VICTORIA BUILDINGS TO BE PULLED DOWN.

From the front page of The Hong Kong Telegraph, 1924-04-09:

NEW SIX-STOREYED BLOCK.

VICTORIA BUILDINGS TO BE PULLED DOWN.

Some Interesting History.

Another old Hongkong building is soon to make way for a new structure, built on modern lines. This is the block facing Queen's Road and known as Victoria Buildings, and forming one of the oldest office premises in the Colony. The Netherlands Trading Society have moved from the ground floor into their now place nearby, the firm of Chater and Mody and the Hongkong Land Investment and Agency Co., Ltd, have moved to Ice House Street, and the only offices occupied in Victoria Buildings to-day are those of Messrs. Percy Smith, Seth and Fleming. Very shortly the structure will be demolished, to make place for a six-storeyed building, with basement, erected by the present owner, a well-known Chinese business man.

BUILT IN 1860.

In an interview with Sir Paul Chater this morning, a Telegraph representative learned some of the history of Victoria Buildings. Erected about 1860, the first offices there were occupied by Messrs. Lyall, Still and Company, a firm since defunct. The original property extended right through from Queen’s Road to Des Voeux Road.    

Some time later, the building was purchased by Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co, and they were in occupation for a considerable period. In 1884, they sold the promises to Sir Paul Chater, and Messrs. Chater and Mody moved in and the firm has remained there up to practically a few days ago.

In February, 1919, the portion fronting on Des Voeux Road was sold by the firm of Chater and Mody to the Bank of Canton. This part was pulled down, and the site is now occupied by the imposing building just completed. The portion facing Queen’s Road was sold to Mr. Pun Yick-cho in April, 1921. This is now to pass into the hands of the contractors’ workmen, and make way for another addition to the fine modern structures of the city. Thus will pass another link with olden-day Hongkong.

THE NEW BUILDING.

Our representative next called on Mr. J. Caer Clark, the architect of the now building which is to be erected, and gleaned the following particulars. 

There will be a very imposing front, of a pleasing style of architecture, and the whole structure will be about 90 fee in height. On Queen's Road there are to be two main entrances, reached by a short flight of steps, opening into two roomy banking halls on the ground floor, divided by a party wall. Thus two up-to-date banking establishments could be accommodated. At the back of these, strong-rooms are to be constructed. The halls are to be lighted by an artistic glazed dome on the first floor level, and above this dome rises a light-well extending to the roof, into which will open windows from the intervening floors.

The remaining five floors will be divided up into offices, as required by prospective tenants. A series of ventilators fixed in the light well will ensure perfect air circulation as well as ample light.    ’

On either side of the building two passages from Queen’s Road run to the very back of the block, and from each of those passage-ways  there will be a side entrance, loading to an electric lift and fireproof stairway.

The building is to be of reinforced concrete and is expected to be completed in approximately eighteen months' time.