The world-renowned architect I.M. Pei is celebrating his 99th birthday

New York - World-renowned architect I.M. Pei is celebrating his 99th birthday on April 26. Ieoh Ming Pei was born in Guangzhou, China, in 1917 as the son of a well-known banker. He moved to New York to study architecture, where he also founded his first architectural firm in 1955.

Pei became famous for the design of the Bank of China building in Hong Kong and the pyramid in front of the Louvre in Paris. Many of his most famous buildings are located in the United States, such as the Four Seasons hotel on 57th Street in New York, the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. These illuminated structures stand out for their majesty and clean shapes.

The only residential building on I.M. Pei's list of works is the so-called Centurion Condominium at 33 West 56th Street in the heart of Manhattan. The master designed it in 2008 together with his sons, who collaborate with him at Pei Partnership Architects. The Centurion Condominium is considered one of the most significant architectural achievements and an exclusive New York address.

Pei, currently the most famous living architect in the world, has over 70 years of groundbreaking work in architecture across many locations worldwide. “For me, New York remains the most exciting city in the world. It pulses with life that is reflected in its architecture,” Pei stated.