Union Square (Hong Kong)#The Harbourside

Union Square is located at 1 Austin Road West, West Kowloon, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It occupies part of the 340 hectares of land reclaimed from Victoria Harbour in the 1990s to construct a highway and rail link to the new Hong Kong International Airport, and integrates the Kowloon station of the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway, which serves the Tung Chung line and the Airport Express Line. The complex is also located near the Guangshengang XRL West Kowloon and the Austin station of the Tuen Ma line. The built area includes 5,866 residential units (totalling {{convert|608026|sqm|abbr=on}}), 2,230 hotel rooms, and 2,490 serviced apartments with {{convert|167472|sqm|abbr=on}} of combined hotel and serviced apartment space and {{convert|231778|sqm|abbr=on}} of office space. The development also includes the Elements, a {{convert|93000|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} shopping mall.

The name Union Square is not well known and is seldom used, as people tend to refer the area to its constituent parts, such as the Elements mall, the ICC, the W Hotel and the various luxurious private apartment complexes.

The contract to build and operate the airport railway was awarded to MTR Corporation in 1992. The master plan for Union Square, comprising the massive air rights development surrounding Kowloon Station, was laid out by TFP Farrells. The architects envisioned a three-dimensional mixed-use urban quarter, with numerous towers sitting atop a massive podium.

According to Sir Terry Farrell, MTR Corporation initially wanted a dispersed train station with discreet entrances, but he argued for a grand station hall concept with layered space oriented around Kowloon station providing a central focal point. Transport infrastructure occupies the underground level and first floor – loading facilities and platforms for MTR trains on the Tung Chung and Airport Express lines occupying the sub-terranean level; while the ground level has bus stations, parking garage entrances and mechanical rooms. The Elements Mall on the upper decks takes up {{convert|146000|sqm}}, with retail space occupied by luxury brands, chain stores, a cinema, a supermarket, restaurants, and an ice rink.{{Cite web|url=https://zolimacitymag.com/vertical-city-part-iii-west-kowloon-walled-city/|title=The Vertical City, Part III: The West Kowloon Walled City|first=Christopher|last=Dewolf|date=19 January 2017}}

On the roof of the Union Square shopping mall, three storeys above the ground, is a pseudo ground level public place with walkways, gardens and a central plaza surrounded by outdoor cafés and bars. Entrances to the various building complexes of Union Square are located on this level. Although Union Square was conceived as an interconnected space centred on transport infrastructure, it was criticised in a 2013 University of Hong Kong study as being cut off from its surroundings, especially for pedestrians. Paul Zimmerman said Union Square is "an island of the rich disconnected from its surroundings", and a lesson for future urban planners. This concern is shared by Farrell, who said there were pre-determined site constraints, and little could be done to mitigate them.

===The Waterfront===

File:201901 The Waterfront Hong Kong.jpg

The Waterfront ({{zh|t=漾日居|cy=Yeuhng yaht gēui}}) serves as the phase I of Union Square complex, and was developed by the consortium led by Wing Tai Asia, including Temasek Holdings, Singapore Land, Keppel Land, Lai Sun Development, World-wide Investment and USI Holdings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.keppelland.com/intl/en/index.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080825001749/http://www.keppelland.com.sg/res_hk_tw.asp|url-status=dead|title=Homepage|archivedate=25 August 2008|website=Keppel Land}} The residential complex consists of 1,288 apartments in 6 towers and was completed in 2000, together with Dickson Cyber Express, a {{convert|70000|sqft|m2}} cyber shopping mall of Dickson Concepts which was closed after the internet bubble burst.{{Cite web|url=http://www.savills.com.hk/viewFile.aspx?id=1497|title=The Waterfront}}{{Dead link|date=April 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.illuminatingconcepts.com/brandexperiences/dickson.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527052455/http://www.illuminatingconcepts.com/brandexperiences/dickson.htm|url-status=dead|title=Dickson Cyber Express|archivedate=27 May 2009}}[http://www.thestandard.com.hk/archive_news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=6983&sid=&con_type=1&archive_d_str=20000608 Dickson set to spin off e-tailing operations]{{dead link|date=September 2011}} There is a private clubhouse with various facilities, such as swimming pool, badminton court, tennis court, dance room, reading room, karaoke room and a party room for holding different kinds of activities. The residential complex has its own underground car park for residents. There are a lot of greenings within the estate, and the whole estate area is non-smoking. Residents need to show their resident cards before entering the estate. Visitors cannot enter without permission.

