Photo taken from above the reservoir near Hong Kong Parkview. Almost from the same spot as Cliff Atkins used in 1980.
On the left in both photos is Celestial Garden. In Cliff's photo one sees a building under construction. This is likely not Carrianna Repulse Bay (3 Repulse Bay Road) which can be seen in my photo.
It looks as if there was a short-lived building from c.1980 until c.1995. It was likely demolished and replaced by Carrianna (occupation started in 1997).
Date picture taken
13 Nov 2025
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Short-lived building
Thanks for highlighting this short-lived building! Here is an aerial photo that gives us a rare glimpse of its appearance, complete with a swimming pool on the podium terrace. Information about this building seems scarce online.
Unlike neighboring Celestial Garden, which has survived to the present day, I suspect the original building was under single ownership. That would explain how such a relatively 'new' building could be demolished so quickly to make way for today's Carrianna Repulse Bay.
3 Repulse Bay Road
3 Repulse Bay Road was acquired by China Underwriters Life & General Insurance Company Ltd. in March 1982. That company was a member of Carrian Group, which involved in one of the largest fraud, bribery and corruption in Hong Kong history. The group collapsed in 1983 and it assets was liquidated to pay off creditors.
Reference:
Interim Report to Shareholders of China Underwriters Life & General Insurance Co.,Ltd, 16 Sep 1982, announced on p.56 of SCMP the next day.
3 Repulse Bay Road
Thank you both for the comments. Seems to be difficult to get further information.
Vacant Building
Thanks cwyip911 for the info! The building seems to have remained vacant ever since that acquisition. Checking the 1993 color aerial map view on HK Maps shows that its swimming pool wasn't filled at all.