Central Plaza
Hongkong, China

HEIGHT: 374m/1,227 feet
FLOORS: 78 floors
COMPLETION: 1992
ARCHITECT: DLN Architects & Engineers

Central Plaza is a seventy-eight storey high office tower located beside Hong Kong harbor in Wanchai. It is the tallest building in Hong Kong and, at the time of its completion, was the tallest reinforced concrete building in the world outside North America.

The building plan form of a triangle with rebated corners maximizes views of the harbor from the tower. The roof of the tower is treated as a positive architectural feature with a strong pyramidal form surmounted by a 60m tall mast. At night-time the tower is illuminated by gold-coloured neon-accent lighting built into the facade and various, changing, colors of flood lighting.

The office building, in line with the premium sector of the international office market, offers substantial leisure and recreation facilities for tenants. There is a swimming pool and garden on the podium roof, a gymnasium, health club and cafe-bar.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/skyscraperrot/central01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/skyscraperrot/central02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/skyscraperrot/central03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/skyscraperrot/central04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/skyscraperrot/centralnight.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/skyscraperrot/centralbase.jpg

Is Central Plaza wholly or partially a government building?

I found a very interesting site about Central Plaza. Information all about the building - why it's triangle shaped, the issues that came up in construction, the lighting system, and lots more. Click here. (http://arch.hku.hk/teaching/cases/centplaz/centplaz.htm) They had info about the developpers too, which are Sino Group (http://www.sino-land.com/) (50%), Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd (http://www.shkp.com.hk/home_e.html) (45%) and Ryoden Group (http://www.ryoden.com.hk/) (5%) which are all publicly traded companies if I'm not mistaken. I don't know if the government has any offices in the building, I don't think so though.

The only thing that keeps this from getting a 9.5 or higher is the silly striped detailing on the sides. I really don't like how they light up at night. It's just too chintzy for me. Otherwise, I think the tower is top notch, and one of my HK favorites.

9.0/10

If not for this towers "dressing" it would look common.......except for the height.......I love tracklighting! 9.0/10

God I love that building. 9.5/10!!!

8/10

I love its top best..really an impressive pinnacle..but for most of its mass it looks too much like a box (despite being triangular shaped). I recall seeing neon dragons adorning its facade at night.

This building also houses a church at its top. If anyone can find pics of those post here!

More stuff...


A rendering from when it was a proposal. Notice the different top... I don't like it!
http://arch.hku.hk/teaching/cases/centplaz/night1.JPG


Some interior shots and renderings...
http://arch.hku.hk/teaching/cases/centplaz/cent21.gif

http://arch.hku.hk/teaching/cases/centplaz/cent52.jpg

http://arch.hku.hk/teaching/cases/centplaz/cent22.gif

http://arch.hku.hk/teaching/cases/centplaz/cent23.gif

The dragons Raffles refers to... Awesome!
http://arch.hku.hk/teaching/cases/centplaz/cent60.jpg

Thanks for the pics Jason..that rendering is gross! Out of proportion spires. I dunno if this is true..but when they were planning it they wanted it to be taller than Empire State but were financially constrained.

The interior looks posh!

An awesome building that is uniquely Hong Kong! One of my faves...9.5/10 :D

BTW-I cant see the pics, JasonHouse

That's wierd Ersh. Wonder why not?

I can see them now :) They were red X's for a while and I couldn't copy the URL, etc. Maybe that server went down for a bit?

Back on topic... That first pic with the rendering of Central Plaza gave me chills...in a bad way. That tower would have been nasty looking if they kept the spire that way. :runaway: I am soooo glad they changed it! :)

The lighting on this building at night is an absolute beaut.

Design with spire is good.

9/10

9/10!! love the look at night . .. better than original design for sure. . . :D

9/10-another amazing Hong Kong tower.

Distinct, but not that impressive.

I like the fesad's stile and it has good colors.

