O sole mio

Morning Star Villa is more than just a place to row your boat gently home after a hard day's work

It's easy to see why Morning Star Villa in Zhongshan is so popular among Hong Kong buyers. How many other developments in the Pearl River Delta offer residents their own gondola?

Indeed, there is no other housing estate in this green and peaceful city, just 90 minutes by ferry from Hong Kong, that combines sophisticated living so well with a laid-back lifestyle.

Now in its eighth phase of development, marketed under the Firenze brand name, Morning Star is aiming to enhance its reputation as a haven for those wanting to lead balanced lives.

'Firenze is more than a ?green' architectural project,' says Ho Ting-yiu, assistant general manager of Morning Star Property Consultants. 'We make every effort to create a balanced eco-system here, integrating the natural surroundings with the needs of the residents.'

Luxury, he says, is about more than the amount of gold you can acquire. It s about style and taste. A fresh and grassy living environment is good for the mind as well as the eyes, he says.

'We spent a lot of time designing the garden and outdoor space of the development, Mr Ho says. 'We also employ eco-friendly technology in every detail of the architectural structure,' he adds, citing solar energy panels and rooftop gardens as examples.

Covering about 1,500 acres, Morning Star Villa features 5,000 units ranging in size from 50 sq m to 370 sq m, including low-rise apartments and detached houses.

Many of the Hong Kong owners, who make up the bulk of residents, bought units for use as holiday homes or retirement. But Mr Ho says increasing business ties between Hong Kong and the rest of the delta are becoming more noticeable in expressions of interest by new buyers.

'More people will now choose to live here because of business or work. We have seen increasing numbers of Taiwanese settle in Zhongshan,' he says.

Covering about 130 acres, Firenze comprises 588 units ranging from 70 sq m to 370 sq m. The first 215 units were launched in February last year. A 200 sq m house with swimming pool costs about HK$1.6 million while the biggest units are priced at around HK$3 million.

All of the 84 standalone villas in Firenze have spacious rooftops. The most popular units are facing or along the riversides or ponds.

The property is being developed in such a way that residents can immerse themselves in the natural ambience they dream of, Mr Ho says. 'Many Hong Kong buyers like to construct a fish pond in their gardens.'