NEW GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Since the end of the last war, the Central Government Offices have been housed in the old Secretariat Building, in the temporary offices adjacent to it and on Statue Square, and in the Post Office, Fire Brigade and Marine Department Buildings, all of which are owned by Government; additional accommodation has had to be rented in private buildings. It was decided that it would be more efficient and economical to build a new block of Central Government Offices to replace certain of the old and temporary offices and also to re- duce the amount of rented accom- modation.
Work was recently completed on the construction of the first section of the new Government Offices and Colonial Secretariat at the junction of Garden Road and Lower Albert Road. This new building occupies the site of the former headquarters of the Royal Hongkong Defence Force, which were demolished at the end of 1951 to make way for it.
Photograph of the Lower Albert Road frontage.
After the Second World War, it was for its requirements for some time decided that the headquarters were to come. This building was opened inadequate for present day require in August 1951.
and the
new
Much as one regrets the passing of ments, being too small, too primitive, famous landmarks of the Colony, and too inconvenient for the num- sentiment must give way to econo- bers the new force was expected to mic considerations as many of these attain,
with equipment
In antiquated buildings are unnecessarily which they were to be provided. occupying valuable land, which could any event, the old site had to be be used to much greater advantage. given up to accommodate the
Government office building planned The Volunteers had had their head- for this area. It was only after a quarters on this site ever since 1862, great deal of reflection had been when the organisation was first given to the matter and a number formed. As far back as 1900 there of alternative sites considered that were complaints about the building, it was finally decided to utilise the and in a report to the Commander- derelict building, and the grounds in-Chief in China, the then Com- mandant of the Volunteers, Lieuten- of the old Civil Service Cricket Club
said at Sports Road, Happy Valley.
It is planned that the new Govern- ment Offices, when the entire scheme is completed, will extend from Gar- den Road at the south-east end to Ice House Street at the north-west end. As the Colonial Secretariat, Legislative Council Chamber and the Public Works Department Offices oc- cupied the central and western por- tions of the site, it was necessary to erect the new buildings in three sections, so that the departments at present housed on the site could move into the new buildings as and when If this plan had not completed. Carrington
been adopted and the entire struc- ture erected at the one time instead, "the responsibility of With this old building rehabilitated it would have been necessary to find Government to provide and maintain as a quartermaster's store and with temporary accommodation for these suitable premises for the use of the the construction of the new head- departments, which would have prov- Corps, and it is obvious that the
quarters building. new warrant ed to be a difficult, inconvenient and requirements of the Corps have out- grown the accommodation afforded officer's quarters, and several other costly undertaking indeed. by a building which was provided for ancillary structures surrounding the a much smaller body of men". In parade ground, which is much larger 1906 a new building was erected on than the old parade ground on Lower the same site, similar in appearance Albert Road, the force now has head- to the former structure.
quarters which should be sufficient
ant-Colonel J. W. that it was
aro
HT
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110
Typical office
floor plan.
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