Hong Kong Central icons by night

Hong Kong Central – International Financial Centre

Looking across, from left to right, are the city’s most iconic landmarks: IFC II, Bank of China Tower, Cheung Kong Centre, Jardine House, Exchange Square, Chater House, IFC I, and the Four Seasons Hotel.

I worked in two of these buildings in the '70s and '90s, notably Connaught House and Union House (later known as Swire House) .

Connaught House, now renamed Jardine House, held the title of the tallest building in Asia when it was completed in 1973. At that time, the General Post Office stood directly in front of it, further the north of the GPO, was open water. I guess among my Facebook friends, perhaps only Samuel Lam still remembers that waterfront view.

Swire House, originally Union House, rebuilt after the Millennium and now known as Chater House. When I worked there, it still featured a dedicated lift that went straight to the Taipan’s office — even though his office was on the second floor.

Today, you can still see a similar tradition in IFC II, where a private elevator goes directly up to the 88th floor, the office to the CEO of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. My office was far below, the 82th floor.