Immigrate to Hong Kong Focus Hong Kong Immigration Guide: Beyond their unique architectural features, precious historical buildings are closely linked to the history of our society. We recently announced the designation of the Signal Tower at Blackhead Point in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Race Course Fire Memorial in So Kon Po, and the facade of the Old Mental Hospital in Sai Ying Pun as declared monuments to strengthen their conservation. Allow me to share with you the precious value of these three declared monuments.
The Signal Tower located at Signal Hill Garden, Blackhead Point, Tsim Sha Tsui, was built by the Hong Kong Observatory in 1907 to house the time ball previously located at the nearby former Marine Police Headquarters, providing accurate time signals for mariners and the public at that time. Later, with the popularization of radio broadcasting and telephones, the time ball service completed its historical mission in mid-1933. The Signal Tower has now become a unique landmark of Signal Hill Garden. Apart from the addition of a floor in 1927, the exterior of the tower has remained largely well-preserved. The building features a strong classical Baroque style, incorporating the then-popular Edwardian decorative elements, with red bricks complemented by light-colored stone components. You may also take special note of the decorations made of arch stones at the entrance and large windows of the Signal Tower.
The Race Course Fire Memorial was built in 1922 to commemorate the victims of the Happy Valley Racecourse fire on February 26, 1918. On the day of the incident, the second day of the annual race meeting was being held at the racecourse. The accident caused over 600 deaths and was a major tragedy in Hong Kong's history. The memorial is located on the hillside above the current Hong Kong Stadium in So Kon Po and is the only monument in Hong Kong built for the victims of this tragedy. If you observe carefully, you will find that the memorial archway features pavilions, glazed tiles, and pottery decorations common in Chinese architecture, while the stone walls of the archway display classical Italian-style decorations. It is a masterpiece that blends Chinese and Western architectural elements, reflecting Hong Kong's characteristic as a hub where East meets West.
As for the third declared monument, it is the famous landmark in Sai Wan, known in folklore as the 'haunted house'—the Old Mental Hospital at No. 2 High Street. Of course, the 'ghosts' in the folklore cannot be verified, but the building itself has a long history and has witnessed the development of psychiatric medical services in Hong Kong.
When it was completed in 1892, it was originally used as quarters for government hospital staff, and was later converted into a female ward for the mental hospital in 1939. Until 1961, this building was used as a ward attached to the mental hospital at 45 Eastern Street, hence it was also known as the 'Mental Hospital'. Later, when Castle Peak Hospital was officially opened in 1961, the old mental hospital was converted into a psychiatric outpatient clinic in the same year, until the clinic moved out in 1971, after which it remained vacant.
Regrettably, due to the condition of the building at the time, it could not be fully preserved and was rebuilt into the Sai Ying Pun Community Complex in 1998, but the extremely precious granite facade was retained. The facade is L-shaped with wide verandas inside. The building makes extensive use of early Baroque details, including wide arched verandas and rough-hewn granite blocks below, with precise and delicate workmanship. The unique appearance of this building has also attracted many local films to shoot on location, adding to its social significance.