Hong Kong has been known for years as one of Asia’s major financial and banking hubs, comparable to major hubs in the West, including New York and London. Aside from this distinction, the city is also known for scores of its iconic skyscrapers, courtesy of some of the world’s most prominent and renowned designers and architectural firms. We present some of the city’s most iconic structures designed by renowned international designers.

HSBC Main Building
1 Queen’s Road, Central, 1985

Designed by internationally-acclaimed British architect, Norman Foster, the HSBC main building was a one-of-a-kind design. Its internal design is absent of a central structure, presenting an open free-space that resembles a gallery more than a building. It was reputed as the most expensive building across the world when its construction was completed in 1985.

Bank of China Tower
1 Garden Road, Central

The Bank of China Tower is a 72-storey office tower designed by Chinese-American Pritzker Prize-winning architect, I. M. Pei. Its distinctive glass curtain walls, sharp edges and pointed tower makes it a truly unique landmark in Hong Kong’s Central district. Until 1992, it enjoyed the distinction of being the tallest building in Hong Kong and Asia.

International Finance Centre
8 Finance Street, Central

The integrated commercial complex simply known as IFC is one of the most prominent landmarks on Hong Kong Island. It consists of Tower One, the 55 storey Four Seasons Hotel and Tower Two, the second tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong, towering over the waterfront at 415m. It was designed by César Pelli, an architect known for some of the tallest buildings in the world.

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai

Built in 1988 on reclaimed land off Gloucester Road is one of the two major convention and exhibition centres in Hong Kong, the other being AsiaWorld-Expo. The complex was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merill LLP and took only 48 months to complete from reclamation. It sits along the shore, overlooking Victoria Harbour in three fronts, a distinctive landmark that everyone coming through the harbour won’t fail to see. 

Jockey Club Innovation Tower
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Hom

In 2007 Zaha Hadid and her firm won a competition that was set in place to develop a deign that would symbolise the driving and development of Hong Kong as a design hub in Asia. Hadid and her firm’s goal was to “dissolve the classic typography of tower and podium to create a seamless piece”. She said, “The tower promotes a diversity of civic spaces “.  Hadid is also the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize award.