From a gov’t office to a luxury hotel, iconic Murray in Hong Kong gets makeover
THE MURRAY, an iconic structure in Hong Kong built in the ’60s, will breathe new life in an exciting flagship project of Niccolo Hotels to be launched this year.
The tall white and historic structure constructed in 1969 used to be an office building with distinctive arches and unique recessed windows. The Murray has earned some recognition for its ground-breaking and energy-efficient design.
As part of the Hong Kong government’s Conserving Central Project, The Murray will be transformed into a significant luxury hotel of Niccolo Hotels and is expected to commence operations in October. Niccolo Hotels is a brand under Marco Polo Hotels.
In a cocktail party on Feb. 22 at the Viu’s Sky Bar in Marco Polo Ortigas in Manila, Marco Polo’s VicePresident for sales and marketing Phillip Schaetz told
BusinessWorld that since The Murray is a government-owned building and a conservation project, the developer is not allowed to change anything on the structure’s façade.
“Therefore, we are obligated — and it’s a great thing especially in the business perspective — that we cannot touch anything on the outside. [But] inside is where a lot of changes will be happening,” he said.
The company has enlisted for the project worldrenowned architects Foster and Partners, whose works in Hong Kong include the Hong Kong and Shanghai bank headquarters and the Hong Kong International Airport.
Mr. Schaetz said the group invested $1.2 billion and is “not shy of any dollar dumped to make this really special and unique.”
The Murray is situated as a stand-alone building — an urban chic sanctuary in the heart of the city — positioned between the Central business district and the green oasis of Hong Kong Park. The 336-room hotel will have a rooftop bar with a stunning view of the city and other planned out signature restaurants.
Seasoned British-born hotelier Duncan Palmer will be heading the hotel as managing director.
The Niccolo Hotels brand was conceived and designed as a response to the growing demand in luxury hotel sector in China. Its first hotel was erected in Chengdu in April 2015 and was recently recognized as the “Best Luxury Hotel Brand of the Year” at the 2016 Asia Hotel Awards in mid-September.
With The Murray, Mr. Schaetz said the expectation is very clear — they want to stir up the luxury hospitality space with the new brand they are bringing to Hong Kong.
“One should really experience this new type of contemporary chic hospitality. What we are doing is that we are going way backwards with traditional hospitality services,” he said. “In Chengdu, we’re already market leaders and what we’re really proud about is the guest satisfaction scores that we’re getting.”