Union Square (Hong Kong)
| Company type | Mixed-use development |
|---|---|
| Industry | Real estate, Retail, Hospitality |
| Founded | 1990s |
| Headquarters | Kowloon, Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
Area served | Hong Kong |
| Products | Residential units, Office space, Hotel rooms, Serviced apartments, Retail space (Elements mall) |
| Parent | MTR Corporation, Sun Hung Kai Properties (developers) |
The Union Square development is a mixed-use commercial and residential complex located in Hong Kong, positioned on the West Kowloon reclaimed land within Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Spanning an area of , the project boasts a total gross floor space of , which is on par with London's Canary Wharf. The site hosts some of the tallest structures in Hong Kong, including the 118-storey International Commerce Centre, the highest commercial skyscraper, alongside The Cullinan, the city's tallest residential tower standing at .
Location and accommodation
Situated at 1 Austin Road West in West Kowloon, Hong Kong, Union Square occupies a portion of the 340 hectares reclaimed from Victoria Harbour during the 1990s to facilitate highway and railway connections to Hong Kong International Airport. The development incorporates the Kowloon station, which serves both the Tung Chung line and the Airport Express Line. It is also conveniently close to the Guangshengang XRL's West Kowloon terminal and the Austin station on the Tuen Ma line.
Union Square consists of 5,866 residential units (), complemented by 2,230 hotel rooms and 2,490 serviced apartments, with a combined area dedicated to hotel and serviced apartment accommodations. The complex additionally offers of office space and features the Elements shopping mall, which spans .
Although officially designated as Union Square, the locale is more frequently referred to by its prominent components such as Elements mall, ICC, W Hotel, and various upscale residential developments.
Planning and concept
In 1992, MTR Corporation secured the contract to construct and operate the airport railway. The comprehensive master plan for Union Square—an extensive air rights project developed around Kowloon Station—was created by TFP Farrells. Their architectural vision centered on establishing a mixed-use urban district comprising multiple towers set atop a substantial podium.
Sir Terry Farrell noted that while MTR initially preferred a scattered station design with subtle entrances, he championed a grand central station hall emphasizing Kowloon Station as a pivotal hub. Transportation infrastructure is primarily situated on the underground and first floors: loading areas and platforms for both the Tung Chung and Airport Express lines are below ground level; meanwhile, bus stations, parking access points, and mechanical facilities occupy the ground floor. Above this lies Elements Mall, extending over , which houses luxury retailers, major chain outlets, a cinema complex, supermarket, dining establishments, and an ice skating rink.
On top of the mall’s roof—three levels above street level—is a public plaza featuring landscaped pathways, gardens, cafés, and bars that provide connectivity to Union Square’s building clusters. Despite its cohesive design centered around transport infrastructure, a 2013 study by the University of Hong Kong criticized Union Square for its detachment from surrounding urban areas, particularly regarding pedestrian accessibility. Urban planner Paul Zimmerman described it as "an island of the affluent disconnected from its environment," serving as a cautionary model for future city planning. Farrell conceded that site limitations restricted possible solutions to these challenges.
Building Complexes
| Year Completed | Buildings | Number of Floors | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | The Waterfront Towers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 | 46 floors each | 142.46 metres (467.4 ft) |
| 2003 | Sorrento Towers 1 (75 floors), 2 (66), 3 (64), 5 (62), 6 (60) | Varies by tower | Up to 256.3 metres (841 ft) |
| 2003 | The Harbourside | 73 floors | 251.16 metres (824.0 ft) |
| 2005 | The Arch | 65 floors | 231 metres (758 ft) |
| 2007 | The Cullinan North and South Towers | 68 floors each | 269.92 metres (885.6 ft) |
| 2011 | International Commerce Centre | 107 floors | 484 metres (1,588 ft) |
The Waterfront
The Waterfront () represents the initial phase of the Union Square development and was created by a partnership led by Wing Tai Asia, alongside Temasek Holdings, Singapore Land, Keppel Land, Lai Sun Development, World-wide Investment, and USI Holdings. This residential estate contains a total of 1,288 apartments distributed among six towers and reached completion in the year 2000. It originally housed Dickson Cyber Express, a cyber shopping mall spanning approximately 70,000 square feet operated by Dickson Concepts, which ceased operations following the collapse of the internet bubble. Residents benefit from a private clubhouse featuring amenities such as a swimming pool, courts for badminton and tennis, rooms for dancing and reading, karaoke facilities, and party spaces. Additional conveniences include an underground parking garage and abundant landscaping. Entry is controlled via access cards for residents; guests must obtain authorization.
