Antiquities Advisory Board
Encyclopedia
The Antiquities Advisory Board is a statutory body of the Government of Hong Kong
created in 1976 to evaluate old buildings in Hong Kong, and to recommend those with historical or architectural merit for listing as monuments. It is under the responsibility of the Home Affairs Bureau
, directly under the Leisure and Cultural Service Department. Its head office is now housed in Former Kowloon British School
.
, which allowed for its creation was passed in 1971, it was only created as a result of the decisions to demolish the 1911 GPO building in 1976, and the KCR
Tsim Sha Tsui terminus.
or a proposed monument under of the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance
(Cap. 53), how to restore and conserve the historical items, and to promote the conservation of Hong Kong's heritage. It is therefore responsible for grading buildings in and around Hong Kong. However, the grading status is not-binding on the Government.
a declared monument
. A petition was sent to the Executive Council
, but the plea was rejected on 16 September 1980 on grounds it would cost an "unacceptable" HK$
500 million to rescue.
, noting the public attachment to the Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier
and its clock tower, recommended its relocation, was approved by the Antiquities Advisory Board in 2002.
.
Board members voted by a majority to give it a 'Grade 1' listing, but without a recommendation to the government on its status as a monument. However, the Government
ignored the vote, stating that its motion was non-binding on the Government.
Government of Hong Kong
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, commonly the Hong Kong Government, is led by the Chief Executive as Head of the Government, who is also the head of the Hong Kong SAR...
created in 1976 to evaluate old buildings in Hong Kong, and to recommend those with historical or architectural merit for listing as monuments. It is under the responsibility of the Home Affairs Bureau
Home Affairs Bureau
Home Affairs Bureau is one of the policy bureaux of the Hong Kong Government.One of the important roles of the Home Affairs Bureau is to enhance liaison and communication with all sectors of the community including the Legislative Council and the general public.Tsang Tak-sing has been the...
, directly under the Leisure and Cultural Service Department. Its head office is now housed in Former Kowloon British School
Former Kowloon British School
The building of Former Kowloon British School is located 136, Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.-History:It is the oldest surviving school building which is constructed for children of overseas parents living in Hong Kong. In 1900, Mr. Ho Tung donated $15,000 to the Government to set...
.
History
Although the Antiquities and Monuments OrdinanceAntiquities and Monuments Ordinance
The Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance, in Hong Kong Law , was enacted in 1976 to preserve the objects of historical, archaeological and palaeontological interest and for matters ancillary thereto or connected therewith...
, which allowed for its creation was passed in 1971, it was only created as a result of the decisions to demolish the 1911 GPO building in 1976, and the KCR
Kowloon-Canton Railway
The Kowloon–Canton Railway refers to a railway network in Hong Kong which is now combined with the MTR railway system, comprising rapid transit services, a light rail system and feeder bus routes within Hong Kong, and intercity passenger and freight train services to the rest of China...
Tsim Sha Tsui terminus.
Role
It advises the Antiquities Authority which historical items can be declared as monumentDeclared monuments of Hong Kong
Declared monuments of Hong Kong are places, structures or buildings legally declared to be "protected". In Hong Kong, declaring a monument requires consulting the Antiquities Advisory Board, the approval of the Chief Executive as well as the publication of the notice in government gazette.As of 12...
or a proposed monument under of the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance
Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance
The Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance, in Hong Kong Law , was enacted in 1976 to preserve the objects of historical, archaeological and palaeontological interest and for matters ancillary thereto or connected therewith...
(Cap. 53), how to restore and conserve the historical items, and to promote the conservation of Hong Kong's heritage. It is therefore responsible for grading buildings in and around Hong Kong. However, the grading status is not-binding on the Government.
Kowloon Station (1978)
Some members of the newly created Board attempted to intervene to save the Tsim Sha Tsui terminus of the Kowloon Canton Railway from demolition, but was informed that it did not have any right in the matter.Hong Kong Club Building (1980)
After initially hesitating to intervene in the case of privately held property, the board voted in the eleventh hour, late in 1980, to make the Hong Kong Club BuildingHong Kong Club Building
The Hong Kong Club Building is 25-storey office building located in between Chater Road and Connaught Road Central at the junction of Jackson Road, in Central, Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Club Building is currently in its third generation, in its second location...
a declared monument
Declared monuments of Hong Kong
Declared monuments of Hong Kong are places, structures or buildings legally declared to be "protected". In Hong Kong, declaring a monument requires consulting the Antiquities Advisory Board, the approval of the Chief Executive as well as the publication of the notice in government gazette.As of 12...
. A petition was sent to the Executive Council
Executive Council of Hong Kong
The Executive Council of Hong Kong is a core policy-making organ in the executive branch of the government of Hong Kong.. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong serves as its President.The Executive Council normally meets once a week...
, but the plea was rejected on 16 September 1980 on grounds it would cost an "unacceptable" HK$
Hong Kong dollar
The Hong Kong dollar is the currency of the jurisdiction. It is the eighth most traded currency in the world. In English, it is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively HK$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
500 million to rescue.
Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier (2006)
In 2001, an impact assessment report for the Central reclamationCentral and Wan Chai Reclamation
Central and Wan Chai Reclamation is a project launched by the Hong Kong Government since the 1990s to reclaim land for different purposes.-Background:The project was first mentioned in the 1985 planning strategy by the Government...
, noting the public attachment to the Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier
Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier
Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier, often referred to as the "Star Ferry" Pier, was a pier in Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong; the pier, with its clock tower, was a prominent waterfront landmark...
and its clock tower, recommended its relocation, was approved by the Antiquities Advisory Board in 2002.
Queen's Pier (2007)
The AAB convened a public hearing on 9 May 2007 to discuss the grading of Queen's PierQueen's Pier
Queen's Pier, named after Queen Victoria, was a public pier in front of City Hall in Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong. For three generations it served not only as a public pier in day-to-day use but also as a major ceremonial arrival and departure point...
.
Board members voted by a majority to give it a 'Grade 1' listing, but without a recommendation to the government on its status as a monument. However, the Government
Government of Hong Kong
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, commonly the Hong Kong Government, is led by the Chief Executive as Head of the Government, who is also the head of the Hong Kong SAR...
ignored the vote, stating that its motion was non-binding on the Government.