West Kowloon rises as Hong Kong’s next financial and cultural powerhouse
- Occupying a prime harbourfront location, West Kowloon is emerging as Hong Kong’s “Central 2.0”, a new hub of opportunity shaping the city’s future identity
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If Central captures the energy of Hong Kong’s capital markets, West Kowloon represents another hub of opportunity where world-class business facilities, cultural landmarks and transport links converge, shaping the city’s next chapter of growth.
The expansion across the harbour is as much psychological as physical. For generations, Central has defined the city’s financial establishment. West Kowloon, by contrast, represents a generational shift – cosmopolitan, forward-looking and increasingly sustainable.
Since Kowloon Station opened in 1998, the area has transformed into one of Asia’s most connected districts. It anchors Hong Kong’s only high-speed rail terminus, which brings Hong Kong much closer to over 90 mainland destinations, while the Airport Express and its in-town check-in facilities make international travel effortless.
Given this exceptional mix of access, amenities and scale, it’s little wonder that banking giants UBS and HSBC have chosen West Kowloon as the base for expanding their wealth management ambitions.
UBS has confirmed IGC, which is nearing completion, for its new regional headquarters, while HSBC has opened its global flagship Wealth Centre on level 99 of ICC, officially recognised by Guinness World Record as the world’s highest bank in a building.
Amy Lo, Chairman, UBS Global Wealth Management Asia, Head and Chief Executive, UBS Hong Kong, says, “Our new West Kowloon office positions us at the nexus of connectivity, culture, and clients. Strategically perched above the West Kowloon high-speed rail station and steps from the Airport Express and the world-class cultural attractions of the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), it anchors us in one of Hong Kong’s most dynamic hubs. This office underscores our confidence in Hong Kong as a premier international financial centre and a vital gateway to the Greater Bay Area.”
Janet Pang, Managing Director, Head of Distribution, Wealth and Personal Banking, Hong Kong, HSBC, adds that as Hong Kong is set to become the world’s largest cross-border wealth hub by 2030, the bank is seizing the opportunities by opening a new wealth centre at ICC. “Strategically located next to the West Kowloon Station and Airport Express - vital conduits for mainland China and international high-net-worth customers - the new Wealth Centre forms a strategic triangle with HSBC’s existing outlets in the district, enabling us to meet the diverse banking needs of customers, especially in the Greater Bay Area.”
A vertical city of synergy
When taken together, ICC, IGC and AST will be part of a 7 million-sq ft cluster of commercial spaces, including offices, hotels and retail, which SHKP calls a “vertical city of synergy”.
Where finance meets culture
No other financial district in Asia offers quite the same juxtaposition.
Steps away from the glass towers of ICC and IGC lies WKCD, a 40-hectare enclave home to the M+ Museum, the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the Xiqu Centre for Chinese opera. In 2024 alone, the district drew 15 million visitors, placing it among the world’s most visited cultural destinations.
Sustainability as the new prestige
The West Kowloon story is also one of urban sustainability. SHKP’s long-term masterplan includes extensive open spaces and landscaped decks above the Central Kowloon Route, reconnecting fragmented neighbourhoods and extending the city’s pedestrian network.
“Sustainability is no longer an after-thought. It’s at the heart of what we do. West Kowloon will show how green design, culture and capital can co-exist,” say SHKP’s Lo.
ICC was the first existing building in Asia to achieve LEED v5.0 Platinum certification for operations and maintenance. IGC has already secured top pre-certifications under LEED, BEAM Plus and WELL standards, and will include more than 100,000 sq ft of landscaped open space, including a publicly accessible observation deck.
A 1.5-km West Kowloon Parkway is also taking shape, and once complete, it will link the high-speed rail terminus, the harbourfront and WKCD through a series of open spaces and pedestrian bridges, creating a more walkable and pedestrian-friendly environment across the district.
Continuity with reinvention
From sky-high office spaces to tranquil galleries, West Kowloon reflects the blend that continues to define Hong Kong, where financial power meets artistic refinement and global ambition meets cultural depth.
If Central tells the story of where Hong Kong has been, West Kowloon tells the story of where it’s heading.