38-724: Mountain Lodge was the former summer residence of the Governor of Hong Kong on Victoria Peak on the Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong . The second building was a two-storey Renaissance style home and was demolished in 1946. The site is now the Victoria Peak Garden , a public park. The Gate Lodge , which originally served as living quarters for the keeper of Mountain Lodge, is still extant. A military sanatorium
76-609: A British colony, and took four years to complete. The first Governor to live there was Sir John Bowring , the fourth Governor of the territory. The last one was the last Governor, Chris Patten . Government House also housed the Legislative Council of Hong Kong from 1855 to the 1930s. The Council used the ballroom from 1891 onward During the Japanese occupation during the Second World War (1941–1945), it
114-525: A bonsai gallery was introduced in the Veranda. Donald Tsang , the second Chief Executive, moved into Government House in January 2006, following extensive renovations. The Standard criticised that the renovation cost was estimated at HK$ 14.5 million, including a sum of HK$ 300,000 allocated to a new fish pond designed to accommodate Tsang's collection of koi . During 2005 to 2012, an outdoor fish pond
152-516: A car park, a kiosk and a public toilet at the west of the pavilion. The pavilion of the Garden was built upon the masonry platform of the former Mountain Lodge. In 1979, a pair of stone lions, donated by businessman Mr. Chau Yau, was located at the northern entrance of the pavilion. Another pair of stone lions was donated by the Lions Club in the 1990s, which was placed at the southern entrance of
190-454: A judge at Mountain Lodge, and lost. Photos of two of three buildings on the site are at this reference. Sir William H. Marsh was Colonial Secretary and then the acting Governor, from 1879–1886. His wife, Mrs. Marsh advertised "at homes" at Mountain Lodge. In 1892, another typhoon did some damage. You can see photos of both the first and second incarnations of Mountain Lodge at this reference. In 1892, Governor Robinson (1891–1898) designated
228-415: A year to the public. At least one will be arranged in spring to enable members of the public to share the delight in viewing the full bloom of the azaleas. Visitors are usually allowed to pass by the drawing room, dining room and ballroom where key official functions are held. The open days are generally arranged during weekends. Dates are announced through press releases one week in advance. No admission fee
266-410: Is charged. The ballroom of Government House was made available in the 1990s on three Fridays each month for bookings by charitable, non-profit or public organisations to host events that benefit the community. The nature of the event under application must be well-matched with the identity of Government House as an important historical monument of Hong Kong and with its status as a dignified location for
304-607: Is on a 24,000-square-metre (5.9-acre) plot of land. Its front elevation faces south towards the Peak , while right below its northern part are the former Central Government Offices (currently the Justice Place). Government House is a declared monument under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance . Government House was designed by Charles St George Cleverly . Construction started in 1851, eight years after Hong Kong became
342-644: Is the official residence of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong . It was constructed in 1855 as a Colonial Renaissance -style building, but was significantly remodelled during the Japanese occupation , resulting in the current hybrid Japanese- neoclassical form. Government House was the official residence of the Governor from 1855 to 1997, when the territory was under British rule . Of the 28 governors of Hong Kong, 25 used this building as their official residence. Located between Upper Albert Road and Lower Albert Road , Mid-Levels, Central, Government House
380-472: Is used for receiving guests and holding meetings. Its walls and ceilings are embellished with exquisite plaster mouldings. At the front entrance on Upper Albert Road, there are two buildings with an iron gate known as the Gate Lodges. Built in 1855, they are the oldest structures of Government House. They were designed by Surveyor General Charles St. George Cleverly who was in charge of the construction of
418-580: The Hong Kong Government to hold official functions. In early 2006, the Chief Executive moved into Government House and used it as official residence and office. Most of the staff in the Chief Executive's Office have also been relocated to Government House to support the Chief Executive. Since then, Government House is no longer available for booking due to security and operational reasons. In 1900, Mountain Lodge , on Victoria Peak ,
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#1732794109942456-593: The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in World War II. The governor of Hong Kong used a Daimler DS420 for day to day transport and a Rolls-Royce Phantom V landaulet for ceremonial occasions. Both vehicles were removed by the Royal Navy immediately following the handover to China on 1 July 1997. Government House, Hong Kong Government House , located on Government Hill in Central , Hong Kong,
494-604: The Director of Public Works, Francis Cooper , to restore the lodge. But due to the deteriorating condition of the lodge, the restoration scheme was given up and the lodge was demolished in 1898. In 1892, the Gate Lodge was built is in Renaissance style. However, when Sir Henry Arthur Blake became governor, he did not like the proposals. Instead, he appointed Palmer & Turner for another design. This second design
