Construction of the top floor in what will be Hong Kong's tallest building - the International Commerce Centre (ICC) in West Kowloon - is now under way, giving the iconic tower a height of 490 metres. Developer Sun Hung Kai Properties said the 118-floor ICC, above Kowloon MTR, had been met with overwhelmingly enthusiastic responses from potential tenants since it was offered for lease. 'More than 80 per cent of the total gross floor space has been committed to,' a company spokesman said. 'Standing at a staggering 490 metres when fully completed, ICC is already the world's third-tallest, and the tallest building in Hong Kong.' Leading financial institutions, such as Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse, spearheaded the move from Central to this new commercial, residential and transport hub in Kowloon. More recent tenants include ABN Amro, China Haidian, EFG Bank, SNP Vite and Hong Kong Mercantile Exchange (formerly called Titan Resources). 'All of these tenants have already started their operations at the ICC. Deutsche Bank, another anchor tenant of the ICC, will also move in the mega tower in phases,' the spokesman said. The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong will occupy the 102nd to the 118th floor at the top, making it the tallest hotel in Asia. 'Forming the 'Harbour Gateway' together with Two IFC, the ICC will have more in store for its tenants and the public than the typical commercial tower complex. Apart from The Ritz-Carlton, the 118-storey landmark will feature a private tenants club and a tourist and cultural spot - the Observation Deck on the 100th floor. 'Part of the mixed-use complex at Kowloon station, the ICC embodies exceptional building and infrastructure specifications, management services and on-site hotel and accommodation in one convenient package,' the spokesman said. 'Together with Hong Kong's largest shopping mall - Elements with its wide ranging catering, shopping and entertainment facilities - guests and tenants at the ICC can experience the ultimate luxury at their fingertips.' In the world of engineering, the ICC is already becoming renowned for the 83 lifts and 37 escalators that have been installed by Jardine Schindler. The tower will boast the longest lift shafts of any building in the world. Shuttle lifts, manufactured especially by Schindler, will connect the ground to floor 118 and travel at more than 30km/h, completing the journey in less than a minute.
