This was the triangular western part of the site owned by Hongkong Land, whose original leases date from October 1904. The Chater Road section was let to various shops from time to time, and the des Voeux Road side was let for many years by A.S. Watson & Co, to Komor & Komor and to the HK Stock Exchange. The building was later demolished in the 1950's in favour of a 13 level block Alexandra House and completed in 1956. <Read more ...>
The white house on the right looks pretty much like the Metropodle Hotel with the sign on the roof (unfortunately, can't read anything). Left of the hotel, two chimneys are visible. These can't belong to Taikoo Sugar - if so, they should be right of the hotel. Probably they belong to quarries located north of Taikoo Sugar.
On hkmaps.hk, the 1903.1 map shows water depths, pretty shallow like on the photo. <Read more ...>
Charles Gesner van der Voort had started his career in Rotterdam, at Holland-China Trading Company (HCHC). In 1938, he went to Shanghai for the firm. The Japanese interned him, and most other Dutch nationals, from 1943-45. In camp, he met his wife Nancy and they married after the war. After a leave in The Netherlands, they returned to the Orient, where Charles continued to work for HCHC in Hong Kong. <Read more ...>
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
1900
Looking at the foreshore, I think Victoria View Terrace is the building on the right. Bottom right is the junction of Middle and Robinson (Nathan ) Roads with a path continuing up to the Water Police Station <Read more ...>
