It seems like every time I go to Hong Kong, I find more Art Deco buildings I hadn’t noticed before. When I lived there, the only thing I knew about Art Deco was its fonts. So I wasn’t really aware of the architecture in the territory, although I couldn’t get enough of the round cornered buildings and always oohed and ahhed at them.
Last week, I found a slew of Art Deco buildings and other features. The first I spotted was this one right in Lan Kwai Fong. From ground level, it’s not very apparent. But as soon as I looked up like a tourist, I saw this!
Also in Central is the Central Market building, which came under threat for demolition a while ago. My friends in Hong Kong said the building will be saved, thank goodness. It’s technically Bauhaus, but has so many Art Deco features and was built in the late 1930s, also during the height of Deco. So it counts to me.
There was also this round cornered overhang in Tsim Sha Tsui, which is hard to see. I’ve included a couple photos of it. The sun was strong that day.
Back on Hong Kong Island, I saw this building in Causeway Bay. I’m not sure if it’s really Art Deco, but is has Deco features like round cornered balconies as well as horizontal and vertical lines.
The old Wanchai Market is now a retail shop, but the Art Deco, cruise ship facade remains.
Up on the Peak, I noticed this gorgeous red building just below the lookout pagoda. It’s hard to see the whole structure of this building, but the round corner screams Art Deco to me.
Just below the Peak is this Art Deco building with its round cornered balconies plus the two vertical lines on either side of the windows on the left.
The PMQ building in Soho might not be Art Deco, but this porthole window is, as is the bannister with its many horizontal lines.
One more from Wanchai.
I found these buildings over a short period of three days and only wonder what else I could have come across had I been there longer.
Hi Susan
So thrilled to see the first building in your listing. I did come across this particular building a long time ago, but I did not have a chance to take down the details. I hope it will be preserved and protected. I will go there in my next visit.
In addition, I bought one of your book titled Bernadine’s Shanghai Salon in Australia by chance before I came across your site. It must be fate. Anyway, in case you will go to HK again. There are a few 1930’s school and college that you can do more research on, such as Maryknoll convent college. Anyway, keep up your good work.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment and for buying Bernardine’s Shanghai Salon! That is so great you came across the book before you found this site! I used to take the bus to work and pass Maryknoll, but haven’t seen it up close. I love that area in Kowloon Tong and will make a point of walking around there the next time I’m in Hong Kong, which I hope will be soon! Thank you again so much!