Hong Kong Buildings - The Summit + Highcliff Apartments
Known as the Chopsticks - Located on Stubbs Road HK
Me Jamie, your host, I am English and I have lived in Hong Kong for 53 years - I know the place.
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Hong Kong Buildings - The Summit + Highcliff Apartments
Known as the Chopsticks - Located on Stubbs Road Hong Kong
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Hong Kong Buildings - The Summit + Highcliff, Stubbs Road, The Peak District | also known locally as the “Chopsticks” a remarkable pair of 5 star apartment blocks, a real visual treat!
When you live in a city like Hong Kong which is pretty vertical and is often quoted as the most built up city in the world, you can get a bit jaded when it comes to iconic buildings and in Hong Kong we have just so many buildings, there are not many that stop you in your tracks and you have that “holy c**p” moment and for some reason Stubbs Road which is in the Peak District has at least 5 terrific buildings, 3 apartment blocks and 2 amazing houses.
I like to take my guests on the Number 15 bus from the Central Business District to Victoria Peak because it is a visual treat as it winds its way through Wanchai and then it hits Stubbs Road for the long ride to the top of the mountain and all the 5 buildings that I love so much are in plain sight and well worth the bus fare and my commentary!
I have lived in quite a few apartment blocks in my 53 years here and if I was a gazillionaire I have 3 apartment blocks on my wish list and 2 of them are in the photograph above - the other one is Grenville House on Magazine Gap Road, I once stayed there as a kid just after it opened in 1972, we actually lived directly below it on Bowen Road and in the summer of 1973 I stayed for a further 2 weeks there with a friend and his family during school summer holidays, I will never forget the space, it was huge compared to our Bowen Road apartment.. anyway, I digress
Back to the subject in hand - yes, I would dearly love to live in either of the 2 apartment blocks as shown above and the higher the better and naturally if I was minted I would go for the top floor, I would be inspired living there and after some reflection I think I would settle for a 4,000 sq ft apartment in the Summit! even though the building is not as tall as Highcliff.
History of The Summit and Highcliff
The Summit and Highcliff are two iconic residential skyscrapers located on Stubbs Road in the Mid-Levels East district of Hong Kong Island. Known locally as "The Chopsticks" due to their slender, pencil-thin profiles and close proximity, these buildings are among the tallest and most luxurious residential towers in Hong Kong. Below is a detailed overview of their history, specifications, safety considerations, and notable aspects, including any information on celebrities and interesting stories and then you can start day dreaming about living there……
The Summit:
Development and Construction: The Summit, developed by Hang Lung Properties in collaboration with Dennis Lau & Ng Chun Man Architects & Engineers, began construction in 1999 and was completed in 2001 (some sources indicate 2002 for welcoming residents). It was designed to cater to Hong Kong’s elite, offering luxury duplex suites in the prestigious Mid-Levels East area, known for its proximity to Central and stunning views over Happy Valley and Victoria Harbour.
Purpose: The building was created to provide opulent, spacious residences for affluent residents, emphasizing high-end finishes, large living spaces, and panoramic views, aligning with Hong Kong’s demand for luxury housing amidst its high-density urban environment.
Highcliff:
Development and Construction: Highcliff, developed by Central Development Ltd. and also designed by Dennis Lau & Ng Chun Man Architects & Engineers, began construction in 2000 and was completed in 2003. It was built on a south slope of Happy Valley, adjacent to The Summit, and was intended as a luxury apartment tower.
Architectural Significance: Highcliff gained recognition for its extreme slenderness, with a slenderness ratio of 1:20 (base width to height), making it one of the thinnest skyscrapers globally. It won the Silver Emporis Skyscraper Award in 2003, coming second to 30 St Mary Axe in London.
Nickname and Context: The proximity and similar slender designs of The Summit and Highcliff led to their nickname, "The Chopsticks," a term coined by locals due to their visual resemblance to a pair of chopsticks standing side by side. Both buildings reflect Hong Kong’s trend of building pencil-thin towers to maximize limited land resources, driven by high land values and liberal zoning laws in the 1970s onward.
Building Specifications
The Summit:
Height: 219.8–220 meters (722 feet).
Number of Floors: 65 storeys total, with 56 residential floors (starting from the 11th floor).
Number of Apartments per Floor: Two units per floor for standard duplexes (11/F to 66/F). The top two floors (double duplexes) are larger, with one unit per floor.
Total Units: 54 residences, all duplex suites, including 52 standard duplexes (each with four bedrooms) and two double duplexes (with four extra-large bedrooms and a family room).
