Why go
Norman Foster’s design makes the building’s supporting components part of what you see, rather than hiding them behind a conventional facade. It replaced the bank’s earlier headquarters in 1985 on a site HSBC had occupied since the nineteenth century. That continuity of location, alongside a radical change of design, gives the building a particular place in Central’s banking history.
What to look for
- The bronze entrance lions are named Stephen and Stitt.
- Exposed structural components reveal how the headquarters is supported.
Useful to know
- Start from the Statue Square side to relate the headquarters to Central’s surrounding civic and banking buildings.
- Treat the facade and lions as the basis of the stop; confirm arrangements before relying on atrium access.
Your next visit
Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.
Outdoor visit · 30–45 min
World planning estimate; admission, opening, visit duration and access need checking.