The Netherlands India Commercial Bank Building, 16 Des Voeux Rd C. [1906-c.1930] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

The Netherlands India Commercial Bank Building, 16 Des Voeux Rd C. [1906-c.1930]

Current condition: 
Demolished / No longer exists
Date Place completed: 
c.1906-01-01 (Month, Day are approximate)
Date Place demolished: 
c.1930-01-01 (Year, Month, Day are approximate)

Site of of old Dent & Co 2nd Generation offices

In 1903 HK Land acquired the mortgage, which the company had extended to three local businessmen Poon Yan Chuen, Mak Yuen and Lo Man in 1890, to the centre portion of Dent & Co’s old offices

 

Completed new building by 1906

Architect was Palmer & Turner, last major building by Clement Palmer before retirement in 1907

 

Property sold to Chung Yuet Hing in 1921 for HKD742,000 who sold it to HSBC in 1924.

 

HK Land reaquired the building for HK$1375,000, together with the burned out portion of the Hong Kong hotel in 1928 and it became the Gloucester building in 1932

Source: HK Land at 125

Photos that show this place

Comments

The building is seen at the left of this 1890s photo, next to the Hong Kong Hotel:

Hong Kong Hotel
Hong Kong Hotel, by annelisec

 

In the 1918 photo we see the edge of the hotel at the right of the photo, then #16 DVRC fills the frame:

Holland-China Trading Company Hong Kong office, 16 Des Voeux Road Central, 1918
Holland-China Trading Company Hong Kong office, 16 Des Voeux Road Central, 1918, by Charles in Shanghai

 

Are they the same building, just extended out over the pavement to add verandas and a new facade?

Hi David

While it was relatively common for buildings to get altered rather than replaced, I can be pretty sure that in this case the building was new. From the book HK land at 125:

In 1903 HK Land acquired the mortgage, which the company had extended to three local businessmen Poon Yan Chuen, Mak Yuen and Lo Man in 1890, to the centre portion of Dent & Co’s old offices

Completed new building by 1906

Architect was Palmer & Turner, last major building by Clement Palmer before retirement in 1907