China Merchants Steam Navigation Company Ltd [1902-c.1968] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

China Merchants Steam Navigation Company Ltd [1902-c.1968]

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Submitted by philk on Tue, 2022-02-01 07:09
Current condition: 
Demolished / No longer exists
Date Place completed: 
c.1902-09-01 (Month, Day are approximate)
Date Place demolished: 
c.1968-12-31 (Year, Month, Day are approximate)

I'm unsure of the use of this building but assume it was an administrative building. 

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Photos that show this place

1950
1960

Comments

Submitted by philk on Mon, 2022-02-07 18:26.

I'm unsure of build / demolition dates but this 1927 image of moddsey's shows it was there at that time (see highlighted version below). There have been at least a further two buildings on the plot since the 1960 film was shot. The location currently houses the CM+ hotel and serviced apts building.

1927 Sheung Wan Piers edited to show CMSN Company
1927 Sheung Wan Piers edited to show CMSN Company, by Philk

Submitted by Klaus on Thu, 2022-02-10 03:51.

Phil, I think the building is also on this photo from the 1950s:

Aerial View of City looking east
Aerial View of City looking east, by Herostratus

And probably on this film from 1967 at 2:40 min. 

Submitted by philk on Thu, 2022-02-10 05:42.

Hi Klaus - yes, its white colour and double column facade makes it easy to spot. I can't comment about the video because for some reason it's not loading for me (probably my low bandwidth here in the UK). Phil

Submitted by Klaus on Thu, 2022-02-10 18:43.

If the date of the photo (1969) is correct, than it looks as if CMSN building has been demolished already.

Sheung Wan 1969
Sheung Wan 1969, by richlander

Submitted by philk on Thu, 2022-02-10 19:16.

Hi Klaus - yes, I believe the tall building next to the first empty plot (moving right from Western Mkt) was the site. The new high rise looks like the China Merchants Commercial Building, which was on the plot until its recent replacement by the CM+ hotel. I'll add a tentaive demolition date of 1968 to the place. Many thanks, Phil 

Submitted by Admin on Mon, 2022-02-14 17:46.

The new building was described on page 4 of The China Mail, 1902-07-22:

New Offices for China Merchants

Handsome new offices for the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company are in course of completion on the waterfront, beyond the Harbour Office. They consist of a ground and three upper floors. The ground floor is to be used as a godown, the first floor as a general shipping office, the second floor as the clerks’ quarters and the third as quarters for Mr Liao Tsze San, the Company’s local manager. The new offices are situated immediately in front of the Company’s present premises, extensive reclamation works having placed these in the back ground, and the architect in charge of the work is Mr J. Le???. The new premises arc expected to be ready in six weeks.

Submitted by philk on Mon, 2022-02-14 19:55.

thanks David. I've set the completion date to a tentative 01/09/1902 then. Considering they were still around 60 years later is quite impressive.