As property developer Berkeley Group launches Hong Kong’s biggest UK real estate showcase yet of the year, the public response has been phenomenal.
Pockets stuffed with business cards, together with stacks of colorful brochures and an assortment of goodies from sponsors, visitors to the Berkeley Group’s ‘Spring in Action’ property showcase held at Sky100 at the ICC all seemed to be in high spirits. In its tenth day till March 9, the event has aroused widespread interest among investors, industry experts and property agents.
“As much as a celebration of our 10th anniversary here with our partners, this event is also a thank-you to our customers for their support through the years.” says Gavin Sung, Managing Director – Berkeley International. “Established in 1976, Berkeley Group has served Hong Kong buyers for more than three decades before setting up an office here, and it’s clear that Hongkongers have a special affinity for UK property.”
The idea of placemaking and regenerating well-connected brownfield sites is at the forefront of the Group’s planning for homes across London, Birmingham, and the South of England. “As a property developer, we are deeply committed to not just selling properties, but creating sustainable places where people want to live, work and play,” says Sung.
As staffers showed me around the 10,000 square feet space atop the International Commerce Centre, I passed by a whirl of networking, with buyers eager to seek information and gather up-to-date industry knowledge for a sound purchase. Through a series of talks and seminars over the 12-day event, more than 50 thinkers and industry experts converge and delve into the latest trends and insights in financing, mortgage, migration, legal matters and education in the UK.
Sung says: “All people are investors; it’s how they are going to use that property that is emotional. This is why we really focus on the customer journey, being there at every step of the way, from going through taxation matters to educational options for their children.”
At the centre of interest is a beautifully appointed showroom, built from scratch with BoConcept’s modern furniture and showcasing 24 of the Group’s projects, many of which, Sung says, are long-term regeneration projects focusing on challenging and complex sites with great potential, and taking over 20 to 30 years to develop.
A case in point is Grand Union. Located at Alperton in Brent, the large-scale development has sprung up on the south side of River Thames, transforming what was once an industrial relic into liveable residences and a vibrant community with 14 acres of open spaces, including the likes of a waterside piazza, landscaped gardens, and riverside meadows.
Another successful example, TwelveTrees Park, is one of the most exciting regeneration schemes in East London. Arranged across 12 acres of open green space, the development comprises 3,800 homes, retail and commercial spaces, private courtyard gardens, and a school. Major transport links, including the West Ham station just minutes away from the premise, provide swift connections to key locations in London.
“Ultimately it’s about recognizing the values of challenging sites and transforming them into exceptional communities that people want to live in, and in that way we make a positive impact on society and the natural world,” says Sung.
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Spring into Action - Hong Kong's Premier UK Property Event
Organizer: Berkeley Group
Date: 26 February - 9 March 2023
Venue: Sky 100, Observation Deck, International Commerce Centre (ICC), Hong Kong
Enquiry: +852 3753 6900
(From left to right) Kate Tai, Gavin Sung, and Kath Wong
