Hong Kong-born designer Chi Wing Lo has been named by InterContinental Hotels Group as the chief architect and designer tasked with returning the famed Regent Hong Kong to the city’s hotel landscape.
The company has confirmed the existing InterContinental Hong Kong will cease trading from the morning of 20 April 2020 and remain closed until 2022 as it undergoes a major top-to-toe transformation into the modern-day Regent Hong Kong.
Regent Hong Kong operated in the city from its opening in 1980 to 2001, when it was rebranded as InterContinental Hong Kong despite the company retaining ownership of the property until 2015, when it was sold to a consortium of investors led by Gaw Capital Partners, which kept IHG on as the managing brand to the present day. InterContinental Hotels Group purchased a 51% stake in Regent Hotels and Resorts in 2018, solidifying its stake in the luxury hotel game.
The hotel transformation will see every room, suite and bathroom on every floor completely reimagined, with the signature luxury palette of the Regent style also fitted across all public areas, restaurants and event venues. Even the building’s exterior will be reworked with a new façade ahead of its planned relaunch in 2022.
“I’m confident that our impressive new positioning and brand identity will allow us to continue to take the brand to the world’s best destinations and help position Regent as a real leader within luxury hospitality,” said IHG Chief Executive Officer, Keith Barr.
Two thirds of the hotel’s 503 rooms along with all 87 suites will offer views of Victoria Harbour. The 650 square metre Presidential Suite will include an additional 252sqm rooftop terrace with a private infinity swimming pool overlooking the harbour. The property will feature 11 function and entertainment spaces as well as the grand InterContinental Ballroom. Other guest facilities will include a pool and terrace and 24-hour fitness centre.
Existing crew members will be redeployed to other IHG Group hotels, where possible, once the hotel closes and will be afforded first refusal on opportunities at the new Regent Hong Kong once the property enters its pre-opening phase.
“On behalf of the owning companies, we are committed to returning the property back to its glory days as one of the most prestigious hotels in the world, said Gaw Capital Partners Chairman and Managing Principal, Goodwin Gaw.
“Following this exciting transformation and rebranding, the hotel will once again become an iconic flagship property for Regent Hotels & Resorts and a jewel of Hong Kong.”