Apartment Size: Saleable sizes range from 2,390 square feet for standard duplexes to over 4,000 square feet for double duplexes.
Features: Each duplex features 20-foot-high ceilings in the living area, floor-to-ceiling windows, high-quality bathroom and kitchen finishes, and at least two car parking spaces per unit. The building includes luxury facilities such as a swimming pool, gym, and clubhouse amenities.
Highcliff:
Height: 252.4 meters (828 feet), making it the tallest all-residential building on Hong Kong Island.
Number of Floors: 73 storeys total, with 70 residential floors starting from the 10th floor.
Number of Apartments per Floor: Two units per floor.Total Units: 113 residences.Apartment Size: Saleable sizes range from 2,592 to 2,739 square feet.
Features: Highcliff includes luxury amenities such as a swimming pool, children’s pool, playground, gymnasium, sauna, steam bath room, reading/study room, ballroom, and dance studio. Each unit benefits from dramatic views over Happy Valley and lush mountain vistas.
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Hong Kong Buildings - The Summit + Highcliff, Stubbs Road, Hong Kong also known locally as the “Chopsticks” - they seem to defy gravity and are my favourite apartment blocks here…
Average Monthly Rent for a Mid-Floor Apartment
I actually once heard a rumour (and I am sure there is some truth to it) that for either building they just don’t let anyone view a property, you have to prove your net worth so to speak, I doubt they are worried about squatters but in my experience Property Agencies here can be pretty snooty!
The Summit:
Specific rental data for mid-floor apartments at The Summit is limited in the provided sources. However, based on general trends for luxury properties in Mid-Levels East, rentals for high-end duplexes of this size (2,390–4,000 sq.ft.) typically range from HK$80,000 to HK$150,000 per month, depending on floor level, view, and market conditions. A mid-floor apartment (e.g., 30th – 40th floor) would likely fall in the range of HK$100,000 – HK$120,000 per month, given the building’s luxury status and amenities.
Note: Exact rental figures can vary, and interested parties are advised to contact real estate agents like Engel & Völkers or OKAY.com for current listings.
Highcliff:
Recent listings indicate that rental prices for Highcliff range from HK$135,000 to HK$180,000 per month, with an average of HK$57 per square foot. For a mid-floor apartment (2,592 – 2,739 sq.ft.), this translates to approximately HK$147,744 – HK$156,123 per month. For a mid-floor unit, a conservative estimate would be HK$140,000–HK$160,000 per month, reflecting its premium positioning and larger unit sizes compared to other luxury properties.
These figures align with Hong Kong’s high rental costs, where luxury apartments in prime areas like Mid-Levels command significant premiums due to limited land and high demand.
Safety Concerns, Particularly During Typhoons
General Context:
… and yes, this is a major concern for residents along with armies of large ants and rodents eating away at the foundations and personally speaking being a survivor of the Kotewall Road Landslide disaster in 1972, I would be worried more about landslides from heavy rain…. and although we get tremors from Earthquakes in China and Taiwan we are not apparently at risk of a major earthquake - just covering all bases.
Hong Kong is prone to typhoons, particularly between May and November, with strong winds and heavy rain posing challenges for high-rise buildings. The Summit and Highcliff, due to their extreme height and slenderness, face unique engineering considerations.
Highcliff:
Wind Dampers: Highcliff is equipped with a passive wind damper at the top, the first of its kind for a residential building in Hong Kong. This damper counteracts wind - induced sway, critical given the building’s 1:20 slenderness ratio, which makes it particularly susceptible to wind forces during typhoons. The damper ensures structural stability and resident comfort during high-wind events.
Engineering: Designed by DLN Architects & Engineers, Highcliff’s structure incorporates advanced engineering to handle Hong Kong’s typhoon-prone climate, including reinforced foundations to cling to the Happy Valley hillside.
Safety Record: No specific incidents of typhoon-related damage or safety concerns have been reported for Highcliff, suggesting that its design effectively mitigates risks.
The Summit:
Wind Considerations: While The Summit does not explicitly mention a wind damper in the provided sources, its design by the same architectural firm (Dennis Lau & Ng Chun Man) suggests similar engineering standards to ensure stability. Its slightly lower height (220m vs. 252.4m) and comparable slenderness imply robust structural measures, though specific details on typhoon countermeasures are not detailed.
General Safety: The Summit’s modern construction (2001–2002) ensures compliance with Hong Kong’s stringent building codes, which account for typhoon risks. No reported safety incidents related to typhoons are noted in the sources.
