We had some friends stay at the Conrad Hotel last week. Here's the view from their window, showing the re-development of the old Magazine site nearly finished. If you zoom right in you can see there's still a short section of the railway tracks in front of the flat-roofed building between the two red-roofed buildings.
I was around that area last weekend, and called in for a quick look around. Access to the open areas is free, and it's a pleasant area to wander around. I see they also offer guided tours - I'd be interested to hear feedback from anyone who has been on the tour.
This is Asia Society Hong Kong Center. I'm sorry that it has taken us so long to reply, but I have just come across this post and wanted to update anyone who is interested about our heritage site tours. We have public tours (Cantonese and English) scheduled on certain weekends, and can also organise private tours for interested groups - all the information and contact details are on our website (see above previous post). Or I can arrange one specially for Gwulo members via this post.
I also have a question for anyone who is familiar with British military equipment. I would like to find out what type of oil lantern would have been used on our site, around the time that Magazine B was built - circa 1906, can anyone help?
The buildings which comprise the Former Explosive Magazine (舊域多利 軍營軍火庫) were intended to serve as a storehouse of explosives for the British Army of the Old Victoria Barracks. Erected between 1843 and 1874, the Magazine comprises three main buildings separated by large earth blast bunds. Magazine A and the Old Laboratory were in existence by 1868. Magazine B and the North and South Traverses (the large earth blast bunds separating the magazines for safety concern) were added between 1901 and 1925. In 1979, the Victoria Barracks were vacated and later redeveloped into the Hong Kong Park. The Former Explosives Magazine became the workshops and storehouses of different Government departments.
Today it is part of the Asia Society Hong Kong Center.
Comments
Asia Society re-development looks about finished
We had some friends stay at the Conrad Hotel last week. Here's the view from their window, showing the re-development of the old Magazine site nearly finished. If you zoom right in you can see there's still a short section of the railway tracks in front of the flat-roofed building between the two red-roofed buildings.
Former Explosives Magazine
Phil asked:
Anybody been yet? I may make an effort over the next few weeks, but was wondering if anyone had any comments?
http://asiasociety.org/hong-kong/visit/rebirth-former-explosives-magazine
I was around that area last weekend, and called in for a quick look around. Access to the open areas is free, and it's a pleasant area to wander around. I see they also offer guided tours - I'd be interested to hear feedback from anyone who has been on the tour.
I'll upload a few photos next.
Regards, David
Former Explosives Magazine
My firm AGC Design Ltd. is the project architect
British Army oil lanterns circa 1900
Hello,
This is Asia Society Hong Kong Center. I'm sorry that it has taken us so long to reply, but I have just come across this post and wanted to update anyone who is interested about our heritage site tours. We have public tours (Cantonese and English) scheduled on certain weekends, and can also organise private tours for interested groups - all the information and contact details are on our website (see above previous post). Or I can arrange one specially for Gwulo members via this post.
I also have a question for anyone who is familiar with British military equipment. I would like to find out what type of oil lantern would have been used on our site, around the time that Magazine B was built - circa 1906, can anyone help?
Many thanks, Jade
Former Explosives Magazine of the Old Victoria Barracks
Historic Building Appraisal Number 206
The buildings which comprise the Former Explosive Magazine (舊域多利 軍營軍火庫) were intended to serve as a storehouse of explosives for the British Army of the Old Victoria Barracks. Erected between 1843 and 1874, the Magazine comprises three main buildings separated by large earth blast bunds. Magazine A and the Old Laboratory were in existence by 1868. Magazine B and the North and South Traverses (the large earth blast bunds separating the magazines for safety concern) were added between 1901 and 1925. In 1979, the Victoria Barracks were vacated and later redeveloped into the Hong Kong Park. The Former Explosives Magazine became the workshops and storehouses of different Government departments.
Today it is part of the Asia Society Hong Kong Center.