As Shanghai prosperity took off in the early 20th century and it became known as the “Paris of the East”, the partners of Palmer & Turner in Hong Kong decided to branch out and secure a piece of the architectural action for themselves.
In the 1910s, George Leopold (Tug) Wilson and Lt. Col. M.H. Logan set up an office in Shanghai, bringing with them bold ideas and engineering expertise from Hong Kong. Their first commission, the Union Building on Canton Road, was also the first building along the Bund to employ a full skeletal steel frame, setting a new benchmark for the city.
Innovation followed. The Yokohama Specie Bank Building introduced new construction methods to overcome the swampy ground conditions, paving the way for even taller landmarks.
Soon, some of Shanghai’s most iconic buildings emerged, including:
- Cathy Hotel (now Peace Hotel)
- Bank of China
- Broadway Mansions
- Chartered Bank, YangtzeInsurance Building
By the 1930s, Shanghai was booming, until conflict halted progress. The firm closed its doors in 1939, returning only in 1990.
These stories are part of our nearly 160-year legacy, a reminder that bold ideas and resilient design have always shaped our journey.
Images: HSBC bank in Shanghai, 13th June 1922.