9.0

tall tall and tall:D

nice shape! nice lighting! 8

lightning sharp!..Very good. 10/10

Nice height, nice shape, nice spire. I like the track lighting, which seems to echo the building's shape, but I think it would have been more harmonious if they'd made the rest of the detailing vertical to match it. BTW, that light dragon is AWESOME! 8:5 /10:okay:

wow im really surprised by this one, ive never seen it bfore 10

another unique HK scraper! pluses are it's triangular design and it's top ....the lighting design is fantastic at night!...9/10

8.5/10

i like this scraper:guns1:

:moods: :baaa: :? :bash: ;) :guns1: :bleep: :rant: :mad: >( :cheers: :angel1: :cool: :D :)

10/10 ,nice decoration:)

:moods: :baaa: :? :bash: ;) :guns1: :bleep: :rant: :mad: >( :cheers: :angel1: :cool: :D :)
:moods: :baaa: :? :bash: ;) :guns1: :bleep: :rant: :mad: >( :cheers: :angel1: :cool: :D :)
:moods: :baaa: :? :bash: ;) :guns1: :bleep: :rant: :mad: >( :cheers: :angel1: :cool: :D :)

7/10

Nice skyscraper, but too much like the Center.

A rather ordinary body (too boxy, not stucturally appalling but in perfect proportion ) yet wears posh and elegant clothes ( golden facade ) with a magnificient crown on the head (10/10 for the roof!)

10/10
One of my favouite building in the world

This is for me the "ultimate" in skyscrapers. It may lack in the overall height department but it makes up for this with stunning design and aesthetics. From is green and gold cladding to the amazing lighting, it is a wonder to behold.

I am forever thankful that it did not go ahead as in the rendering, scary stuff there. It is a pity there was a funding issue and the tower did not max out at the height that the developers would have liked.

BTW for those that don't know the neons on the spire are an actual time piece, they change colour combinations according to the time of day and act much like a clock if you know how to read them.

My equal number 1 favourite with Shun Hing Square
I give it 10 and would give it 11 is I could.

Spire is nice!
I like triangular buildings, it gives a very dramatic effect.
8/10

i never knew this was a triangle shaped building. i dont like the spire that much. 8.

Realy awesome!

8/10

Damn right that this tower is awsome,i'm not even gonne further explain it.It speaks for itself :) 9.5/10

One of Honkers best!

and like others have said the facade at night is definitely getting used to its full potential!

tays

Ahh, gotta love it.

9.0

Has become a bit of an Asian classic... a little gaudy though... 8.5

8.5/10..It's amazing! It reminds me of a modern ESB, but I had to take some points for the lighting at night. I think they over did it.

This building is not good looking at all.....8.5:bash:

From the Skylobby, which has now been closed to the public since 9/11 :

North Point, Hong Kong Island
http://home.so-net.com.hk/~caton8160/Rimg2049.jpg

West Kowloon (Union Square site)
http://home.so-net.com.hk/~caton8160/Rimg2047.jpg

Harbourfront Landmark and towards the old Kai Tak Airport
http://home.so-net.com.hk/~caton8160/Rimg2044.jpg

10/10 What a beautiful gleaming masterpiece! GREAT shape!

The biggest but not the best in H.K.

Much better than The Centre IMO.. I like how the cladding is partially gold and blue... Gives it a refined look.. :) Although this shape is a little over used because it kinda looks like the Centre i must say.. But still its cool :cool:

9.5/10

6/10 I like the inside of the tower more than the outside. I don't like the decoration.

7/10 I could take it or leave it. Spire....

9.5/10

Central Plaza is my favorite Hong Kong building and one of my favorite buildings of all time.

Central Plaza is a great name for a building. I came to Hong Kong in December 2001. Strangely, when I was at the base looking up, it didn't seem very tall. And looking at it from downtown Kowloon at dusk, it doesn't seem that tall either. Hard to believe it's 374 m. After looking at the dreadful Chinese apartment highrises along the path from the airport to downtown, Central Plaza looked spectacular.

