86-89 Connaught Road Central [c.1905-c.1914]

Submitted by Klaus on Wed, 02/02/2022 - 23:46
Current condition
Demolished / No longer exists
Date completed
(Day, Month, & Year are approximate.)
Date closed / demolished
(Day, Month, & Year are approximate.)

Although only four numbers are assigned to this place, probably 9-10 houses were built there. Again, the building date is estimated to 1905.

To get an impression about the buildings here is a map from 1922 together with a photo from around 1910.  In these early days it looked different to the mid-1930s

Connaught Road houses between Gilman Street and the Harbour Office ca. 1910/1922
Connaught Road houses between Gilman Street and the Harbour Office ca. 1910/1922, by Klaus

The houses are only partly visible. They look very similar to all other buildings with 4 floors in this area. It is the place where the Sincere Department Store will open a more prestigious building in 1915. Before that the house probably had another use. 

Before the new building was opened, they likely used the older houses as a store already.  Likely they are shown on this photo which is probably from the 1910s (and not 1920s) where the Sincere sign is visible.

1910s Praya Canton Steamer
1920s Praya Canton Steamer, by Admin

 These building were demolished in the mid-1910s.

The Public Works Report for 1915 refers under No. 46:

The new and extensive premises for the Sincere Company in Wing Wo Street were completed.

These are the "new and extensive premises". (86-89 Connaught Road Central)

Connaught Road Houses 74-89 (1930 )
Connaught Road Houses 74-89 (1930 ), by Klaus

Photos that show this Place

1911