New World Development Co, the Hong Kong real estate company controlled by the billionaire Cheng family, is in talks with luxury giant Louis Vuitton to open a mega store in one of the developer’s signature malls, according to people familiar with the matter.
The new store would occupy about 40,000 square feet at the K11 Musea mall, making it one of Louis Vuitton’s largest in Asia, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters. The store could feature a museum, a cafe and a lounge for the brand’s VIP customers, they said. Details over rent remain unclear.
Discussions are at an advanced stage, but details could still change and the deal could still fall apart, the people said.
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New World didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for LVMH declined to comment.
New World’s shares rose as much as 10 percent Tuesday.
If an agreement is reached, the expansion of fashion conglomerate LVMH’s largest brand would inject some confidence into Hong Kong’s retail industry and help its ailing commercial property sector. It would also be a boost for New World, which has been struggling with debt woes and uncertainty over its leadership. The group’s retail rents and valuation for its investment properties could rise with the new store strengthening its retail presence and drawing stronger foot traffic, said Bloomberg Intelligence analysts including Patrick Wong and Daniel Fan in notes Tuesday.
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Located near the city’s famous Victoria Harbor and with a fashion-forward design incorporating arts and cultural elements, K11 Musea is a popular destination for tourists. Its exclusive private members clubs have also attracted a group of wealthy clientele through the Cheng family’s networks.
K11 Musea is accelerating its pivot to luxury shopping with Prada SpA opening a new store in the mall and other high-end labels, including LVMH’s Loewe and Kering SA’s Saint Laurent and Balenciaga upgrading their facilities. The mall also hosted Louis Vuitton’s first-ever fashion show in Hong Kong in 2023.
Facing mounting pressure over its debt burden, New World has proposed pledging some of its most-prized properties valued at a total $19.1 billion, in order to refinance its loans, Bloomberg News reported earlier this year.
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K11 Musea, located on a site where the Cheng family has owned properties since the 1970s, is seen as a heritage asset for the clan. The family is the center of an ongoing succession saga with patriarch Henry Cheng saying he was still looking for someone to take charge of the family business.