With the official opening of The Henderson, the dazzling futuristic edifice officiating as a new commercial building, the silhouette of Hong Kong has forever changed, adding new curves to the skyscraper-studded view that the world has of the city.
It’s not often that an entirely new building crops up in the prized Central business district, especially not one of this calibre. With its rounded outline inspired by a blossoming Bauhinia bud, The Henderson is an archetype of modernity, artistic design, luxury, and elegance.
The Henderson has instantly become a coveted address that welcomes the A-list under the aegis of its novel roof. Already, a handful of VVIPs have settled in to occupy the prime floors as this coveted address fulfils the mantra of every real-estate developer: “Location, location, location.” Audemars Piguet, Christie’s new Asia Pacific headquarters, and the Carlyle investment firm are among the first batch of top-tier tenants who are calling the building home.
“We are delighted to welcome the first batch of tenants into The Henderson upon the opening of our flagship project,” says Dr Martin Lee Ka-shing, chairman of Henderson Land Group. “Embodying world-class architectural craftsmanship, the project enriches the urban landscape of Central and Hong Kong.”
For all its worth as a pivot of the business district, there are firm plans to make The Henderson and surroundings renowned for their artistic eminence. Like a crowning jewel, the glass-topped banquet hall on the topmost thirty-sixth floor is the highest structure of its kind in Hong Kong and promises to host fun and festivities in the coming months and years.
The first-ever sculpture park by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), the Lambeth Walk Rest Garden, is already in the works—ZHA envisages a unique green recreational space blending art installations, innovation, and sustainability in the public space outside the building.
Ever since the Jeff Koons swanned into the hall, the larger-than-life modern sculpture has been the talk of the town. At a whopping three tonnes, images of the mirror-polished stainless-steel sculpture, The Balloon Swan (Red), have shimmered across social media. Created by Koons, the unique piece was first displayed at the Gagosian gallery in Paris, and is now available for viewing in Asia for the very first time. The American artist’s over-sized works have historically been displayed only at major landmarks, such as the New Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and The Centre Pompidou in Paris. Derived from Jeff Koons’s “Celebration” series, the already iconic piece proudly beams in the sunlight, contributing to The Henderson’s establishment as a significant landmark in town.
Interest towards The Henderson has been growing ever since the bamboo scaffoldings fettered away to reveal its curvilinear design. The first commercial project designed by ZHA in Hong Kong has sparked much applause in the design and architectural community. Unsurprisingly, the project has already garnered a number of international awards and accolades, including the Business Leadership in Sustainability award in the World Green Building Council Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Building Awards.
A harmonious blend of innovation, art, and sustainability, The Henderson offers tech-driven, creative, and smart experiences to guests and tenants like no other commercial building in the vicinity, setting the tone for embracing the future.
