HSBC Building, Office skyscraper in Central and Western District, Hong Kong.
The HSBC Building is an office tower and bank branch in Central and Western District, Hong Kong, rising 178.7 meters (586 feet) with 47 floors above ground. The glass facade exposes the entire steel structure, so beams, braces, and elevator shafts remain visible from the outside.
The tower was completed in 1985 and is the fourth bank building on this site, following three earlier structures erected between 1865 and 1935. During World War II, Japanese forces tried to destroy the lion statues, but residents hid them in time.
Two bronze lions named Stephen and Stitt sit at the entrance and are among the most touched objects in Hong Kong, as many visitors rub their paws. This practice developed from the belief that the lions bring good fortune and prosperity, so they continue to be touched by hundreds of people daily.
The building is easy to spot from the street during daylight, and the ground-floor lobby remains accessible during normal business hours. Those who want to observe the structure up close will find open walkways around the base.
Much of the load-bearing structure hangs below the main floor plates, so entire levels sit without inner columns. The elevators travel in groups to specific height zones, and passengers switch to other cars in intermediate lobbies to reach further floors.
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