In a city with more than 7,600 skyscrapers, Hong Kong’s skyline is always recognized as one of the most prominent features identifying the city. But if we’re talking about architecture, Hong Kong’s historical structures are just as important (if not more), giving a historical and cultural context, and a sense of nostalgia too.
We look at some of our favourite structures classified under the grading system of the Antiquities Advisory Board, highlighting buildings that have great historical or architectural merit in Hong Kong.
STATE THEATRE AT KING'S ROAD, NORTH POINT
STATE THEATRE
Year of establishment: 1952
Location: Java Road, North Point
The State Theatre is well-known for the parabola-arched structure on its roof. The structure is one of a kind in Asia, especially when back in the day, the design of the architecture was a leading example of Modern Movement architecture. The theatre is the last post war theatre left in Hong Kong. It was graded as a Grade 3 Historic Building in April, 2016.
FORMER HQ OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG YACHT CLUB
FORMER HQ OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG YACHT CLUB
Year of establishment: 1908
Location: Oil Street, North Point
It is a red-brick complex that comprises a main building and two ancillary buildings. It was occupied by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club for 30 years. The complex is constructed in the Arts and Crafts architectural style and has been accorded Grade 2 status as a historic building. It is the only building remaining from the original North Point coastline of the 1930s before reclamation.
Presently, the building has been revitalized into an exhibition and activity centre for visual arts.
RED BRICK HOUSE, YAU MA TEI
RED BRICK HOUSE, YAU MA TEI
Year of establishment: 1895
Location: Waterloo Rd, Yau Ma Tei
The Red Brick House in Yau Ma Tei was constructed in a colonial Neo-Classical style with Arts and Crafts influence. Classified as a Grade I historical building since 2000, it was formerly the Engineer’s Office for the old Water Pumping Station on Shanghai Street. Its special features include the red brick façade, cast iron rainwater pipes, cast iron hopper heads, arched verandahs and granite coping stones, knee stones, skew corbels, and pad stones to gable.
