The Arch, Kowloon Station

Hi


Anyone with thoughts on The Arch at Kowloon Station? I checked it out yesterday where the agent claimed that there is just one last unit 700 sq ft (more like 600 to me) left asking for HKD26k which I thought is out of this world. They said nothing left of that place. The biggest draw for me is its indoor swimming pool. Wonder how crowded it can get there especially since it's free entry for residence.


cwk

cwk, it is the normal strategy of PUSH selling technique, the most important of all is how much you are going to spend for living and what type of living environment you expect. You get to balance these two factors.

Philip

Hi cwk. It would be a good idea for you look around Olympic Station as well. They all have nice clubhouses and the prices are so much cheaper compared to The Arch at Kowloon Station. (Olympic is only one stop away from Kowloon Station)

I'm looking around for an apartment to rent for long term and the agent took me to the Arch and the Harbourside. My first impression was positive but I would like to know from folks on this forum about their insight or experience about living in these properties.


About me: a couple with a 4month daughter/work in Wanchai/don't require a full time helper/prefer to live a baby stroller firendly neighborhood/perfer modern finishing and new appliances, kitchen and toilet. Currently in Serviced apartment and looking to move into permanent apartment by early November/budget around 50k +- 10%.

Hi dabbagmm.

Did you get a chance to look around the clubhouse facilities at the Arch and Harbourside? It's important that you do, but many agents cannot show you the clubhouses because entrance is restricted to residents. I currently live at the Arch and given the choice I would move to Harbourside tomorrow, purely because their facilities and management team are much more family friendly. If your daughter is only 4 months then the play room will probably not be a big priority yet ... but Harbourside has a fantastic indoor play area for kids of all ages, whereas the Arch basically has a library/computer room with a few cushions. We chose the Arch because of the indoor pool, but in reality we hardly use it. The water is freezing cold so kids turn blue after 10 minutes and have to be reheated in the jacuzzi! Plus it is closed for about 6 weeks over the winter for "maintenance". I think the gym at the Arch is slightly bigger and it does have a fantastic view. It really depends on what facilities are important to you. I have a few friends who moved to the Arch when their lease ran out and rents went up at Harbourside and they all regret moving...

On the positive side, both buildings have nice modern finishes and appliances and it seems to be the norm here in HK to rip everything out and start again every time a tenancy ends, so you should get a high standard of decor whichever place you choose.

Being close to Elements is very convenient for both the supermarket and the MTR and is about as baby stroller friendly as HK gets unless you move out to DB or Sai Kung. Also, there is a lovely kids outdoor playground above Elements and a PIPS kindergarten that I have heard good things about.

flowertot... Thanks a million.. This is exactly the sort of feedback I was after..


As a tenant at the Arch, if you are to renew your lease today, what rent would you consider fair?

I was quoted a 2-bedroom (originally 3) 1340' apartment at Harbourside at 62K!!

Prices are higher at Harbourside than the Arch because the developer only sold the harbourview apartments. The other side of the building is still completely empty... so I guess there is less room for negotiation there, but it's still worth a try.

I recently saw a 3 bed approx 1200' harbour view apartment advertised on the Arch residents notice board for $50k. It went straight away, but there are so many empty flats here ... the rest of my floor is empty because all of the original tenants move out when their leases run out and landlords get greedy. We negotiated our rent down 20% in Dec. 2006. It will probably go back up 20% at the end of the year but then we will more than likely move...

In the Arch, harbour view apartments are generally 10k more than those with "garden" view. A higher floor with balcony also adds to the price.

Check if the rent includes a car park space. If so, and you don't need it you can deduct about 3-4k. Your landlord will either use the space himself or rent it out seperately. Resident cards are also a sticking point. A 3 bed apt here is entitled to 8 residents cards. Your landlord will want to keep some for himself, but make sure you get at least 4. If you have family visiting they will have to pay to use the gym/pool etc. unless they have a resident card. It's a nuisance. Probably 70% of the people using the club house aren't actually living in the Arch, they just have a card given to them by friends or family. I would imagine it's the same at Harbourside.