How this Hong Kong developer is blending old and new to produce modern buildings

Lofter Group, a professional building services operator, has collected about 100 classic items left behind by the owners of 26 ageing buildings it has redeveloped and refurbished over the past nine years.

Carol Chow, who founded Lofter in 2012, decided to turn two ground-level shops at its recently acquired HK$600 million (US$77 million), 50-year-old tong lau (tenement building) in Prince Edward into a 4,000 square feet Concept Studio to showcase the collection until August 27.

At the studio, you can buy antique items such as old chairs, sign boards, sewing machines, typewriters, old mobile phones and even a genuine Cantonese-style veranda that was removed from one of the old buildings. Proceeds from the sale will go to charity.

“Every street and district has its own history and story. We would like to convey a message that redevelopment and conservation can coexist. Some young people told us it is the first time they have see a Nokia mobile phone and a typewriter after visiting the Concept Studio,” she said.

After starting with two people, Lofter has now grown into a company of 40 people with an average age of 34.

Lofter’s investors include overseas entities, local private-equity funds, family offices and high-net-worth investors, said Chow, who refused to comment further.