worth adding a few details: the original buildings were constructed in 1892 as a cold storage centre or ice house. They were remodelled around 1913(hence the 1913 date on the fringe club section), when Dairy Farm expanded it to include a head office and provision store, a butchery, a pie-making section and a delicatessen. http://www.dairyfarmgroup.com/history/history1886.htm
eventually in the late 1970s Dairy Farm moved their offices and the buildings stood empty, awaiting demolition. The FCC was looking for a new home with the demolition of Sutherland House. They tried with the governor for Murray House and ended up with one block of the Dairy Farm, while the other half was set aside for the Fringe Club in 1984. The government owns the lease and periodically renews it.
Annelise you're right that the first ice house stood nearer sea level; I think Ice House Lane was one of the very first streets in Hong Kong. The connection continued though with these buildings which sit at the top of Ice House Street
Notes from the AMO assessment, recommending it be upgraded from its present grade 2 status to grade 1:
Old Dairy Farm Depot, No. 2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong
Historical Interest: The Old Dairy Farm Depot (舊牛奶公司倉庫) was established in 1892 as a central depot for the distribution of milk from the Dairy Farm at Pokfulam founded by Sir Patrick Manson, a Scottish surgeon, and five prominent Hong Kong businessmen in 1886. The Company’s declared objectives were threefold:
to improve the health of Hong Kong people by supplying them with cow’s milk kept free from contamination by means of stringent hygiene;
to import a herd of dairy cattle in order to lower the price of milk by more than half;
to realize a profit for the Company Shareholders.
The original depot only comprised about half (the southern part) of the present premises. As the business thrived and its enterprises expanded, the Depot was enlarged with further extensions built in 1913, 1917 and 1925. During the Japanese occupation, the Company’s property was looted. The depot remained as the company‘s headquarters until 1970s. Since 1982, the Foreign Correspondent’s Club (香港外國記者會) occupied the north block and two years later, Fringe Club (藝穗 會) has leased the south block.
Architectural Merit: Although constructed over a period of time, the building, which now comprises a North Block and a South Block, is built in the same Eclectic architectural style with strong Neo-Classical and some Arts and Crafts influence. The use of polychromatic so-called “bandaged brickwork” gives the building a very striking appearance. Neo-classical features include moulded cornices, bull’s eye windows, architraved windows, keystones, pilasters and pediments combined together in eclectic profusion.
Rarity, Built Heritage Value & Authenticity: With its unique shape (due to the difficult corner site), it is a piece of architecture of a style now rare in Hong Kong. It is therefore of considerable built heritage value and externally at least remains fairly authentic in appearance.
Social Value & Local Interest: The historical social value of the building lies in Sir Patrick Manson’s original objective to improve the health of Hong Kong people by supplying them with cow’s milk kept free from contamination by means of stringent hygiene. The building’s local interest stems not only from the current use as the well known FCC and Fringe Club, but also as one of an important group of graded historical buildings in Central.
Group Value: The Old Dairy Farm Depot is important both architecturally and historically as an integral component of the Central District. Other western style historic buildings are found nearby. Grade I historic items of Bishop’s House (1892) (會督府) and St. Paul’s Church (early 20th century) (聖保羅堂) are opposed. Three declared monuments of the Former Central Magistracy (1913-14, Neo-Grecian style) (前中 區裁判司署), Victoria Prison (1814, Neo-Georgian) (域多利監獄) and the Central Police Station (1864) (中區警署) are located in close proximity.
Adaptive Re-use: Although other adaptive re-uses could probably be found, the present uses of the building seem to be compatible and suitable.
Remarks: In view of its historical and architectural merit, the Old Dairy Farm Depot was accorded a Grade II status by the Antiquities Advisory Board in 1981.
The heritage impact assessment report to AAB of AMO by the Fringe Club has been endorsed. Renovation works have begun in December 2011. In two phases, the first phase is expected to complete by april 2012. The scope of works has been scaled down somewhat due to structural constraints. The renovation will improve on the building safety and facilities for arts and culture activities at the Fringe Club which has been an outstanding example of the successful adaptive reuse of a graded historical building in Hong Kong.
What this little green lung of a place with trees looked life pre-Dairy Farm.
It would be great to get a map or photo of this area that showed the "Tanks" in-situ.
“BUILDING ON OPEN SPACES.
