HSBC Hong Kong Headquarters Building

HSBC Hong Kong Headquarters Building (or HSBC Main Building, as it is more commonly known) stands right opposite Statue Square, on the other side of Des Voeux Road, and features a nice example of Hong Kong's current architecture, combining ultra-modern design with traditional Feng Shui philosophy...

Built by internationally known British architect, Norman Foster, the 180 metre structure was the world's most expensive building at the time of its inauguration, back in 1985, worth more than HK$ 5 billion !

The building is supported by five prefabricated steel modules, without any internal support, which means it has a humongous atrium... Other interesting features include the giant mirrors on the roof, which help to illuminate the atrium with natural sunlight, and the Feng Shui friendly design, which improves energy flow into the building...

Tip: Take the escalator to the 1st floor to get a feeling of the colossal atrium...

A "Feng Shui war" or just a coincidence ? 

When the construction of the Bank of China (BOC) Tower was completed, back in the late 1980s, the tower's sword-like shape was pointing directly at HSBC Main Building and the management of the Bank of China was criticized for "cutting" HSBC's good Feng Shui... Fortunately enough, the Cheung Kong Center was erected in between the two towers and the "Feng Shui conflict" was brought to an end...