naked Hub co-working space adds to Sheung Wan’s varied options

Living and working in Sheung Wan’s thriving start-up scene is getting more interesting.

Flexible work spaces and serviced apartments go hand-in-hand for the upwardly mobile workforce drawn to the revitalised district on the fringe of Central which Forbes calls one of Hong Kong’s coolest neighbourhoods. And the brand new co-working space naked Hub – which opened on July 19 – has added another option to a diverse mix.

Marking Shanghai-headquartered Naked Group’s debut in Hong Kong, naked Hub @ Bonham Strand is designed for function, as well as to promote collaboration and well-being. Its multifunction meeting rooms and event spaces double as gym rooms and yoga studios after hours, so members (or hubbers, as they are called) don’t need to leave the building to maintain their fitness regimen.

Along with more than 800 hot desks spread across 16 floors, the purpose-designed naked Hub offers complimentary coffee and beer. A dedicated mobile app connects the hubber community and links to a vast array of their business needs.

This new shared workspace joins established hubs in the vicinity including Paperclip,billed as Hong Kong’s first dedicated start-up campus and academy, which opened in 2014. Apart from providing workspace, Paperclip offers expert workshops on Lean and Business Model Canvas methodologies and coding and social media courses, tailored to entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Garage Society on Queen’s Road, opened in 2015 as a co-working platform with a tech focus. Its premises double as an event space which regularly hosts talks on topics intended to build motivation and increase productivity.

Uno, on Connaught Road, has prestige meeting rooms and event spaces, boasting opportunities to connect with local and mainland entrepreneurs, while Centre O Connect on Bonham Strand offers fully furnished ergonomic work stations and views over Victoria Harbour.

Start-up teams need somewhere to stay, which is where nearby serviced apartments come to the fore. Everything is provided in a home-like environment (usually a minimum of one month) and with all services and utilities included, all residents need to do is bring their suitcase and technology kit.

Serviced apartment options in the neighbourhood include The Bauhinia,on Connaught Road next to the Sheung Wan MTR station. The property offers an array of apartment sizes, up to 900 sq ft in one of two-bedroom configurations. It also has an on-site meeting room for those who insist on taking work home.

Manager Grace Lo says The Bauhinia’s location on the main central business district thoroughfare gives convenient access to the Airport Express station, Sheung Wan MTR and the Macau ferry terminal, along with Central, shopping malls and dining hot spots.

Apartments at Ovolo Sheung Wan, on Hollywood Road, provide access to the vibrant neighbourhood outside and flexible living arrangements within. One-bedroom units of a generous 650 sq ft are larger than most, and feature room partitions to allow the option of privacy when entertaining.

Along with a fully equipped kitchenette complete with washer/dryer, standard inclusions are a Nespresso coffee machine, and deluxe feather bedding. For in-room entertainment, an X-Box and Wii gaming systems are available on request.

Maid service is provided daily, and the property is within a five-minute walk of Sheung Wan MTR station and SoHo, and a short taxi ride to Central.

Citadines Mercer, on Jervois Street, immerses residents in an East-meets-West cultural melting pot. Browse among the neighbourhood’s labyrinth of food and retail shops, traditional and new, or stroll over to the nightlife of Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo.

With Citadines Mercer being home to Sushi Shikon, a three-star Michelin restaurant helmed by chef Yoshiharu Kakinuma,refined dining is available on site. Apartments range from compact studios (240-264 sq ft) to one-bedroom suites of 410 sq ft.

In the luxury sector, CHI Residences 120 on Connaught Road West is a pet-friendly property with a private balcony per apartment, a podium garden with barbecue and a 24-hour reception/concierge.

For the more budget-conscious, Tane Residence has one-bedroom apartments on Wing Lok Street in a walk-up building one block from Sheung Wan MTR station.