Construction works have reached roof level at the new 3.2 million sq. ft. development above Hong Kong’s High Speed Rail West Kowloon Terminus.

Adjacent to the West Kowloon Cultural District, the development connects established and emerging neighbourhoods with a network of public gardens and landscaped plazas.

Integrating with the station and its rooftop park, the design by ZHA incorporates civic, office and retail spaces of the highest standards.

At the heart of West Kowloon in Hong Kong, this landmark development is located above the existing West Kowloon Station high-speed rail terminus which has remained in operation throughout construction. As Hong Kong’s only station on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, the terminus is a major gateway between Hong Kong and mainland China.

Also adjacent to the Kowloon and Austin stations of Hong Kong’s MTR metro network, this new business district integrates with a key section of the 1.5 km landscaped pedestrian West Kowloon Parkway, giving the communities within Kowloon direct access to the harbourside and parks of the West Kowloon Cultural District.

Providing almost 100,000 sq. ft. of garden terraces, plazas and atriums with shopping and dining on its lower five levels, the development incorporates two pairs of interconnected office towers located at both the northern and southern ends of the site. The towers frame a large central plaza with a sculptural pavilion housing panoramic lifts that connect to the levels below. Linking with the West Kowloon Parkway, the plaza incorporates many sheltered outdoor gathering spaces for relaxation, recreation, and public events.

Complementing the unique geometry of West Kowloon Terminus, the development’s composition maximizes outdoor public space and enhances natural ventilation throughout the district, as well as contributes to preventing each tower from being overlooked by its neighbouring building. This configuration also respects the ridgeline of Kowloon’s mountains to the north, adhering to height restrictions that maintain the mountain views from across the harbour on Hong Kong Island.

Providing 2.6 million sq. ft of Grade A people-centric workspace in floorplates up to 72,000 sq. ft. that are largely column free and adaptable to current and future work configurations, the towers incorporate floor-to-ceiling heights of at least 3m with panoramic views over Hong Kong and access from all floors to planted outdoor terraces for occupants’ well-being.

Divided into a series of interconnected ‘petals’ each with a different orientation and height, the towers define a dynamic silhouette on the West Kowloon’s skyline. The top of each tower tapers inward to reduce their perceived volume while the façade’s vertical shading pleats extend over each rooftop, creating ‘halos’ that shelter roof terraces and sky gardens.

Interwoven with the new landscaped terraces and civic plaza above the station, the towers also taper inward at lower levels, reducing their footprint to increase outdoor space while encouraging pedestrian circulation and air flow.

Achieving an 'excellent' BREEAM rating as well as the highest rating of LEED, WELL and HK BEAM Plus pre-certification, the development incorporates high-performance façades with low thermal transfer values and solar shading fins. Photovoltaic panels integrated at roof level and within the façade will reduce energy demand from the city’s electricity grid.

A centralised plant of high-efficiency HVAC systems combined with seawater cooling, heat recovery and a smart building management system that automatically monitors and controls services will ensure the highest standards of comfort and air quality with a significant reduction in energy consumption.

Upon completion, global wealth manager UBS will be consolidating their various Hong Kong operations into a tower within the development.

Creating a series of new open spaces for Kowloon’s residents and visitors, together with environments for work and leisure designed to enhance well-being, this landmark development at the heart of Hong Kong’s transport network is defined by its unique location within one of the world’s most dynamic cities.