AIG Tower

Infobox skyscraper
building_name = AIG Tower 美國國際集團大廈


caption = Full view of AIG Tower, from Edinburgh Place
location = 1 Connaught Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
status = Completed
groundbreaking = 2002
opening = 2005
use = Office
roof = 185 m (607 ft)
floor_count = 40
floor_area= Convert|450000|sqft|m2|0
architect = Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
owner = American International Group, CapitaLand, Lai Sun DevelopmentThe AIG Tower (Chinese: 美國國際集團大廈) in Hong Kong is a 185 m (607 ft.), 40 storey skyscraper that was completed in 2005.Cite web|title=AIG Tower|publisher=Emporis.com|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=aigtower-hongkong-china|accessdate=2007-08-17] It is located in Central, not far from the landmark Bank of China Tower.

The Furama Kempinski Hotel, famous for its revolving restaurant, formerly stood on the same lot that the AIG Tower rises from, but in December 2001, the 33-story hotel was demolished in order to make way for the AIG Tower.Cite web|publisher=Emporis.com|title=Furama Kempinski Hotel|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=furamakempinskihotel-hongkong-china|accessdate=2007-08-17]

The building was jointly developed by Lai Sun Development, CapitaLand, and insurance giant American International Group (AIG), which is also a major tenant of the building. The architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill designed the building to look like the Chinese junk.

The building has approximately 41,777 m² (450,000 ft²) of office accommodation.Cite web|title=AIG Tower|url=http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=7554|publisher=SkyscraperPage.com|accessdate=2007-09-18]

Plot history

The 999-year leasehold site has an area of Convert|24427|sqft|m2|0.

Lai Sun Development ("LSD"), founded by textiles magnate Lim Por-yen, paid HK$7 billion for Furama Hotel Enterprises in June 1997. Lai Sun, which already owned the Ritz-Carlton Hotel next door, acquired a 45.42 per cent stake for $3.13 billion, and made a general offer at $33.50 for each remaining shares at a total cost of $6.893 billion. [ Veronica Luk, [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=50621&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=19970621&sear_year=1997 Furama stock skyrockets after Lai Sun stake purchase] , The Standard, June 21, 1997]

LSD intended to combine the two plots into a prime office block. Then the Asian financial crisis struck, plunging the entire group into distress and forced asset sales. [ Dennis Eng, [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=25257&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=20021118&sear_year=2002 A little less debt for ailing Lai Sun] , The Standard, November 18, 2002] In March 2000, LSD announced that a 65% stake in the Furama Hotel would be sold to a 50:50 joint venture between Pidemco and AIG for HK$1.88 billion [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=3342&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=20000301&sear_year=2000 AIG joins Pidemco in $1.88b bid for 65pc of waterfront site] , The Standard, March 01, 2000] . Pidemco, the largest owner of commercial properties in Singapore, is part of Singapore Technologies, controlled by Temasek Holdings. [Clare Cheung, [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=3842&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=20000311&sear_year=2000 Lai Sun in move to bail out unit] , The Standard, March 11, 2000] As part of the deal, Lai Sun would continue to operate the hotel until its redevelopment, at an annual rental of HK$145 million. The Furama closed in November, and was demolished in December 2001.

The site has an approved buildable gross floor area of Convert|366405|sqft|m2|0 Bayshore Development Group, a joint venture between LSD, CapitaLand, and AIG, was formed to develop the 39-storey commercial office block with a gross floor area of 450,000 square foot (41,800 m²). AIG and CapitaLand each owned 35 per cent, and Lai Sun owns 30 per cent.Reuters story, [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=19178&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=20020730&sear_year=2002 Lai Sun joins $4b office venture at Furama site] , The Standard, July 30, 2002]

The HK$4 billion capital investment includes land premium, construction costs and interest payments. About HK$1.4 billion of financing was arranged with the Bank of China.

Gallery

References

ee also

*List of tallest buildings in Hong Kong

External links

* [http://www.aigtower.com/ Tower's website]