The Center is a 73-story office building in the old Central District of Hong Kong. The project was one the first large urban renewal developments undertaken through the agency of the Land Development Corporation (now known as the Urban Renewal Authority) working in collaboration with private sector property developers. The tower symbolizes the dramatic renaissance of the neighborhood brought about by the new development.

An irregularly shaped building site precluded the construction of a conventional rectangular building, but allowed for many entrances enhancing pedestrian accessibility, and created novel open spaces for public use. The challenge presented by the building site was met with the elegant solution of an eight-pointed star-shaped building plan, generated by offsetting two squares by 45-degrees. This unique design allows more daylight to flood the extensive perimeter of the building than would be offered by a similarly sized building with a rectangular floor plate.

The structure is made entirely from steel, with no reinforced concrete core, and is clad with a curtain wall of silver reflective glass. Most notably, the building is encased in low-voltage neon bars that increase in number along its height. A uniquely shaped spire adds a special touch to the form of the building.

There are numerous outdoor spaces and entrances to the site, ranging from small gardens to a formal entrance plaza in the front. The tower superstructure and gallery of shops are both elevated above ground to open up more space around the building. Bamboo, reaching the height of three stories, elevated planter boxes, and banners all frame the public open spaces, creating a green oasis in the heart of a dense urban area. In the Central District in particular, with its very compact layout, the transformation of the pedestrian environment achieved by The Center is dramatic.