Hong Kong is certainly not short of a luxury hotel, but things are getting a shake-up with businessman Adrian Cheng's first foray into hospitality. Billed as an artisanal home, K11 Artus – a portmanteau of the words art and domus, meaning home in Latin – is an extension of Cheng's luxury art and lifestyle K11 brand and is intended to re-shape the serviced apartment experience, where the creative mind and soul are as important as providing comfort and sophisticated service.
Set at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, the Kohn Pedersen Fox-designed 21-storey development's distinct rippled façade and sinuous, ribbon-like continuous balconies reflect its prominent Victoria Harbour waterfront location, offering the first hint of innovation.
Inside, design firms Joyce Wang Studio, Fiona Barratt Interiors and Nemaworkshop have outfitted three of the penthouses each, while Hong Kong architect André Fu is behind the 287 short and long-term stay residences. ‘For me, it was about creating a familiar sense of ease, of creature comforts and privacy yet at the same time feeling part of a community that shares a similar interest in a cultured lifestyle,’ explains Fu.
This translates to the skilful blending of calm neutrals, earthy, mineral accents and rich textures. Think supple leather, sleek lacquer and retro-modernist furnishings, with subtle oriental decorative touches, that sit against walls that are dressed in Persian and ethnic-inspired textiles and Fu's handpicked, whimsical decorative objets, which merge in masterful, layered tonal combinations.
Two floors are dedicated to a seamless flow of social, shared spaces with several distinct lounges and a chic café-bar. An airy double-height library contains books curated by Fu and acts as the reception. There is also an unusual Moroccan-inspired garden, an outdoor terrace and a swimming pool with the harbour as its backdrop.
Throughout K11 Artus, museum-quality art including a charred Hokkaido birch sculpture by David Nash and Kensou Ho Kwun Ting’s intricate metal landscape sculptures, are highlighted by Fu’s custom lighting – that adapts traditional magnifying glasses – reflecting Hong Kong’s unique way of life, arts and craftsmanship. Just like home, but better.
An ethereal oil painting by Liang Yuan Wei and a concierge desk with monolithic, interlocking, curved marble forms in the West entrance lobby
There are two entrance lobbies, both designed to create a sense of arrival and mark the departure from the city beyond with soft lighting and comfortable seating.
Fu’s signature design themes include bold geometrical shapes offset with gently curved furnishings and handmade artefacts that add to the home-like setting.
The Commune extends over an atrium-like sky bridge and is used for relaxed, informal gatherings, as a quiet co-working space and for discussions
The Commune’s cool, crisp palette of cerulean and indigo blues and silver, and highly textured fabrics reflect the urban setting
Studio residences have bi-folding oak screens that lead onto a study, which can be closed off for privacy, with a foldout bed facing the balcony
The bedroom features a striking custom size black and ivory Elitis fabric wall panel, nightstands with olive green leather tops and bronze bedside lamps
A three-bedroom harbour view residence with André Fu’s custom design furnishings and hand-selected objets
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
18 Salisbury Rd
Tsim Sha Tsui
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