Clear Water Bay Villa - The Portofino

Finding the right home can sometimes seem like a battle of compromises, often between location and size. But this property located in The Portofino, a luxury development in Clearwater Bay, seems to tick both boxes. The four-storey 3,708 square-foot house is just a convenient 10 minute drive from Hang Hau MTR station yet also enjoys a full sea view over Sheung Sze Wan.

The owners of the house have been living here for over 10 years, originally relocating from Hong Kong Island due to a desire for a change in scenery and to seek a property of better value for their money. With four bedrooms, a swimming pool, rooftop terrace and enough parking space outside for two vehicles it’s hard to argue otherwise.

Despite its relatively large size, the home wastes little space. Step through the front entrance and it immediately opens up to the spacious living room. Floor-to-ceiling windows adorn one side which not only provides a stunning panoramic of Sheung Sze Wan but also allows plenty of natural light to flood into the room. The tall ceiling, around 14 inches, has also been maximized by ditching dangling light fixtures for recessed ones. The homeowners preferred a more modern minimalist style and have gone with a neutral colour palette of white, black, grey and brown to create a look which doesn’t distract from the outside view.

Head up one floor to the kitchen and open-plan dining room which overlooks the living room below. The homeowners decided on the open-style design because they wanted to maximize the space and create a sense of a much larger room. Stepping into the next room, it was refreshing to see a generously sized kitchen, something very rare in Hong Kong homes as this is typically the first place sacrificed.

The four bedrooms, three of which are en-suites, are all split between the different floors but each still benefits from large windows, lots of natural light and great views. The lowest floor houses the entertainment room which connects down to the patio with plenty of space for sun loungers and a swimming pool – perfect for entertaining guests. But if this wasn’t enough, the house also has a rooftop terrace with panoramic views over the sea.