Hong Kong-listed developer Henderson Land Development has unveiled more details of its upcoming flagship development on a waterfront site at New Central Harbourfront in Hong Kong. Named Central Yards, the project is a groundscraper spanning about 400m along Victoria Harbour.

The development will have over 1.6 million sq ft of gross floor area, including 700,000 sq ft of Grade A office and ancillary space, retail and green spaces, and a state-of-the-art entertainment venue billed as Hong Kong’s only private Broadway-calibre theatre. There will also be a 300m elevated sky garden featuring 160,000 sq ft of landscaping, making it the largest sky garden in Hong Kong’s Central district. 

The design for Central Yards was conceived by Henderson Land in collaboration with a number of design and architecture studios, including Hong Kong's Lead 8, London-based AL_A, the Netherlands' UNStudio, California's Peter Walker and Partners, and London's Speirs Major.

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Central Yards is located on a site Henderson Land acquired through a government land sale for HK$50.8 billion ($8.5 billion) in 2021. Phase 1 of Central Yards is set to be completed in 2027, followed by Phase 2 in 2032. According to the developer, over 70% of Phase 1 office and ancillary space has been leased. In terms of retail space, 300,000 sq ft is slated for delivery under Phase 1.

The development includes sustainable design features, including an innovative smart facade system that offers 30% higher energy efficiency compared to other Grade A offices, says Henderson Land. Central Yards has secured or registered for several green and smart building certifications, including Hong Kong’s BEAM Plus, along with LEED, WELL and WiredScore, among others.

“Since day one, we set out to push boundaries to lead world-class sustainable designs and innovations,” says Martin Lee Ka Shing, chairman of Henderson Land. “From crafting Central’s largest sky garden for urban biodiversity, to pioneering design innovations for its microclimate, this development embodies our vision of how global cities must evolve – placing people, sustainability, and innovation at heart.”