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The ceiling may be covered with water stains, the wall paint may fall off at any time, and the floor may squeak when you walk on it due to years of disrepair.
Shouldn't we first carefully check the quality and actual condition of the building?
Find professional building appraisers who are well-known in the industry. They are experienced and have advanced equipment. They can conduct in-depth inspections of every structure and every material and make a report that is detailed to every corner.
From the stability of the basement foundation, to the waterproof performance of the top attic, from the load-bearing capacity of the corridor, to the aging of the circuits in each room, all are presented in detail.
Then, based on this report, carefully consider whether to invest.
Isn't it too hasty and disrespectful of these millions of Hong Kong dollars to make a hasty decision based on a simple appearance observation and verbal introduction?
The group of people were like soldiers about to go to the battlefield, with quick and firm steps, hurriedly moving towards their destination.
Soon, we arrived in front of Pedder Building.
This building is so majestic that it inspires awe just by looking at it from a distance.
Its Western architectural style is rich and mellow, just like a jar of fine wine that has been deposited over the years, exuding a charming aroma.
The classical Baroque carvings are exquisite, like carefully crafted works of art, decorating the exterior walls of the building in an orderly manner. The lines of each carving are smooth and delicate, demonstrating the craftsmen's superb skills.
The tall columns stand neatly on both sides of the building like loyal guards, giving people a sense of solemnity and elegance, as if quietly telling the glorious days of the past, and every texture is engraved with the mark of history.
When you walk into Pedder Building, the first thing that catches your eye is the exquisite layout of the floors downstairs.
Chapter 679
The bottom floor is filled with shops, whose bright windows are like clear mirrors, reflecting the bustling world outside. Passersby and vehicles are all reflected in these windows, adding a touch of vibrancy and energy to Pedder Street.
When you enter the commercial district, the first thing that catches your eye is the street-side shops.
In the window, a wide variety of goods are displayed in an orderly manner.
The dazzling and exquisite jewelry, the diamonds sparkling with a cool and luxurious light, the rubies as bright as solidified blood, the sapphires as deep as the night sky, each one looks like a treasure taken out from a fairy tale world, making people imagine the dazzling style after wearing them.
Fashionable and trendsetting clothing is not to be outdone. The minimalist suits have clean cuts, while the futuristic gowns have flowing skirts. Each piece seems tailor-made for the models walking the runway, as if it could appear on the runway at Paris Fashion Week at any moment.
There are also exquisite handicrafts. The wood carvings are so delicate that you can see the hair of the characters clearly. The patterns on the ceramic ornaments are intricate and elegant. Every detail reveals the ingenuity of the craftsmen. Passers-by are deeply attracted and can't help but stop their hurried steps, stop and appreciate them carefully.
Going further up, you will find a different world inside the building, which houses various units such as law firms, personal clinics, galleries, small companies, etc.
In the law firm, lawyers in suits and ties hurried around with documents in their arms, and the sound of rigorous discussions could be heard from time to time; in the private clinic, nurses gently guided patients, and the air was filled with the aroma of medicine and disinfectant; in the gallery, paintings hung quietly on the wall, telling people about the creators' inner world; in the small company, employees were busy at their computers, and the sound of typing on paper could be heard one after another.
They each occupy a different floor, like independent little kingdoms.
People come and go, and the sounds of phone calls, conversations, and footsteps interweave together, forming a diversified commercial space full of vitality and opportunities.
However, when they actually stepped into the building, everyone was amazed by the sight before them.
The original old building has undergone a modern renovation, and the most eye-catching feature is the newly installed elevator.
This elevator is like a breath of fresh energy injected into this nine-story building, instantly giving it a different kind of vitality.
Before it appeared, reaching the ninth floor was as difficult as climbing a towering, rugged and difficult mountain. For most people, it was an almost impossible challenge.
Without this convenient elevator, tenants would be discouraged by the layers of stairs they face every day.
In this way, the upper floors will most likely remain idle for a long time because no one is willing to endure the pain of climbing the stairs, and no one will be interested in them. It will be extremely difficult to rent them out.
However, this elevator is obviously quite old, just like an old man who has experienced countless storms and vicissitudes of life in the long river of time.
It is not a modern express elevator, but exudes an ancient and old atmosphere.