The Waterfront is in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 31.{{cite web|url=https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/school-lists/index.html|title=POA2023 Primary School Lists by School Net for Discretionary Places Admission Stage|publisher=Education Bureau|accessdate=2022-10-13}} Within the school net are multiple aided schools (operated independently but funded with government money) and Jordan Road Government Primary School.{{cite web|url=https://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/school-lists/2023dpnet-31b.pdf|title=POA School Net 31|publisher=Education Bureau|accessdate=2022-10-13}}

{{clear}}

{{Infobox building

|name = Sorrento {{nobold|(擎天半島)}}

|coordinates = {{coord|22|18|23.7|N|114|09|44.2|E|region:HK_scale:2500|display=inline}}

|status =

|image = Sorrento.jpg

|start_date = {{Start date and age|2000}}

|completion_date = {{End date and age|2003}}

|opening = {{Start date and age|2003}}

|building_type = Residential

|antenna_spire =

|roof = {{convert|256|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}

|top_floor =

|floor_count = 75 (Tower 1)

|elevator_count =

|cost =

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|architect = Wong & Ouyang

|structural_engineer=

|main_contractor =

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|management =

}}

The Sorrento ({{zh|t=擎天半島|cy=Kìhngtīn Bundóu}}) is a residential complex occupying the northern edge of Union Square.Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd. [http://www.building.hk/comprofile/20100118wongouyang.pdf "More than half-a-century of architectural design experience in Hong Kong"], section "The Sorrento", p. 34, September 2009 The complex serves as the phase 2 of the development plan and was built by The Wharf Estate Development Ltd. and MTR Corporation. It contains five residential towers completed in 2003 and was designed by Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd.

The towers are named Sorrento 1 through Sorrento 6. As in many buildings in Hong Kong, tower 4 is omitted because, in Cantonese, "4" is a homophone for "death". All five towers follow the same design but reducing in height consecutively with the tallest being Sorrento 1, and the shortest, Sorrento 6. Sorrento 1 is 256 metres (841 feet) tall with 75 floors. It is the 2nd tallest residential building in Hong Kong and the 5th in the world. There are a total of 2,126 units in Sorrento. Between Sorrento 2 and Sorrento 3 is a gap, where a foot bridge connects the residential complex to Kowloon station and Elements.

Sorrento is in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 31. Within the school net are multiple aided schools (operated independently but funded with government money) and Jordan Road Government Primary School.

{{clear}}

{{Infobox building

|name = The Harbourside {{nobold|(君臨天下)}}

|coordinates = {{coord|22|18|11.0|N|114|9|42.0|E|region:HK|display=inline}}

|status =

|start_date = {{Start date and age|2001}}

|completion_date = {{End date and age|2004}}

|opening =

|image = The Harbourside.jpg

|building_type = Residential

|antenna_spire =

|roof = {{convert|255|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}

|top_floor =

|floor_count = 74

|elevator_count =

|cost =

|floor_area = {{convert|128845|m2|sqft|0|abbr=on}}

|architect = P & T Architects & Engineers Ltd.

|structural_engineer= Arup

|main_contractor =

|developer =

|owner =

|management =

}}

The Harbourside ({{zh|t=君臨天下|cy=Gwānlàhm Tīnhah}}) is a {{convert|255|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} tall residential skyscraper in Union Square, and serves as the phase 4 of the Kowloon station development. Construction of the 74-storey complex began in 2001 and was completed in 2004 under the design by P & T Architects & Engineers.

The Harbourside appears to be a one-wall building from a distance. However, there are actually three towers joined in the base, middle and top. The gaps between the towers help relieve the stress caused by wind since the complex has a large surface area, allowing it to act as a sail. All floors are used for residential purpose.

The Harbourside is the 91st tallest building in the world when measured up to the highest architectural point.{{Citation needed|date=September 2007}}

The Harbourside is in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 31. Within the school net are multiple aided schools (operated independently but funded with government money) and Jordan Road Government Primary School.

{{clear}}

{{Infobox building

|name = The Arch {{nobold|(凱旋門)}}

|coordinates = {{coord|22|18|13|N|114|9|47|E|region:HK|display=inline}}

|status =

|start_date = {{Start date and age|2002}}

|completion_date = {{End date and age|2006}}

|opening =

|image = HK The Arch Overview.jpg

|building_type = Residential

|antenna_spire =

|roof = {{convert|231|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

|top_floor =

|floor_count = 65 Above ground
2 Basement floors

|elevator_count =

|cost =

|floor_area = {{convert|100000|m2|sqft|0|abbr=on}}

|architect =

|structural_engineer= Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd.

|main_contractor =

|developer =

|owner =

|management =

|references ={{cite web

|url = http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=7288

|title = The Arch - SkyscraperPage.com

|access-date =17 April 2008

}}

}}

The Arch ({{zh|t=凱旋門|cy=Hóisyùhn mùhn}}) is an 81-floor 231-metre (758 feet) tall skyscraper completed in 2006 in Union Square. It is the third-tallest residential building in Hong Kong, consisting of four towers: Sun Tower, Star Tower, Moon Tower, and Sky Tower. The Star Tower is connected to the Moon Tower, while the Sky Tower is connected to the Sun Tower. The Sun and Moon Towers joined on the 62nd floor and above to form an arch, hence the name "The Arch".

