1881 Heritage 文物1881

【Photo Journey】《Heritage 1881》In 2014, I returned to Hong Kong and visited the former Hong Kong Marine Police Headquarters which ceased its operation in 1996 and became the "Heritage 1881" in Tsim Sha Tsui. This new architectural complex retained the main building of the marine police headquarters, stable block, time ball tower, fire station and accommodation block. My last visit did not let me get a full view of the building complex because of the restricted opening to the public.
This time the full opening gave me a free and thorough overview of the traditional buildings. My memory went back to the time when Hong Kong was a British colony.  I had appreciated the characteristics of the former Hong Kong Marine Police and the architectural style of the headquarters. Owing to the flying time and political change, I could only reminisce the old face of Hong Kong through the relic and her history. "Heritage 1881" was accorded as Grade 1 status by the Hong Kong Advisory Board. However, the 200 pieces of century old trees were eliminated in the time of the construction leaving only 18 behind. This has proven the commercial benefit and environmental conservation are contradictory to each other and expecting their co-existence is only a fantasy story in Hong Kong. I am upset by this!

-------------------------------------------
Photo equipment:
Nikon Coolpix P7800
iPhone 6s with 645 PRO
-------------------------------------------

【光影記行】《文物1881》2014年返港，在尖沙咀走訪了1996年停用的香港水警總部，現改為「文物1881」。這新頴的建築群保存了水警主樓、馬廐、報時塔、消防局及消防局宿舍。上次局部開放，未能一窺全豹，今次全面的開放，讓我自由參觀了保留的傳統建築，也將我帶回英國殖民時代的香港，欣賞香港水警的特式和建築風貌。可惜時間飛逝、朝移世易，祇能從保存的文物中重溫香港的舊貌，緬懷一點歷史痕跡。「文物1881」被香港古物諮詢委員會定為一級古蹟。原址200多棵的百年古樹於地盤施工期間慘遭斬伐，祇剩18棵，這説明經濟效益與環境保育互相衝突，要兩者並存，乃天方夜譚，為此，我感到難過。

༺༒༻

(Click photo for a larger view)

【 Main Building ● 主樓】

#1. Panorama of the "1881 Heritage"
「文物1881」全景照

#2. Main building of the former HK Marine Headquarters
前香港水警總部主樓

#3. New and old
新與舊

#4. Corridor of the main building
主樓長廊

#5. Arch pillars of the main building
主樓拱柱

#6. Pillars and corridors
樑柱與走廊

#7. The very rare Indian Balcony made of complete cast-iron structure.
全鑄鐵結構的「印度式陽台」，十分罕有。

#8. A historical machine gun
歷史機關槍

༺༒༻

【 Former Stable Block ● 前馬廄】

#9. Former stable block
前馬廄

#10. The former stable block was transformed to a new restaurant
前馬廄用作餐廳

#11. The Parlour is a restaurant in the old building of the Victorian style.
建於舊建築的長廊餐廳具英國維多利亞格調

#12. Classic lamp and arch corridor
古雅燈式配於拱形走廊

#13. Flowery corridor of the former stable
馬廄長廊花飾

#14. Former stable block (left) and Main building (right)
前馬廄(左)及主樓(右)

༺༒༻

【 Time Ball Tower ● 報時塔】

#15. Time Ball Tower
報時塔

#16. Time Ball Tower, gas lamps and typhoon signal mast
報時塔、煤氣燈與颱風訊號柱。

#17. Main entrance to the former Time Ball Tower
前報時塔正門

#18. Old postcard of the Time Ball Station
報時塔舊明信片

#19. Old postcard of the Time Ball Station
報時塔舊明信片

#20. Looking through the round window frame of the Time Ball Tower
報時塔圓形窗框外望

#21. Typhoon signals
颱風訊號

#22. Typhoon signal mast and gas lamps
颱風訊號柱與煤氣燈

༺༒༻

【 Square Buildings ● 廣場建築】

#23. Public square
廣場

#24. Former fire station
前消防局

#25. Now the Shanghai Tang boutiques
現在時上海灘時裝名店

#26. Former fire station (right) and accommodation block (left)
前消防局(右)及宿舍(左)

༺༒༻

【 100 Years Old Trees ● 百年古樹】

#27. One of the remaining historical trees of a century old
 其中剩下的一棵百年古樹

#28. New layered structures for shops were built to sacrifice the century old trees.
犧牲了百年古樹為名店增建幾層建築

#29. Balance between commercial benefits and environmental conservation
商業效益與環保的平衡

#30. Bustling scene in festive season
節日熱鬧場面

#31. Only 18 trees left for the sake of 1881 Heritage (internet photo)
為了「文物1881」，今天只剩18棵樹。(網上照片)

#32. Sorrowful farewell to these 200 pieces of old trees (internet photo)
向這200 棵古樹傷別 (網上照片)

༺༒༻

Related Post: 《Former Hong Kong Marine Police Headquarters 前香港水警總部》