The elevator door is an old-fashioned fence door with a sense of age. The iron bars seem to be faintly rusted by the erosion of time. When it opens and closes, it makes a "creaking" sound, which is like the low sigh of an old man, and seems to be protesting to people against the ruthless passage of time.
At this moment, Huo Yingdong and his companions were like explorers with a burning dream, searching for unknown treasures. They stood in the elevator and randomly selected a few floors as their key exploration targets.
As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, they immediately got into the state, like experienced detectives, not missing any details, and observing the surrounding environment and facilities with sharp eyes.
They walked slowly along the corridor, their eyes fixed on the wall, not missing any possible cracks. Their focused gazes seemed to be able to penetrate the wall and see through the secrets hidden inside.
Then, they looked up and carefully observed the ceiling, not missing any corner that might show signs of leakage. Even the smallest water stains could not escape their eyes.
Not only that, they also used professional tools to conduct detailed tests on the water and electricity lines, checking each line one by one to ensure that every connection was stable and reliable and that every line could operate normally, so as to be fully prepared for possible subsequent actions.
After reading it, Huo Yingdong seemed to be asking for his companion's opinion, or perhaps confirming his own judgment. He turned to his companion with a focused expression and asked, "What do you think of this building?"
Upon hearing this, his companion frowned slightly and thought for a moment.
He was seen with his arms folded across his chest, his composed posture as if he were a battle-hardened and experienced general, standing in a strategic position, concentrating on analyzing the battlefield situation.
After a moment, my companion spoke up, answering confidently and clearly, "It's quite good. The structure looks quite solid. Judging from what I can see so far, as long as the building doesn't have any major issues, like foundation sinking or structural damage, I think it's worth considering. Even though it's old, don't forget that age has its advantages. With a little renovation and a replanning based on current market demand, making maximum use of the space, the future returns should be substantial."
Today, the two of them just came here to explore the area, hoping to have a preliminary understanding and assessment of the building, so that they can do further in-depth research and discussion after returning.
They know very well that investing in real estate is no trivial matter. Every detail, from the stability of the building structure, to the completeness of the surrounding supporting facilities, to the future market positioning, is like a key factor in determining the outcome of a battle. One wrong step will lead to a complete loss, which is truly related to future success or failure.
The next day, just as the morning sun was shining on the street, the two of them came to Pedder Building again.
This time, they walked hurriedly, their eyes full of anxiety, and did not stay downstairs for too long.
Like two explorers about to uncover a mysterious treasure, or like two puzzle solvers eager to solve a complex puzzle, they walked straight towards the slightly old elevator.
The elevator door slowly opened, and a stale smell hit me in the face.
They walked into the elevator, and with an unsettling creaking sound, the elevator slowly rose. The sound seemed like an ancient music coming from the depths of time, echoing in the small space.
With each level you climb, the creaking sound becomes clearer, as if telling the vicissitudes of time.
Finally, the elevator stopped steadily on the top floor and let out a heavy sigh.
The two men walked out of the elevator with determined eyes and walked straight into an office without hesitation.
The owner of this office is none other than Kelvin Drummond, the owner of Pedder.
As soon as you open the door, a strong British atmosphere hits you.
The image of a typical English man slowly unfolded before their eyes like a beautiful painting.
He was wearing a gentleman's tuxedo that was exquisite to the point of perfection, like a carefully crafted work of art. The straight lines seemed to speak of the unique charm of haute couture.
The spotless white shirt matched with the dark bow tie complemented each other perfectly, making the whole person look elegant and dignified, as if he had walked directly out of a British aristocratic gathering.
His silver hair was combed meticulously, and each strand seemed to have been precisely measured and carefully placed. Every detail revealed his almost demanding pursuit of quality of life.
His face has an innate elegance and self-confidence. The years have left some wrinkles on his face, but these wrinkles have not weakened his charm. Instead, they are like medals written by the years themselves, adding a bit of maturity and stability to him after experiencing vicissitudes of life, which makes people respect him.
There was a perfect smile on the corner of his mouth. He opened his lips slightly, and his standard and clear London accent flowed out slowly like the clear stream flowing in spring.
Each syllable seems to have been carefully smelted in the crucible of art, and meticulously crafted by skilled craftsmen, exuding the unique charm of British tradition.
