Hong Kong, Former Marine Police Headquarters – ‘1881 Heritage’

July 18, 2023 249 Views

In the area of Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong, one can still find old buildings constructed in the architectural style of the Victorian era, preserved and standing to this day. These buildings hold a history of over 100 years, dating back to the time of British colonial rule in Hong Kong.

“The Building Formerly Used as the Marine Police Headquarters in Hong Kong”

Currently known as ‘1881 Heritage’, this building served as the headquarters of the Hong Kong Marine Police from the 1880s until 1996. After being acquired by a Hong Kong-based company, the building underwent remodeling and transformed into a shopping mall and exhibition space.

Preserving the original structure and historical artifacts, the space was reborn in a modern context. Thanks to this, it has retained significance as a space with historical value, not merely a shopping mall.

“Harmonizing Historical Relics, 1881 Heritage”

While the space has been reincarnated as ‘1881 Heritage’, traces of its historical significance still remain. At the northern end, one can find the main building of the former Marine Police Headquarters, constructed in the 1880s with a combination of Victorian and Neo-Classical architectural styles. Inside, there is a prison that once held pirates and gamblers.

“Noonday Gun and Dropping Ball”

Aside from the main building of the police headquarters, there are several spaces that preserve history. Here, one can find memorials related to maritime navigation. This includes the Noonday Gun that fires at 12 o’clock to signal the time, and the Dropping Ball. To accurately announce the time, the ball at the top of the tower is manually raised every morning and dropped at 1 o’clock in the afternoon.

“Combining Historical Relics, Architectural Beauty, and Modern Shopping in a Mall”

‘1881 Heritage’ stands out as a special place in the Tsim Sha Tsui area of Hong Kong, harmonizing historical relics and architecture with a modern shopping mall. Although I visited in the late evening and didn’t get to explore the mall, I was still able to capture the picturesque blend of artifacts and historical remnants in photographs. While visiting during the day surely offers a magnificent atmosphere, experiencing the night view creates a particularly special ambiance.

“Hong Kong Tsim Sha Tsui, 1881 Heritage”