The Waterfront is situated within Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 31, which encompasses several aided schools as well as Jordan Road Government Primary School.
Sorrento
Sorrento (), constituting phase two of Union Square, is located at the northern boundary of the development. Developed jointly by The Wharf Estate Development Ltd. and MTR Corporation, this residential complex consists of five towers completed in 2003 and designed by Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd.
The towers are labeled Sorrento 1 through Sorrento 6, with tower number four omitted due to tetraphobia. All towers share a uniform architectural design but vary in height; Sorrento 1 stands tallest at 256 meters (841 feet) with 75 storeys, making it Hong Kong's second tallest residential building and ranking fifth globally among residential skyscrapers. The entire complex comprises 2,126 housing units. A pedestrian bridge linking Sorrento Towers 2 and 3 provides direct access to Kowloon station and the Elements shopping mall.
Sorrento also falls under Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 31, which includes multiple aided schools along with Jordan Road Government Primary School.
The Harbourside
The Harbourside () is a residential skyscraper rising to a height of approximately 255 meters within Union Square and represents phase four of the Kowloon station project. Constructed between 2001 and 2004, its design was executed by P & T Architects & Engineers.
From a distance, it resembles a single vertical façade; however, The Harbourside actually consists of three interconnected towers joined at their bases, midsections, and rooftops. The separations between the towers serve to alleviate wind pressure on the expansive surface area that functions similarly to a sail. All of its 74 floors are allocated exclusively for residential purposes.
Globally, it ranks as the 91st tallest building when measured by architectural height.
This building is also located within Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 31, which includes various aided schools in addition to Jordan Road Government Primary School.
The Arch
The Arch () is a residential skyscraper featuring 81 floors and reaching a height of 231 meters, completed in 2006 within Union Square. Ranking as the third tallest residential tower in Hong Kong, it consists of four distinct towers named Sun, Star, Moon, and Sky. The Star Tower is linked to the Moon Tower, while the Sky Tower connects with the Sun Tower. Notably, the Sun and Moon Towers merge at the 62nd floor, creating an arch shape that inspired the building’s name.
Developed by Sun Hung Kai Properties, The Arch encountered controversy in 2005 regarding its sales approach. Issues raised included "internal sales" of units before completion, absence of official price lists, and announcements of inflated prices. A penthouse was sold for HK$168 million, equating to HK$31,300 per square foot. Discounts referred to as "sweeteners" were reportedly excluded from price calculations, allowing a 5–10% price increase on subsequent sales. These claims were denied by Sun Hung Kai Properties.
Among its facilities is a 25-meter swimming pool situated on the 59th floor.
The Arch falls within POA School Net 31, which includes several aided schools alongside Jordan Road Government Primary School.
The Cullinan
The Cullinan (), developed by Sun Hung Kai Properties, stands as Hong Kong’s tallest residential complex, comprising two towers—North and South—with 68 floors reaching 270 meters (886 feet) in height. Completed in phases in 2008 and 2009 respectively, it represents the sixth phase of Union Square’s development. Initially designed for 45 stories, the floor count was increased to 68 following the cancellation of Union Square’s fifth phase. The complex derives its name from the renowned 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond.
International Commerce Centre
The International Commerce Centre (ICC) serves as phase seven of Union Square and is a commercial skyscraper with 118 floors standing at 484 meters (1,588 feet). Finished in 2010 and jointly developed by MTR Corporation and Sun Hung Kai Properties, it holds the title of Hong Kong’s tallest building and ranks as the world’s fourth tallest. The ICC houses office spaces, a fitness center, an observation deck, and accommodates the luxury five-star Ritz-Carlton Hotel from floors 102 to 118.
Shopping complex
Elements mall within Union Square provides around of retail area hosting 123 stores. It features an ice skating rink and the Grand Cinema multiplex with a seating capacity of 1,600, currently recognized as Hong Kong’s largest cinema complex.
Access
Union Square enjoys excellent connectivity through various public transportation options including MTR, Kowloon Motor Bus, and minibuses. The nearby Kowloon station services both the Airport Express Line and Tung Chung line, while Austin station on the Tuen Ma line is also conveniently close. Additionally, the development is situated near the terminus of the Guangshengang XRL at West Kowloon Station.