Prepare yourself to be amazed by the Peak Tower. This isn’t just any building. It is a Hong Kong icon. The Peak Tower stands proudly near the summit of Victoria Peak.
Let’s delve into its history. The Peak Tram opened in 1888. A wooden structure was its first upper terminus station. The current Peak Tower is actually the second one on this very site. The first Peak Tower was designed by Hong Kong architect Chung Wah Nan. Construction began in 1971 and it opened in 1972.
The Tower Restaurant opened the same year. It sat on the top deck. The Peak Coffee Shop was just below. Two columns supported the upper floors. This created a clear space between the upper and lower parts of the tower. The redeveloped tower kept this design but with a different shape. A Chinese restaurant was on the ground floor until 1981. The first tower was torn down in 1993.
Now, let’s talk about the tower we see today. British architect Terry Farrell designed it. It was completed in 1997. The Peak Tower has seven floors. It covers 10,400 square meters. Notice the wok shape at the top. The viewing platform used to be on the third floor. It offered stunning views of Victoria Harbour.
In 2005 and 2006, the building was renovated for $100 million. The lower section was glassed in for more retail space. Escalators were moved. Now with eight floors, the viewing terrace moved to the top of the wok shape. From there, you could see both Victoria Harbour and Aberdeen. Air pollution can sometimes block the view.
The Peak Tower is more than just a pretty face. It is located at 396 meters above sea level. That’s 156 meters below Victoria Peak’s summit. Architects wanted it to stand out without disturbing the hills’ natural line. They chose a spot in a dip along the hills. They also limited the tower’s height to 428 meters above sea level.
Besides the Peak Tram terminal and gift shops the tower has had various attractions. Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium was once here. So was Hong Kong’s Historical Adventure. This was a journey through Hong Kong’s early history. It featured the first computer-operated entertainment ride in Hong Kong.
In 2000, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong moved in. It took over the space of Hong Kong’s Historical Adventure. It became the first Madame Tussauds permanent outlet in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Peak Tower and the Peak Tram are owned by the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels group. This group also owns the Peninsula Hotel. They jointly promote the tower and tram as The Peak. The Peak Galleria is another shopping center nearby. It sits atop the bus station for public buses and green minibuses. So many ways to reach The Peak.
Remember the Peak Tower. It is a symbol of Hong Kong’s past and present.