special summer issue 2015
NOT ANY PLACE From a street party with edible stationery to collaboration with the likes of famed photographer Marcel Christ, Taikoo Place is chock-a-block with surprises
It was standing room only at the Taikoo Place brand launch street party
Taikoo Place Launch Party at Tong Chong Street
in April. More than 500
“People loved it,” exclaimed Lau. “It’s a new way to see
celebrities, socialites and
rather mundane daily objects. It fits with Taikoo Place’s
creative types jostled for
non-traditional approach to offices.”
attention at the bustling Tong Chong Street. Lined up before them were office workstations filled with rows of clipboards,
The launch party was just one example of Taikoo Place’s Vicky Lau, Chef & Owner of Tate Dining Room
out-of-the box thinking. Swire Properties has constantly been experimenting with new ideas and collaborating with visionaries and creative talents. People and the
laptops and stationery—
“software” always come first and this philosophy is an
not exactly anyone’s idea of a party. To their delight,
integral part of Taikoo Place transformation. Like many
guests soon discovered it was an “edible office” with
others, Lau believes feeling at ease is essential to a
scotch tape made of raspberry roll-up candy, crayons
successful workspace. “I think the most important part
made from chocolate and clipboards carrying choux with
is a comfortable environment. We all spend a lot of hours
foie gras terrine and Comte cheese. Perhaps the water
in the office so it should really incorporate facilities that
coolers brimful of tasty cocktails were the biggest hit.
fit various needs and moods throughout the day.” The
The culinary installation was the brainchild of Chef Vicky
“Not Any Place, Taikoo Place” brand campaign rightly
Lau of Michelin-starred restaurant Tate Dining Room.
communicates this key message.
Edible stationery by Butler, Tate Dining Room’s luxury catering arm
Popcorn station by Sote
Advertising in Central
Vibrant images with explosions of colour on billboards were installed around the city to kick off the campaign. One may instantly recognised it was the work of famed Dutch lensman Marcel Christ whom Swire Properties had especially enlisted for its Taikoo Place campaign. “The new campaign represents our commitment to providing a better environment that makes people’s work lives happier,” says Babby Fung, Swire Properties’ Head of Office Marketing. From abundant open space to pleasurable streetscape with alfresco dining and dynamic Project After 6 tenant engagement programmes, Taikoo Place offers a myriad of gems to explore and enjoy. “We believe a happy workforce drives productivity that enables the success of the business and contributes to the sustainability and longevity of the office community.” Exclusive collection of “Not Any Place” lifestyle products
Curated around the creative idea “if only we could bottle it”, the essence of Taikoo Place has been captured in bespoke scents and tastes. An exclusive Not Any Place collection of lifestyle products was produced and featured in advertising. Items included Acres of Space, a fresh grass scented candle evoking the greenery in the area and Bags of Inspiration, a medley of teas from across the globe representing the creativity and culture of the office hub. Other items included a special coffee blend, incense oil and vintage Shiraz candy. When the candles and incense oil were put online on Taikoo Place’s website, some 300 items were snatched up in just 10 minutes.
A creative display in Taikoo Place
Taikoo Place News/Summer 2015
STREET PARTY HIGHLIGHTS 24 April 2015 Tong Chong Street, Taikoo Place
Jennifer Tse & Swire Properties’ Don Taylor (Director, Office)
Ryan Hui
Yvette Yung
Venus Wong
Mark Ryan
Elaine Lee
Ricky Kwok
Sue Lynn Hwa
DJ Nu-Mark from Jurassic 5
Daniel Chan, Hilary Tsui & Jennifer Tse
Simon Handford & Swire Properties’ Aileen Chan (General Manager, Taikoo Place)
Taikoo Place News/Summer 2015
Pure Fitness (Opening in early 2016) - 4-5/F, PCCW Tower
nood food (Opening in Taikoo Place in 2015)
As part of its continued transformation, Taikoo Place is constantly evolving and attracting innovative tenants. Watson’s Wine recently moved in and a pop-up store by Italian restaurant EAT.it will soon open. Keeping pace with the growing focus on wellness programmes in the workplace, Taikoo Place will also have a premium gym by Pure Fitness targeting busy individuals looking to destress and tone-up. After their workout, health nuts can fuel up at nood food, which serves organic cold-pressed juice, raw food and superfood smoothie. EAT.it (Opening in 2015) - Shop D, 1/F, Devon House
Watson’s Wine - Shop A, 1/F, Dorset House
Why Taikoo Place? We see a big potential in the East Hong Kong Island area and Taikoo Place is among the most prominent and exclusive office hubs here. It’s inspiring and not just a workplace. We’ll do our best to keep aligned with the innovative culture of Taikoo Place.
Where will you source your beans? From a specialty coffee roaster called Danes in Sydney. I’ve been drinking their coffee for the last 10 years. I like the punchiness of it. We are bringing in a special blend called Viking, which combines seven different beans from all over the world from South America, Africa and
Cohhee (Opening in 2015) - G/F, Berkshire House
Indonesia. We are going to airfreight it over every two
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK Interview with Jonathan Chak co-founder of Cohhee, a new coffee kiosk opening in Berkshire House, Taikoo Place
weeks.
Where does the name Cohhee come from? It’s a play on words of the local pronunciation of coffee. “Cohhee, let’s have a cohhee.” It’s very Hongkie. While
What inspired you to introduce the concept to Hong Kong?
Are you also hoping to bring a similar vibe from Café Bolle to Hong Kong?
we are coming from Australia we want to make it more localised. In a way it’s going back to my roots. After all I was born in Hong Kong.
We have a suburban café in Neutral Bay in Sydney called Café Bolle. We know the neighbourhood and it’s a really
Yes. Most of our baristas have lived abroad and
friendly environment. Every one just comes in and we
experienced another culture. We hope to bring that
chat with them. It’s like family. I travel to Hong Kong
friendliness into the workplace with a smile. Even if
frequently. Over the last 10 years I saw the coffee trend
you are having a bad day, it might even make you feel
in Hong Kong slowly picking up so I thought it’s a good
better and smile if a barista talks to you and looks
opportunity to bring Australian coffee here.
after you.
© Swire Properties Limited
taikooplacehk
Taikoo Place
www.taikooplace.com
For enquires about the information in the newsletter, please contact taikooplace@swireproperties.com