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Coordinates: 22°17′0.30″N 114°9′34.51″E / 22.2834167°N 114.1595861°E / 22.2834167; 114.1595861
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{{Short description|Building in Central, Hong Kong}}
{{Use Hong Kong English|date=January 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{coord|22|17|0.30|N|114|9|34.51|E|type:landmark_region:HK|display=title}}
{{coord|22|17|0.30|N|114|9|34.51|E|type:landmark_region:HK|display=title}}
{{Infobox building
⚫
[[File:Hong Kong General Post Office.JPG|thumb|300px|General Post Office in Central, built 1976]]
| name = General Post Office
⚫
The '''General Post Office''' ('''GPO'''; [[Chinese language|Chinese]]:&nbsp;<small>[[traditional characters|t]]</small>&nbsp;{{lang|zh|{{linktext|郵政|總局}}}}, <small>[[simplified characters|s]]</small>&nbsp;{{lang|zh|{{linktext|邮政|总局}}}}, <small>[[pinyin|p]]</small>&nbsp;''Yóuzhèng Zǒngjú''; [[Cantonese language|Cantonese]]:&nbsp;''Yau''<sup>4</sup>-''jing''<sup>3</sup> ''Jung''<sup>2</sup>-''guk''<sup>6</sup>) is the headquarters of [[Hongkong Post]]. Built in 1976, it is located at [[Connaught Place, Hong Kong|Connaught Place]], [[Central, Hong Kong|Central]], [[Hong Kong]]. The office was adjacent to the [[Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier|former Star Ferry Pier]], and it is adjacent to [[Jardine House]] and the [[International Finance Centre (Hong Kong)|International Finance Centre]]. The current building occupied a seafront location until 2007, since when [[Land reclamation in Hong Kong|reclamation]] works have led to it becoming inland.
| native_name = 郵政總局
| native_name_lang = zh-hant
| logo =
| logo_size =
| logo_alt =
| logo_caption =
| image = Hong Kong General Post Office.JPG
| image_size = 250px
⚫
| image_caption = General Post Office in Central, built 1976
| map_type =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| map_size =
| map_dot_label =
| map_dot_mark =
| relief =
| former_names =
| alternate_names =
| etymology =
| status =
| cancelled =
| topped_out =
| building_type =
| architectural_style =
| classification =
| location = [[Central, Hong Kong|Central]]
| address = 2 [[Connaught Place (Hong Kong)|Connaught Place]]
| location_country = {{HKG}}
| coordinates = <!-- {{coord|latitude|longitude|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} -->
| altitude =
| current_tenants = [[Hongkong Post]]
| groundbreaking_date =
| completion_date = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1976|8|11}}
| relocated_date =
| renovation_date =
| closing_date =
| demolition_date = <!-- or | destruction_date = -->
| cost =
| height =
| architectural =
| floor_count =
| architect =
| architecture_firm =
| developer =
| website = {{Official website|https://www.hongkongpost.hk/en/home/index.html}}
| embed =
| embedded =
| references =
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| t = 郵政總局
| s = 邮政总局
| y = Yàuh jing júng guhk
| j = Yau<sup>4</sup> zing<sup>3</sup> zung<sup>2</sup> guk<sup>6</sup>
| p = Yóuzhèng Zǒngjú
|hide=yes
}}

⚫
The '''General Post Office''' ('''GPO''') is the headquarters of [[Hongkong Post]]. Built in 1976, it is located at [[Connaught Place (Hong Kong)|Connaught Place]], [[Central, Hong Kong|Central]], [[Hong Kong]]. The office was adjacent to the [[Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier|former Star Ferry Pier]], and it is adjacent to [[Jardine House]] and the [[International Finance Centre (Hong Kong)|International Finance Centre]]. The current building occupied a seafront location until 2007, since when [[Land reclamation in Hong Kong|reclamation]] works have led to it becoming inland.

As of 2018, the building is scheduled for demolition, although there are efforts to preserve it as a historical landmark.


