Pedder Street
Encyclopedia
Pedder Street is a major thoroughfare in the core of Hong Kong’s Central District
. It runs south-north from Queen's Road Central, continues through Des Voeux Road Central, and ends at its intersection with Connaught Road Central.
The premises of Hong Kong's two most powerful trading hongs at the time, Dent & Co. and Jardine, Matheson & Co., were located on The Praya Central, Victoria City's original waterfront, on the opposite sides of Pedder Street. Dent & Co., one of the key founding members of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
, had a huge sprawling complex which stretched along the Praya, and whose west wing abutted Pedder street, suffered financial collapse in 1866. Its demise shook the commercial world in the Far East.
Originally, Pedder Street ran from Pedder's Hill, where the Harbour Master Office was established, south to north ending at Pedder's Wharf on the Praya. The street was extended north by 1904 when the Praya Reclamation Scheme
finished transforming the old Praya
into the modern day Des Voeux Road, along with a stretch of land north to it up to Connaught Road on which the General Post Office and Union Building were built.
The new pier at the end of Pedder Street was named "Blake Pier" after the city's 13th Governor.
Served as the official wharf of the colonial establishment from 1841 to 1890s.
In February 1886, the first pile of the new Pedder's Wharf was driven in 38 feet (11.6 m) from the praya wall. "Three similar piles have been towed over from Tsim Sha Tsui and are ready to be put in place". The new wharf, located at the junction of Pedder Street and Des Voeux Road, extended 195 feet (59.4 m) out from the praya wall, and was 40 feet (12.2 m) wide. Six sets of steps lead down to the water.
Pedder Wharf became land locked after the big reclamation scheme of 1890–1904, and was replaced by Blake Pier.
occupied the site where Gloucester Tower, The Landmark
stand today. It was originally constructed in 1850, and was redeveloped in 1864.
Dent & Co. went into financial distress in 1866 and sold half of its land on Pedder Street to the newly established Hongkong Hotel Company. The hotel was duly built, and became Hong Kong's first deluxe hotel. The remaining part of the west wing was let out to other trading firms.
Hong Kong Hotel (1866–1926)
Hong Kong's first deluxe hotel, The Hong Kong Hotel
, stood roughly on the site of the present Central building, from 1866. Previous to the Hotel, the west wing of Dent & Co.'s "princely" headquarters was located. It was redeveloped into The Landmark
in 1979.
In 1862, at the southern end of the street where it meets Queen's Road, the Pedder Street Clock Tower was completed and was the landmark of Central until it was demolished. It chimed for the first time at midnight on 31 December 1862.
The 80 feet (24.4 m) tall clock tower with a lighted dial, designed by a Mr. Rawlings, was to be funded by subscriptions, but the lack of public response meant that many of the more elaborate decorative features were jettisoned.. In the end, a donation was secured from Scotsman Douglas Lapraik, one of the most successful Tai-pan
s who founded the Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Company, precursor of Hutchison Whampoa
.
The clock tower was taken down in 1913. In 1915, one of the clock faces was integrated into the clock tower
at the Kowloon-Canton Railway
terminus in Tsim Sha Tsui
.
In its heyday, Dent also occupied the south-western corner of Pedder Street (and Queen's Road), where it had established a "Tea Exchange". In 1846, it was transformed into the 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.
Further reclamations had taken place in the meantime (ca.1900). The General Post Office was relocated in 1911 to new premises on the newly reclaimed (northern) section of Pedder Street where the wharf once was. It was a typical Edwardian municipal construction of granite and red brick, was situated there until 1976; the Supreme Court was relocated in January 1912 to a new building constructed on reclaimed land, where it remained until 1985. As at 2009, that building is still standing, being used as the Legislative Council Building
.
To make way for Pedder Station of the MTR
, the General Post Office was moved to Connaught Place
. The old building was demolished in 1976, and World-Wide House
was built in its place.
occupied the site next to the China Building since 1924. The basement suite of the building, now the home of Shanghai Tang
, was occupied for most of the post-war period by the auctioneering firm Lammert Bros. which had been operating in Hong Kong since 1855.
stands today on the site which once stood two previous generations of Jardine House, the headquarters for Jardine, Matheson & Co.
