in the complex was consistently ranked among the finest serviced apartments in Hong Kong. 'The residential side of Harbour City is extremely important to the development as it is vital to offer the perfect accommodation solution for senior executives and expatriates of Harbour City office tenants.' Harbour City encompasses more than 2 million sqft of shopping space providing comprehensive first-class amenities to meet tenants' needs. It has more than 600 renowned shops, local and international restaurants, a first-rate supermarket, two theatres, and more than 2,000 parking spaces. Mr Siu said this added to its appeal coupled with the 'tremendous' popularity of the area in recent months with corporate clients working for multinational corporations and professional business firms, particularly in the banking and finance sector. 'Potential residents have realised that Kowloon offers much better value for money than Hong Kong Island and the view from this side of the harbour is much better,' he said. 'Due to growing demand for offices in TST, this sector is expected to grow substantially.' The Tsim Sha Tsui and West Kowloon area would become the 'second Central' of office leasing, Mr Siu said, as increasing numbers of Hong Kong Island office occupiers sought quality relocation and expansion options in the commercial hub. 'We view the ICC and Union Square developments positively to further increase the office and residential status of Kowloon and Tsim Sha Tsui in particular,' he said. 'We expect the developments will create new demand for offices and accommodation, and will benefit Harbour City greatly.' These new developments, he said, would create more interest in the area and attract the multinational financial and professional firms that could afford premium offices. Mr Siu said: 'They've realised that TST is a very good substitute for Central where premium office [space] is already out of stock.' The complex is managed by Harbour City Estates, a subsidiary of The Wharf Group, which has a well-earned reputation for excellence and reliability, backed by the vast resources of one of the city's leading realty developers. And, with a management team of professionals experienced in realty management, commercial leasing and customer service, Mr Siu said it had a proven record of success and customer satisfaction. 'We aim at perpetuating Harbour City as the best corporate address in Kowloon, and we keep enhancing the value of the property by carrying out renovations for the lobbies, toilets and common corridors to provide a pleasant and classy environment, and to stay ahead of the competition.' Mr Siu said Harbour City offices 'enchanted' occupants with its spectacular panoramic views across the Victoria Harbour and the scenic mountain view of the Lion Rock. Selected units overlook Kowloon Park, which is 'a vision of lush greenery and spacious paths'. He described it as an oasis that provided a counterpoint to the heart of a bustling city, and that Harbour City offices provided the best of all worlds.
