The site was formerly the southern plant of the Ma Tau Kok towngas factory, owned by Hong Kong and China Gas.[5] It was shut down in the 1990s. Height restrictions across Kowloon were relaxed following the 1998 closure of nearby Kai Tak Airport. Henderson Land, which owns part of the Hong Kong and China Gas Company, applied to the Town Planning Board to allow for high-rise residential development on the site.
The complex was designed by DLN Architects of Hong Kong.[6] The main contractor was Heng Shung Construction, a subsidiary of Henderson Land.
As part of the launch of the project, in August 2006, Jennifer Hawkins became the ambassador for the development.[7] Full front page colour photographs of her appeared as advertisements in several Chinese-language newspapers; minute-long advertisements for the development were aired on primetime television in Hong Kong featuring Hawkins.
Characteristics and features
Grand Waterfront has a total gross floor area of approximately 103,100 square metres (1,110,000 sq ft) occupying a site of 12,126 square metres (130,520 sq ft). It has five residential blocks housing 1,782 units, a shopping centre, and a 268-space car park.[6]
The two-level shopping centre, called Grand Waterfront Plaza, has a floor area of approximately 150,000 square feet (14,000 m2). It has approximately 50 shops. The largest anchors are Wellcome Superstore and Victoria Harbour Restaurant.[8]
Transport
The estate is adjacent to Kowloon City Ferry Pier and the Kowloon City Ferry Pier Bus Terminus.
Education
Grand Waterfront is in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 34. Within the school net are multiple aided schools (operated independently but funded with government money) and two government schools: Farm Road Government Primary School and Ma Tau Chung Government Primary School.[9]
