H Code is a pioneering leisure development that is designed for flexibility and versatility. It is located in Central, an area of Hong Kong known for its ultra-high density and compact business nature. This project is designed to set a new standard as the leading catalyst for a functional transformation of a city block. It won the Cityscape Awards Emerging Markets 2016 Leisure & Hospitality Project Award – Future category.
The site is located beside the famous upper Pottinger Street, which is renowned for its antique stone paving. It is also close to the revitalisation project of the Tai Kwun Central Police Station and serves as an urban booster connecting hotspots such as Lan Kwai Fong to the east and the SoHo district to the west.
VERTICAL WINE-AND-DINE STREET
As a development dedicated to a new dining and entertainment lifestyle, the 24-storey building boasts a new formula for space planning, façade innovations, functional programming and building management.
H Code comprises two blocks—a 24-storey high block and an 11-storey low block, with a link bridge connecting the high block to the rooftop sky garden on the low block.
One major character of H Code is its calculated balance between commercial exposure and the subtle softening of urban impact, with the use of building setbacks, creation of a piazza, and the carving up of the ground level to maintain the original alleyway character of the local city block. Traditionally, retail activities are placed at the pedestrian level of buildings in this section of Hong Kong. However, the narrow intermediate site meant a limited pedestrian-level frontage.
By taking advantage of the hidden location, architecture firm DLN gave the building a kinetic façade treatment that extends the internal shops to the exterior, creating social and cultural vistas that span the building height in the form of a vertical wine-and-dine street.
The project targets boutique establishments, exquisite cuisines and flagship eateries by selective cooks and restaurateurs.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name: H Code
Location: 45 Pottinger Street, Hong Kong
Completion Date: December 2016
Site Area: 842.329 square metres
Gross Floor Area: 12,635 square metres
Client/Owner: Henderson Land Development Company Ltd
Architecture Firm: DLN
Civil & Structural Engineers: Stephen Cheng Consulting Engineers Ltd; AECOM
Mechanical & Electrical Engineers: P&T (M&E) Ltd; MECS Consulting Engineers
Main Contractor: Hong Kong Construction (General Builders) Ltd
Images: DLN
