New uses for HK's historic buildings

Updated: 2014-07-28 20:36

By Paul Surtees(HK Edition)

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Much credit belongs to earlier generations for passing on fine examples of the buildings and monuments from their era to later generations. Some world cities, such as Paris and Rome, are fortunate to have carefully preserved much of their built heritage, and the many fine old structures still in use are not only attractive and impressive, but also bring in droves of admiring tourists.

Hong Kong has not that many older buildings that we can afford to let any of them fall under the breaker's ball. This city has clearly had mixed success in preserving examples of our old buildings, with some regrettable losses as well as some outstanding examples of the preservation and creative re-use of others.

A shining example of what can be done is the imaginative re-use of an old mansion, the Kom Tong Hall in Mid-Levels. A decade ago this vast house, built a century ago, was refurbished, redecorated and opened to the public in 2006 as the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum. (The great man once lived there)

In Tsim Sha Tsui, the old Marine Police Headquarters (built in 1884) was re-opened in 2009 as a stylish set of shops and restaurants. Then about six years ago the Pawn opened as an elegant bar and restaurant in Wan Chai, in what had been a well-known old pawn shop.

New uses for HK's historic buildings

Officially re-opening this Summer, the former Hollywood Road Police Married Quarters (PMQ), built in 1951, is well-known to Chief Executives Donald Tsang and Leung Chun-ying, as both had lived there as boys because their fathers were police officers. This complex has just been magically transformed into a fashionable quarter, housing new outlets for many of Hong Kong's young designers, as well as stylish bars, cafes and restaurants. This PMQ project has brought new life - and business - to a previously quiet Soho backstreet. It is good to see hoards of young people flocking there at weekends, again demonstrating how successful the imaginative re-use of old structures can be.

Sadly, it is too late to worry about the demolished Queen's Pier in Central (built in 1954 and demolished in 2008), or Hotung Mansion (built in 1927 and flattened last year) - for where are the snows of yesteryear? Those old structures exist now only in our collective memories and old photographs. Instead, we must turn our attention to the old buildings still standing - buildings that could be refurbished and put to use today, rather than being destroyed.

Currently the Hong Kong Antiquities Advisory Board is conducting a public survey on how better to preserve our built heritage.

Work continues apace at the old Central Police Station (built in 1919) and it seems that, following controversies and setbacks, this site too will soon be put to regenerative use. The great open courtyard there is rare in such a built-up area and could be readily colonized by outdoor eateries.

During weekends in June, the Hong Kong Police Force has opened up the old Wan Chai Police Station (built in 1932) at 123 Gloucester Road - for stirring performances of the Police Band and temporary displays retelling the force's proud 170-year history. It shows just how far this city has encroached upon the sea to note that Wan Chai's old police station was originally right on the waterfront, before great areas were reclaimed from the waves for construction. The harbor is now far from this building's impressive columned frontage.

But what is to become of this sturdy old structure? It closed as a police station four years ago. With spacious, shady verandas - just like the nearby Pawn - it cries out to have restaurants situated within it. The old and long-closed Police Officers' Mess there is already set up as a bar, and could readily be re-opened to a wider clientele as a public bar, ideally preserving memories of its former use within the re-decorated chamber. Other rooms there - and there are many - could serve as boutique shops, coffee shops and art galleries. But please let its re-decorated color change from that ghastly battleship-grey!

The government's tentative plans are to preserve the main building as part of a mixed commercial development, including shops and possibly a hotel. It remains to be seen if such constructive plans come to fruition. Let us hope the former Wan Chai Police Station will be used creatively, while retaining its historic significance.

The author is a Hong Kong-based commentator, who previously lived in many historical cities - ranging from Jeddah to Ulan Bator, from Izmir to Helsinki and from Beijing to Regensburg.

(HK Edition 07/28/2014 page1)