532-455: The Governor's use. He had noted that the temperature was 14 °F (7.8 °C) less than Central District in the summer. There were three main buildings at the first Mountain Lodge. The Lodge itself, faced toward Pok Fu Lam on one side, and the lawn on the other. Two smaller buildings, rather like large European-style cabins, and faced the lawn with their backs to the hillside. However,
570-516: The Photo: The lawn in front of the mansion is now the car park for the Victoria Peak Garden public park. The lawn on the lower left was the site of the first Mountain Lodge. Sir Cecil Clementi had it refurnished for his use in 1925, and included a small safe. In 1932, it was proposed that the Governor have a house in Fanling , and plans were then made to abandon Mountain Lodge. In 1938, it
608-655: The civil functions of this office went to the chief executive of Hong Kong , and military functions went to the commander of the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison . Authorities and duties of the governor were defined in the Hong Kong Letters Patent and Royal Instructions in 1843. The governor, appointed by the British monarch (on the advice of the Foreign Secretary ), exercised
646-413: The entrance. During 1971 to 1982, a kidney-shaped swimming pool was built in the garden. During 1982 to 1986, an ornamental pool with a fountain was created at the foot of the main stairs leading down from the north Veranda. During 1987 to 1992, a small pergola on the lower terrace was erected and the water feature of the main garden staircase was converted into an impressive planter. Government House
684-532: The executive branch of the government of Hong Kong throughout British sovereignty and, with the exception of a brief experiment after World War II , no serious attempt was made to introduce representative government, until the final years of British rule. The governor of Hong Kong chaired the colonial cabinet , the Executive Council (ExCo), and, until 1993, was also the president of the Legislative Council . The governor appointed most, if not all, of
722-670: The first generation of Government House in the 1850s. The lodges once housed the Government House Guards, who stood in front of the house and protected the Governor of Hong Kong . Various units of the British Army stationed in Hong Kong were used as guard units. Following the handover in 1997, officers of the Hong Kong Police have guarded the building. The garden of Government House is opened twice
760-460: The front with granite frames is a notable architectural feature of Government House The exterior of Government House is plastered in Art Deco style. Government House has its unique character and historical meanings with a blend of different architectural styles added on over more than a century. Government House has a front lawn and a back garden with dazzling flowers. Originally planted in 1919,
798-442: The ground were found on the former Mountain Lodge site during pre-construction checks. They have been confirmed to be the original tiles and steps of the second Mountain Lodge. A report with photos showing the original tiles and steps is available online. In 1969, the former Urban Council redeveloped the site as a park (the current Victoria Peak Garden ) with public facilities including a new pavilion, lighting and drainage systems,
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#1732794109942836-543: The grounds. Among those trees stands the giant Litchi chinensis. The garden also features a kidney-shaped swimming pool and an outdoor fish pond. Ballroom – The Ballroom is used for hosting banquets for guests from home and abroad. It is also the venue for the Honours and Awards Presentation Ceremony and various community engagement activities. Dining Room – The Dining Room is used for banquets of smaller scale for guests from home and abroad. Drawing Room – The Drawing Room
874-664: The last governor, Chris Patten , who was a career politician. In December 1996, the governor's salary was HK$ 3,036,000 per annum, tax-free. It was fixed at 125% of the chief secretary's salary. In the absence of the governor, the chief secretary immediately became the acting governor of the colony. The chief secretaries were historically drawn from the Colonial Office or British military. One Royal Navy Vice Admiral served as administrator after World War II . Four Japanese military officers (three Army officers and one naval vice admiral) served as administrators during
912-399: The lodge was severely damaged by a typhoon in the next year. In 1873, Governor Kennedy (1872–1877) ordered to refurbish and extend the lodge, but it was again destroyed by a typhoon in 1874. James Russell , Chief Justice of the Hong Kong supreme court , applied for a lease on the property in 1875, but it was not granted. Governor Hennessy (1877–1882) engaged in an umbrella fight with
950-435: The members of the colony's legislature (known colloquially as LegCo), which was largely an advisory body until the first indirect election to LegCo was held in 1985. Initially, both councils were dominated by British expatriates, but this progressively gave way to local Hong Kong Chinese appointees in later years. Historically, the governors of Hong Kong were either professional diplomats or senior colonial officials, except for
