'Hong Kong is built on greed': leading Asian architect's harsh words for his former home
Jean-Michel Gathy, the man behind some of the world's most exclusive retreats, finds no room for romantic buildings or charming old neighbourhoods in profit-hungry Hong Kong
With more than three decades in the business, Belgian architect Jean-Michel Gathy has become the man luxury resort operators often turn to when they are mapping out a new project. He's the creative mind behind some of the most elegant and exclusive retreats around the world, from the Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives to The Setai in Miami and various Aman resorts.
The principal designer of Kuala Lumpur-based consultancy Denniston Architects, Gathy has pioneered many elements that became associated with indulgent escapes - personal spas in the bedroom and enormous water features, for example. He is also credited with starting several trends, including basking nets (a kind of over-water hammock) and private plunge pools (the golden pool at the St Regis Lhasa in Tibet, for example).
The romantic colonial buildings are nice, but the government does not see money in these. Sadly, there is no room for romantic buildings in Hong Kong … it's all about money
A number of ideas have since been adopted by other hotels, but Gathy isn't bothered that he's being copied.
"It's good for the ego," he says.
Another hallmark is his ability to tastefully incorporate local culture into his layouts. And since Gathy has lived in the region for 34 years - initially in Hong Kong - Asian influences feature prominently. This can be seen in his recent projects in China such as the Aman at the Summer Palace.
The size of the market and potential for further growth makes it vital for hotel groups to have a presence in China; "otherwise you're wasting your time", he says.