Former Marine Police Headquarters Compound
前水警總部
1884, Government 政府建築
The Former Marine Police Headquarters was constructed in 1884, comprising of a main building, a stable block and a signal tower. The compound has been utilised by the Marine Police since its establishment until 1996, except for the Japanese Occupation period when it was used as a base by the Japanese navy.
The main building was a two-storey architecture. An extra level was added in the 1920s. The south-east, east, and south wings of the main building served as married quarters. The building was equipped with Hong Kong’s first fresh water tank and underfloor natural ventilation system to adapt to local climate. During the Japanese Occupation period, extensive underground tunnels were constructed beneath the lawn. However after World War II, in view of public safety, these tunnels were blocked and sealed.
The signal tower is the most unique structure of the compound. Located at the southern tip of Kowloon peninsula and surrounded by sea on three sides, the tower provided time signals to ships in the harbour. The Former Marine Police Headquarters is the oldest remaining government structure in Hong Kong, which later became a declared monument in 1994.
The compound was developed into a hotel and tourist spot in 2003. It is Hong Kong’s first private sector adaptive re-use project by means of public tender.
前水警總部建於1884年，整組建築群包括主樓、馬廄及報時塔。除日佔時期曾用作日本海軍基地外，至1996年為止，一直為作水警所用。
主樓本為一所兩層高建築，後於1920年代加建一層，主樓東南及東西兩翼為已婚職員宿舍。其建築特色包括香港首個淡水水缸及地板下自然通風系統，為當時配合氣候衛生而建造。日佔期間於水警總部前草地下建有大規模地下通道。二次大戰後，為安全起見，地下通道已被封閉。
報時塔可謂整座水警總部最具特色之建築，由於其位于九龍半島的最南部，三面環海，為海港船隻報時。前水警總部為現存最古老的政府建築之一，並於1994年被列為法定古蹟。
整組建築群在2003年發展為酒店及旅遊設施，是香港首個大型公開招標的歷史建築物發展項目。
文：謝正勤 (香港註冊建築師)
攝影：梁以華 (香港註冊建築師)
http://www.etnet.com.hk/www/tc/diva/art_hkac_detail.php?id=29058&page=2
