There’s something undeniably special about any home that has enough stylistic flourishes to demonstrate its owner’s personality, while still retaining a welcoming vibe. For those looking for a prime example of just such a phenomenon, they could do worse than consider Mantin Heights, a new luxury development set in the very heart of Kowloon.

To even the most casual of visitors, it is clear the developers subscribed to a grand vision from the word go. The giveaway comes from the structure’s striking exterior, complete with an eye-catching rectangular cutaway at its base. This is not a residence you are likely to confuse with any other.

It is also more than apparent that the designers and architects briefed to make Mantin Heights a little special took full advantage of its commanding presence at the very centre of Kowloon Peninsula, a location that gifts it with breathtaking views out across Hong Kong. Indeed, so lofty and singular is its setting that it’s hard to remember that the building is just a few minutes walk from the nearest MTR station. Panoramic views and proximity to public transport – could you really ask for anything more?

Kate Babington is the managing director of TREE, a Hong Kong-headquartered supplier of eco-friendly sustainable furniture, the company commissioned to provide the furnishings for each of Mantin Heights’ three-bedroom penthouse-style apartments. More than happy to discuss what was surely a pet project, she says: “We were briefed to foster a sense of spatial awareness in each room and, above all, to create a home that was as luxurious as it was comfortable.

“As a result, there is a real emphasis on simplicity and minimalism throughout the space, with solid eco-wood furniture, complete with streamlined silhouettes designed to chime perfectly with the proportions of each room, deployed throughout. Though clean and modern in design, each piece is also highly utilitarian, giving the home an easy elegance and an urban edge.”

Entering the apartment, one is instantly struck by the tactical minimalism of the atrium space. One side is dominated by a streamlined window console-style table in solid, sustainably-sourced oak – the perfect spot to drop off keys and to display any of the less disreputable style mags. On the opposite side, there is an extensive mirror, perfect for a last-minute pre-exit inspection of cosmetic correctness or tie-knot acceptability.

Inevitably, a sense of openness and tranquillity is immediately imparted, with visitors feeling welcome and departees reassured that they are ready to face the world. For arrivals, this nurturing sentiment is reinforced by the beautifully-appointed living room the hall space opens onto. Here, the generously-proportioned windows offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

As a counterpoint to this engaging exterior, the room’s oak-panelled walls feature cool neutral tones and coordinating floor patterns. A Mikado table – a dining platform of intricate timber construction, complete with tapered, cross-patterned legs – dominates the far end of the room.

Moving up a floor, the first of the home’s three bedrooms has been converted into a study, with generous – yet discrete – storage spaces for stowing less-used household items. The furnishings are all in oak, ably complemented by sleek metal, cream and jet-black detailing.

The next room is a decidedly child / teen-friendly bedroom, with space, again, a clear priority. Alongside a wardrobe spacious enough to house even the most affluent and fashion-conscious youngster’s fresh seasonal collections, there are flip-door and drawer configurations in a mix of timbers – teak, sustainably-sourced oak and walnut – that seem just perfect for any learner’s home library.

World map wallpaper completes the room’s educational feel, though one can’t help but wonder how many youngsters would give such low-tech learning aids a second glance in these digitally-dominated times. It’s perhaps the only misstep in this otherwise exquisitely executed home design.

That, though, is more than redeemed by the pièce de résistance that is the master bedroom. Expertly designed to be the most tranquil of sanctuaries at the end of a testing work day, it boasts rich teak furnishings redolent with a welcoming warmth. Floating shelves then deliver ample surface space for any display of household mementos, adding just the right family-friendly tone that make this Mantin Heights house the most family-friendly of abodes.

Text: Robert Blain
Images: TREE