A HONG KONG ICON
As you can see from the bottom of the page, our “Click!” section last issue featured the Hopewell Centre, a Hong Kong building with an interesting past.
Address: 183 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai Year of opening: 1980
Height: 222 metres
Number of floors: 64
Record breaker
When it opened 41 years ago, the Hopewell Centre overtook Jardine House as Hong Kong’s tallest building. It also became the second tallest building in Asia, behind Sunshine 60 in Toyko (239 metres). Hopewell was HK’s tallest until 1989, when the 367m Bank of China Tower opened. Today, it’s the 28th tallest.
Feng shui pool
When a feng shui master was consulted on the building in the late 1970s, he noted that the cylindrical shape had the appearance of a cigarette or candle. This association with fire was a concern, so a change in plans saw the addition of a small circular swimming pool on the rooftop of the Centre – water to put out any flames.
Video star
Remember the American R&B group Dru Hill? We’re struggling too! In the video to their 1998 hit “How Deep Is Your Love” (from the Rush Hour 2 soundtrack), the Hopewell Centre – including its rooftop swimming pool – plays a starring role. Check it out on YouTube! (Also on YouTube, and arguably more entertaining, is footage of a couple of urban adventurers dodging security to climb up to the pool to take photos.)
Revolving restaurant
The building’s 360-degree revolving restaurant is another notable feature. This dining spot on the 62nd floor was originally called Revolving 62, or R62, but it changed to R66, probably because one full revolution takes 66 minutes. You can still eat there today – it’s known as The Grand Buffet (thegrandbuffet.hk).
Did you know? The Hopewell Centre is built against such a steep slope that the back entrance isn’t on the 1st floor but rather the 17th.
Find a few more facts and figures at hopewellcentre.com.