1930s Claremont Hotel

This photo is really interesting - the extensive grounds here were behind Chater Bungalow - which was demolished in October 1932. The grounds were described as like an "English wilderness garden" but looks rather landscaped here and certainly before any residential construction work.

The photo is very specifically dated 1st July 1930. This would have been before it was sold by the French Procuration (who bought Chater Bungalow in 1908) to a Chinese syndicate of fifteen in late 1931 with plans to redevelop the grounds for residential housing and formation of new roads - Hillwood Road and Pine Tree Hill Road (see my post on 26/12/22 from the Hong Kong Daily Press of 15th February 1933).

But look at the photo - it appears that Pine Tree Hill Road is already there (or the genesis of one with a slope to the gardens?) almost continuing on to Cox's Path (later Road).

Perhaps the slope that flowed down to Austin Road and was to become Pine Tree Hill Road had historically been there as part of the gardens of Chater Bungalow.