Towering over West Kowloon, the city's newest iconic skyscraper, the International Commerce Centre (ICC), dominates the skyline on the peninsula even though it's still being built. The gigantic hi-tech complex is also starting to dominate the office leasing market as its floor space becomes available in stages.
When completed in 2010, the 490-metre mega-structure will be Hong Kong's tallest building and the world's third-tallest building in terms of usable floors.
The steel, glass and concrete structure would also set new standards in quality and services, said Lo King-wai, deputy general manager of Sun Hung Kai Real Estate Agency.
'It is simply the most forward-looking complex of its kind ever built in the region,' Mr Lo said. 'The office spaces themselves set new standards in terms of flexibility and size for Hong Kong. We and the architects, Kohn Pederson Fox Associates, have worked hard to ensure that the ICC will also set a new standard for quality of materials and finish.'
With a five-star hotel on the top floors - and offices, retail stores, restaurants, residences and serviced apartments on the middle and lower floors - the ICC is set to become a new Hong Kong landmark.
But it is the growing demand for quality offices over recent years, with the increasing presence of mainland and foreign firms in Hong Kong, which is driving interest in the building.
