Hong Kong’s Historic Red Swastika Society Building Set for Upgrade

Release date: 2024-09-12 20:13

The Hong Kong Red Swastika Society Building, a historic landmark in Causeway Bay, is expected to be upgraded to a Grade I historic building. The building, which‌ has ‌been providing medical and pharmaceutical services since its construction in 1940, boasts⁣ a unique blend of Chinese and Western architectural ‍styles.

Located on Wong Lung Road in Causeway Bay, the three-storey building features a symmetrical layout, arched windows, cantilevered terraces, and a bifold​ staircase connecting to the main entrance. The building’s design is a testament to ⁤its rich ​history and cultural significance.

Upon entering ⁢the‍ building, visitors are ​greeted by a basement lobby with a red ​and green terrazzo floor,⁣ adorned with Chinese-style painted and wood-carved beams. The main staircase, decorated with terrazzo and⁤ equipped with wooden handrails, connects to the first and second floors. The Nanguang Pavilion‍ on the rooftop is a⁣ stunning example of ⁤Chinese‍ decoration, with a ceiling painted with murals of blue​ sky and ‌auspicious clouds.

The building has maintained most of its ⁤original appearance, and its free clinic has been in operation since its construction. According to Yam Tak-tiam,⁣ vice-president of ⁣the Hong Kong Red Swastika Society,⁣ the building was originally ⁢used to provide medical services and donations to the grassroots public. The society offers free dental, ophthalmology, and general clinic services, with​ a peak period in the 1980s seeing 700 to 800 people attending ⁢every day.

The Ancient Advisory Council has ⁤recommended that the​ building be upgraded from a Grade II historic building⁤ to a Grade I ⁤historic⁣ building. The Red ​Swastika Society has expressed its ‌commitment to preserving the building’s architectural ‍features and⁤ contributing to its conservation. However, the building’s exterior walls are in‌ need of repair, with peeling and cracking causing leaks during rainfall. The society has⁣ applied for maintenance funds from the government and expects to complete the approval and reinforcement works within the next two years.

Key Features of the Hong Kong‍ Red​ Swastika Society Building

• Unique blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles
• Three-storey building‍ with symmetrical layout
• Arched windows, cantilevered terraces, and bifold staircase
• Red ‍and green terrazzo floor in the basement lobby
• Chinese-style painted ⁤and wood-carved beams
• Nanguang ‌Pavilion on the rooftop with​ Chinese decoration

Conservation Efforts

The‌ Red Swastika Society is committed⁢ to preserving ‍the building’s architectural features⁢ and contributing to its conservation. The society has applied for maintenance funds from the government ​to repair ⁣the building’s exterior walls and prevent further damage.