University Lodge [c.1950- ] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

University Lodge [c.1950- ]

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Submitted by David on Thu, 2016-01-07 17:32
Current condition: 
In use
Date Place completed: 
c.1950-08-01 (Year, Month, Day are approximate)
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Photos that show this place

1960

Comments

Submitted by David on Sun, 2017-05-14 12:46.

Different sources quote a different year:

  • 1947: The HK Annual Report for 1947 says "A new Lodge for the Vice-Chancellor was completed and the foundations laid for a new block of eight flats."
  • 1949: The book Hong Kong Corner Houses says "Two Corner Houses were designed by the architectural office Chau and Lee, a partnership of engineer Chau lu Nin and architect Richard Edmund Lee, whose better known designs in Hong Kong include St. Mary's Church (1937) on Tai Hang Road and University Lodge (1949), the residence of the Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong."
  • 1950: That's the date given on the web page of the HKU Estates Office.
  • 1951: Fig 3.14 in the book Hong Kong Architecture 1945-2015: From Colonial to Global shows several "Works of Chau and Lee", including "Vice-chancellor lodge, HKU, 1951".

I've chosen the earliest date, but corrections are welcome. [UPDATE - StephenD has found evidence of the 1950 completion, see the comments below.]

Submitted by stephenD on Wed, 2017-05-17 14:55.

The SCMP has a story, 22nd March 1950 p.7, about the ex-Victoria Battery 10" gun found buried in the grounds of the site of the V-C's lodge whilst it was being built. Bunny Mellor, the Registrar, is quoted as saying that the completed lodge would be opened in August and the gun mounted in the garden.

Best,

Stephen

Submitted by m.peaker on Wed, 2017-05-17 23:58.

I think the 1950 occupation date for the present date is the most likely. I wonder if some temporary Lodge was built/converted/reclaimed in 1947 as the old Lodge was divided into four flats (one of which we were kindly and temporarily offered in 1966 - we said thanks but no thanks). Housing for expat academic staff would have been desperately needed in 1947 as the university got going again. I think I was told that Sir Lindsay Ride (VC from 1949) was the first occupant.

Submitted by David on Tue, 2017-05-23 16:14.

Thanks for the feedback, I'll set the completion date to August 1950.

Regards, David