The conversion of the little cases of verdure and shade in the city of Victoria into piles of brick and mortar has been proceeding space during the last few years. The pleasant gardens that formerly surround the villas and bungalows on the levels above Wyndham Street and Hollywood Road have, to a large extent, given place to stacks of lofty dwellings mostly inferior both in comfort and appearance to the older houses. No vacant corners are now allowed to exist; no matter how angular or awkwardly placed a spare bit of ground may be the inevitable house springs up on it. Of course this is only in obedience to the law of demand and supply; land has so increased in value that owners are bound to make the most of it; and though we may regret the disappearance of these little lungs we have no right to grumble. But we hardly expected the Government would become a party to a scheme destined to materially circumscribe if not to ruin one of the few pleasant open spaces in the centre of the city. The land lying between Wyndham Street and Lower Albert Road, whereon the southern end of which the Tanks stand, between the Daily Press Office and St. Paul’s College, at a corner where five roads meet, has hitherto been held sacred from the builder, and rightly so, as it is a great centre of traffic and forms the approach to the Glenealy Ravine, the chief thoroughfare leading to the Botanic Gardens, Government House, and the Peak Road. It is now, however, proposed to plant a town office and depot for the Dairy Farm Company on this land, and plans for the building have been prepared, though we have not heard that the site has yet been put up to auction. The building, which will be some seventy feet in length, is to be a pretty structure of red brick, in the rustic style of architecture, two storeys in height in the centre, and one at each end. It will have its frontage to St. Paul’s College, and the back elevation on Wyndham Street, and will extend from a hole lately dug near the Tanks, apparently for the foundation, nearly to Pedder’s Hill. The building itself, designed by Messrs. DANBY, LEIGH, & ORANGE, will be no disfigurement to the locality, as it will be rather attractive than otherwise, but it is possible not to regard the disappearance of this little lung without regret , more especially as it is to be feared the gathering of coolies at the Dairy will constitute a great and daily nuisance to the neighbourhood. At the present time the place forms a gathering ground for the little ones, and the children of a larger growth are glad in the afternoons of the long hot summer to use the hospitable seats under the welcome shade of the trees and enjoy a little cooler air than is to be found in the crowded streets.”
Comments
dairy farm
worth adding a few details: the original buildings were constructed in 1892 as a cold storage centre or ice house. They were remodelled around 1913(hence the 1913 date on the fringe club section), when Dairy Farm expanded it to include a head office and provision store, a butchery, a pie-making section and a delicatessen. http://www.dairyfarmgroup.com/history/history1886.htm
eventually in the late 1970s Dairy Farm moved their offices and the buildings stood empty, awaiting demolition. The FCC was looking for a new home with the demolition of Sutherland House. They tried with the governor for Murray House and ended up with one block of the Dairy Farm, while the other half was set aside for the Fringe Club in 1984. The government owns the lease and periodically renews it.
Annelise you're right that the first ice house stood nearer sea level; I think Ice House Lane was one of the very first streets in Hong Kong. The connection continued though with these buildings which sit at the top of Ice House Street
Old Dairy Farm Depot
Notes from the AMO assessment, recommending it be upgraded from its present grade 2 status to grade 1:
Old Dairy Farm Depot, No. 2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong
Historical Interest: The Old Dairy Farm Depot (舊牛奶公司倉庫) was established in 1892 as a central depot for the distribution of milk from the Dairy Farm at Pokfulam founded by Sir Patrick Manson, a Scottish surgeon, and five prominent Hong Kong businessmen in 1886. The Company’s declared objectives were threefold:
The original depot only comprised about half (the southern part) of the present premises. As the business thrived and its enterprises expanded, the Depot was enlarged with further extensions built in 1913, 1917 and 1925. During the Japanese occupation, the Company’s property was looted. The depot remained as the company‘s headquarters until 1970s. Since 1982, the Foreign Correspondent’s Club (香港外國記者會) occupied the north block and two years later, Fringe Club (藝穗 會) has leased the south block.
Architectural Merit: Although constructed over a period of time, the building, which now comprises a North Block and a South Block, is built in the same Eclectic architectural style with strong Neo-Classical and some Arts and Crafts influence. The use of polychromatic so-called “bandaged brickwork” gives the building a very striking appearance. Neo-classical features include moulded cornices, bull’s eye windows, architraved windows, keystones, pilasters and pediments combined together in eclectic profusion.
Rarity, Built Heritage Value & Authenticity: With its unique shape (due to the difficult corner site), it is a piece of architecture of a style now rare in Hong Kong. It is therefore of considerable built heritage value and externally at least remains fairly authentic in appearance.
