Beach Road

Built in 1973 and conceived by Design Partnership, the much-feted example of an early mix-use building houses apartments, shops and offices. This “vertical city” has a sloping slab form which aids natural ventilation and shades a concourse above the shopping podium. The signature terraced design of apartments - all of which come with balconies with a sea view - maximises natural lighting within each unit. Long-time owner Ande Lai, 60, who runs a photography shop, says: “This design is like a typewriter, where all of us are able to see the sky...if you have good neighbours, you can stand at the balcony and talk to each other.”