988-550: The multi-coloured azaleas bloom every spring. There is also a rare species of tree, Brownea grandiceps (Rose of Venezuela), originating from South America and listed in the Register of Old and Valuable Trees of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Seven metres tall, with a crown spread of nine metres, this tree has been maintained in superb condition by the dedicated horticultural staff. Indeed, there are many mature trees on
1026-563: The pavilion. Three identical marking stones for the Lodge were rediscovered in 1978; since then, one of them has been placed at the northeast corner of the former lodge grounds. One of the three GOVERNORS RESIDENCE stones has been erected in a flowerbed close to the Government House , Mid-Levels since 1980. 22°16′27″N 114°08′36″E / 22.274132°N 114.143354°E / 22.274132; 114.143354 Governor of Hong Kong The governor of Hong Kong
1064-532: The site. The site was then used for picnics until 1867 Granville and Matilda Sharp (after whom Matilda Hospital is named) who had long advocated the Peak as a healthy alternative to the lower levels, took a lease of the deserted sanatorium. Governor MacDonnell (1866–1872), in 1867, purchased the building from the War Department and transformed it into the first Mountain Lodge—a bungalow to be built for
1102-590: Was added in the back garden. During 2012 to 2017, three-bin composting system was added in the back garden. In 2017, one of the tennis courts was converted into a Landscaped Area. In 2022, HK$ 2.8 million was spent to renovate the house, before John Lee moved in. The main entrance of the house faces south towards Victoria Peak . Down on the northern side is the Former Central Government Offices , where most government secretariat offices were situated until 2011. The carriage porch at
1140-606: Was built as an alternate summer home for the Governor, a role it retained until 1934. The building survived until 1946, but today only the Gate Lodge and Victoria Peak Garden remain. One of three "GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE" marking stones of the former Mountain Lodge was erected in the small flower bed in front of the entrance of the Government House in 1980. From 1934, Fanling Lodge , in the New Territories ,
1178-506: Was constructed in the Renaissance style of Scottish lodges and built between 1900 and 1902. The building was described by the media as the most imposing and handsome architecture on the Peak. Governor Sir Francis Henry May and Lady May used it extensively and there are several photos of their family showing everyday life at Mountain Lodge 1910–1920. Thomas Southorn also lived there with his wife, including during 1925–1936. Notes on
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1216-577: Was declared a monument in 1995 under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance. After the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China in 1997, the House became a reception for ceremonies (such as the conferring of Honours and formal banquets). Tung Chee Hwa , the first chief executive , did not reside in Government House but rather at Grenville House . During 1997 to 2005,
1254-631: Was occupied by the Japanese Military Governor. The form of the building was changed to a hybrid Japanese/neoclassical image by Seichi Fujimura (藤村正一 Fujimura Seiichi ) in 1944, primarily through the addition of a tower and roof elements. On 16 September 1945, the Instrument of Surrender was signed at Government House. The Japanese fittings of Government House were removed in 1946, but the tower remains to this day. During 1947 to 1957, two sculptured stone lions were erected at
1292-476: Was proposed and established by Governor Hercules Robinson (1859–1865). A path was cut in December 1859 from what is now Robinson Road to the top of Victoria Peak, and the sanatorium was opened in the spring of 1862. It was well-built on the plateau below the flag-staff and 17 patients were sent there. However, the patients, like those in the rest of Hong Kong that year, did not improve and the military abandoned
1330-449: Was proposed that both Government House and Mountain Lodge be abandoned, and a single home built at Magazine Gap. The Second World War intervened. The building, sometimes referred to as Former Mountain Lodge , no longer exists as it was demolished in 1946. The Gate Lodge and the granite foundations remain, however. During the Peak improvement project in January 2007, pieces of wall, roof tiles and several in situ granite steps beneath
1368-446: Was still heavily criticised by Hong Kongers, and his popularity fell well below 40% by the time of his resignation. The Standard believed Tung's reason to stay away from the mansion was political: a subtle effort to reduce the age-old British legacy over Hong Kong. Other sources mention that "it was the warning about spying devices [installed throughout Government House] that scared him away". There are 20 housekeeping positions at
1406-555: Was the representative of the British Crown in Hong Kong from 1843 to 1997. In this capacity, the governor was president of the Executive Council and commander-in-chief of the British Forces Overseas Hong Kong . The governor's roles were defined in the Hong Kong Letters Patent and Royal Instructions . Upon the end of British rule and the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, most of
1444-414: Was used as a summer residence for the Governor. It has retained this role, and is now the alternative residence of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong. The Lodge is occupied mainly at weekends and on holidays. According to The New York Times , alleged bad feng shui was the reason Tung Chee Hwa refused to live or work in Government House upon becoming Chief Executive. During his terms as Chief Executive, he
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