BØDT KØVE BONGKOI
TBE
LELEGRAPH
HONGKONG SHANGHAI
LTAYLER
PENINSULA HOTEL DUMBER
NEW epoch in the history of hotel enterprises in the Far
A fast will be used in Tuuster next, when His Excellency
the Officer Administering the Government (the Hon. Mr. W. T. Southorn, CM.G.) will formally open the new Peninsula Hotel, Kowloon--the largest hotel in the Orient and the intest and biggest venture of the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels," ltd.
One has to go back as far as the gear 1921 to find the birth of the idea which has now come to fruition, for it was at that time that Hongkong first became agentely conscious of its shortage. of high-class hotel accommnudation, in spite of the fact that the old Hongkong Hotel had not then suffered from the disastrous fire which came some years later and that' Repulse Bay Hotel was functioning almost as fully as it is to-day. At the annual meeting of the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Ltd.. in March, 1921, we find that the Chairman (the late Mr. A. R. Lowe) gave The first pubile intimation that the Company was contemplating a big extension, on the Kowloon side, in order to remedy a' situation in which it was not possible adequately to handle the growing transient tratie of the port. Negotiations were openëd with the Government with the result that the Company was able to acquire the particularly fine site on which the Peninsula Hotel new stands a splendid witness to the Company's original intention to provide a hotel which would be a credit to the Colony and unsturpassed by, anything of its kind in the Far East.
It is now no secret that the late Mr. Bosworth, who was Vice-President of the Canadian Pacific Steamship Services, ful it be known that unless a really modern hotel was constructed in the Colony, which is the terminus of the Canadian Pacific's Trans-Pacific line, his Company would, against its inclinations, he compelled fa consider providing modern accommodation itself in order that steamship passengers arriving here would be assured
The Magnificent tiround Floor Lobby,
As a building, the Peninsula was carried out by the Hongkong Hotel is undoubtedly one of the Engineering and
Construction
most anjasing yet to be erected Company. The piling work was in this Culony. It covers no less commenced as long ago as Septem- than 63,500 square feet and is ber, 1923, taking a whole year complete, the reinforced nine floors in height, including to
the
basement and mezzanine concrete frame and brick filling commenced by Messrs. floor between the ground and being
irst Boors. The handsome modern Trollope and
Colks (Fur Enst)
frent instantly attracts attention Ltd, in November of 1924. Work-
as the most prominent object on The Kowloon side, and when it is illuminated at night will add 'con siderably to the constellation of lights seen from the harbour and the city of Hongkong-ready a striking spectacle,
The Hotel was originally de signed by the architectural de partment of the Hongkong Realty and Trust Co., Ltd., and has been complcted by Mr. Geo. W. Grey, FR.I.B.A., F34, and Mr. J. Bentley Hawker, of Exchange Building, who were on the staff of the Realty and Trust Company and took over the architectural department
Being built on reclaimed land it was essential that the building "should be well underpinned, and It is supported on Franki piling, containsconnexion with which
went on uninterrupted for some months, but just as the fabric was
the,
durk nearing completion clouds of civil war and general unrest deszended over China to divert men's minds from peace. ful pursuits.
When the Imperial Government in London decided to offer greater protection and security to British lives and interests in China by sending out the Shanghai Befence Force, the military authoritles in Hongkong were faced with a hig problem of accaminilution for that portion of the force which was to be domiciled in Hongkong." Then it was that, the Peninsula Hotel-just a gaunt empty build- ing prosented itself as a tem- porary home, at least, for hundreds of British soldiers. Burried altera to render it tions were made
EL D
The Fatposing Freule of The Peninsula Hotel,
suitable for the accommodation of troops, and all Hongkong knows, how for many monthis it contain- ed a complete Infantry Brigade, including offices, quartermastera' stores, cookhouses, Navy, Army and Air Force canteens. The bag- pipes of Scottish regiments, and bugle calls which told of parades and the daily routine of military men, were the accompaniment of the building's first habitation.. Gradually Improved conditions made it possible for the British force in China to be reduced and, Just over a year ago, the Peninsula Betel was freed of its military cupation and handed back 14 The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Ltd. Since that time the bustle and activity of many work- men has wrought a wonderful change, and the Hotel stands to- day, on the eve of its official . opening, a credit to all who have Rssisted in its fabrleation and adornment, and a tribute to the Akil of Chinese craftsmen and workmen.