It's one of the very few buildings that I actually like the spire. Without the pyramid and the spire on top, it wouldn't look to appealing to me.

Very appropriately named, Central Plaza fits snuggly in the center, completing the skyline as the tallest building. Without it (and BoC), Hong Kong skyline is not as nearly impressive.

lol, it looks alot better on sim city! except its 4 sides on sim city, 9

Day- 10/10
Night- 9.5/10

Originally posted by james2390

lol, it looks alot better on sim city! except its 4 sides on sim city, 9

Sim city has Central Plaza?

I like this one, 8.5/10

Originally posted by Sher
Sim city has Central Plaza?

Yep, it's a commercial Asia-building on SC3000:World Edition

the triangle elements are exaggerated. 5/10

6.5/10

I don't care for it.

9/10 sleek and glassy...

and again 10/10 HK is amazing!

9/10 with a dragon:)

Average ! :) 5.5/10 ! :)

one of the best tower in hong kong

9/10

8.5/10
The spire and top in general are interesting features. I like the facade because it's shiny and impressive. It reminds me a lot of the Centre, also in Hong Kong.
:)

9/10


Great tower.

8.5/10

9/10
Great & cool design!

8.5/10 Unusual top and cross-section.

this building was sponsored by the HK gorvernment, develper dun hv to pay land tax for 5 years.

9/10

10/10 Elegant, futuristic, the top part is excellent

8.5

Sleek and tall, but I don't like the dated detailing on the facade or the way it lights up after dark. Gets lots of marks for height, sleekness and overall design/shape.

http://home.hetnet.nl/~hongkongphotopage/centralplaza/central%20plaza3.jpg

8.5/10

now that's my type of a postmodern skyscraper! just gotta shorten the spire a bit till it's shorter than boc hk, and it's perfect!

originally 8.5 but now 9.5/10

9.0/10 Very nice indeed. Love the glass facade outside. Good height for sure.

i love it, especially the top and spire
9/10

great tower ! 9.5/10

i don't like the building i think it's very ugly...... and i think there're many buildings who deserve it more 2 stand above this building in the top list. 4/10

now that's my type of a postmodern skyscraper! just gotta shorten the spire a bit till it's shorter than boc hk, and it's perfect!

originally 8.5 but now 9.5/10


LOL NEVER!

This is and always will be my star of Hong Kong. I have probably posted in this thread 4 times by now, I'm not sure. Yes I am obsessed with Central Plaza. I also love its matching siblings.

This tower is to me the epitome of post-modern skyscraper design - simply perfect.

9/10

One of my favorite buildings in HK. Like the clever triangular design (to increase waterviews) and the facade is a little flashy (or gaudy) but not over the top like on a lot of talls. Nice restraint by the architects. Sleek, stunning with a good spire.

Spectacular its a 10 because of the night view. Certainly gold just as it's facade.

totally fell in love with this one! 10

8

Beautiful and perfect for HK

Good looking building. 9/10

like it 9.5/10

don't like the top 7/10

I love this tower! :eek2:

Flashy and colourful. Unforgettable! 8.5/10

Tall, triangular, modern yet very classical. The whole tower has a very vertical thrust to it. It keeps drawing you upward. 9.5/10

Beautiful Building. I think this tower will remain relevant, as it seems quite timeless. Hard to tell though, because the backdrop is so spectacular.

9.0/10 HK is simply incredible...

7/10, I like the colors, but the desing is strange

not the best looking.
7/10

8.5/10

Best use of gold on buildings which I have seen!

I love this building. The spire definitely adds another dimension to it. It draws your eyes up-- very pointy.
http://img181.exs.cx/img181/5019/HK-Shanghai-Shenzhen035.jpg
http://img232.exs.cx/img232/6179/HK-Shanghai-Shenzhen075.jpg

9.

I just LOVE this building. The best in Hong Kong, IMO!! Wanna climb it! :D

I like this one!

