HSBC celebrates 160 years with thematic interactive installations

In celebration of its 160th anniversary, HSBC has unveiled a series of events and experiences that pay tribute to its history and the deep connection it shares with Hong Kong.

Under the theme “HSBC 160 Years of Great Stories”, the experiences begin at the ground-floor plaza of the iconic HSBC Main Building in Central. This marks the anniversary of HSBC opening its doors on 3 March 1865, at its current location at One Queen’s Road Central.

The HSBC headquarters in Central, now in its fourth generation, was designed by British architect Norman Foster. Completed in 1985, it was the world's most expensive building at the time, according to the release. Flanking its main entrance, the iconic bronze lion sculptures have become enduring landmarks in the heart of Central.

To celebrate the anniversary, HSBC has launched the “160th Anniversary Rube Goldberg Machine” interactive installation at the HSBC Main Building, on display until 28 March. This installation features a series of intricate mechanical devices that tell a story, starting with the insertion of a "Hong Kong One Dollar" coin. This action activates an automated teller machine, symbolising HSBC's introduction of ATMs in the 1980s, and sets a marble in motion. Over around 160 seconds, the marble journeys through key milestones, including the desk of founder Thomas Sutherland, the creation of the hexagonal logo, the evolution of banknote designs, and the shift from manual banking to advanced digital systems.

The installation is joined by two additional attractions: a neon-lit “160th Anniversary Time Tunnel” and a “160th Anniversary Giant Cake Installation”, which features tributes from HSBC staff. These installations not only celebrate the bank’s history but also its deep ties with the community.

In addition, a new light show about the four generations of the HSBC Main Building will debut from tonight through the end of the year.

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To further connect with the public, HSBC is inviting everyone to share their treasured moments with the bank for a chance to win prizes. From now until 12 March, participants can create an Instagram story featuring a photo of an item related to HSBC, write about a special memory or story associated with it, tag HSBC Hong Kong’s Instagram and three friends, and comment on the official post: “160 years – here’s to more great stories ahead.” Participants will have the opportunity to win HK$160,000 in "RewardCash" or one of 100 limited-edition HSBC 160th anniversary Octopus Cards.

Luanne Lim, chief executive officer, HSBC Hong Kong, said, "For 160 years, HSBC has embraced innovation and progress while staying true to its core mission: creating opportunities for customers and making a positive impact on society, through both challenging and prosperous times. Over the decades, we have grown alongside Hong Kong, a thriving international financial centre, and we are honoured to be part of this journey.”

“To mark this occasion, HSBC is hosting a series of events that bring together our customers, employees, and the wider community. These include arts and sports activities, the HSBC Global Investment Summit, the HSBC Hong Kong Community Festival, to name a few,” Lim added. 

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to HSBC for more information. 

Back in January, HSBC Hong Kong launched a large-scale public fraud prevention education exhibition named “Fraud University” (防騙學府 – 呃大).

Taking place from 25 January to 16 February at K11 MUSEA in Tsim Sha Tsui, the “Fraud University” offered interactive experiences designed to educate the public on how to avoid falling victim to scams. The initiative aimed to promote cybersecurity awareness and strengthen the financial security of individuals and businesses.

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