Sun Hung Kai Properties, the developer of the project, was criticised for its sales tactics of The Arch in 2005,{{Cite news | last = Lau | first = Eli | title = Flats frenzy puts system in spotlight | date = 19 May 2005 | work = The Standard| location = Hong Kong | url = http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=8143&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=20050519&sear_year=2005 | access-date = 10 April 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110522035312/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=8143&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=20050519&sear_year=2005 | archive-date = 22 May 2011 }} for the practice of "internal sales" in unfinished units, the absence of sale price-lists, and also for hyping sales for flats in The Arch by announcing inflated prices (per square metre) achieved. A buyer apparently paid HK$168 million (HK$31,300 per square foot) for a {{convert|5360|sqft|m2|adj=on}} penthouse. Sweeteners were allegedly given (discounts given to the same purchaser on other units bought), but were excluded from the calculation. This allowed the company to raise prices of the next batch of 500 units by 5–10 percent. However, Sun Hung Kai Properties denied the allegations.{{Cite news | last = Wang | first = Raymond | title = Speculators may blow new bubble | date = 20 May 2005 | work = The Standard| location = Hong Kong | url = http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=8252&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=20050520&sear_year=2005 | access-date = 10 April 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151005081011/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=8252&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=20050520&sear_year=2005 | archive-date = 5 October 2015 }}

A 25m swimming pool is located on the 59th floor.{{cite journal |last1=Lotus Architectes Ltd. |first1= |date=2009 |title=Clubhouse at The Arch |url=https://www.hkia.net/uploads/tc/publication/journal/HKIA_Journal_56.pdf |journal=HKIA Journal |volume=56 |issue= |pages=48-49 |doi= |access-date=}}

The Arch is in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 31. Within the school net are multiple aided schools (operated independently but funded with government money) and Jordan Road Government Primary School.

{{clear}}

{{main|The Cullinan}}

{{Infobox building

|name = The Cullinan {{nobold|(天璽)}}

|location = Union Square, Hong Kong

|coordinates = {{coord|22|18|19.4|N|114|09|38.8|E|region:HK_scale:2500|display=inline}}

|building_type =

|status =

|start_date = {{Start date and age|2008}}

|completion_date = {{End date and age|2009}}

|opening =

|image = The Cullinan 201408.jpg

|antenna_spire = {{convert|270|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}

|roof =

|top_floor =

|floor_count = 68

|elevator_count =

|cost =

|floor_area =

|architect =

|structural_engineer= Arup

|main_contractor =

|developer = Sun Hung Kai Properties

|owner =

|management =

}}

The Cullinan ({{zh|t=天璽|cy=Tīnsáai}}), phase 6 of Union Square, is a residential complex developed by Sun Hung Kai Properties. It is the tallest residential complex in Hong Kong, with 68 storeys and a height of 270 metres (886 feet). It consists of two towers, the North Tower and the South Tower, both of which were completed in 2008 and 2009 consecutively.

The residential complex was named after the 3,106-carat (621.2 g) Cullinan Diamond, the largest diamond in the world, found in 1905. The Cullinan complex was planned to be 45 storeys until the cancellation of Union Square phase 5. The number of floors was then increased to the current 68.

{{clear}}

{{main|International Commerce Centre}}

The International Commerce Centre (ICC), which serves as phase 7 of Union Square, is a 118-floor, 484-meter (1,588 ft) commercial skyscraper completed in 2010, owned and jointly developed by MTR Corporation and Sun Hung Kai Properties. The tower is currently the world's fourth tallest as well as the tallest building in Hong Kong, and features a five-star hotel, office spaces, a fitness center, and an observation deck. The five-star Ritz-Carlton Hotel currently occupies floors 102 to 118.

{{main|Elements, Hong Kong}}

Elements, the shopping mall in Union Square, occupies {{convert|93000|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} of retail space. The mall has a total of 123 shops and also features an ice rink, and the 1600-seat Grand Cinema multiplex, which is currently the largest cinema complex in Hong Kong.[http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/2017/53/ MCL, Shaw ready Hong Kong's largest cinema complex] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206022336/http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/2017/53/ |date=6 February 2010 }}

Union Square can be accessed easily by public transportation, including MTR, Kowloon Motor Bus and the minibus services. The Kowloon station serves both the Airport Express Line and the Tung Chung line. The Austin station of the Tuen Ma line is also located near the area. The area is also close to the terminus of the Guangshengang XRL's West Kowloon Station.

{{multiple image

| footer =

| align = center

| image1 = Union Square Garden View 201302.jpg

| caption1 = Public Open Spaces of Union Square

| image2 = Union Square Overview 201008.jpg

| caption2 = Southwesterly view of Union Square.

| image3 = Union Square Fountain 201302.jpg

| caption3 = The Arch and The Harbourside viewed from inside the Union Square.

| image4 = Elements Civic Square 2010.jpg

| caption4 = Civic Square inside the Union Square.

}}

• List of tallest buildings in Hong Kong

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{commons category|Union Square, Hong Kong|Union Square (Hong Kong)}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140516211521/http://union-square.com.hk/ Union Square official website] (archive)
• {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130102102952/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/cx/?id=unionsquare-hongkong/ Union Square on Emporis.com]}}

{{Yau Tsim Mong District}}

{{Private housing estates in Hong Kong}}