The University of Hong Kong is the oldest tertiary institution in the city, and its Main Building is the oldest structure standing on HKU campus. It has been widely recognised for more than a century as an iconic monument of tertiary education in Hong Kong.
While you are here, don't hesitate to take a stroll inside the building to admire the beautiful interiors, clock tower, courtyards, and palm trees that have grown to over 30 feet tall. Notable bronze busts of Sir Hormusjee N. Mody and Dr Loke Yew can be found on the main staircase and the second floor, respectively.
Architecture
This Edwardian Baroque-style building was designed by Alfred Bryer of Leigh & Orange, a major architectural firm in Asia. It was designed with exuberant neo-classical features, while demonstrating originality with a series of local adaptive elements. This three-storey red-brick building supported by granite columns of the Ionic order is designed symmetrically around the central axis of the clock tower and features pairs of turrets at both ends of the principal facade. Pediments surmount the entrance portico and the elevations of the east and west wings.
The extensive use of fair-faced red bricks has symbolic significance as it references Britain’s “red-brick universities” which are cladded with bricks instead of granite, limestone, or sandstone. As a humble building material, in contrast to dressed stone, the use of red bricks is indicative of affordable and outwardly democratic institutions. The building’s open verandahs reflect the adaptation of a Western-style building to Hong Kong’s subtropical climate.
Originally, the Main Building had a footprint that resembled the Chinese character “日”, with the Great Hall established in the middle and sandwiched by two courtyards. In the 1950s, the building was extended with an addition of two new courtyards and a further wing at the south, creating the current footprint “田”. These additions, led by Professor Gordon Brown, the founding Dean of the then newly established Faculty of Architecture, followed the architectural language and building materials of the original design.
History
Completed in 1912, the Main Building was a gift from Sir Hormusjee N. Mody, a distinguished Parsi businessman and land developer in Hong Kong. Mody Road was also named after him. He presented a golden trowel to the then Governor, Sir Frederick Lugard, who used it to lay the foundation stone of the Main Building.
During its early days, the Main Building housed all departments of the University, including administrative offices, lecture rooms, a library, a clinic, and a temporary student hostel. On 20 February 1923, Dr Sun Yat-sen delivered a speech at the Great Hall, mentioning both Hong Kong and HKU as his intellectual birthplace. During the Battle of Hong Kong in December 1941, the building was converted into a University Relief Hospital to treat both the war-wounded and patients from Queen Mary Hospital. Parts of the building were severely damaged and badly looted during the war and the Japanese Occupation period. The roof timber of the Great Hall was taken down as fuel. Restoration works completed in October 1946 and University classes resumed.
In 1956, the old Great Hall was renamed Loke Yew Hall, in memory of this early benefactor of the University. It has been a venue for hosting important academic and social events of the University, such as degree-awarding congregations and high-table dinners. In 1984, the Main Building was declared a monument by the Government, recognizing its historical and architectural significance.
Important!
* Beware of muggles from above and cleaners in the back alley near GZ.
* Don't press the stamp with force, otherwise the imprint will be blurred.
* The stamp is part of the letterbox cache. Do not take away.
* Please replace the cache the same way as found and ensure its completely hidden from sight.
Notes on campus access:
Starting from 1 May 2024, tourists visiting the HKU campus between 8am and 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday, are required to make reservations through HKU’s online registration platform. No reservation is needed if you visit HKU campus outside the above hours (e.g. evenings, Sundays and public holidays).