Broadwood Road came into being in 1915 and was an exclusive development of elegant colonial-style houses, either bungalows or two-storey, on the Broadwood ridge. Because of their raised elevation, these houses enjoyed cooling breezes and pleasing views, and were built with the wealthy in mind.
Numbers 9 and 10 were 2 storeys and were different from the rest because they were semi-detached. They were built in 1915-16 by C E Warren and Co Ltd. Architect Charles Warren liked the ridge development enough to own two properties himself later on. Number 20, the Towers, was the finest on the ridge.
These houses typically had several rooms with kitchen, two bathrooms and servants' quarters. They were constructed from locally cut granite blocks and concrete, with timber rafters. They were painted white, and would have gleamed brightly when newly painted. The granite walls would have kept temperatures cooler in summer and provided sturdy security in the typhoon season.
Occupants lived extremely comfortable lifestyles, with the services of an amah and a cook. For many years access anywhere would have been by rickshaw. Even when cars became more commonplace, Broadwood Road was just a single-track road, certainly up to the 1960s.
Because they were built on a ridge the houses had superb views not only to the front and rear of the house (Happy Valley/the Peak/Wanchai/the harbour, and the So Kon Po Valley looking east), but because of the extra floor, views north to Kowloon and south towards the Wong Nei Chung Gap.
Today 9/10 Broadwood Road no longer exists. The two towers of the Villa Rocha have taken its place, possibly Block A.
More can be found on the first Broadwood Road owners here.
Photos that show this Place
Comments
Belvedere 1 & 2
Nos. 9 and 10 Broadwood Road were known as Belvedere 1 and Belvedere 2 respectively. They were located in I.L. 1947 Section K. The original owner was Alfred Walters, chief engineer of Charles Baudouin steam ships. The two houses were bought by Wong Yee Chung in January 1920. Another name, Wo Kwung, appears as the rate payer in 1924, but by 1927-28 it was again Wong Yee Chung.
Ownership of Broadwood Rd houses
Aldi, re your addendum on my grandfather, Charles Warren, he gave his profession as "architect" rather than "builder" and was listed as such in the List of Authorized Architects of Hong Kong published in 1903. I'm sure it was always his aspiration to live at the top of the road for which he had been responsible for developing and in the grandest house. I also believe that no. 21 was destined for his son, Leslie Warren, named in CEW's will as the future heir to C.E. Warren & Co. and who had literally just finished his training as an architect in the UK when CEW died. Leslie did indeed take over the business, but a new will had changed the fate of the properties and his inheritance.
C.E. Warren's name appears as the rate payer for 16 Broadwood Road at one stage; at another stage, before the completion of 20 and 21, the two partners, Warren and Olson, were given as the joint rate payers for 13 Broadwood Road. Whether they were actually living there together is uncertain.
A propos of access to anywhere having to be by rickshaw from Broadwood Road, my father recalled being taken down to the races by sedan chair with liveried carriers. The road was very steep. Perhaps trips to and from school were by rickshaw. The Olsons meanwhile recalled that each Olson child had not one, but two amahs.
Thank you Jill
That's an important distinction. We need to get these things right. I will make changes accordingly.