Hong Kong has more skyscrapers than any other city in the world. We run down our favourites here in this vertical city...
1. The Arch
A very Hong Kong tribute to Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, this 231m tall complex has an arch formed by two towers which are conjoined from the 69th floor up. Although Napoleon didn’t march through this particular arc, the prices of the flats are infamously high, with penthouses costing upwards of $2 billion each. 1 Austin Road West, West Kowloon.
2. Bank of China Tower
While the BOC Tower is often criticised for bringing bad luck due to its likeness to a knife, it’s still one of the most eyecatching buildings in our skyline. The 367m tower is meant to symbolise prosperity with its resemblance to a bamboo shoot. As one of Hong Kong’s most famous landmarks, the design has won numerous awards for its pioneering construction. 1 Garden Road, Central.
3. Cable TV Tower
Standing 197m tall (on the left, above), Cable TV Tower has been touted as the tallest office and industrial building in our city. Attached to the southeast side of the building is a huge elevator, capable of transporting gigantic shipping containers to the 30th floor. What happens to the containers once they are up there is anyone’s guess. 3 Hoi Shing Road, Tsuen Wan.
4. Central Plaza
With its triangular base, Central Plaza can best be likened to an oversized Toblerone, jutting to a point at its tip. The triangular floor plan allows for larger office areas that look out to Victoria Harbour. Central Plaza also houses the world’s highest church, Sky City Church, where people attend services every Sunday at a height of 374m. 18 Harbour Road, Wan Chai.
5. International Commerce Centre
A list of Hong Kong skyscrapers would be incomplete without our tallest building. Standing majestically 484m above the Kowloon peninsula, the ICC tower is the seventh tallest building in the world, and holds a handful of other world records, including the highest hotel, bar and swimming pool. Visitors can also enjoy 360-degree views of the city from the Sky100 observation deck, but the real highlight is the lifts, which take you from the second floor up to the 100th in 60 seconds – now that’s a blast. 1 Austin Road West, West Kowloon.
6. Two International Finance Centre
Immortalised in such films as The Dark Knight and Tomb Raider, the 412m skyscraper (which stands alongside One IFC) has been an iconic part of our skyline since its completion in 2003. Currently Hong Kong’s second tallest building, it is quoted as having an extra auspicious 88 storeys and 22 trading floors, making good use of its double decker elevators. 8 Finance Street, Central.
7. Jardine House
Hong Kong’s first skyscraper might seem small by modern standards, but at 179m it was the tallest building in the city when it was completed in 1972. Its many porthole windows are a nod to the Jardine family’s maritime trading tycoon past and since circular windows also symbolise the idea of bringing in wealth, the locally dubbed ‘thousand-hole building’ is a perfect example of feng shui and good design. 1 Connaught Place, Central.
8. Lippo Centre
Completed in 1988, architect Paul Rudolph wanted to challenge the usual sleek appearance of HK skyscrapers, designing clusters of protruding windows in this twin tower complex instead. The Lippo Centre has been nicknamed ‘The Koala Tree’ since the protruding sections bear a resemblance to koalas scampering up the 186m tall twin towers. 89 Queensway, Admiralty.
9. The Masterpiece
While the designers of this 261m skyscraper in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui don’t win any points for modesty, The Masterpiece does tower over the Kowloon skyline. With the K11 art mall as its platform below, the building divides the remainder of its 67 floors between the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong and 345 residential flats. 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.
10. Nina Tower
Originally designed to be the tallest tower in the world, Nina Tower had its height restricted to its current 319.8m on account of the nearby Chek Lap Kok Airport, and was converted into two separate towers instead. Still dwarfing the surrounding landscape, the two towers are named Nina and Teddy after the late Chinachem Group owner and her husband. 8 Yeung Uk Road, Tsuen Wan.