==Past locations==
==Past locations==
[[File:Post Office, Hong Kong.jpg|thumb|300px|Post Office building, c. 1890–1925]]
[[File:Post Office, Hong Kong.jpg|thumb|General Post Office, c. 1923]]
[[File:HKGPO1911.jpg|thumb|General Post Office at [[Des Voeux Road|Des Voeux Road Central]] and [[Pedder Street]] in Central, 1911]]
[[File:HKGPO1911.jpg|thumb|General Post Office at [[Des Voeux Road|Des Voeux Road Central]] and [[Pedder Street]] in Central, 1911]]
[[File:Hong Kongfromtheharbour c1920 cropped.jpg|thumb|View from Victoria Harbour in the 1920s. The General Post Office is the third building from right, at the corner with [[Pedder Street]]. The pier in front is [[Blake Pier, Central|Blake Pier]].]]
[[File:Hong Kongfromtheharbour c1920 cropped.jpg|thumb|View from Victoria Harbour in the 1920s. The General Post Office is the third building from right, at the corner with [[Pedder Street]]. The pier in front is [[Blake Pier, Central|Blake Pier]].]]
The GPO has been moved three times after several [[Land reclamation in Hong Kong|reclamations]] as it was essential to locate the office near the shore for receiving letters from [[ocean liner]]s. Past locations of the GPO were:
The GPO has been moved three times after several [[Land reclamation in Hong Kong|reclamations]] as it was essential to locate the office near the shore for receiving letters from [[ocean liner]]s. Past locations of the GPO were:


* 1841–1846: Above [[St. John's Cathedral, Hong Kong|St.John's Cathedral]], [[Garden Road, Hong Kong|Garden Road]] (current [[Former Central Government Offices]])
* 1841–1846: Above [[St John's Cathedral (Hong Kong)|St. John's Cathedral]], [[Garden Road, Hong Kong|Garden Road]] (current [[Former Central Government Offices]])
* 1846–1911: [[Queen's Road, Hong Kong|Queen's Road Central]], opposite [[D'Aguilar Street]]
* 1846–1911: [[Queen's Road, Hong Kong|Queen's Road Central]], opposite [[D'Aguilar Street]]
* 1911–1976: Junction of [[Des Voeux Road|Des Voeux Road Central]] and [[Pedder Street]] (rebuilt into [[World-Wide House]])
* 1911–1976: Junction of [[Des Voeux Road|Des Voeux Road Central]] and [[Pedder Street]] (rebuilt into [[World-Wide House]])
* 1976–present: 2 [[Connaught Place, Hong Kong|Connaught Place]], Central
* 1976–present: 2 [[Connaught Place (Hong Kong)|Connaught Place]], Central


===1846 GPO===
===1846 GPO===
In 1846 premises which had belonged to [[Dent & Co.]] were transformed into Government Treasury (庫務署), [[Supreme Court (Hong Kong)|Supreme Court]] and General Post Office. This land was auctioned in 1921, when it achieved a price of HK$50 per square foot. The resulting China Building (華人行) was completed in 1924.<ref name=sing>[http://www.singpao.com/20051029/feature/775212.html Feature: Buildings for Pedder Street since colonialisation]，[[Sing Pao]]，29 October 2005 {{zh icon}}</ref>
In 1846 premises which had belonged to [[Dent & Co.]] were transformed into Government Treasury ({{lang|zh-Hant-HK|庫務署}}), [[Supreme Court (Hong Kong)|Supreme Court]] and General Post Office. This land was auctioned in 1921, when it achieved a price of HK$50 per square foot. The resulting China Building ({{lang|zh-Hant-HK|華人行}}) was completed in 1924.<ref name=sing>[http://www.singpao.com/20051029/feature/775212.html Feature: Buildings for Pedder Street since colonialisation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311055536/http://www.singpao.com/20051029/feature/775212.html |date=2007-03-11 }}, [[Sing Pao]], 29 October 2005 {{in lang|zh}}</ref>


===1911 GPO===
===1911 GPO===
Reclamations had taken place in the meantime in the late 1890s, and the first General Post Office was relocated in 1911 into new premises on the newly reclaimed section of Pedder Street. It was a typical Edwardian municipal construction of granite and red brick, and was known as "the Old Lady of Pedder Street".<ref name=happened>Eric Cavaliero, [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=40111&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=19980813&sear_year=1998 Pedder Street was where it all happened], [[The Standard (Hong Kong)|The Standard]], 13 August 1998</ref>
Reclamations had taken place in the meantime in the late 1890s, and the first General Post Office was relocated in 1911 into new premises on the newly reclaimed section of Pedder Street. It was a typical Edwardian municipal construction of granite and red brick, and was known as "the Old Lady of Pedder Street".<ref name=happened>Eric Cavaliero, [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=40111&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=19980813&sear_year=1998 Pedder Street was where it all happened], [[The Standard (Hong Kong)|The Standard]], 13 August 1998</ref>


This old General Post Office building was demolished in 1976, and was functionally relocated to [[Connaught Place, Hong Kong|Connaught Place]] to make way for the construction of the [[Central (MTR)|Central]] station of the [[MTR]] below ground. Below the building is the interchange of [[Hong Kong Station]] and Central Station of MTR. [[World-Wide House]], an office block, was constructed above ground.
This old General Post Office building was demolished in 1976, and was functionally relocated to [[Connaught Place (Hong Kong)|Connaught Place]] to make way for the construction of the [[Central station (MTR)|Central station]] of the [[MTR]] below ground. Below the building is the interchange of [[Hong Kong station]] and Central station of MTR. [[World-Wide House]], an office block, was constructed above ground.


