Furama Hotel [1973-2001] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Furama Hotel [1973-2001]

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Submitted by David on Fri, 2009-10-09 12:59
Current condition: 
Demolished / No longer exists
Date Place completed: 
1973-08-18
Date Place demolished: 
2001-01-01

1, Connaught Road.

Can anyone confirm the opening date for the Furama? The Emporis website says 1977. But the left edge of this photo dated 1972 shows the building almost finished, so it seems unlikely it would have sat empty for 4-5 years. [Update: opening date set to 1973, see comments below].

Wikipedia says it "closed in November, and was demolished in December 2001."

Tags: 
hotel
revolving restaurant
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Photos that show this place

1972
1972
1972
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Comments

Submitted by Alastair (not verified) on Mon, 2009-10-12 05:12.

The hotel was completed and opened in 1973.  I found it at the Chinese wikipedia page and tngan also pointed this out. 

I verified the wikipedia source and it appears accurate because I found an interview with a member of the Fu family that built and operated the Furama.  The 1973 opening date is mentioned near the end of the article.

http://news.eastday.com/epublish/big5/paper148/20030831/class014800011/h...

Submitted by David on Mon, 2009-10-12 16:04.

Alastair, thanks for fixing the date (and T, sorry for missing your mention of it).

Regards, David

Submitted by Klaus on Fri, 2015-01-16 22:00.

I asked Emporis to amend the opening date to 1973. They did today.

Submitted by gw on Sun, 2021-05-30 06:12.

A SCMP clipping dated 30-Nov-2001 reports on the closure of the Furama Hotel "tomorrow", i.e. 1-Dec-2001. It also gives an opening date of 3-Dec-1973.

I was surprised to read that it "underwent several name...changes" during its 28 years in business. Having arrived in HK in late 1981, I can only remember it being known as the Furama, so either my memory is failing or its other names were used between '73 and '81.

And the name of the revolving restaurant on the 30/F? "La Ronda". Has there ever been another with such a spectacular view? The article states that La Ronda was the second revolving restaurant in Hong Kong, "built after the first in the Yu To Sang building in Mongkok, which has long been reduced to rubble".    

Submitted by rachel12 on Sun, 2021-05-30 19:50.

I found another SCMP clipping dated 19 August 1973 which said that Furama Hotel was partially opened the night before, so 18 August 1973?

SCMP clipping on Furama Hotel - 19 Aug 1973
SCMP clipping on Furama Hotel - 19 Aug 1973, by SCMP

Submitted by Rob on Wed, 2021-06-02 18:43.

At least part of the hotel was open in October 1973 as I stayed there on the 27th and 28th.

Submitted by mi99amigo on Tue, 2021-06-29 01:34.

One of the original architects of the Furama is Patrick Cheung.  Patrick and Amy Cheung we're family friends. They would visit our flat on Old Peak Road and have a clear view of the new Furama. 
 

The original room rate was $199. Why?  Say it in Cantonese and it sounds like Yut Gao Gao, money will be pouring in in chunks.