Marble Hall (Hong Kong)

Marble Hall (Hong Kong)
Marble Hall
雲石堂
Angled view of a large 2-storey building in Indian style architecture
Marble Hall, subject of a 1935 Christmas postcard
Alternative names Admiralty House
General information
Address 1 Conduit Road,
Town or city Hong Kong
Construction started 1901
Demolished 1953
Technical details
Floor count 2
Design and construction
Owner Catchick Paul Chater
Architecture firm Leigh & Orange

Marble Hall (雲石堂) was the private residence of Catchick Paul Chater. It situated at 1, Conduit Road, Hong Kong, and was constructed in 1901, from imported European marble. Historians regard it as one of the finest ever examples of architecture in Hong Kong.

History

Sir Paul Chater chose a site above Victoria, 500 feet above sea level. Designed by Leigh & Orange, a most sumptuous residence was constructed from imported marble quarried in Italy and Greece and finished in Belgium. It had extensive gardens, and a gatehouse. Historians regard 'Marble Hall' as among the finest constructions ever executed in Hong Kong.[1] Externally, it was constructed of stuccoed brick. Inside was a magnificent staircase made from Italian marble; it was finished in teak and mahogany.(p41)[2]

“ He has a lovely house full of wonderful china, and gave us an excellent meal with superlative wine. His collection of china is well known and, though much of it is said to be faked, the pieces are really beautiful, but the furnishing of the rest of the house is in atrocious taste ”

—Commander C.H. Drage[2]
Marble staircase inside the property

Chater died in 1926, and bequeathed Marble Hall and its entire contents, including his unique collection of porcelain and paintings, to Hong Kong. Chater's wife lived in Marble Hall as a life tenant until her death in 1935. Ownership then passed to the government. It became “Admiralty House” – the official residence of the Naval Commander-in-Chief, and was commandeered by Japanese during their occupation.[1]

Post-war

Marble Hall accidentally burned down in 1946, and the government buildings occupied the site since its demolition in 1953. Government residences named 'Chater Hall Flats' are today located on the site of Marble Hall.[1]

All that remains today is the gatekeeper's lodge, which has been given a Grade 2 classification by the Antiquities Advisory Board.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c Marble Hall Gatekeeper's Lodge (1901- )
  2. ^ a b Vaudine England and Elizabeth Sinn, The Quest of Noel Croucher: Hong Kong's Quiet Philanthropist (Hong Kong University Press, 1998)
  3. ^ "New items and new categories assessed by Expert Panel" LCSD, Hong Kong Government

Coordinates: 22°16′40″N 114°09′06″E / 22.27785°N 114.15175°E / 22.27785; 114.15175


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