9/10

Extremly beautiful, 9/10

Absolutely beautiful and superb. I give it a 9.5/10. :D

-0.1 because BOC was 10,the newest(not static white lines) dynamic lighting at night makes it 10+.
-0.1 because 2IFC is much taller.

=9.8

9/10

beautiful yet crude

8.0

Lovely, 10/10

I don't like the top and the stripes up the sides, everything else makes up for it though 8/10

I like a lot the triangular shape, the glass cladding, the dragon, and the lobby :-)
I'm not too fond of the spire, but it's OK and distinctive.
8.5

Another beautiful Hong Kong building 9.5/10

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Hong%20Kong/PICT0203.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Hong%20Kong/PICT0208.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Hong%20Kong/PICT0200.jpg

8.5/10

The top is awesome and very well designed and the building's shape is also good.

9/10 Just plain great.

Great. 9.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Hong%20Kong/PICT0212.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Hong%20Kong/PICT0190.jpg

I'm surprised how many people like this tower so much. Back in good old 1992, I was jealous when it took the tallest crown from the Bank of China! :sleepy:

I remember it was first proposed to be taller than ESB but they scaled it down.

Great building 9/10

http://img182.echo.cx/img182/2413/dscn05048dh.jpg

Great tower. 8.5/10.

9/10.

10/10 beautiful; fits perfectly into the hk skyline

I've been to the church on the pyramid at the very top of the tower and it's amazing. Definatly one of the best views in hong kong, but they don't like people bringing in cameras.
If any of you are in hk (and interested in church at least a bit) come to this church. You can just go to the lobby and go in as a guest, just be respectful, etc.

Really good, but not the best in HK. 8,5/10

9/10

9/10

7/10

Wonderful and Marvelous..!!! 10 points..!

:cheers:

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/70/28625093dsc3589a0yi.jpg

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/6125/26012615dsc9926a6eb.jpg

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4134/28625002dsc3587a9mx.jpg

10/10

8.5/10

Not bad for a block. 6.5/10.

Day: 7/10
Night: 9/10
Final mark: 8/10 :)

Nice facade and good crown
9.5/10

9/10 day
10/10 by night

this one rally deserves 10/10 everything looks nice..good one!

10/10. I LOVE IT!!!

10/10 one of my favorites

Central Plaza, second tallest building in Hong Kong and also second tallest building in my state capital, Brisbane. In fact according to Emporis there are 34 buildings with Central Plaza in their name and there is even another building in Hong Kong called Central Plaza.

Anyway despite the name I give it 8.5/10. The golden glass is really something. Awesome building.

Impressice building, love it's triangular shape! Awesome facade! 10/10 :okay:

I like it, 9/10

Ya gotta love this one. Whats not to like? 9.5

8/10

7/10

:eek2: :eek2: and one more :eek2: 10/10

9/10. it's great, tall,modern, glassy.

9/10

Beautiful.

9/10 Great but the Pinnacle is a little bit too tall.

8.5/10

9/10!!

SHARP and BEAUTIFUL! 10/10

Oh yes 9

9/10
Love it

Nice tower 9/10

8/10 kinda generic

The lights are cool and its tall but i dont like the architecture, 8/10

This is a very impressive structure and a gem of the city, but as far as HK skyscrapers, I still prefer Bank of China and 2IFC.

8/10

9/10

Nice crown and shape. An appealing design.

8/10

9/10

Not the best not the wors. 7/10

One of my all-time favorites, very sharp.

10/10

10/10 :master:

10/10

8.0

Its tall, its unique, its prestigious when it was built, and still is.

But I don't really like the design. Not very artistic IMO.

Oh man, Central Plaza. This is the tallest building in my hood :D

OK, The Central Plaza may not be the best looking HK scraper but it has been a very iconic building for the city. I remembered the first ad for this scraper back in the early 90s and when it was completed, it was the tallest buliding in Asia and the 4th tallest in the world!

