<div id="readability-page-1"><p>The property developer said in a statement on Wednesday that it had completed the loan with lenders HSBC and Hang Seng Bank.</p><p>The size of the loan was not revealed, though it was estimated at around HK$100 million (US$12.8 million), according to the <em>South China Morning Post</em>, which cited people familiar with the matter.</p><p>The proceeds will be used to facilitate the purchase of native plant species, the use of smart systems for the maintenance and management of the newly established urban forest, and the implementation of surveys, assessments and monitoring to track the development of urban biodiversity at the project.</p><p>Some 400 trees and 280 plant species are set to be planted across multiple gardens at the site as part of the project, the statement said.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://vcdn1-english.vnecdn.net/2026/05/14/photo-scaled-1778750913-3594-1778751163.jpg/query-ZHByPTEmZml0PWNyb3AmaD0wJnE9MTAwJnM9V1gweUpZZEZfaHNTcU45MkZDUl96dyZ3PTY4MA?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="680" height="383" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://vcdn1-english.vnecdn.net/2026/05/14/photo-scaled-1778750913-3594-1778751163.jpg/query-ZHByPTEmZml0PWNyb3AmaD0wJnE9MTAwJnM9V1gweUpZZEZfaHNTcU45MkZDUl96dyZ3PTY4MA"/></td> </tr><tr><td> <p>The Central Yards development. Photo from Henderson Land Development's website</p> </td> </tr></tbody></table><p>Andrew Fung, executive director and chief financial officer at Henderson, said the Central Yards project aims to strengthen the city’s connection with nature and build a healthier, more resilient community where both people and biodiversity can thrive.</p><p>&#34;As Hong Kong’s first biodiversity loan, this pioneering financing aligns our capital strategy with our sustainability ambitions,&#34; he said.</p><p>The loan would serve as a &#34;scalable blueprint&#34; for companies to meet their sustainability targets and boost Hong Kong’s position as a leading international sustainable finance center, according to HSBC and Hang Seng.</p><p>Central Yards, situated on the New Central Harbourfront, features over 300,000 square feet (27,870 square meters) of open green space, including Central district’s largest elevated garden spanning more than 160,000 square feet.</p><p>The development is scheduled to open in two stages, with the first expected to launch in 2027 and the second in 2032, according to <em>The Standard</em>.</p><p>Henderson earlier said more than 70% of the project’s office and ancillary space in the first phase had already been leased, with demand coming mainly from multinational companies and financial institutions.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://vcdn1-english.vnecdn.net/2026/05/14/20251210-henderson-chairmen-17-1260-6986-1778751163.jpg/query-ZHByPTEmZml0PWNyb3AmaD0wJnE9MTAwJnM9ZExnYkNSdlBTOGZtNzV4alBQakl4QSZ3PTY4MA?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://vcdn1-english.vnecdn.net/2026/05/14/20251210-henderson-chairmen-17-1260-6986-1778751163.jpg/query-ZHByPTEmZml0PWNyb3AmaD0wJnE9MTAwJnM9ZExnYkNSdlBTOGZtNzV4alBQakl4QSZ3PTY4MA"/></td> </tr><tr><td> <p>Peter Lee (L) and Martin Lee, co-chairmen of Henderson Land Development. Photo from the company's website</p> </td> </tr></tbody></table><p>The developer, one of the largest in Hong Kong, was established by the late Lee, who was the city’s second-richest man at the time of his death last year.</p><p>The group is now co-chaired by his sons, Peter Lee and Martin Lee, who also inherited his position on the city’s rich list with a combined net worth of US$34.9 billion, as estimated by <em>Forbes</em> in late February.</p><p>They also co-chair utility firm Hong Kong and China Gas Company, or Towngas, which recently launched the city’s first hydrogen-powered EV charging system for a commercial building.</p></div>

00097

00012

<p>Henderson Land Development, co-chaired by billionaires Peter and Martin Lee, has secured Hong Kong's first biodiversity loan for its Central Yards project, estimated at around HK$100 million. The loan will fund the planting of 400 trees and 280 plant species, enhancing urban biodiversity. The project aims to connect the city with nature and promote sustainability, with the first phase expected to open in 2027. The Lee brothers, heirs to a significant fortune, are also involved in other sustainable initiatives.</p>

vnexpress

HENDERSON INV

HENDERSON LAND

HSBC HOLDINGS

HSBC

HK & CHINA GAS

HSBC 5xShortSG241213

HSBC Holdings Plc

Hong Kong’s 2nd richest billionaires Peter and Martin Lee’s Henderson Land secures city’s first biodiversity loan