Wharf Hotels has announced the opening of The Murray, Hong Kong, as the group’s new flagship Niccolo property. As one of eight historic landmarks under the Conserving Central initiative introduced by the Hong Kong government in 2013, The Murray is an inspiring piece of architecture holding almost 50 years of history, and a landmark building located in the heart of the city in Central, Hong Kong.
A high-profile preservation project converted into a luxury hotel by Foster + Partners, The Murray is celebrated as a pioneering example of sustainability. Designed with deeply recessed square windows, its ground-breaking energy efficiency concept is still applauded decades after it was built. These windows have been enlarged and now create a magnificent picture frame of the city skylines and garden vistas, thus allowing the hotel to continue its eco-conscious heritage.
The Murray includes 336 sophisticated suites and guestrooms spanning 25 floors, offering some of the city’s most spacious accommodation choices with over 75 per cent at 50 square metres or larger. Interiors are embellished with natural fabrics and stones, leathers and plush textiles creating a contemporary chic sanctuary and an ambience of understated sophistication.
“We are delighted to announce the opening of The Murray, a new hospitality icon for not only Hong Kong, but our global community, and the flagship for the Niccolo brand,” said Dr Jennifer Cronin, president of Wharf Hotels. “As a Hong Kong-based hotel group, we are indeed proud to bring Niccolo’s flagship to life where the story really began. We are extremely excited to be able to evolve the legacy of the past from an iconic city landmark to a new destination for luxury hotel experiences of the future.”
For gourmands, The Murray will offer five restaurants and bars led by a world-class culinary and mixology team, including a modern European restaurant – The Tai Pan; an elegant venue – the Garden Lounge; a Wall Street inspired bar in Murray Lane; a roof-top bar and restaurant – Popinjays, and the well-established Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant, Guo Fu Lou.
Complementing its banqueting expertise, The Murray will present over 1,900 square metres of exclusive meeting and event spaces designed for luxury, fashion, art, wedding and corporate occasions.
Foster + Partners has honoured the building’s rich history by retaining its signature features, including the former driveway that circled the building beneath the property’s welcoming three-storey arches. The one-of-a-kind space will transform into a semi-alfresco venue named The Arches, hosting up to 350 guests, overlooking idyllic views of Hong Kong Park, and St. John’s Cathedral. Creating a new canvas, The Arches will provide a stylish setting for fashion shows and luxury automotive showcases, exhibitions, cocktail parties and social gatherings.
Now welcoming guests, reservations for The Murray may be made at niccolohotels.com.
