Grove Café @ Harbour Centre occupies a prime corner in North Wan Chai, offering 180° views of Victoria Harbour and drawing office workers, tourists, and weekend visitors. As part of Sun Hung Kai Properties’ comprehensive mall revitalization, the café is designed as a landmark F&B destination featuring modern minimalist interiors, gold accents, warm wood finishes, and striking lighting that is visible even from Kowloon.

A lush outdoor seating area with greenery and a pet-friendly zone creates a relaxing urban oasis. Developed in collaboration with Sun Hung Kai’s design team, the project blends retail and lifestyle experiences, setting a new benchmark for urban renewal and commercial landmark rebranding in Hong Kong.

Project details

Construction Duration

~3 months

Location

Harbour Centre, Wanchai North, Hong Kong

Signature materials

Warm timber ceiling structures
Brushed metal accents
Natural stone countertops
Custom illuminated signage elements

Area

Approx. 1,200 sq. ft. (interior) + 400 sq. ft. (outdoor seating)

Year

2025

CONCEPT & DESIGN INTENT

Grove Café’s design is conceived as an emblem of contemporary minimalism infused with warmth and urban sophistication. The core vision is to elevate the café beyond a standard retail outlet into a landmark destination that:

Establishes a strong and recognizable brand identity.
Balances functional service efficiency with an inviting, modern aesthetic.
Leverages its premium harbourfront location to create a visually impactful presence.

Internally, the design aims for a serene yet vibrant atmosphere that caters to both business professionals and leisure visitors. Externally, the café’s façade and illuminated signage are intentionally designed to create visibility across Victoria Harbour, projecting Grove Café as a modern icon within the Harbour Centre revitalization effort.

SPATIAL STRATEGY / PLANNING LOGIC

The spatial layout was driven by dual imperatives: maximizing customer engagement and ensuring operational efficiency. Key strategies include:

Zoning that separates high-turnover takeaway traffic from a comfortable dine-in environment, supporting both business lunches and leisurely visits.
Seamless circulation paths for customers and staff, minimizing cross-traffic and bottlenecks.
Integration of an outdoor seating area positioned as a tranquil urban retreat, enhancing the café’s footprint and offering diversified experiences.
A dedicated Pet-Friendly zone in the outdoor area, thoughtfully placed to attract pet owners while maintaining comfort for other patrons.

These decisions ensure the space can adapt fluidly to varying crowd volumes between weekday business hours and weekend leisure traffic.

GALLERY

MATERIALITY & DETAILING

Material selection and detailing are pivotal to expressing Grove Café’s brand values of sophistication, warmth, and modernity. Key highlights include:

Warm timber ceiling structures that lend natural texture and an inviting ambience.

Elegant metal accents deliver a refined, contemporary feel while providing durable finishes suitable for high-traffic commercial use.

A carefully designed lighting strategy that balances ambient warmth for a cozy atmosphere.Focused illumination on key features and signage for strong visual identity.

Exterior lighting that ensures safety and attracts attention even from across the harbour.

While sustainability is not explicitly highlighted in the background, the design ethos of minimalism and high-quality materials suggests an approach that is mindful of longevity and reduced lifecycle waste.

PROJECT GOALS & OUTCOMES

Establishes a strong and recognizable brand identity.
Balances functional service efficiency with an inviting, modern aesthetic.
Leverages its premium harbourfront location to create a visually impactful presence.

COLLABORATION & CONSTRAINTS

The success of Grove Café’s realization is deeply rooted in close collaboration between:

Grove Café’s design and operations team.
Sun Hung Kai Properties’ in-house architectural and design team.

Key constraints addressed during the project included:

Strict adherence to architectural guidelines and fire safety regulations imposed by Harbour Centre’s master planning framework.
Integration of Grove Café’s unique identity while maintaining consistency with the overall aesthetic vision for the mall.
Managing logistical complexities inherent in renovating within an operational, high-traffic commercial complex.

Through proactive coordination, shared problem-solving, and innovative design solutions, the team overcame these challenges, delivering a project that both respects the site’s constraints and sets new standards for urban F&B environments.