Mr J B Coughtrie, a 19th century amateur artist in Hong Kong, lived at Belmont for 11 years c1876-1887. Belmont was partially pulled down and rebuilt when he moved in.
He moved to Terraverte, Richmond Road, Westpoint district in 1887
A thunderstorm of most unusual violence, accompanied by heavy rain and wind raged over Hong Kong during the 22nd ultimo....On the higher levels no material damage was done to property except to Mr. Coughtrie's house, Belmont, the foundations of which at the north-east corner have been washed away by the bursting of a two-feet drain which appears to run under the house. The existence of the drain was unknown, and it is not marked on any of the drain plans. The giving way of the foundations caused a subsidence of the walls, in which there are now wide cracks. The corner of the house will require rebuilding, and the damage may be roughly estimated at $2,000. The lawn and garden are covered with sand and stones, carried down by the water, and the pathway leading up to the house is torn up in many places to a depth of several feet. Hong Kong Daily Press 1 June 1878 refers.
To Let Belmont Hong Kong Daily Press page 1 5th January 1872, by eurasian_david
Several observations:
1) The first iteration of this property was a bungalow and had an attached coach house and 4 stalled stable. Different from later photo of this building that retained the moniker 'Belmont'. I note that the building was partially pulled down and rebuilt in the late 1870s onwards when occupied by Mr J B Coughtrie, a 19th century amateur artist in Hong Kong.
2) Combine this with the earlier 1870 To Let notice - this property has been around since at least 1870 so the date of completion can be pushed back
3) Having a coach house and stables...and a bowling alley was clearly viewed as desirable add ons!
Thanks anne - it did puzzle me at first but I think it best to assume there were 2 properties called "The Blemont". I will uncouple the 2nd ad from this mid-levels Belmont until more info comes to light regarding the other Pok Fu Lam Belmont.
Addendum: In fact on the same page of the same day in the Hong Kong Daily Press of 5th January 1872 on the first page, there are ads for both properties - the mid-levels one is called "Belmont House" and the Pok Fu Lam one just called "Belmont" thus proving the existence of 2 separate properties.
Comments
Belmont is the building at
Belmont is the building at the top of the lane running uphill on the left side of the photo.
Mr J B Coughtrie, a 19th
Mr J B Coughtrie, a 19th century amateur artist in Hong Kong, lived at Belmont for 11 years c1876-1887. Belmont was partially pulled down and rebuilt when he moved in.
He moved to Terraverte, Richmond Road, Westpoint district in 1887
Source
1878 Belmont
Terrific Thunderstorm in Hong Kong
A thunderstorm of most unusual violence, accompanied by heavy rain and wind raged over Hong Kong during the 22nd ultimo....On the higher levels no material damage was done to property except to Mr. Coughtrie's house, Belmont, the foundations of which at the north-east corner have been washed away by the bursting of a two-feet drain which appears to run under the house. The existence of the drain was unknown, and it is not marked on any of the drain plans. The giving way of the foundations caused a subsidence of the walls, in which there are now wide cracks. The corner of the house will require rebuilding, and the damage may be roughly estimated at $2,000. The lawn and garden are covered with sand and stones, carried down by the water, and the pathway leading up to the house is torn up in many places to a depth of several feet. Hong Kong Daily Press 1 June 1878 refers.
To Let Belmont Hong Kong…
Several observations:
1) The first iteration of this property was a bungalow and had an attached coach house and 4 stalled stable. Different from later photo of this building that retained the moniker 'Belmont'. I note that the building was partially pulled down and rebuilt in the late 1870s onwards when occupied by Mr J B Coughtrie, a 19th century amateur artist in Hong Kong.
2) Combine this with the earlier 1870 To Let notice - this property has been around since at least 1870 so the date of completion can be pushed back
3) Having a coach house and stables...and a bowling alley was clearly viewed as desirable add ons!
Belmont - Pok Fu Lam
The second ad from Dec 1870 shows the location as Pokfulam, not mid-levels
Thanks anne - it did puzzle…
Thanks anne - it did puzzle me at first but I think it best to assume there were 2 properties called "The Blemont". I will uncouple the 2nd ad from this mid-levels Belmont until more info comes to light regarding the other Pok Fu Lam Belmont.
Addendum: In fact on the same page of the same day in the Hong Kong Daily Press of 5th January 1872 on the first page, there are ads for both properties - the mid-levels one is called "Belmont House" and the Pok Fu Lam one just called "Belmont" thus proving the existence of 2 separate properties.
Source: Hong Kong Daily Press, page 1, 5th January 1872