Transformation of historical waterfront site on Hong Kong Island marks beginning of new legacy
One Causeway Bay, overlooking Victoria Harbour, promises cutting-edge design and premium office space in heart of city
Hong Kong is renowned globally for its harbour skyline. Gleaming skyscrapers and architectural masterpieces are set against a backdrop of imposing mountains – an ever-changing vista evolving alongside the city.
A new landmark building in Causeway Bay is set to be a distinctive addition to this skyline, and promises to mark the beginning of a new legacy in the neighbourhood. One Causeway Bay, which sits on a prime waterfront plot on Victoria Harbour, has been dubbed “a beacon of modernity and excellence” by its developer Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Hongkong Land is to manage the property when it becomes operational.
The site, which has unrestricted views over the harbour and excellent connectivity to other parts of the city, is being transformed into a premium office and retail space that aims to set a new benchmark in human-centric design, priding itself on hi-tech features, sustainability, user experience and well-being.
One Causeway Bay sits on the plot of land that previously housed The Excelsior Hotel, an institution that for 46 years drew celebrities, residents and tourists. The land, historically known as East Point, was acquired by James Matheson in 1841. He built Hong Kong’s first godowns, or warehouses, there, earning the plot’s status as “Lot No 1” and giving the new development its name.
The new iteration of the site aims to create a legacy of its own. One Causeway Bay’s location puts it within easy reach of major transport hubs and business districts across the city. The building is a two-minute walk from the nearest MTR station, while Central is just 10 minutes by train. Meanwhile, the proximity of Gloucester Road and the Cross-Harbour Tunnel means that Kowloon is also within easy reach.
Unrivalled location
The development sits in the heart of one of Hong Kong’s most vibrant districts: Causeway Bay is a 24-hour neighbourhood teeming with restaurants, bars, shopping malls, hotels and wellness facilities. It is minutes away from Victoria Park, with tennis and basketball courts, football pitches, walking and jogging trails, quiet areas for relaxation, and a public swimming pool. One Causeway Bay also provides direct access to the newly expanded waterfront promenade, popular with joggers and families.
The building represents a new benchmark in cutting-edge design that is in line with the developer’s philosophy of integrating well-being into the workplace.
Designed by architects Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), the building’s facade has a mix of angled glass panels inspired by reflections in the harbour. The tempered glass optimises natural daylight and is oriented to capitalise on the panoramic views from three sides of the building.
Due for completion in mid-2025, One Causeway Bay will house 24 floors of grade A office space, totalling some 500,000 sq ft, with floor spaces typically spanning 20,000 sq ft, representing generous workspaces that can be adapted to tenant needs, prioritising their user experience and well-being. The development will also include five floors of retail and restaurant space and a landscaped rooftop garden and restaurant.
New standards in office space
The developer, in collaboration with architects KPF and Ronald Lu & Partners, aims to set new standards for premium office space in Hong Kong through its commitment to sustainability, efficient design and state-of-the-art technology. One Causeway Bay is equipped with an air purification system, as well as a chiller system optimised by artificial intelligence to monitor and control the building’s cooling systems and energy-saving LED lighting systems. The use of green materials, including sustainably produced concrete and steel, as well as recycled materials, will significantly reduce the building’s embodied carbon footprint.
One Causeway Bay has already achieved Platinum pre-certification from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the US Green Building Council. It is also the first building in Causeway Bay to achieve Platinum certification from both WiredScore, which recognises digital connectivity, and SmartScore, which recognises cutting-edge technology to improve sustainability, cost efficiency and the user experience. The development has also received Beam Plus Platinum from the Hong Kong Green Building Council, which awards buildings for their sustainability performance; and International Well Building Institute (WELL) Platinum certifications, which recognise a building’s impact on users’ health and wellness.
One Causeway Bay marks a new chapter in its neighbourhood. It aims to showcase the future of workplaces where design and technology come together to create smart buildings that elevate well-being in the workplace, and will be a new landmark destination for the community.