Mandarin Oriental Hotel [1963- ]

Originally known as The Mandarin Hotel, it had its soft opening on 1st September 1963:

In 1958, the Honourable Hugh Barton, Chairman of the Hong Kong Land Company, had a dream that Hong Kong’s Central district needed a world-class hotel. His dream became reality on 1 September 1963 when the iconic Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong (formerly The Mandarin) was launched with a soft opening. When the hotel officially opened on 25 October 1963, the 650-room, 27-storey hotel was the tallest building on Hong Kong Island and instantly became a historic landmark – a status it still holds today.

Built on the former site of the colonial Queen’s Building, the cost of construction came to HKD42 million, whilst the cost of interior design amounted to HKD66 million. John Howarth of the Leigh & Orange architectural firm was appointed architect, whilst interior design responsibility fell on Don Ashton, art director for such films as “Bridge Over the River Kwai”, “Indiscreet” and “Billy Budd”.

Source: MANDARIN ORIENTAL, HONG KONG – THE MANDARIN STORY