Home tour: Inside the Hong Kong mansion of Kowloon Motor Bus’s William Louey

Creating cosiness in a residence of this size is no mean feat, but Louey, who commissioned architect Annette Chu of the Hong Kong-based studio Eureka to bring his designs to life, envisioned this space very much with comfort, relaxation and, of course, family in mind. This living room is a meandering space enclosed by a curved glass wall; its shape is inspired by an island in the Black Sea the family once visited. Plus, “I don’t like geometric designs—I like everything to be irregular.” Individual sofas are inefficient, he adds—that’s why, in line with the space’s curves, the seating is irregularly shaped. The space is completed by a perforated ceiling, on which the silhouettes of the four members of the family are depicted. It’s far more than a piece of art: Louey doesn’t like air conditioners to be visible in the home, and the ceiling hides these from view; the perforations are air vents.

Further inside, the dining room comes into view, with the million-dollar panorama visible through floor-to-ceiling windows; a large terrace is accessible through this space. It has a bespoke round wooden table, designed by Louey, standing front and centre. Instead of a lazy Susan on the dining table, he wanted something a little unusual. This is why two revolving discs, which have been treated to create a refined patina finish, hang on the walls. They are outer rings for the dining table: when installed, they expand the table’s diameter from about 2m to almost 3m. The discs, which are irregularly shaped, look like pieces of art when hung. “I want to keep [meals] cosy and have a small table to eat on with the family, [but be able to] expand it.” The dining room also has an elevated stage; it has a turntable, on which a piano that belongs to Louey’s daughter stands. Underneath the stage are storage spaces that are hidden from view. Even a home of this calibre needs smart storage solutions, after all—something that would no doubt resonate with most Hongkongers.

The stage in the dining room is connected to the handrail of the steel staircase, transforming a functional feature in the home into a work of art. One level up is a floor-to-ceiling wooden shelf dedicated to the display of Louey’s prized collection of toys—an area Louey refers to as his man cave. On the shelf is where knick-knacks, like KMB bus models, a figurine depicting Louey and a series of Paddington Bears, as well as cherished photographs, sit side by side. The space leads to a room for relaxing and watching TV—if you can turn your attention away from the views, that is.

Besides the primary residence and the second house, Louey is transforming a third one into a private wellness sanctuary, complete with an infrared sauna, steam room, hyperbaric chamber and additional guest rooms. Lee-Louey and the children are sporty people, he says—the amenities will help them recover after workouts. Other amenities on the estate include an outdoor pool and gardens, which the family enjoys mainly in summer. The estate isn’t just for private living; there is a function space that can accommodate more than 100 people. Some of Louey’s fondest memories, however, aren’t about lavish parties but the simple joys of childhood and precious time with family. “My grandmother bought me eight Alsatians; I was known as the little kid walking eight dogs on The Peak.”

Behind every curve, every hidden detail and every carefully chosen element, a sense of intimacy and connection to family life are still very much present. “I have no attachment to material things. I’m only attached to people—my family and friends.”