The Historic Buildings: Senior Staff Quarter Building

History

The Senior Staff Quarters, a Grade II historic building, was built in 1923 for site managers of Waterworks, primarily expatriats at the rank of Inspector or above. At a later time, the building also provided accommodation for local Chinese Inspectors and Technical Managers.

In the interim time when the HKU Centennial Campus is being contructed, the building serves as a site office for the building contractor and other related site staff.

This two-storey structure with its Victorian/Edwardian Arts and Crafts style is an excellent example of British colonial domestic architecture of the 1920s. The use of rough and honed granite for the walls and multi-paned casement windows adds to the craftsman-like finishes typical of the work of many Arts and Crafts architects. It is a manifestation of the status and life of senior public servants in that period.

Adaptive Re-use

The building will be revitalized to accommodate the University Press showroom and some of its office. At the same time, the lower floor will serve as a reception and exhibition venue for University visitors.

Floor Plans

Building Elevations