| PROPERTY SPECIAL
The Lily
Norman Foster + Partners was brought in as concept architect for The Lily, arguably the most recognizable property in Repulse Bay
Begins to
Bloom
From its vantage point overlooking Repulse Bay, The Lily has the potential to become one of Hong Kong’s iconic properties, writes Euan McKirdy
I
t took a long time coming, but it was worth the wait. With the opening of The Lily in Repulse Bay, one of Hong Kong’s most recognizable and luxurious new properties gets its moment in the limelight. With world-renowned architectural firm Norman Foster + Partners brought in as concept architect, the property represented another chance for the British-based firm – and its world-renowned eponymous figurehead – to further add to the DNA of the city. Sir Norman Foster is responsible for some of Hong Kong’s most identifiable landmarks, from the HSBC headquarters in Central to Hong Kong Airport and The Lily is yet another example of his striking, compromise-free style of building. With 34 Serviced Apartments and 66 Residences on offer ranging from 1,816 sq ft for two bedrooms to an exclusive penthouse clocking in at over 8,000 sq ft and five bedrooms, this enviable address sets the bar for luxury living on Hong Kong’s south side.
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As a true standout high-rise, The Lily brings a new standard of high-end living to this beautiful, sun-soaked part of Hong Kong. The calm of Repulse Bay couldn’t be any more removed from the frenetic pace of Central, making The Lily the perfect place for those looking for a calmer, more relaxed pace of home life. There aren’t many places on the island that can boast equally of convenience, tranquility and sense of relaxation that Repulse Bay can. Despite this, the south side has been overlooked somewhat by the city’s property developers, and lowrise condos rule this side of the island. There are a couple of exceptions to this rule, but as a true standout high-rise, The Lily brings a new standard of high-end living to this beautiful, sun-soaked part of Hong Kong. “There are not many that can boast 6-star south side serviced apartment living, but The Lily does,” says Molly Kung, Executive Director, Marketing of property developer Chinachem. “In addition, there aren’t many properties that cater to large families and have adequate domestic helper accommodation, especially those that are as contemporary, and well-appointed, as The Lily. The philosophy behind the Lily is to create home away from home.” And home it is. This beachside residential neighbourhood perfectly caters to the international community. The area, while not nearly as densely populated as other parts of the city, does provide a huge range of services and businesses right on The Lily’s doorstep. From some of Hong Kong’s best international schools to upscale supermarkets and restaurants only minutes away from the front entrance. It’s also within striking distance of the exclusive American Country Club and Hong Kong Country Club – great places to relax and be pampered. 60
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And of course, the proximity to the beach and the hills surrounding the bay gives residents that opportunity to get away from it all, and back to nature almost immediately. Given the island’s relative compactness, however, this oasis of calm is only a short drive from the city centre, giving residents the best of both worlds. Shuttle buses to and from the main parts of the city provide amazingly quick connections and with the added convenience of this residentonly service, the property’s tenants can be in the heart of the city in a matter of minutes. For those tired of Hong Kong’s oftenclaust rophobic views, i mpeded as t hey so frequently are by neighbouring tower blo ck s , one of T he L i ly ’s ma i n d raws i s t he u n ob s t r uc te d , p a n or a m ic v i s t a of t he bay and ocean beyond t hat each apartment boasts. The striking thing about The Lily is its modernity. Obvious care has been taken in the design and layout of each unit and from the quality of the materials and finishes provided by the developers to the top-of-the-line Poggenpohl kitchens and Gaggenau appliances, every effort has been made to ensure comfort and convenience for the tenants. Cleverly designed to enable picture-perfect views from the floor-to-ceiling windows in HKGOLFER.COM
each unit, there isn’t such a thing as a bad view from The Lily. Specially planned to make the most of the sunlight that Hong Kong’s south side is famous for, every apartment gives residents one-of-akind vistas of Repulse Bay and the surrounding countryside – the windows in the rear of each apartment enjoy a placid, green mountain views, perfect for unwinding and escaping the pace of Hong Kong.The development is perfect for families – with clubhouse facilities including a dedicated kids’ pool, indoor and outdoor children’s play area, children’s internet zone, as well as gym, covered pool and outdoor BBQ and lounge area for the adults in the family, it offers a rounded selection of activities for all. Long-term accommodation is ideal for families of any size, with the larger units providing ample space for even extensive broods. The building management is there to cater for most family needs, from rollaway beds and baby’s cribs and high chairs to 24 hour access, on-site climate controlled and additional storage, house and car cleaning services and thoughtful, little details such as personalised pet ID tags. It also provides a great stop-off for shorterterm residences, and the property offers some of the most spacious serviced apartments in Hong Kong. The Lily’s serviced apartments and attendant facilities are also second to none, offering the kind of one-on-one personalized touches that make your day and make life in Hong Kong as comfortable as possible. From the multilingual staff and hotelstandard concierge services, ‘Sleep Concierge services’ (including six different firmnesses of pillows to choose from) to chauffer services – including to and from the airport and around Hong Kong island – the facility also boasts spa concierge services, who will be happy to run residents a relaxing bath complete with ginger lily or lavender essential oils, rose petal settings and champagne and seasonal fruits. Life is easy at The Lily, no matter how long the tenant intends on staying. The property’s modernity is reflected in the attention to healthier aspects of life, like built-in steamers, along with wine fridges/cellars and plate warmers. Hong Kong is no stranger to lu x ur y accommodation, but The Lily proves that, given the right location, where you come home to can make all the difference. Clockwise from top: the striking thing about The Lily is its modernity, here in a master bedroom; the view from one of the 7,750 sq penthouses; the living area of a four-bedroom duplex; The Lily's prominent location overlooking Repulse Bay at dusk HKGOLFER.COM
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