Broader Context:
Hong Kong’s building codes have evolved to address typhoon risks, with modern skyscrapers like The Summit and Highcliff designed to withstand winds from typhoons up to Signal 10 (the highest warning level). Features like reinforced concrete, deep foundations, and wind-resistant glazing are standard. However, residents on higher floors may experience noticeable sway during strong typhoons, which is normal for slender towers but can be disconcerting.
The “wall effect” (where tall buildings block air circulation) has been a concern in Hong Kong, but The Summit and Highcliff, being standalone towers, are less implicated compared to dense housing estates.
Interesting Stories and Notable Residents
Cultural Significance:
The Chopsticks Nickname: The nickname “The Chopsticks” has become a cultural reference in Hong Kong, highlighting the buildings’ unique aesthetic and their prominence in the city’s skyline. This moniker reflects local humor and the visual impact of these slender towers against the mountainous backdrop of Mid-Levels.
Architectural Recognition: Highcliff’s Silver Emporis Skyscraper Award underscores its global architectural significance, while both buildings are celebrated as examples of Hong Kong’s vertical urbanism, where luxury and density coexist.
Media Representation: The Summit and Highcliff have been featured in media, including architectural discussions and photography series like Michael Wolf’s “Architecture of Density,” which captures Hong Kong’s high-rise culture. Their striking profiles make them photogenic landmarks.
Notable Residents:
No specific information from the provided sources confirms that notable celebrities have lived in The Summit or Highcliff. However, their status as luxury residences in the elite Mid-Levels East area suggests they attract high-net-worth individuals, expatriates, and possibly public figures. The Summit, in particular, is marketed as a haven for affluent residents, with Engel & Völkers noting its appeal to those seeking “glamorous duplex suites.”
There is nothing unusual about this at all, people go to great lengths here to remain private so to speak and I am not one to stake out buildings in the hope of spotting a nice car with a celebrity driver.
The Prime Video series Expats (2024), starring Nicole Kidman, was inspired by luxury high-rises in areas like Victoria Peak and Mid-Levels, where The Summit and Highcliff are located. While not explicitly set in these buildings, the series depicts the type of upscale lifestyle associated with them, hinting at the caliber of residents (e.g., wealthy expatriates or local elites).
Anecdotally, Mid-Levels is known to house business tycoons, diplomats, and celebrities, but privacy concerns and limited public records make it difficult to confirm specific residents without direct evidence.
Interesting Stories:
Feng Shui Considerations: Hong Kong’s skyscrapers, including The Summit and Highcliff, often incorporate Feng Shui principles. While not explicitly mentioned for these buildings, nearby luxury towers like The Morgan feature design elements (e.g., “dragon gates” or holes in buildings) to align with local beliefs about spiritual harmony, suggesting similar considerations may apply.
Photographic Fame: Both buildings have been subjects of architectural photography, with their slender profiles and dramatic hillside setting making them favorites for photographers like Kris Provoost and Michael Wolf. (and no I am not a famous photographer) Their images highlight Hong Kong’s “hyper-dense” urban landscape, with The Summit and Highcliff standing out as extreme examples.
Urban Legends: The Summit and Highcliff’s dramatic appearance has fueled local lore, with some residents attributing their striking design to cultural or spiritual significance, though no specific stories (e.g., hauntings or notable incidents) are documented in the sources.
Critical Notes and Limitations
Rental Data: Exact rental prices for mid-floor apartments are estimates based on general market trends and limited listing data. Hong Kong’s property market is volatile, and prices can fluctuate significantly.
Celebrity Residents: The lack of confirmed celebrity residents may reflect privacy practices or limited public reporting. High-profile individuals in Hong Kong often maintain low profiles to avoid media attention.
Safety Data: While both buildings are designed to withstand typhoons, no source mentions specific incidents or resident complaints, suggesting robust engineering but leaving open the possibility of unreported concerns.
Sources: The information is drawn from reputable web sources
Conclusion
The Summit and Highcliff are architectural marvels that epitomize Hong Kong’s vertical urbanism and luxury housing market. Built in the early 2000s, these “Chopsticks” offer spacious, high-end duplexes with stunning views, catering to the city’s elite
Their engineering, including Highcliff’s pioneering wind damper, ensures safety during typhoons, though their slenderness may cause noticeable sway. While no confirmed celebrity residents are noted, their prestige suggests they attract high-profile individuals. Their cultural nickname and media presence further cement their status as iconic landmarks in Hong Kong’s skyline.
So there you go
My insider tip
Please note that in general if you book a tour on Viator or Tripadvisor you generally have NO control over what guide will lead your Private Tour of Hong Kong and this is the most important component of the tour. I urge you to check the actual company website and book via their website and do not forget to read Tripadvisor reviews as well.
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