The International Commerce Centre ( ICC Tower) is situated in West Kowloon, Hong Kong. It has 118 floor, and it’s 484 m (1,588 ft) tall. It is a part of the Union Square project built on top of Kowloon Station. Construction is owned by MTR Corporation Limited and Sun Hung Kai Properties. It is currently the tallest building in Hong Kong.
During construction it was know as Union Square Phase 7, its current name was changed into The International Commerce Centre in 2005. International Commerce Centre was completed in phases from 2007 to 2010. The tower opened in 2011, first it was Hotel opening in late March and then the observatory in early April.
Law in Hong Kong
Original plans were for an even taller building with 102 floors rising 574 meters (1,883 feet). But, laws in Hong Kong banned the construction of buildings higher than the surrounding mountains. The design of the International Commerce Centre building had to be changed and former plans were abandoned. They had to lower the building’s height for 90 metres.
Exterior
Primary structure has eight concrete mega-columns that spread out 3 degrees to touch the ground plane. A shingle style façade makes curvature along the vertical portion of the tower. The north has the most dramatic entry, which has been called the “Dragon Tail,” which flows from the vertical plane and stretches along the horizontal plane culminating in a 12 meters towards the station plaza.
Hotel
A five-star hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, is on floors 102 to 118. The world’s highest swimming pool and bar (OZONE) are on the top 118th floor. One floor under is 2,800 m2 Presidential Suite, which costs 100,000 HKD per night. Elevators take guests on the 103rd floor in 50 seconds. On the 116th floor there is spa for relaxation.
Technology
There is “Energy Optimizer” air-conditioning system. It has a central intelligent control, and collects data and analyzes it every day for energy-saving adjustments. The elevators use a passenger smart card system to maximize the efficiency of vertical transportation by making groups of visitors with similar destinations, minimizing waiting times for lifts. The tower also saves water by collecting condensed water from the air-conditioning units for use in either cooling towers or toilet flushing.
Phases of construction
Phase 1 – 6 apartment towers “The Waterfront”
Phase 2 – 5 apartment towers “The Sorrento”
Phase 3 – 4 apartment towers
Phase 4 – 3 apartment towers “The HarbourSide”
Phase 5 is cancelled
Phase 6 are mixed use twin towers.
Information
Architect: Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd.
Design Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox Association
Landscape Architect: Belt Collins & Associates
Structural Engineer: Arup
Development: Harbour Vantage Management Ltd.