IFC 2, The Tallest Skyscraper in Hong Kong – Stuck in Customs

IFC 2, The Tallest Skyscraper in Hong Kong

Here is IFC (International Financial Center) 2 in Hong Kong. It’s the tallest building there and you can get some sense of its size from the jumbo jet I captured in the frame which is actually very close to the top of the skyscraper!

The following is from Wikipedia:

Two International Finance Centre, completed in 2003, is attached to the second phase of the ifc mall. This 415 m tall building is currently Hong Kong’s tallest, is quoted as having 88 storeys to qualify as being extremely auspicious in Chinese culture, and 22 high-ceiling trading floors. In actual fact, however, it is short of the magic number, due to the fact that the “taboo floors” like 14th and 24th etc., are omitted as being inauspicious – 14 sounds like definitely fatal and 24 like “Easily fatal” in Cantonese.

The highrise is designed to accommodate financial firms. For example, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is located at the 55th floor. It is equipped with advanced telecommunications, raised floors for flexible cabling management, and nearly column-free floor plans. The building expects to accommodate up to 15,000 people. It is one of relatively few buildings in the world equipped with double-deck elevators.

The 55th, 56th and the 77th to 88th floors were bought by the HKMA for US$ 480 million in 2001[6]. An exhibition area, currently containing an exhibit of Hong Kong’s monetary history, and a library of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority Information Centre occupy the 55th floor, and are open to the public during office hours[10]. The 88th floor of the tower contains the office of the Chief Executive of the HK Monetary Authority, and is served by an individual lift.

IFC 2, the Tallest Building in Hong Kong