Building the Future
ost of us will have marvelled at its arches and wondered what dramas were unfolding behind those deeply recessed windows. But few probably ventured inside the Murray Building, which served as government offices until 2011. In recent years this modernist landmark, built in 1969, has been out of bounds, undergoing a HK$3 billion redevelopment by Wharf Holdings. Now that the project is finally complete, we offer you a glimpse inside the city’s newest luxury hotel—the Murray. And who better to give us the exclusive behindthe-scenes tour than the man who spearheaded the refurbishment, former Wharf Holdings supremo Peter Woo. The 72-year-old tycoon was an enthusiastic guide as he showed us around, from the glass pavilions on the roof housing a restaurant and bar, to gardens dotted with sculptures, to the sleek minimalist rooms. For features editor Marianna Cerini’s full story, plus amazing photography by Callaghan Walsh, turn to page 94.
Another passion project that touched our hearts this month was the work of Victoria and Christopher Owen with the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association. As the new president of the charity, Victoria is working hard to promote awareness about the muchmisunderstood genetic disorder, while Christopher is helping to change attitudes with creative marketing campaigns. Read Marianna’s interview with the couple on page 144.
Our prolific features editor also jetted off to Paris to report on the debut of 21 young women at a spectacular party at the Peninsula, Le Bal des Débutantes. As well as rubbing shoulders with royalty and aristocrats, Marianna chatted with Ava Phillippe, the 18-year-old daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, and Hong Kong’s very own Alice Ho, the youngest daughter of tycoon Stanley. Get all the gossip from their big night in Society Girls on page 102.
Marianna’s next assignment took her from the City of Light to the Big Apple, into Tory Burch’s apartment, which occupies an entire floor of a lavish Fifth Avenue hotel facing Central Park. She spent the morning with the fashion designer learning about the power of colour, the art of mixing and matching, and the importance of positive feng shui. Read more in Living Colour on page 126.
I couldn’t let Marianna have all the fun so I popped over to Beirut to meet the king of Middle Eastern couture, Elie Saab. Turn to page 110 for our chat about fashion, family and philanthropy.