Can “luxury” cage homes fix Hong Kong’s housing crisis?
(CNN)Hong Kong is one of the most expensive places to live in the world, with the median property price 19 times the median annual household income.
For some, the only option is to live in one of the city’s notorious cage homes, which consist of a bunk bed surrounded by a metal cage, often located in a sub-divided flat — a tiny apartment split into even smaller spaces.
Sandy Wong is a Chinese entrepreneur who has recently produced an alternative option — “luxury” cage homes.
Inspired by Japanese capsule hotels, he claims the pods offer a luxury experience in a tiny space.
Can a cage home be luxurious?
Wong has decked out six properties around Hong Kong with 108 “luxury” cage homes — that’s about 18 capsules per flat.
The smallest of these properties is just 400 square feet (37 square meters).
The pods themselves range in size, with the largest being 6 ft (2 meters) long and 4 feet (1.2 meters) wide.
As well as a bed, each capsule contains modern amenities such as a TV, air-conditioning, a mirror and purple LED lighting, which lends them a futuristic feel.
The landlord claims that the materials used in producing the space capsules “meet safety requirements in the United States, the UK and Europe.” Each capsule is equipped with a small fire extinguisher.
“The tenants are supportive,” he adds. “Some started out staying for one or two months, and they ended up here for longer.
“To them, this living arrangement (makes them) like a little family.”
But not every resident sees the “luxury” cage home as a long-term solution.
Li Kwong-ho is renting a capsule while his own home is undergoing construction, and can’t wait to leave.
“It’s lonely,” he tells CNN.
But Wong isn’t worried about business, and is planning to buy more pods.
“My capsules have all been rented out.”
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/17/asia/luxury-cage-homes-hong-kong/index.html