I rate Central Plaza a 9 and this is more deserving to be called King than the 2IFC!

7/10

8.5/10

7.5/10

not perfect 9/10

one of the best in asia.
9/10

I like it! 10

i honestly love the crown and spire. i like the vertical stripings and love the color scheme. very solid tower. i like the triangle plan.

9/10

9/10

Great looking building with some nice window designs. Nice location, stands out. 9

9/10

Too much:D:D.....10/10

Great looking building indeed 10/10

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20051004/OCT04-S01-109.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20051018/IMG_2394.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20051018/IMG_2425.jpg

7,5/10

7/10...............

Looks very classy

I'm not the biggest fan of this skyscraper 6/10

9/10 nice ant tall

Nothing special, just correct with nice front elevation..7,5/10

pretty nice building 7/10

very nice tower like the roof with spire 9/10

http://static.flickr.com/72/153683217_8b6e05ae75_b.jpg

8/10 ^^ it looks better at night

8 for the night effects.

10/10 Elegant, futuristic, the top part is excellent

Well put and IMO accurate comment. A 9.5 for me.

simply great building: 9.5/10

8/10

very good.

9.5/10

8/10

Fabulous! 8.5/10 :colgate:

http://static.flickr.com/56/135622971_6e419bc492_b.jpg

9/10

Classy 8/10 :)

8.5/10

I love it, I'd give a 10.

10/10 :)

7/10

I really liked it when I saw it in November 2005, mainly at night with changing coloured lights!
9/10
:wink2:

8.5/10.

8/10

I like the facade well enough, but the top is just hideous. This is one of the rare cases where the spire ruins it for me.

8/10, looks good.

9 / 10

a handsome tower.

9/10

Great building.
9.5/10

8/10

Lighting, feel, outstanding masterpiece. tri-radial symmetry a bit bland though. 9.

10. iconic!

8.5/10

One of my favourites, gave it a 9/10.

I really like it. 9.5/10

9.5 /10

9.5/10

it stands out both day and night.

8.5 / 10

9 / 10

9 / 10

perfect for modern glass tower 10 :)

Central Plaza from me rpromanpaucin :)

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/6241/img0507vh4.jpg

I look at Central Plaza as HK's modern counterpart of the Empire State Building. But I'll give it a 9.5/10 ;)

8,5/10

good as a space filler.
but a landmark tower tis not...bank of china and 2IFC can do that.
overall a nice shape and nice facade.

*the spire is too tacky to make this a modern counterpart to the empire state building.

8.5

9/10

8.5/10

Its fantastic, on second thought I should've given it a 9.5. A bit traditional, but manages to express itself as a unique skyscraper. Much better than the Center anyway!

9.5/10 So many great looking buildings, this is why Hong Kong is #1

8/10

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/193/464237807_0e14215ced_b.jpg

The lighting at night is amazing. And It has a greta desing too!
9/10

Repost:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/193/464237807_0e14215ced_b.jpg

cladding doesnt go well 5.5/10

Not bad, not bad. A 7,5 out of 10.

8/10

8,5/10

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20070418/IMG_1826.jpg

i like it 8/10

very nice , how much???

beauty 9/10

I'll give it a 9.5 this building looks fantastic!

Wow that pic by HKskyline looks like an actual mountain of buildings lol

9.5/ 10 :D

9 - sharp.

7.5/10

8/10 just great ! very sharp.

does anybody have any construction pics

I like it 8.5

very nice 8/10

8.5/10

8/10

8,5/10

9 from moi :okay:

3/10

I don't like too much, it looks a little bit like a skyscraper from Central Asia (this gold glass :| ). I give 7/10 because of height

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20070803/IMG_9745.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20070803/IMG_9781.jpg

Central Plaza, Hong Kong is the good example of Architect....... !:)






Peter Parker ^^
http://effectsofpheromones.supersized.org/

very nice building

simple beautiful 10/10

The gold works on this bulding i like it,9/10