google.com, pub-6611284859673005, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 Grandpa 's Journey: 合和实业主席·胡应湘:筑基于工程,建构于胸怀 - Sir Gordon Wu, Chairman of Hopewell Holdings: Building with Engineering, Leading with Vision

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Friday, 15 August 2025

合和实业主席·胡应湘:筑基于工程,建构于胸怀 - Sir Gordon Wu, Chairman of Hopewell Holdings: Building with Engineering, Leading with Vision

 




一、历史与早期经历

胡应湘爵士生于1935年香港湾仔,祖籍广东花县,出身于的士业起家的胡氏家族,父亲胡忠是当时颇具影响力的的士大亨Wikipedia+1
他早年赴美留学,于1958年毕业于美国普林斯顿大学土木工程系,获得学士学位RTHKWikipedia,回港后曾在政府工程部门任职并考取建筑师资格,奠定专业基础RTHK


二、创建企业、上市与基业奠基

1963年,他与父亲创立合和建筑有限公司,开启家族事业从车队跨足地产投资之路MaigooWikipedia。1972年,在父亲支持下,成功筹组资金1,500万港元成立合和实业有限公司,并于当年8月在港上市,成为香港“华资地产五虎将”之一WikipediaShue Yan Newsletter


初期高峰与挫折

上市之后,合和实业股价迅速飙升,市值一度高达数十亿港元;然而1973年证券市场震荡与假股票事件猛然打击公司,股价暴跌近97%,经历严峻考验Wikipedia。但凭借稳健运营,公司在1979年才逐步恢复。


代表性项目:合和中心

1980年竣工的合和中心,是他亲自设计的地标建筑——66层筒中筒结构,具防风奇效,曾为香港最高楼之一,是合和实业在地产界的重要里程碑Wikipedia


三、教育、家族与社会影响

胡应湘爵士婚后育有二子二女,其中第三子胡文新现任集团副董事总经理Wikipedia。他不仅是工程师与企业家,亦积极参与教育与社会事务,曾任香港理工大学及城市大学校董会主席,还担任多个社会及体育机构职务WikipediaShue Yan Newsletter


四、跨境使命:为国家建设做贡献

身为首批赴内地投资者之列,胡应湘带头参与建设“广州中国大酒店”、兴建广深高速公路、沙角电厂、虎门大桥等重大基建,通过 BOT 模式助推改革开放Hong Kong Shue Yan UniversityRTHKShue Yan Newsletter
他更是最早提出修建港珠澳大桥的大将,这一宏伟工程最终落成,成就时代标志RTHK

此外,他长期关注香港房屋与土地问题。1979年他响应改革开放精神,积极参与港澳基建;1997年更向时任特首董建华建议“东大屿填海造地”方案,针对土地供给短缺献策良多Hong Kong Shue Yan University


五、核心贡献:在香港和中国之间架桥筑路


六、作为楷模:我们可以学到什么?

1. 专业立身,敢于跨界

凭借工程师背景和建筑师执照,胡应湘不仅是技术专家,更是将专业视野转化为城市规划国家基建的企业家典范。

2. 拥抱改革开放,敢为人先

他敏锐洞察国家政策风向(如1979年改革开放初期),成为首批投资者之一,敢于以BOT创新引入资本与管理模式,是先行者榜样。

3. 坚持与韧性:从困境走出

历经股市崩盘与金融危机,他并无放弃,坚持学习、化危机为转机,是勇气与担当的体现。

4. 社会责任感与长远规划

不仅关注回报,更注重地域情感与社区福祉。如湾仔酒店项目,他提出“五星级设备、四星级价钱”,并强调社区回馈比个人利益更重要香港01

5. 终身学习,支持教育

热心教育事业,强调中西合育、两文三语、品格修养。他本人虽不亲自教导,但以实际支持示范价值Hong Kong Shue Yan UniversityShue Yan Newsletter



总结

胡应湘爵士的人生是科技、商业、社会使命交织的历程。他以工程师的精准视角与企业家的胆识,跨过香港与中国间的边界,无论是城市地标、跨境桥梁还是社会政策,皆留下深刻印记。他是一位真正的实干家,也是一位有情怀的规划者与教育家。

我们从他身上学到:专业与格局齐头并进,责任与创新并重。无论身处何职,都应以信念与行动,贡献于所在地与社会。他的模式,也许能启发你我,成为下一个时代中有所作为的建设者。


Sir Gordon Wu, Chairman of Hopewell Holdings: Building with Engineering, Leading with Vision

1. History and Early Life

Sir Gordon Ying Sheung Wu was born in 1935 in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, with family roots in Huaxian, Guangdong. He came from a family that rose to prominence in the taxi industry—his father, Wu Chung, was a taxi magnate of the time.
In 1958, Wu graduated from Princeton University in the United States with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. After returning to Hong Kong, he worked in the government’s engineering department and earned his architect qualification, laying the technical and professional foundation for his future career.


