E. R. Belilios bought Rockyda and redeveloped it into Des Voeux Villas about the same time he bought The Eyrie (above Mountain Lodge) for his own summer home. That is when the lot number seems to have changed from FL 64 to RBL 53.
It was later subdivided
PRO lists two renewal requests in 1947 to extend the 75 year leases.
RBL 53 - Des Voeux Villas 3 - Section A - RBL 518
RBL 53 - Des Voeux Villas 4 - Section B - RBL 656
In late 1875, Charles May, the first head of the Hong Kong Police, Fire Brigade and Gaol (retired) applied for a lot at the very top of Mt. Austin and his bungalow was finished two years later in 1877. He chose the spot right at the top opposite "a spot that had been leveled by Baron von Overbeck" with views both toward the harbour and Mt. Kellett. However, he died just four years later in 1879. We do not know if it had a name then, but later it was called The Eyrie. <Read more ...>
The 1924 Map shows four terraces on Inland Lots 714 & 715, between Robinson Road and Conduit Road.
"Belilios Terrace in Hong Kong was once known as mato moros,. 'hill of the Moors' because of the large number of Indians living in the district."<Read more ...>
In 1772 the property was bought by Belilios brother-in-law (his wife Simha's brother) Elias David Joseph Ezra (in Calcutta)
07/08/1872
DECLARATION OF TRUST IN FAVOR OF EMANUEL R. BELILIOS & HIS CHILDREN
ELIAS DAVID JOSEPH EZRA (TRUSTEE)
(Revoked by the following deed in 1878)
In 1874, a newpaper description of the aftermath of a typhoon describes Mr. Belilios house "Kings-clere" as having the venitians and the railings damaged. <Read more ...>
This is the second "Kingsclere" in Hong Kong - both owned by ER Belilos. The original Kingsclere's address was 13 Caine Rd.
Belilios originally intended the Kennedy Road as a Synagogue. However, there was some to-do with the Trustees, (Belilios wanted a road to the upper part of the property to build on, and the Trustees said no. ER took some legal action) and it was not built.
In 1896, the Kennedy Road lot was put up for auction. An extention was requested in 1898, and a lease issued in 1904. <Read more ...>
