HONG KONG, April 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Benoy is proud to be involved in two further International Finance Square (IFS) malls which are being developed by major Hong Kong property company The Wharf Holdings (Wharf). Set to follow the success of the already completed Chengdu IFS, Wharf has appointed Benoy to design its IFS developments in Chongqing and Changsha.
"Benoy is honoured to be entrusted by Wharf as they develop their portfolio in China. Chengdu IFS has proven to be an extremely successful collaboration between our two companies, in terms of both design and commercial viability. We are excited to continue creating architecture that speaks of its time while also developing exciting yet timeless spaces for the people of these cities," commented Ferdinand Cheung, Benoy Director.
The new malls are located in fast-growing cities as Wharf launches and grows its commercial portfolio in China. Like Chengdu IFS which established a diverse 'City within a city' commercial landmark in Western China, the developments in Chongqing and Changsha will look to set a new benchmark for their catchments.
"These projects are challenging in both their size and scale, Changsha IFS being the largest of the three schemes. As the sector evolves, the complexity of the programmes and connectivity within these mixed-use developments continues to increase," explained Ferdinand.
Covering a total development area of 1,026,000m2, Changsha IFS will be located in the Furong District's Jiefang Road in the core of the Central Business District (CBD). Ensuring ultimate connectivity and high footfalls, the scheme will be connected to the future underground interchange hub for metro lines 1 and 2. The mall will also act as an extension to one of the busiest pedestrian streets in China -- Huang Xing Pedestrian Shopping Street -- sitting opposite to the entrance of the well-known area.
Changsha IFS will have a retail street frontage of more than 700m, forming the longest 'Street' experience in Wharf's portfolio. The 230,000m2 retail mall will have premium offers spanning Entertainment, Lifestyle, Retail, Culture and Food and Beverage. The podium will also interface with two towers soaring to 452m and 315m, each featuring a hotel, to create a diverse commercial destination.
In Chongqing's new CBD, where the Yangtze River meets the Jialing River, the site for Chongqing IFS is being developed as a joint venture between Wharf and China Overseas Land. Creating a highly efficient commercial footprint, the project combines four adjacent sites into one to form a stately and innovative masterplan. Two light railway lines are set to pass through the area with respective stations nearby, establishing excellent transportation links.
The scheme sits adjacent to the Chongqing City Grand Theatre, the Chongqing Science Museum and the Central Park, to bring further diversity to the Jiangbei Commercial District. Flanked by a 300m landmark tower and four additional towers, the 102,000m2 retail podium will unite Retail, Commercial Offices and Hospitality with panoramic views across the river. Positioned as a boutique retail mall, Chongqing IFS will showcase celebrated brands and a wide spectrum of fine dining and entertainment anchors including a cinema and ice rink.
Chongqing IFS is due for full completion in 2016 and Changsha IFS will complete in phases starting from 2016. Benoy's scope on both projects includes Masterplanning, Retail Architecture, Interior and Graphic Design.
About Benoy:
Benoy is an international, award-winning firm of Architects, Masterplanners, Interior and Graphic Designers, with studios across Asia, the Middle East and the UK.
www.benoy.com
Brittany Downes
brittany.downes@benoy.com
+852-2250-7222
Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150428/8521502694-a
Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150428/8521502694-b
Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150428/8521502694-c
Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150428/8521502694-d
