You’ve seen it. Even if you aren't into architecture, if you've spent more than ten minutes in Admiralty, you've stared at the Lippo Centre. It’s those two blue, shimmering towers that look like they have glass pods literally clinging to the sides. People call them the "Koala Tree" buildings. Honestly, it’s one of the few nicknames in Hong Kong that actually makes sense the moment you look at it.
The building doesn't just sit there; it sort of vibrates with this weird, late-80s energy. It’s loud. It’s octagonal. And in a city full of sleek, boring glass needles, it remains one of the most polarizing pieces of real estate on the skyline.
The Bond that Broke: A Quick History
Most people don't realize that the Lippo Centre didn't start with the Lippo Group. It was originally the Bond Centre. Back in the mid-80s, an Australian tycoon named Alan Bond wanted to make a massive splash in Hong Kong. He commissioned Paul Rudolph—the legendary American architect known for "brutalism" and being a bit of a rebel—to design something that would scream "presence."
Rudolph delivered. But Bond’s empire crumbled faster than a cheap dim sum basket. He had to sell the building in 1988, right as it was finishing up, to the Lippo Group. The name changed, but the "koalas" stayed.
Why it Looks So... Different
So, why the pods? Paul Rudolph hated flat walls. He thought they were boring and "anonymous." He wanted to break the scale of the towers down so they felt more human, or at least more interesting to look at.
- The Projections: Those "clinging" parts are actually cantilevered sky-rooms.
- The Views: Because of the weird shape, the building has a ridiculous number of corner offices. In the world of Hong Kong business, a corner office is the ultimate flex.
- The Floor Plans: There are actually 58 different floor plans across the two towers. Imagine being the guy trying to lay the carpet for that.
- The Height Gap: Tower 1 is 172 meters (42 floors), and Tower 2 is 186 meters (46 floors). Rudolph hated symmetry. He wanted the two towers to look like they were in a bit of a dance, not just mirror images.
The Feng Shui Drama
You can't talk about a building in Hong Kong without the "energy" talk. For years, rumors swirled that the Lippo Centre had "bad" feng shui. Some masters claimed the "claws" or "koalas" looked like they were struggling to hold on, which supposedly mirrored the financial struggles of its first owners.
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Whether you believe that or not, the building has survived multiple market crashes and remains a Grade A office hub. Honestly, if you're a tenant there in 2026, you're probably more worried about the MTR commute than the "claws."
The View from 2026: Still a Power Move?
Admiralty has changed. With the rise of The Henderson and the constant evolution of Pacific Place, the Lippo Centre is the "old guard" now. But it’s still prime. As of early 2026, the market is seeing a "flight to quality." While some older buildings are struggling with vacancy, Lippo holds its own because of its location.
It’s literally plugged into the Admiralty MTR. You can walk from the lobby to the station, the High Court, or a five-star hotel without ever feeling the humidity. That’s the real value. The rent reflects that, usually hovering in the mid-range for Grade A—cheaper than the IFC, but still enough to make your accountant sweat.
Who Lives Here (Business-wise)?
It’s a mix. You’ve got:
- Law Firms: Being next to the High Court is a massive win.
- Consulates: The Consulate of the Republic of Seychelles and others have called it home.
- Creative Powerhouses: Interestingly, Foster + Partners (the architects behind the HSBC building and the airport) have their Hong Kong office on the 30th floor of Tower 2. There's something poetic about a world-class architecture firm choosing to work inside a Paul Rudolph masterpiece.
Navigating the Lobby
If you ever go inside, don't just rush to the elevators. The lobby is a trip. It’s got these massive bas-relief murals by Gerard D’Henderson. It feels like a mix between a spaceship and a 1980s corporate temple. It’s heavy on the granite, heavy on the drama.
Rudolph used seven different shades of grey in the interior just to play with how the light hits the walls. Most people just walk past it while checking their phones, but it’s actually a masterclass in texture.
What to Keep in Mind if You’re Visiting
- Access: Use the elevated walkways. Trying to get to the Lippo Centre from the street level is a nightmare of traffic and narrow sidewalks. The "pedestrian bridge" life is the only way to go.
- Photography: The best spot to photograph the "Koala" effect isn't from right underneath it. Head over to Hong Kong Park. The elevation and the greenery give you the perfect angle to see the towers "climbing" into the sky.
- Real Estate Reality: If you’re looking for office space here in 2026, expect strata-titled ownership. Unlike some buildings owned by a single landlord, Lippo is split up. This means the vibe can vary floor by floor depending on who owns the unit.
The Lippo Centre isn't trying to be pretty. It’s trying to be present. In a city that often feels like it's being built by an algorithm, Rudolph's "Koala Tree" feels refreshingly human—weird, slightly chaotic, and impossible to ignore.
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Actionable Insights for Business Tenants:
If you are scouting for space in Admiralty this year, prioritize Tower 2 for slightly better prestige or Tower 1 for potentially more flexible "smaller" unit layouts. Always verify the individual landlord's maintenance history, as strata-titled buildings can have varying levels of upkeep across different floors. For those looking for a "statement" office that clients will never forget, the cantilevered "pod" offices offer the most unique interior layout in the district.