Towering over West Kowloon stands the International Commerce Centre. It pierces the sky as Hong Kong’s tallest building. The International Commerce Centre is more than just a skyscraper. It’s a testament to architectural innovation and a hub of luxury and commerce.
Completed in 2010, the International Commerce Centre reaches a height of 484 meters. That is 1,588 feet. It has 108 stories above ground. The International Commerce Centre was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. They worked with Wong & Ouyang. Sanfield, a subsidiary of Sun Hung Kai, built it.
Interestingly, the International Commerce Centre doesn’t have floors with the number “4” in the last digit. In Cantonese and Mandarin, “4” sounds like “death.” The International Commerce Centre also skips levels with “3” in the last digit. Levels 5, 6, 7, 26, 28, 29, and 105 are missing for unknown reasons. Instead, you will see floors marked with “M” for Mechanical and “R” for Refuge. In total, 28 floors were skipped, while 18 mechanical or refuge floors were added.
The south side of the International Commerce Centre faces Victoria Harbour. The original plan was even taller. Regulations prevented buildings from exceeding the height of surrounding mountains. The initial proposal called for a 574-meter tower with 102 floors.
The International Commerce Centre has 84 lifts. A high-speed elevator whisks you to Sky100 in just 60 seconds. Sky100 is an indoor observation deck. It sits 393 meters high on level 100.
Dining at the International Commerce Centre is an experience. Skydining 101 offers several dining options. These restaurants sit at 399 meters on level 101.
The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong occupies the upper floors. It has a reception area on the 103rd floor. The swimming pool, fitness center, and Ozone bar are on the 118th floor.
The ICC Light and Music Show once set a Guinness World Record. It was the “largest light and sound show on a single building.” The show used 50,000 square meters on two facades. Hirohito Totsune designed it. He also designed the lighting for the Tokyo Skytree.
Getting to the International Commerce Centre is easy. The MTR’s Kowloon Station and Austin Station are nearby. Many bus routes also serve the area.
The International Commerce Centre is a vertical city. It blends office space, luxury accommodations, and entertainment. Its design and features make it a landmark. It is a symbol of Hong Kong’s ambition.