Henderson Land Development Company Limited (Stock code: 12) has unveiled its new flagship project, Central Yards, on the New Central Harbourfront. The development, which features a gross floor area of over 1.6 million square feet, is set to become a major global icon for Hong Kong. It is the centrepiece of the developer’s HK$63 billion (US$8 billion) New Central Harbourfront project. Phase 1 of Central Yards is scheduled to open in 2027, with Phase 2 following in 2032.

Henderson Land secured the land grant for this site, which is north of the old General Post Office and next to the International Finance Centre, in November 2021. A subsidiary of the developer won the government’s “two-envelope” tender with a record-breaking bid of HK$50.8 billion for the 516,316 sq ft plot. The unique tender process considered meritorious designs equally alongside the highest price offered.

Central Yards, an iconic groundscraper, spans approximately 400 meters (or more than 1,312 sq ft) along Victoria Harbour. This makes it Central’s longest architecture, creating a new horizontal skyline. The project’s design, centred on “The Bridge” concept, is a collaboration between Henderson Land and an international team. This team includes Hong Kong’s Lead8, London-based AL_A led by Amanda Levete, the Netherlands’ UNStudio, California’s Peter Walker and Partners, and London’s Speirs Major.

The development will offer over 700,000 square feet of premium office and ancillary space. The ten-storey building includes six dedicated office floors and will feature the largest office floorplate in Hong Kong’s Central Business District. The remaining areas are attracting strong interest from leading multinational companies. Over 70% of Phase 1 office and ancillary space has already been leased. Quantitative trading firm Jane Street Asia will serve as the anchor tenant, taking 223,437 sq ft across six floors at HK$137 per square foot per month, excluding fees. This is one of the largest leasing transactions in Central.

Central Yards will introduce retail hybridity across three dedicated floors in its first phase, which spans over 300,000 square feet. This retail space is envisioned as a “city within a city,” merging indoor and outdoor realms with a street-first, promenade-led environment. The retail vision puts placemaking at its core, featuring duplex concepts, signature al-fresco dining, and twelve outdoor event spaces to transform the harbourfront into a round-the-clock hub.

A major cultural anchor will be Hong Kong’s only private Broadway-calibre theatre. The state-of-the-art venue is designed and engineered to international specifications and offers seating for over 1,100 guests. This theatre will host a broad spectrum of world-class performances and cross-disciplinary showcases.

The project is defined by its commitment to sustainable and biophilic design. It will feature Central’s largest sky garden, an approximately 300-metre elevated landscape covering over 160,000 square feet. The development includes over 300,000 square feet of multi-level open green space, planted with more than 400 trees and 280 plant species. The design includes innovative smart facade systems that provide 30% higher energy efficiency than other Grade A offices. The development has secured or registered for the highest standards from nine respected green and smart building certifications, including BEAM Plus, LEED, and WELL.

Dr. Martin Lee Ka Shing, Chairman of the Group, said: “Deeply rooted in Hong Kong, Central Yards is born from our commitment and love for the city we call home. As a vibrant hub where the treasures of life – nature, culture, joy and ambition come together, Central Yards turns Hong Kong into the world’s grandest stage for future generations.”

He added: “Since day one, we set out to push boundaries to lead world-class sustainable designs and innovations. 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. This unique vision redefines what is possible for Hong Kong. Central Yards is our expanded horizon to the world, shaping Hong Kong’s new chapter.”