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History & Architectural Heritage

History of The Murray Building
Restoration of Heritage Building
History of The Murray Building

Standing at the intersection of Garden Road and Cotton Tree Drive, The Murray, Hong Kong is a landmark architectural transformation where 1960s modernist legacy meets contemporary urban luxury. Originally completed in 1969 as the Murray Building—a prominent government headquarters—the site played a central role in Hong Kong’s public administration for over four decades.

Through Hong Kong’s Conserving Central Initiative, this historic structure was spared from demolition and reimagined into a sophisticated 336-room luxury sanctuary, bridging the city’s storied past with a vibrant new era of hospitality.

History of The Murray Building
Modernist Origins: The Vision of Ron Phillips
History of The Murray Building

Conceived in 1969 by British modernist architect Ron Phillips alongside the Public Works Department, the Murray Building was a pioneer of sustainable urban design decades ahead of its time.

  • Climate-Conscious Architecture: Designed specifically to handle Hong Kong's tropical heat, Phillips incorporated deep-recessed square windows set within angled facade fins. This innovative geometric grid naturally shaded the interior from direct sunlight while maximizing natural light—drastically reducing air conditioning loads.
  • Award-Winning Design: The forward-thinking passive cooling design earned the building a prestigious Energy Efficient Building Award in 1994, establishing it as an engineering masterpiece of Hong Kong’s modernist era.
  • Soaring Archways: At ground level, towering four-storey arches lifted the main body of the building, creating a sense of weightlessness and space above the city traffic.
Rebirth of an Icon: Foster + Partners
Rebirth of an Icon: Foster + Partners
Rebirth of an Icon: Foster + Partners

To undertake the transformation from a closed government office into a hip luxury hotel, Wharf Holdings commissioned the world-renowned architecture firm Foster + Partners, led by Lord Norman Foster.

Determined to respect the building’s heritage, the design team actively consulted original architect Ron Phillips throughout the renovation process to maintain a respectful dialogue between old and new.

Watch our video to discover more stories behind the architectural design.