Hong Kong Club Building

The Hong Kong Club Building is 25-storey office building located in between Chater Road and Connaught Road Central at the junction of Jackson Road, in Central, Hong Kong, China. The Hong Kong Club Building is currently in its third generation, in its second location. It is owned by the Hong Kong Club, which occupies 8 levels, while the other floors are leased for office use.The Hong Kong Club Building, in its second incarnation, was one of the last examples of renaissance architecture remaining in Hong Kong. The building was completed in 1897, and demolished in June 1981. It was replaced by the current modern building.HistoryFirst generationFounded in 1846, the Club's first premises were located along Queen's Road, from the corner of Wyndham Street to the corner of D'Aguilar Street.The three-storey building was designed in a classic style. The cost of construction and furniture of ₤15,000 was raised through an issue of £100 shares.A chronicle article from 1847 said: "It is a handsome three-storey building and with the out offices covers nearly the third of an acre of ground... "The interior arrangements are very elegant and reflect great credit on the architect (Mr. S. Strachan) for whose design for the building a premium was awarded.... The entrance hall and grand staircase in the centre supported on fluted columns with capitals in the Corinthian order has a very noble effect..." In 1897, the club moved to more spacious accommodation next to the war memorial, on a sea-front plot of land created by the Central Praya reclamation. The existing building was sold to A. S. Watson & Company, who initially rented it out to the short-lived New club'', a club for master mariners. The plot of the first generation Club Building is now occupied by the Entertainment Building.