Club Germania (German Club) - 2nd location [1865-????]

Submitted by annelisec on
Current condition
Demolished / No longer exists
Date completed

sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkjo/view/44/4402104.pdf

1859 - Queen's Road East / Wanchai

1865 - Corner of Wyndham and d'Aguilar St

 

Photos that show this Place

1868
1880
1941

Comments

Noted the mention of Club Germania in Twentieth impressions of Hong Kong, Shanghai etc (publication date 1908):

"Founded in November 1859, the first premises were situated near the present officers' quarters in Queen's Road East. In March of the following year (1860), larger premises in Lower Wyndham Street, opposite the German Consulate, were leased, and here the Club remained until the building now occupied by the Phoenix Club was completed......This structure..... was formally opened on February 2, 1872."

 

The advertisement in the Hong Kong Daily Press, 1864-06-08, indicates that the German Club had its first location in Hollywood Road and possibly not in Wanchai. It could also be possible that this was an intermediate club building between the Wanchai and the Wyndham Street ones.

ex German Club advert 1964, by Klaus

Numerous sources give the first location as being on Queen's Road East (QRE), Wanchai. I think this section of QRE i.e. today's "Admiralty" was considered as being in or part of Wanchai at the time.

 

In 1909 (50th Anniversary), The Chairman's address outlined, in brief the origin of the Club from its foundation when it was located in humble quarters in Wanchai, and subsequently transferred to College Chambers*. When those temporary quarters became too congested the Club moved its habitat into Wyndham Street, now occupied by the Phoenix Club. As the German community grew in size and importance, a building commensurate with its dignity and wealth was thought of. The result of the project is now seen in the magnificent building on Kennedy Road.

*Mention made in https://gwulo.com/node/6118 that College Chambers was previously the site of the French Hotel which was at the top of Wyndham Street opposite the Bishop's House, near St. Paul's College.

Source:

  1. Hong Kong Telegraph 27 November 1909

 

(As for the Hollywood Road address of the German Club, it was not unusual for clubs to seek additional temporary premises elsewhere due to increased membership or a lack of space in the parent Club. It may just be prior to the move to College Chambers from QRE, additional premises had been leased to facilitate the relocation to Wyndham Street)