One of Hong Kong’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, Causeway Bay is brimming with eclectic restaurants, shopping malls and boutiques that attract visitors and residents alike. It was the buzzing location that appealed to a semi-retired Briton and his Hong Kong-born wife, who purchased this property on Leighton Road so they could live in the very heart of the district.

The 1,300 sqft, fifth-floor flat is inside a building believed to be around 60 years old, something that was equally attractive to the couple, according to Natasha Usher, director of Nude Design, who completely transformed the previously unimpressive interiors. The original layout had an enclosed kitchen, two tiny bathrooms, and separate living and dining rooms – a layout that did not make use of the potential natural light from the flat’s tall windows.

Older buildings tend to have better floor plates and larger windows, which we capitalised on in this project,” says Natasha. Around 90 per cent of newer building developments in Hong Kong have thick foundations or structural walls in the apartments to minimise beams in the ceiling for reinforcement – whereas an older building will commonly have higher ceilings and windows with exposed structural ceiling beams, so that interior walls can be relocated easily and provide much more generous space.” She explains, We maximised the space to suit the couple’s lifestyle. They like to entertain at home, and have a wealth of art and antiques, as both are very well-travelled and educated individuals.” 

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