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Tracey Furniss

“Timing is crucial when starting a business,” says Victoria Allan, who founded luxury property powerhouse Habitat Property in Hong Kong in 2001. “Ironically, I started the business just before Sars and the Asian currency crisis, but these gave me the best lessons on how to run a business during tough times and how to keep costs under control.”
Allan made The New York Times when she oversaw the purchase and redevelopment of Tung Fat Building in Kennedy Town in 2013, retaining the buildings original features and preserving its heritage.
While most businesses slowed down during the Covid-19 pandemic this past year, Allan was busier than ever.

“We became so busy with work since Covid started, as all our clients were suddenly stuck in Hong Kong and wanting to buy or rent new places,” says the mother of two. “We have opened a new office in Stanley as so much of our business is now in the Southside.
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“I generally always have some development projects on the go and am currently working on a house project also on the Southside – it’s really exciting as I’m trying to create something you don’t normally see in Hong Kong. It will have more of a California vibe to it. I’ve also just finished renovating a house in Spain, so it’s definitely been a busy 12 months,” says Allan, who credits her father as her biggest influence for becoming an entrepreneur.
“He was hugely encouraging of me with the business. Often as a child, I spent a lot of time with him looking at properties so I think it became ingrained from an early age. I also saw the challenges he faced with his business and that helped me a lot in how I look to manage mine.”
All our clients were suddenly stuck in Hong Kong and wanting to buy or rent new places
Victoria Allan, founder of Habitat Property
Being a mother of two boys, it can be hard to find a work-life balance especially in an industry where weekends can be peak times to show property to clients. “But I keep a structured day and always make sure I’m home to put the boys to bed and make sure on weekends that they are my priority,” she says.
Most mornings too start with a swim with her children before breakfast. “It’s such a wonderful start to the day and puts everyone in a good mood,” says Allan, who, after dropping her boys off at school, then goes for a hike.

“I normally hike the Twins most days and then head to the office – for me the exercise is critical to my mindset,” says Allan, who made the most of the recent lockdown in the city by discovering new hiking trails.
“One of my favourite activities during Covid has been exploring all these amazing hikes in Hong Kong and doing it with friends is a wonderful way to spend time,” she says. “I’ve also been making my kids hike and I find that it’s such a wonderful way to spend time with them. We chat non stop.”
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Allan believes that time becomes more precious when you have children.
“You need to prioritise what’s important to you. The business and clients definitely consume a large amount of my time so I try to ensure my weekends and evenings are free to spend with the children and great friends.”
Victoria Allan’s preferred watch – a vintage Audemars Piguet

“I have a wonderful Audemars Piguet watch – it’s a men’s watch from the 60s. I bought it at a Sotheby’s auction about 15 years ago. One of my closest friends worked at Sotheby’s at the time and he helped advise me on buying it – he has since sadly passed away, so it always brings back wonderful memories of him whenever I wear it.”
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XXIV 2021

How Hong Kong property developer Victoria Allan balances work and life – business is thriving during Covid-19, but the Habitat Property founder still makes time for wellness and family

Portrait of property developer Victoria Allan, at her home in Stanley. 27SEP21 SCMP/ Jonathan Wong

Property developer Victoria Allan at her home in Stanley, Hong Kong. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Since the pandemic, Victoria Allan opened a new office in Stanley, Hong Kong to accommodate more clients. Photo: SCMP

An aerial view of Stanley, Hong Kong, on the trail of The Twin Peaks hike. Photo: Shutterstock

Victoria Allan’s vintage Audemars Piguet. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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XXIV


Allan built her property business during Sars and the Asian currency crisis and has since been thriving, even during Covid-19, as an entrepreneur and mother
The entrepreneur’s favourite watch is a vintage 60s Audemars Piguet that a dear friend who has since passed helped her buy at a Sotheby’s auction 15 years ago



Business is thriving in Hong Kong for Habitat Property founder Allan, so how does she still manage to find time to swim, hike and send her sons to school before work?
