Hongkong Land officially opened WF CENTRAL, its US$1.2 billion first flagship retail-led project in Beijing. It will play a crucial role in the redevelopment of the historic Wangfujing area of Beijing into a pre-eminent destination for retail, dining and commercial activities.
Drawing from the success of LANDMARK – a leading retail complex in Hong Kong – and the shared vision of Hongkong Land and the Dongcheng District Government, WF CENTRAL now represents the premier shopping and lifestyle destination in Beijing.
“With vision to develop and manage exceptional, high-quality, best-in-class commercial and residential properties across Asia, Hongkong Land has historically played a crucial role in developing important urban Central districts into pre-eminent destinations for retail, dining and commercial activities,” said Mr Robert Wong, Chief Executive of Hongkong Land. “WF CENTRAL is a testament to the Group’s expertise and experience as a leader in creating vibrant commercial districts.”
“WF CENTRAL not only serves as a thriving and sustainable business platform for our retail partners, but will also achieve the mission of Dongcheng District to be the ‘Beijing capital’s cultural centre, and window of a global city.’” said Mr Raymond Chow, Executive Director of Hongkong Land. “As an integration of rich cultural heritage and luxury, WF CENTRAL will be key in transforming and revitalising Wangfujing as a best-in-class destination offering a unique premium lifestyle experience in the heart of the capital.”
WF CENTRAL has a footprint of more than 21,000 sq. m., with a total gross floor area of more than 150,000 sq. m., including retail space of 43,000 sq. m. together with a 73-room luxury hotel, Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing.
It sets a new benchmark in Beijing for retail and lifestyle, through its FIVE core categories. Each category offers unmatched experiences, namely: Luxury; Fashion; World-class Gastronomy; Lifestyle & Wellness; and Art & Culture.
With an exciting and diverse mix of over 130 tenants, including 20 brands debuting in either Beijing or China, WF CENTRAL breathes new life into Wangfujing and brings excitement, insight and inspiration to the City’s modern life.
Engaging, connecting and building community through a considered curation of art, cultural creativity and experiential lifestyle, WF CENTRAL also provides the focal point for highly prestigious artistic collaborations with renowned international organisations.
These include the recent successful Barbican ‘Digital Revolution’ exhibition; the opening of the Serpentine Pavilion Beijing and launch of the WF CENTRAL Serpentine Pavilion Beijing cultural programme; along with an upcoming MAISON&OBJET design showcase, scheduled in September this year.
The Serpentine Pavilion Beijing programme, a unique and highly diverse series of cultural and artistic activities, special events, inspiring lifestyle experiences and exciting social encounters to be experienced by visitors to WF CENTRAL from June to October 2018.
A key feature of the Pavilion programme will be the ‘Inspiration Talk Series’, a special series of talks and panel discussions involving leading architects and artists, together with thought-leaders across a wide spectrum of industries including leading finance, media, entertainment, retail and hospitality experts, invited to debate a range of topics exploring the role of art and culture in subjects such as urban renewal, innovation and social inclusion.
“The Serpentine Pavilion cultural programme at WF CENTRAL focuses on community and explores the power and social benefits of art and culture,” explained Mr Raymond Chow, Chairman of Wangfu Central Real Estate Development Company Limited and Executive Director of Hongkong Land. “The Serpentine Pavilion Beijing provides the architectural focal point for these activities, as part of WF CENTRAL’s ongoing vision to engage, connect and build community through a considered curation of art and cultural creativity and experiential lifestyle.”
“Today marks an important milestone as we officially open the first Pavilion co-commissioned by the Serpentine outside the UK,” explained Mr Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director of the Serpentine Galleries. “Over the past 18 years, the annual Serpentine Pavilion commission has become a pioneering and powerful example of living architecture for people of all ages and we hope that experience will be replicated in Beijing.”
Ms Yana Peel, CEO, Serpentine Galleries, said: “Liu Jiakun’s inspiring Pavilion, set alongside the historic setting of the House21 (the Courtyard House), and wonderful open space of The Green, sets the scene for a thrilling programme of art, cultural and social events and happenings. Like the London Pavilion that inspired it, the Serpentine Pavilion Beijing will serve as a place for meeting and exchange, creating an engaging and rewarding cultural experience for all.”
“What I hope we have achieved is a spatial installation that goes beyond mere function to push the boundaries of contemporary architectural practice,” explained Mr Liu Jiakun. “I hope this work will also prove to be both an inspirational physical environment as well as a thought provoking and creative catalyst for lively intellectual debate, fun community activities and joyful social engagement.”
At the core of the Serpentine’s Pavilion programme is a wide range of art, cultural and lifestyle activities programmed within and around the structure. Activities include special ‘Pavilion Weekends’, which, once a month, in conjunction with two themed thought-leadership talks in the ‘Inspiration Talk Series’, involve a wide range of community events focused on the family; including well-being and creativity workshops; lawn parties; kids disco classes; digital performances and specially curated outdoor art-cinema evenings.
The Serpentine Pavilion Beijing programme at WF CENTRAL provides visitors and the local community with the opportunity to not only appreciate but actively engage with the installation itself and enjoy the social and cultural activities that take place alongside and within the Pavilion.
Images of WF Central can be viewed in the gallery below (4 images) :
