The HSBC Main Building immediately demands attention, whether viewed as part of the skyline from across Victoria Harbour, or up close as you stroll the streets of Central. Famed at the time as the most expensive building ever constructed, the attention to detail and fusion of modernist principles and traditional Chinese elements is truly fascinating. Designed by the talented Lord Norman Foster with a simple brief to create the best bank headquarters in the world, the building is full of groundbreaking innovation paired with cultural significance.

At the heart of the design is the thoughtful use of space. Unlike conventional skyscrapers, the HSBC Main Building has its structural components on the exterior, freeing the interior from obstructive columns and creating a vast, open layout. The effect is an incredible, light-filled space that also offers a sense of transparency and connectivity within the company. Be sure to take a walk through the atrium and look up at the inner workings of the building.

Flanking the main entrance are the iconic bronze lions, Stephen and Stitt, named after the bank managers in Shanghai and Hong Kong. These century old guardians are so important that they feature on Hong Kong banknotes. Whether you pass by on the tram or seek to explore the building up close, these striking lions are impossible to miss.

Get up close to see the intricate details of the HSBC Main Building during the day and watch as the facade explodes with colourful lights at night.