A consortium of world-renowned architecture firms has unveiled plans for an extraordinary 400-meter-long glass building in Hong Kong's prestigious Central district. The ambitious $6.1 billion project, called Central Yards, will be developed by Amanda Levete's firm AL_A in partnership with Dutch studio UNStudio, local firm Lead8, US-based Peter Walker and Partners, and London's Speirs Major. The massive mixed-use development will overlook Victoria Harbour and encompass 148,600 square meters of space.
The project is being overseen by local developer Henderson Land, which describes the design as an "iconic groundscraper" that serves as a bridge unifying the surrounding neighborhoods with the harbor. According to Henderson Land, Central Yards will span approximately 400 meters along Victoria Harbour, creating Central's longest architectural structure and establishing a new horizontal skyline for the district. The developer emphasized that the project is "defined by its unprecedented scale of open space and its commitment to people-centric, biophilic urban design."
Architectural renderings reveal a series of soft-edged, glazed volumes connected by raised walkways surrounded by lush greenery. The design incorporates a biophilic approach throughout, with lofty openings carved through the volumes to create sheltered terraces that will serve as event spaces on the upper floors. At ground level, outdoor spaces will wrap around a promenade featuring purpose-designed stores that contribute to the project's impressive 83,600 square meters of retail space.
The building will house 65,000 square meters of office and ancillary space, which Henderson Land claims will feature the largest office floor in Hong Kong's Central Business District. One of the standout features is a 1,100-seat theater fronted by a dynamic, reflective facade. The theater represents a significant cultural addition to the district's entertainment offerings.
Central Yards will feature an expansive sky garden extending 300 meters across the rooftop, creating one of the largest elevated green spaces in Hong Kong. At the building's front, a pair of terraces will serve as al-fresco dining areas with panoramic views of the adjacent Victoria Harbour. These outdoor spaces are designed to provide residents and visitors with direct connection to nature while maintaining urban sophistication.
According to Henderson Land, Central Yards sets new sustainability benchmarks for Hong Kong and has registered for the highest standards from nine of the world's most respected green and smart building certifications. This commitment to environmental responsibility reflects the growing emphasis on sustainable development in one of Asia's most densely populated cities.
The construction timeline is ambitious but realistic, with the project's first phase scheduled to begin in 2027, followed by a second phase in 2032. The project joins other notable groundscraper developments gaining international attention, including Google's upcoming office in King's Cross, London, designed by BIG and Heatherwick Studio, which recently made headlines when urban foxes were discovered inhabiting its rooftop gardens.
