A stunning new skyscraper is redefining what the modern workplace can be. A Hotchkiss alumna and her family’s company are behind the ambitious project.

Read the Spring 2025 Hotchkiss Magazine

By Eliott Grover

On a clear morning in Hong Kong’s Central district, sunlight skips across Victoria Harbor and splashes against the curved glass façade of The Henderson, the city’s newest skyscraper. Rising from the ground once occupied by British military barracks, the 36-story tower stands out in a skyline defined by its iconic architecture. The Henderson’s shimmering form signals not only design brilliance but a bold vision for the future of Hong Kong.

Helping to shape that vision is Kristine Li ’06, whose family company, Henderson Land, led the project from concept to completion. “We wanted to build something that would be really innovative and also responsive to the future,” says Li, who oversees leasing for the building as Henderson Land’s General Manager of Portfolio Leasing.

After an extensive search, the company selected Zaha Hadid Architects to design the building. “They’re known for their very curvaceous, very bold style,” says Li. The design draws inspiration from the bauhinia bud, Hong Kong’s official symbol. “It’s a bud about to bloom, so it symbolizes our hope that Hong Kong will continue to flourish,” says Li.

The curved glass was the project’s most complex and critical design challenge. More than 4,000 uniquely shaped, double-curved glass panels were required. The architects used Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology to create a full digital twin of The Henderson, which allowed them to generate precise digital models for each panel to be fabricated. “This kind of technology would not have been possible 10 years ago,” Li says. “We were at the forefront of this construction technology.”

A custom 3D-molding glass printer was developed to produce the panels, and installing them required exceptional craftsmanship. Henderson Land enlisted Seele, a German glass manufacturer renowned for tackling difficult, high-stakes projects with precision and beauty—including Apple’s retail stores. Seele’s reputation for delivering both structurally demanding and aesthetically striking solutions made them a natural fit for a building of The Henderson’s ambition. “In Hong Kong we have monsoons, typhoons, and then with the increase in temperature due to climate change, we had to make sure the glass would meet all of these variables for the future,” says Li. “Assembling it was like building a 3D puzzle in the air.”

Beyond the expected challenges for a project of this scale, a number of unforeseen issues arose. Construction began in 2018, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With many materials sourced from abroad, global supply chain disruptions quickly introduced delays. In 2020, a domestic lockdown in China complicated matters. Rolling energy shortages in Europe the following year limited the production of heat-intensive materials, making the delivery of the custom glass even more difficult.

Still, the team pushed through, finishing the tower in 2024. For Li and her family, the building’s completion carried deep personal significance. It marked the realization of a long-held dream for her grandfather, Lee Shau Kee GP’06,’09,’11,’14, who was the founder of Henderson Land, one of Hong Kong’s most admired businessmen and philanthropists, and a generous benefactor of Hotchkiss. Lee passed away in March at the age of 97.

One of his aspirations had always been for Henderson Land to own an iconic skyscraper in the heart of Central. The company co-owns the visually commanding International Finance Centre (IFC), where its headquarters are located, but Lee dreamed of creating a signature building—one that bore the company’s imprint from foundation to finish.

“He was an extremely wise man,” Li says. “He read markets and trends so well. I remember having weekly management meetings with him, and he was still the sharpest person in the room in his 80s. He could do math in his head like an abacus. And most of all, he was a very generous person. He spent a lot of time thinking about how to give back.”

Li joined her grandfather’s company in 2012 after starting her career in investment banking. Tasked with overseeing the leasing of The Henderson, she was responsible for marketing the property and finding tenants. “In the early phase, a lot of it was about coming up with a product that would speak to our users,” Li says.

Her team found success positioning The Henderson as the office of the future. “We’re building hospitality into the workplace,” Li says. “We have hotel-like amenities for the whole building.” Exceptional service, wellness-focused spaces, and elegant venues helped attract high-profile tenants, including Christie’s, the British auction house.

Among the building’s distinctive features are five floors of underground parking, all with EV charging, a bespoke app that lets tenants customize their environment, next-generation security systems, and a host of sustainability innovations. A restaurant and bar are set to open in September. A rooftop ballroom with panoramic views offers an immersive setting beneath a luminous glass ceiling. “On a cloudy day, it’s misty and romantic,” says Li. “On a clear night, you can see the stars.”

In the wake of the tower’s success, Henderson Land is not slowing down. The company is now developing Site 3, a massive mixed-use project along the waterfront near the IFC. When it is completed, Henderson Land will surpass a British-owned company to become the largest landlord in Central.

“It’s quite significant for Henderson Land, being a homegrown company, to have major influence over the core business district of Hong Kong,” says Li, who finds meaning in creating spaces that shape lives. “A really great space makes you feel at ease and inspired.” This belief was on full display last fall when a reception for newly admitted Hotchkiss students and their families was held in The Henderson’s Sky Garden, a covered oasis on the 22nd floor.

Maintaining close ties to Hotchkiss has been important for Li and her family. Her father, Ning Li ’76, and her three siblings––Vickie Li ’09, Jackie Li ’11, and Christopher Li ’14––are all proud alumni. Li credits the School with bringing her out of her comfort zone and giving her the foundation to lead with confidence and vision. “I discovered a lot about myself in an environment that nurtured me and gave me a lot of attention,” Li says. “Hotchkiss brought out the best in me.”

The reflection touches on a simple truth about the spaces that shape us. When we encounter them at just the right moment, certain places can open our eyes, reveal our strengths, and spark the confidence to meet the future head-on. We move through them without always knowing their impact. But with time and distance, we see how they’ve changed us and how they leave us blooming. Blooming like a flower––or a skyscraper.