Social Value & Local Interest: The historical social value of the building lies in Sir Patrick Manson’s original objective to improve the health of Hong Kong people by supplying them with cow’s milk kept free from contamination by means of stringent hygiene. The building’s local interest stems not only from the current use as the well known FCC and Fringe Club, but also as one of an important group of graded historical buildings in Central.
Group Value: The Old Dairy Farm Depot is important both architecturally and historically as an integral component of the Central District. Other western style historic buildings are found nearby. Grade I historic items of Bishop’s House (1892) (會督府) and St. Paul’s Church (early 20th century) (聖保羅堂) are opposed. Three declared monuments of the Former Central Magistracy (1913-14, Neo-Grecian style) (前中 區裁判司署), Victoria Prison (1814, Neo-Georgian) (域多利監獄) and the Central Police Station (1864) (中區警署) are located in close proximity.
Adaptive Re-use: Although other adaptive re-uses could probably be found, the present uses of the building seem to be compatible and suitable.
Remarks: In view of its historical and architectural merit, the Old Dairy Farm Depot was accorded a Grade II status by the Antiquities Advisory Board in 1981.
re: Dairy Farm/Fringe Club
The Fringe Club's submission to the AMO for renovation works provides some more details plus some great photos over the different periods:
http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/ce/Museum/Monument/form/145meeting/AAB145-39-Appendix.pdf
The AMO knocked them back
Fringe Club renovation
The heritage impact assessment report to AAB of AMO by the Fringe Club has been endorsed. Renovation works have begun in December 2011. In two phases, the first phase is expected to complete by april 2012. The scope of works has been scaled down somewhat due to structural constraints. The renovation will improve on the building safety and facilities for arts and culture activities at the Fringe Club which has been an outstanding example of the successful adaptive reuse of a graded historical building in Hong Kong.
What this little green lung…
What this little green lung of a place with trees looked life pre-Dairy Farm.
It would be great to get a map or photo of this area that showed the "Tanks" in-situ.
“BUILDING ON OPEN SPACES.
The conversion of the little cases of verdure and shade in the city of Victoria into piles of brick and mortar has been proceeding space during the last few years. The pleasant gardens that formerly surround the villas and bungalows on the levels above Wyndham Street and Hollywood Road have, to a large extent, given place to stacks of lofty dwellings mostly inferior both in comfort and appearance to the older houses. No vacant corners are now allowed to exist; no matter how angular or awkwardly placed a spare bit of ground may be the inevitable house springs up on it. Of course this is only in obedience to the law of demand and supply; land has so increased in value that owners are bound to make the most of it; and though we may regret the disappearance of these little lungs we have no right to grumble. But we hardly expected the Government would become a party to a scheme destined to materially circumscribe if not to ruin one of the few pleasant open spaces in the centre of the city. The land lying between Wyndham Street and Lower Albert Road, whereon the southern end of which the Tanks stand, between the Daily Press Office and St. Paul’s College, at a corner where five roads meet, has hitherto been held sacred from the builder, and rightly so, as it is a great centre of traffic and forms the approach to the Glenealy Ravine, the chief thoroughfare leading to the Botanic Gardens, Government House, and the Peak Road. It is now, however, proposed to plant a town office and depot for the Dairy Farm Company on this land, and plans for the building have been prepared, though we have not heard that the site has yet been put up to auction. The building, which will be some seventy feet in length, is to be a pretty structure of red brick, in the rustic style of architecture, two storeys in height in the centre, and one at each end. It will have its frontage to St. Paul’s College, and the back elevation on Wyndham Street, and will extend from a hole lately dug near the Tanks, apparently for the foundation, nearly to Pedder’s Hill. The building itself, designed by Messrs. DANBY, LEIGH, & ORANGE, will be no disfigurement to the locality, as it will be rather attractive than otherwise, but it is possible not to regard the disappearance of this little lung without regret , more especially as it is to be feared the gathering of coolies at the Dairy will constitute a great and daily nuisance to the neighbourhood. At the present time the place forms a gathering ground for the little ones, and the children of a larger growth are glad in the afternoons of the long hot summer to use the hospitable seats under the welcome shade of the trees and enjoy a little cooler air than is to be found in the crowded streets.”
Source: Mail Supplement to the Hong Kong Daily Press, page 1, 19th March 1890