The Cassia Javanica Tree

Long Before the Murray Building

Long before the Murray Building rose from the ground in 1969, a young tree had already taken root. The Cassia Javanica, native to Southeast Asia, found an unlikely home on what would become one of Hong Kong's most prestigious addresses. For decades, it grew quietly, unnoticed by the government officials who would later walk past its branches.

A Witness to History

As the Murray Building took shape and served as a government headquarters, the Cassia tree stood sentinel. It watched the city transform around it, the rise of Central's skyline, the passage of countless civil servants, the quiet rhythm of Hong Kong's administrative heart. Through it all, the tree endured.

Registered as an Old and Valuable Tree

In 2004, the tree was formally registered as an Old and Valuable Tree (O.V.T.) by the Hong Kong government. This designation is reserved for exceptional trees of significant size, species, or historical importance. The Cassia Javanica at The Murray is the only one of its species in Hong Kong to receive this recognition, a testament to its rarity and enduring presence.

Preserved Through Transformation

When the Murray Building was reimagined as The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel, preservation was paramount. The architects at Foster + Partners ensured that the Cassia tree remained at the heart of the property. Today, it stands gracefully in the hotel courtyard, surrounded by contemporary architecture that honours its ancient presence.

A Living Symbol of Renewal

Every spring, the Cassia tree rewards its guardians with a spectacular bloom, clusters of pink and white flowers that transform the courtyard into a scene of quiet magic. For guests and staff alike, it is a reminder that beauty takes time, that heritage is not only found in stone and steel, but in living things that outlast generations.

A Gift to the City

The Cassia tree is more than a botanical curiosity. It is a gift to the Hong Kong community, a piece of living history that continues to grow, bloom, and inspire. At The Murray, we do not simply preserve this tree. We listen to it, learn from it, and invite our guests to stand beneath its branches and feel the passage of time.

The Cassia Javanica tree is not a relic of the past. It is a living, breathing part of The Murray's story. And every spring, it reminds us that the most beautiful legacies are those that continue to grow.