Joseph Ting, former chief curator of the [[Hong Kong Museum of History]], regarded the 1911 General Post Office as Hong Kong's most beautiful building.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lam|first1=Sylvia|title=History lessons from a former museum curator|url=http://www.ejinsight.com/20151121-history-lessons-from-a-former-museum-curator/|work=Hong Kong Economic Journal|date=19 November 2015}}</ref>
Joseph Ting, former chief curator of the [[Hong Kong Museum of History]], regarded the 1911 General Post Office as Hong Kong's most beautiful building.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lam|first1=Sylvia|title=History lessons from a former museum curator|url=http://www.ejinsight.com/20151121-history-lessons-from-a-former-museum-curator/|work=Hong Kong Economic Journal|date=19 November 2015}}</ref>


===1976 GPO===
===1976 GPO===
The building was constructed on [[Land reclamation in Hong Kong|reclaimed land]]. In 1967, the Government had planned for a 30 storey block, with 5 floors for the GPO, and 25 for government offices.<ref name=pact>{{cite news|last= |first= |date=14 April 1976 |title=Government – HK Land 'Pact' Limits New GPO'S Height |url=http://sunzi1.lib.hku.hk/newspaper/view/12_07.01/117207.pdf |newspaper=[[The Star (Hong Kong)|The Star]] |location=Hong Kong |publisher= |accessdate= |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927132435/http://sunzi1.lib.hku.hk/newspaper/view/12_07.01/117207.pdf |archivedate=September 27, 2007 }}</ref>
The building was constructed on [[Land reclamation in Hong Kong|reclaimed land]]. In 1967, the Government had planned for a 30-storey block, with 5 floors for the GPO, and 25 for government offices.<ref name=pact>{{cite news|date=14 April 1976 |title=Government – HK Land 'Pact' Limits New GPO'S Height |url=http://sunzi1.lib.hku.hk/newspaper/view/12_07.01/117207.pdf |newspaper=[[The Star (Hong Kong)|The Star]] |location=Hong Kong |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927132435/http://sunzi1.lib.hku.hk/newspaper/view/12_07.01/117207.pdf |archivedate=September 27, 2007 }}</ref>


The site directly to its south was secured by [[Hongkong Land]] at a record price. In exchange, the Government was obliged to accede to a stipulation that no building directly to the north of Connaught Centre, now [[Jardine House]], would obstruct its views, thus the maximum height of the GPO building was limited to 120 feet.<ref name=pact/>
The site directly to its south was secured by [[Hongkong Land]] at a record price. In exchange, the Government was obliged to accede to a stipulation that no building directly to the north of Connaught Centre, now [[Jardine House]], would obstruct its views, thus the maximum height of the GPO building was limited to 120 feet.<ref name=pact/>


The GPO was designed by architect K. M. Tseng, as a 5 storey building, and the foundation to support another 2, up to the maximum permitted height of 120 feet.<ref name=pact/> The building houses the first central vacuum-cleaning system in Hong Kong, without the need to change bags.<ref name=pact/>
The GPO was designed by architect K. M. Tseng, as a 5-storey building, and the foundation to support another 2, up to the maximum permitted height of 120 feet.<ref name=pact/> The building houses the first central vacuum-cleaning system in Hong Kong, without the need to change bags.<ref name=pact/>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
⚫
File:QRC court 1880.jpg|Courthouse (centre) and the 2nd GPO (left), c.1880
⚫
File:Post Office Pillars - Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden - Hong Kong - 0504181552a.jpg|Pillars of the 1911 GPO, now displayed in the [[Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden]]
File:City Hall and General Post Office.jpg|The General Post Office, the City Hall and the surrounding office buildings
File:City Hall and General Post Office.jpg|The General Post Office, the City Hall and the surrounding office buildings
File:Philatelic datestamp of General Post Office.JPG|Philatelic datestamp of General Post Office
File:Philatelic datestamp of General Post Office.JPG|Philatelic datestamp of General Post Office
⚫
File:HK KFBG PostOfficePillars.jpg|Pillars of the 1911 GPO, now displayed in the [[Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden]]
⚫
File:QRC court 1880.jpg|Courthouse (centre) and the 2nd GPO (left), c.1880
</gallery>
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
{{Commons category|General Post Office, Hong Kong}}
{{reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}

