What: The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels revitalises southern Hong Kong Island with a mixed-use development that combines residential luxury with curated retail experiences.

Why it is important: The development demonstrates how heritage properties can be successfully reimagined to create vibrant retail destinations that serve both residents and visitors.

The Repulse Bay, a newly transformed mixed-use complex in southern Hong Kong Island, represents an innovative approach to retail development. Located on the site of a historic 1920s hotel that once hosted celebrities like Ernest Hemingway and Marlon Brando, the property has undergone a remarkable two-year transformation by The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited. The development combines 402 residential units with carefully selected specialist retailers, focusing on boutique businesses rather than mainstream luxury brands. The tenant mix includes Japanese workwear brand Human Made, lifestyle shop Inside, and jewellery brand Via de Lourdes, alongside various food and beverage outlets. Under the leadership of Olaf Born, the complex maintains strong community engagement through monthly resident meetings and carefully curated events, aiming to recreate the vibrant atmosphere of its historic predecessor while serving modern retail needs.

IADS Notes:Recent trends from our database support this development's approach. In December 2024, Simon Property Group reported success with community-focused developments, achieving a 6.4% traffic increase through similar mixed-use strategies.Asian retail innovation has been particularly notable, with Bangkok's retail transformation in November 2024 showing how cultural integration can drive retail success. The project aligns with broader industry shifts identified in September 2024, where 70% of consumers prefer integrated lifestyle experiences. This approach mirrors successful developments like K11 Musea, which reported 120% sales increases above pre-pandemic levels through its cultural-retail integration strategy.

The Repulse Bay brings new retail energy to Southern Hong Kong