Design Hotels announces the opening of Ovolo Southside, Hong Kong’s first
warehouse conversion hotel. This newly renovated 162-room industrial building is poised to take the burgeoning South Coast art scene by storm with its dedicated gallery space, rooftop bar, and wealth of complimentary services available to guests. The South Coast is to Hong Kong what the East End is to London, and Ovolo Southside fully embodies this industry-turned-artistry aesthetic.
Urbanism Reborn
Originally designed in 1976 as a multi-use industrial building, the hotel has been transformed by local Hong Kong architecture firm K plus K Associates. Maintaining the original structure, the inside is furnished with utilitarian steel furniture which reinforces the minimalist aesthetic, while poured concrete floors and exposed brickwork harken back to Hong Kong’s industrial revolution. The ceilings have exposed steel water pipes and foil-clad airconditioning ducts criss-crossing overhead, while walls of windows afford the best views of Hong Kong’s bustling cityscape and verdant forests.
Effortless living
While most other hotels charge for these services, Ovolo believes in a guest-oriented philosophy, one where the customer’s comfort is the number one priority. Reflecting the Ovolo Group’s core concept of effortless living, guests are offered a wide range of complimentary services, such as breakfast, happy hour drinks, daily replenished minibars, and a 24 hour gym. Modern tech demands are met with gratis super-speed WiFi and access to over 11,000 internet hotspots throughout Hong Kong.
Spoiled for choice
Comfort is priority one at Ovolo Southside, and six different room categories ensures guests a variety of configurations and views. From a Mini Twin to a Corner Deluxe, each room type embodies the idea of effortless living, with seven-layer beds, blackout blinds, rainfall showers, bathroom amenities by Malin & Goetz, 47-inch LED 3DTV’s, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Art over all
Ovolo has called upon a coterie of local and international artists to transform the interiors of the hotel into an artistic hub. Parent’s Parents, a local art collective, were among the first to make their mark. Their graffiti artwork fills the corridors, encapsulating the industrial transition Hong Kong has experienced. Los Angeles duo Cyrcle has also contributed to these ideas of urban renewal, with huge murals stretching across the rooftop and many of the interior spaces.
A social revolution
Embracing the alternative atmosphere of Hong Kong’s South Coast, Ovolo has rethought the concept of the meeting room. Exquisite Chinese fabric adorns the walls of the new-age B.I.G. room, featuring plush leather recliners in lieu of office chairs and the ability to double as a private screening room. The multimedia events space (dubbed the G.I.G. room) is located in the former garage, and features an 18-meter long projection wall and a state-of-the-art sound system.
Feeding creativity
The hotel’s main restaurant, CIRQLE, serves up Mediterranean style East-Asian food in relaxed surroundings. An open kitchen and adjoining outdoor terrace mean that guests can choose to marvel at the skills of the chefs or soak up some afternoon sun. The Lo Lounge is a multipurpose bar and social area. Open 24 hours a day, guests can grab a coffee in the morning and come back for the 6-8 Happy Hour, which features free-flow wine, beer, and canapés. From there guests can take an elevator to the rooftop and experience ABOVE, the hip new nightspot with views of Shouson Park, frequented by artists and local DJs.
Location
Wong Chuk Hang is a town on the south side of Hong Kong Island. A former industrial neighborhood, its recent urban revitalization has turned old car workshops and warehouses into hidden art galleries and fashionable stores. Nearby are some of Hong Kong’s most exclusive residential areas, and many popular attractions such as Aberdeen Harbor, Repulse Bay, Stanley Markets, and Ocean Park. Just a short cab ride away are the city’s main shopping thoroughfares of Causeway Bay, Central District, and SOHO.