His voice, rich and mellow with a natural magnetism, is like an invisible hook that easily captures people's hearts, making them involuntarily immersed in it and fall for it.
"Welcome, both of you," he said, bowing slightly, his grace evident. "I imagine you are quite interested in Pedder Bank."
The story begins with the focus on the shining and profound tradition of Pedder House.
Kelvin Drummond, like a seasoned storyteller, slowly unveils the history of this building with a deeply affectionate tone.
Looking back, his grandfather was like a fearless pioneer, who resolutely set foot on this completely unfamiliar land with a burning dream in his heart.
At that time, this land was full of unknowns and challenges, but my grandfather relied on his extraordinary courage and firm belief to start from scratch and embark on the journey of building Pedder Bank.
During those long and difficult years, they encountered countless difficulties and obstacles.
The shadow of the economic crisis surged like a tide, and the capital chain was as fragile as a candle in the wind and was on the verge of breaking.
A business is like a ship drifting in a storm, which may be swallowed up by the huge waves at any time. The turnover of every sum of funds involves the fate of the entire family.
During the war, the situation became increasingly serious. The Pedder Bank faced a huge risk of being requisitioned. Every decision was related to life and death. Family members were worried but had to grit their teeth and persevere.
In this thorny situation, they fought tenaciously and struggled for countless days and nights before finally reaching where they are today.
This Pedder Building is far more than just a cold building. It is actually a living symbol of family heritage and glory. Every brick and tile carries the efforts and memories of generations.
Every corner preserves the footprints of our ancestors' struggles, witnesses the rise and fall, honor and disgrace of the family, and tells the stories of the glorious past.
However, over the long years that have passed, Kelvin Drummond's children and grandchildren, deeply influenced by and shaped by Western culture, have become like a flock of ignorant and misguided lambs.
Surrounded by the British style, they had no interest at all in commercial properties like Pedder Building, which carried the family's deep heritage and tradition.
What they longed for was the peaceful farm outside London, with its vast meadows and swaying grass in the breeze.
They longed to spend their days leisurely there. They would get up early in the morning with the crowing of cocks to look after the cattle and sheep, watching them graze and stroll leisurely on the grass. In the afternoon, they would tend to the flowers in the garden, watering and fertilizing the beautiful flowers, smelling the rich fragrance of the flowers, and enjoying the leisurely time away from the world.
Faced with this situation, Kelvin Drummond, who was already over 60 years old, was filled with helplessness. He was like a captain standing alone at the bow of a ship, watching helplessly as the ship he had carefully steered for many years slowly deviated from its intended course. However, due to his old age and declining health, he no longer had the strength to turn the tide.
Time is merciless. His body gradually weakened with age. His heart often ached without any warning. Every pain reminded him that he was no longer able to continue to run Pedder Bank wholeheartedly.
After countless sleepless nights, he finally had to make a difficult decision - to put the Pedder House up for sale, and then return to his long-cherished London, looking for a quiet place in his familiar hometown to spend his later years and put an end to his eventful life.
After patiently listening to Kelvin Drummond's explanation, the next step was to discuss the specific details of purchasing Pedder.
Before this, Huo Yingdong had already had countless close contacts and frequent communications with him.
On the phone, they had in-depth conversations time and time again, their voices intertwined in the air like electricity, and every point of view and every clause was carefully discussed; in the letters, lines of densely packed text carried the demands of both parties, and they communicated repeatedly across space.
After several rounds of negotiations, the price has been preliminarily agreed upon and set at HK$500 million.
However, Kelvin Drummond then put forward a very important condition, his expression serious and firm, emphasizing that the existing lease agreement must be guaranteed to continue to be performed, and the customer must not be forced to leave.
He said that these customers have a long-term cooperative relationship with Pedder Bank and should not suffer unwarranted troubles due to changes in property rights. This is not only related to business reputation, but also the bottom line that he adheres to as a seller.
His expression was solemn, his eyes filled with determination as he slowly spoke, "These clients have been my partners for many years, weathering storms together and building a deep friendship. To me, they are like comrades-in-arms who have fought alongside me on the battlefield, sharing life and death. I absolutely cannot abandon them and plunge them into hardship just because I'm leaving."
When Huo Yingdong heard this request, he agreed without any hesitation.