The Bank of China building, seen here in 1996, was designed by Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei to look like an angular bamboo shoot. It is one of Hong Kong's most recognized landmarks and a symbol of China's strong economic stake in the territory.
The Bank of China —
The Bank of China building, seen here in 1996, was designed by Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei to look like an angular bamboo shoot. It is one of Hong Kong's most recognized landmarks and a symbol of China's strong economic stake in the territory.
ANAT GIVON/ASSOCIATED PRESS
The 70-story triangular Bank of China building is seen here under construction in 1988. It struck a sharp contrast to the imposing 52-story Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp headquarters to its right.
The Bank of China —
The 70-story triangular Bank of China building is seen here under construction in 1988. It struck a sharp contrast to the imposing 52-story Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp headquarters to its right.
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The Bank of China was the tallest building in the city, when it was completed in 1989, and the first building outside the United States to break the 305 meters (1,000 ft) mark.
The Bank of China —
The Bank of China was the tallest building in the city, when it was completed in 1989, and the first building outside the United States to break the 305 meters (1,000 ft) mark.
Bernard Annebicque /Sygma/Getty Images
Today, the International Finance Center Two (IFC 2) is taller than the Bank of China Tower. But it isn't the tallest tower in Hong Kong. That accolade goes to the 108-story International Commerce Center, which was completed in West Kowloon in 2010.
The Bank of China —
Today, the International Finance Center Two (IFC 2) is taller than the Bank of China Tower. But it isn't the tallest tower in Hong Kong. That accolade goes to the 108-story International Commerce Center, which was completed in West Kowloon in 2010.
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An aerial view of Central Hong Kong from the rooftop of IFC 2 highlights how distinctive the Bank of China Tower is in design. Other buildings that can be seen include the Cheung Kong Centre, the HSBC headquarters, the Legislative Council building, and Jardine House.
The Bank of China —
An aerial view of Central Hong Kong from the rooftop of IFC 2 highlights how distinctive the Bank of China Tower is in design. Other buildings that can be seen include the Cheung Kong Centre, the HSBC headquarters, the Legislative Council building, and Jardine House.
Stefan Irvine/LightRocket/Getty Images
Comprised of four vertical shafts, the tower reduces its mass as it rises, until a single triangular prism remains. <br />
The Bank of China —
Comprised of four vertical shafts, the tower reduces its mass as it rises, until a single triangular prism remains.
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Men clean windows on the Bank of China Tower in 2014. The tower's exterior is clad in reflective glass that mirrors its surroundings.
The Bank of China —
Men clean windows on the Bank of China Tower in 2014. The tower's exterior is clad in reflective glass that mirrors its surroundings.
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The original design saw the framework of the building include an X-shaped cross-brace. Outcry among local feng shui experts led Pei to redesign the external patterns to form the less-menacing diamond shapes.
The Bank of China —
The original design saw the framework of the building include an X-shaped cross-brace. Outcry among local feng shui experts led Pei to redesign the external patterns to form the less-menacing diamond shapes.
SHUTTERSTOCK
The building has appeared in several famous films, including "Star Trek: Voyager," "Transformers: Age of Extinction," and "Battleship."
The Bank of China —
The building has appeared in several famous films, including "Star Trek: Voyager," "Transformers: Age of Extinction," and "Battleship."
Brent Lewin/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Nearly three-decades latter, at nighttime the skyscraper still has a futuristic feel.
The Bank of China —
Nearly three-decades latter, at nighttime the skyscraper still has a futuristic feel.
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