2. Founding the Company, Going Public, and Laying the Foundations

In 1963, Wu co-founded Hopewell Construction with his father, diversifying the family business from taxis into property investment.
In 1972, with his father’s support, he established Hopewell Holdings Limited with HK$15 million in capital. The company went public in August of the same year, becoming one of Hong Kong’s “Five Tigers of Chinese Real Estate.”


Early Peak and Setbacks

Soon after listing, Hopewell’s share price skyrocketed, with its market value reaching billions of Hong Kong dollars. But the 1973 stock market crash and a stock fraud scandal hit hard, wiping nearly 97% off the share price. Despite the setback, Wu steered the company back to stability, and by 1979 it had regained strength.


Landmark Project: Hopewell Centre

Completed in 1980, Hopewell Centre was personally designed by Wu. The 66-floor cylindrical-core structure had wind-resistant qualities and was one of Hong Kong’s tallest buildings at the time—a milestone for both the company and the city’s skyline.

3. Education, Family, and Social Engagement

Wu is married and has two sons and two daughters. His third son, Thomas Wu, now serves as Deputy Managing Director of the group.
Beyond his business achievements, Wu has played active roles in education and civic service, including serving as Chairman of the Councils of both The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and City University of Hong Kong, as well as holding leadership roles in various sports and community organizations.


4. Cross-Border Mission: Contributing to Nation-Building

Wu was among the earliest Hong Kong investors to enter mainland China after the start of the reform and opening-up policy. He spearheaded major infrastructure projects such as the China Hotel in Guangzhou, the Guangzhou–Shenzhen Expressway, the Shajiao Power Station, and the Humen Bridge, often using the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model to introduce capital and management innovation.
He was also one of the first advocates for the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge—a vision that later became a reality and a symbol of regional integration.

Wu has long been concerned about housing and land supply issues in Hong Kong. In 1997, he proposed the “East Lantau reclamation” project to then-Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, offering long-term strategies to address the city’s land shortages.


5. Key Contributions: Bridging Hong Kong and China

  • In Hong Kong – Led the development of multiple residential estates such as Telford Gardens and Kent Court, helping to meet housing needs.

  • In Mainland China – Invested in transportation and energy infrastructure, accelerating modernization in the Greater Bay Area.

  • In Regional Connectivity – Proposed and pushed for major cross-boundary bridge and reclamation projects, strengthening integration between Hong Kong, Macao, and Guangdong.


6. Lessons from a Role Model

1. Professional Expertise with a Broader Vision

With his engineering background and architect’s license, Wu combined technical precision with the strategic foresight of a city planner and national builder.

2. Pioneering Spirit

By recognizing the opportunities of China’s reform and opening-up in 1979, Wu became an early investor who dared to lead, using innovative financing and management models.

3. Resilience in Adversity

Wu endured severe financial crises, yet persevered through learning, adaptation, and steady action—turning challenges into opportunities.

4. Social Responsibility and Long-Term Thinking

Wu’s approach went beyond profit. For example, in his Wan Chai hotel project, he aimed for “five-star facilities at four-star prices,” prioritizing community benefit over short-term gain.

5. Lifelong Learning and Educational Support

He actively supports education, believing in bilingualism, character development, and East-West integration—values he upholds through leadership and funding.



Conclusion

Sir Gordon Wu’s life is an intersection of engineering, entrepreneurship, and public service. With the precision of an engineer and the courage of a pioneer, he bridged Hong Kong and mainland China—not only through skyscrapers and bridges but also through policies, housing solutions, and educational initiatives.

From him, we can learn that professional skill and strategic vision should go hand-in-hand, and innovation should be grounded in social responsibility. No matter our role, we can contribute meaningfully to our communities and our times. Wu’s story is a reminder that with persistence, foresight, and purpose, we can all help build the future.

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