On approaching the Hotel, one notices that the portion of ground opposite, between Salisbury Road and the railway, is being laid out as an ornamental garden, and that in the spacious courtyard between the wings of the build- beautiful ornamental fountain is the centre-plete
ing
The Beautiful Salon
of hotel facilities fully, in keping with the high standard of steamship travel across the Pacific. The Hotel Company saw the opportunity, and the then Governor of Hongkong. (Sir Reginald Stubbs) and the late Mr. A. G. Stephen (Chief Manager of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) were also keenly interested in this matter of better hotel provision. It was with their advice and co-operation that the site on the Kowloon side was chosen. Both these men of foresight possessed not only the utmost confidence in the future of the Colony but realised that it was essential to have hotel accommodation worthy of the great importance of the port and of a nature befitting its dignity as one of the premier shipping centres of the world.
And as to the choice of Kowloon Point as the site of this great caravanserai; there were many considerations which led to its being the most appropriate. Not only is it "The Gateway of the Colony" inasmuch as all the big liners. berth on that side of the harbour, but it is the location of the railway terminus and in itself is developing into a residential and business centre of great importance. The development of Kowloon and New Kowloon is and must remain incomparably greater than anything which is possible within the restricted limits of the City of Victoria, where land values are high and will tend to go higher. The natural outlet for Hongkong's growth lies in the wider spaces of the mainland, and the Peninsula Hotel will become more and more the focal point in the activity of inter-communication which must forever go on between the older and newer com- munities. Situated as it is almost on the seafront of our wonderful harbour, commanding beautiful views at all points of the compass, and set in the very path of travellers by sea and rull, the Peninsula Hotel stands to-day a splendid monument to the foresight of those who determined its origin, position and
nature.
Grand Stairway leading to First Floor,
around which runs the carriage- mainland side of the harbour, a way. The handsome bronze and striking feature being a beautifu plate glass doors of the main banking hall, 84 feet long by 24 entrance are protected by a feet wide. It is a magnificent room, on either the floor being of black and white canopy and adorned side by large pedestal electric murble with the whole of the wood- lamps. The whole of the exterior work in teak. The walls are panel- of the hotel has been covered led to a height of over 12 feet, and with Zinzosck! plaster, coatte with there is a deep freize and panelled calling in plaster to complete a Szerelmey's water-proofing stone
etriking effect. The architects for walla liquid. this rendering the
the work were Messrs. Grey and immune from leakage
during
Hawker, who, together with the fol rain's the heavy driving
Cx- perienced in the Colony, and also lowing contractors, the Hongkong & preserving the masonary. Around Whampoa Dock Co., Ltd. (Joinery the first floor terrace, which will and bronze fittings), the Hongkong. be used as an at fresco adjunct to Engineering and Construction Co., the first floor lounge, there runs Ltd. (construction work), Arts & a line of lange pedestal lamps, Jack & Co., Ltd. (electric light), Crafts, Ltd. (plaster), William C.. this completing a frontal aspect
and Vangini & Co. (marble), are to of outstanding character.
la congratulated, on the result of their joint laboura,
Kowloon's First Bank. That portion of the ground floor of the west wing which fronts im-1
All photographs in this supple- mediately on to Salisbury Road has ment were specially taken by been taken by the Hongkong and Kobza Studio, Shanghai, and all: Shanghai Banking Corporation in Procces Blocks made by South which to open its first branch on the China Morning Post, Ltd.----