A short L-shaped street in the heart of Hong Kong, Lan Kwai Fong has grown over the last three decades to become a highly bankable lifestyle brand.
Lan Kwai Fong: Where to party in Hong Kong —
A short L-shaped street in the heart of Hong Kong, Lan Kwai Fong has grown over the last three decades to become a highly bankable lifestyle brand.
courtesy Lan Kwai Fong Group
"Because it's on a slope and in a narrow space, it creates and compresses a lot of energy into one space," says Allan Zeman, who is often seen as the driving force between Lan Kwai Fong's success.
Close encounters —
"Because it's on a slope and in a narrow space, it creates and compresses a lot of energy into one space," says Allan Zeman, who is often seen as the driving force between Lan Kwai Fong's success.
courtesy Lan Kwai Fong Group
Lan Kwai Fong has become the de facto party destination for local festivals.
Party place —
Lan Kwai Fong has become the de facto party destination for local festivals.
courtesy Lan Kwai Fong Group
The 2010 demolition of the iconic California Tower and California Entertainment Building was a sad day for many Hong Kongers (<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.cnn.com%2Fhong-kong%2Fdrink%2Flan-kwai-fong-used-to-be-more-fun-262656%2F">see our "eulogy" for them</a>). But the California Tower has returned as a bigger and (so say owners) better landmark.
New California Tower —
The 2010 demolition of the iconic California Tower and California Entertainment Building was a sad day for many Hong Kongers (see our "eulogy" for them). But the California Tower has returned as a bigger and (so say owners) better landmark.
courtesy Lan Kwai Fong Group
"It's really clear space, there's no column in the middle of the building," says Zeman of his new tower. "The whole building is occupied by lifestyle properties -- restaurants, arts, clubs and hair salons."
Lifestyle-only —
"It's really clear space, there's no column in the middle of the building," says Zeman of his new tower. "The whole building is occupied by lifestyle properties -- restaurants, arts, clubs and hair salons."
courtesy Lan Kwai Fong Group
Ce La Vi (previously Ku De Ta) occupies the top floor of the new California Tower, with a rooftop bar and a jacuzzi pool in the center.
Rooftop jacuzzi —
Ce La Vi (previously Ku De Ta) occupies the top floor of the new California Tower, with a rooftop bar and a jacuzzi pool in the center.
courtesy Lan Kwai Fong Group
Zeman now chairs the LKF Association, a business group that promotes 100 bars and restaurants in the area. It sponsors events like this free music festival every other month.
Free events —
Zeman now chairs the LKF Association, a business group that promotes 100 bars and restaurants in the area. It sponsors events like this free music festival every other month.
courtesy Lan Kwai Fong Group