Furama Kempinski Hotel, Luxury hotel and skyscraper in Central, Hong Kong
The Furama Kempinski Hotel was a luxury skyscraper in Central Hong Kong that rose with modern design and served international travelers. The building offered high-end accommodations and sat within the business district, providing convenient access to major transportation connections.
The Furama Hotel opened on 18 August 1973 at 1 Connaught Road Central, designed by Eric Cumine Associates for the Furama group. Inter-Continental took over management in 1976, and Kempinski acquired it in 1990. Lai Sun Development bought the parent company in June 1997 for HK$7 billion, but the Asian financial crisis forced asset sales. A 65% stake was sold in March 2000, and the hotel closed in November 2001 and was demolished in December 2001.
The hotel's top-floor revolving restaurant, La Ronda, was a feature guests remembered; the building's bulbous silhouette stood out against the Central skyline. After Inter-Continental took over management in 1976, it was renamed Hotel Furama Inter-Continental, and in 1990 Kempinski acquired it, calling it Hotel Furama Kempinski Hong Kong.
The hotel stood at 1 Connaught Road Central, on the Central waterfront, and the site is now occupied by the AIA Central office tower. The building was demolished in December 2001, so there is nothing left of the hotel to visit; only the address and the replacement tower remain.
The hotel's top-floor revolving restaurant was named "La Ronda". The building was designed by Eric Cumine Associates and stood 361 feet (110 m) tall. During construction, the government feared pile-driving would disrupt Hong Kong's communications, so Gammon Construction used hand-dug caissons to keep the work going.
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