{{commons category|General Post Office, Hong Kong}}
{{Central, Hong Kong}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Central, Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Central, Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Post office buildings in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Post office buildings in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:1976 establishments in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Government buildings completed in 1976]]
[[Category:Brutalist architecture]]

Latest revision as of 00:18, 16 October 2023

22°17′0.30″N 114°9′34.51″E / 22.2834167°N 114.1595861°E / 22.2834167; 114.1595861

General Post Office
郵政總局
General Post Office in Central, built 1976
Map
General information
LocationCentral
Address2 Connaught Place
Country Hong Kong
Current tenantsHongkong Post
Completed11 August 1976; 48 years ago (1976-08-11)
Website
Official website
General Post Office, Hong Kong
Traditional Chinese郵政總局
Simplified Chinese邮政总局
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinYóuzhèng Zǒngjú
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationYàuh jing júng guhk
JyutpingYau4 zing3 zung2 guk6

The General Post Office (GPO) is the headquarters of Hongkong Post. Built in 1976, it is located at Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong. The office was adjacent to the former Star Ferry Pier, and it is adjacent to Jardine House and the International Finance Centre. The current building occupied a seafront location until 2007, since when reclamation works have led to it becoming inland.

As of 2018, the building is scheduled for demolition, although there are efforts to preserve it as a historical landmark.

Past locations

[edit]
General Post Office, c. 1923
General Post Office at Des Voeux Road Central and Pedder Street in Central, 1911
View from Victoria Harbour in the 1920s. The General Post Office is the third building from right, at the corner with Pedder Street. The pier in front is Blake Pier.

The GPO has been moved three times after several reclamations as it was essential to locate the office near the shore for receiving letters from ocean liners. Past locations of the GPO were:

1846 GPO

[edit]

In 1846 premises which had belonged to Dent & Co. were transformed into Government Treasury (庫務署), Supreme Court and General Post Office. This land was auctioned in 1921, when it achieved a price of HK$50 per square foot. The resulting China Building (華人行) was completed in 1924.[1]

1911 GPO

[edit]

Reclamations had taken place in the meantime in the late 1890s, and the first General Post Office was relocated in 1911 into new premises on the newly reclaimed section of Pedder Street. It was a typical Edwardian municipal construction of granite and red brick, and was known as "the Old Lady of Pedder Street".[2]

This old General Post Office building was demolished in 1976, and was functionally relocated to Connaught Place to make way for the construction of the Central station of the MTR below ground. Below the building is the interchange of Hong Kong station and Central station of MTR. World-Wide House, an office block, was constructed above ground.

Joseph Ting, former chief curator of the Hong Kong Museum of History, regarded the 1911 General Post Office as Hong Kong's most beautiful building.[3]

1976 GPO

[edit]

The building was constructed on reclaimed land. In 1967, the Government had planned for a 30-storey block, with 5 floors for the GPO, and 25 for government offices.[4]

The site directly to its south was secured by Hongkong Land at a record price. In exchange, the Government was obliged to accede to a stipulation that no building directly to the north of Connaught Centre, now Jardine House, would obstruct its views, thus the maximum height of the GPO building was limited to 120 feet.[4]

The GPO was designed by architect K. M. Tseng, as a 5-storey building, and the foundation to support another 2, up to the maximum permitted height of 120 feet.[4] The building houses the first central vacuum-cleaning system in Hong Kong, without the need to change bags.[4]

[edit]
  • Courthouse (centre) and the 2nd GPO (left), c.1880
    Courthouse (centre) and the 2nd GPO (left), c.1880
  • Pillars of the 1911 GPO, now displayed in the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
    Pillars of the 1911 GPO, now displayed in the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
  • The General Post Office, the City Hall and the surrounding office buildings
    The General Post Office, the City Hall and the surrounding office buildings
  • Philatelic datestamp of General Post Office
    Philatelic datestamp of General Post Office

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to General Post Office, Hong Kong.
  1. ^ Feature: Buildings for Pedder Street since colonialisation Archived 2007-03-11 at the Wayback Machine, Sing Pao, 29 October 2005 (in Chinese)
  2. ^ Eric Cavaliero, Pedder Street was where it all happened, The Standard, 13 August 1998
  3. ^ Lam, Sylvia (19 November 2015). "History lessons from a former museum curator". Hong Kong Economic Journal.
  4. ^ a b c d "Government – HK Land 'Pact' Limits New GPO'S Height" (PDF). The Star. Hong Kong. 14 April 1976. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2007.
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