The first Jardine House was probably built around 1841 after Jardine's successful bid for its lots on The Praya Central. In 1908, the second Jardine House was built. It was rebuilt in around 1956, and reborn in the early 1970s as Wheelock House.
Central, Hong Kong
Central is the central business district of Hong Kong. It is located in Central and Western District, on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula...
. It runs south-north from Queen's Road Central, continues through Des Voeux Road Central, and ends at its intersection with Connaught Road Central.
History
The street was named after Lieutenant William Pedder the first lieutenant of the Nemesis and the first harbour master of Hong Kong. Pedder Street was established as the centre of Victoria City's commerce in the early colonial days.The premises of Hong Kong's two most powerful trading hongs at the time, Dent & Co. and Jardine, Matheson & Co., were located on The Praya Central, Victoria City's original waterfront, on the opposite sides of Pedder Street. Dent & Co., one of the key founding members of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited is a prominent bank established and based in Hong Kong since 1865 when Hong Kong was a colony of the British Empire. It is the founding member of the HSBC Group and since 1990 is now a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc...
, had a huge sprawling complex which stretched along the Praya, and whose west wing abutted Pedder street, suffered financial collapse in 1866. Its demise shook the commercial world in the Far East.
Originally, Pedder Street ran from Pedder's Hill, where the Harbour Master Office was established, south to north ending at Pedder's Wharf on the Praya. The street was extended north by 1904 when the Praya Reclamation Scheme
Praya Reclamation Scheme
The Praya Reclamation Scheme was a large scale reclaimed land project carried out by the Hong Kong Land company in Colonial Hong Kong under Sir Catchick Paul Chater and James Johnstone Keswick.-Early proposal:The project was first proposed in 1855...
finished transforming the old Praya
Praya
Praya , was a term used in Colonial Hong Kong to refer to a promenade by the waterfront. The name comes from the Portuguese term for the broad stone-faced road that runs parallel along the harbour in front of the city. HSBC and Dent & Co...
into the modern day Des Voeux Road, along with a stretch of land north to it up to Connaught Road on which the General Post Office and Union Building were built.
The new pier at the end of Pedder Street was named "Blake Pier" after the city's 13th Governor.
Pedder Wharf (1841–1890)
In February 1886, the first pile of the new Pedder's Wharf was driven in 38 feet (11.6 m) from the praya wall. "Three similar piles have been towed over from Tsim Sha Tsui and are ready to be put in place". The new wharf, located at the junction of Pedder Street and Des Voeux Road, extended 195 feet (59.4 m) out from the praya wall, and was 40 feet (12.2 m) wide. Six sets of steps lead down to the water.
Pedder Wharf became land locked after the big reclamation scheme of 1890–1904, and was replaced by Blake Pier.
Dent & Co offices
The palatial offices of Dent & Co.Dent & Co.
Dent & Co. or Dent's, was one of the wealthiest British merchant firms, or hongs, active in China during the 19th century. The company was a direct rival to Jardine, Matheson & Co...
occupied the site where Gloucester Tower, The Landmark
The Landmark (Hong Kong)
The Landmark is an office and shopping development owned by Hong Kong Land in Central, Hong Kong. It is commonly known as the home of numerous prestigious international brands and the gathering place of well-heeled shoppers.-History:...
stand today. It was originally constructed in 1850, and was redeveloped in 1864.
Dent & Co. went into financial distress in 1866 and sold half of its land on Pedder Street to the newly established Hongkong Hotel Company. The hotel was duly built, and became Hong Kong's first deluxe hotel. The remaining part of the west wing was let out to other trading firms.
Hong Kong Hotel (1866–1926)
Hong Kong's first deluxe hotel, The Hong Kong Hotel
Hong Kong Hotel
The Hongkong Hotel was Hong Kong's first luxury hotel, modelled after sumptuous London hotels. It was opened on Queen's Road and Pedder Street in 1868., and expanded onto the Victoria Harbour waterfront of Victoria City in 1893.-The hotel:...
, stood roughly on the site of the present Central building, from 1866. Previous to the Hotel, the west wing of Dent & Co.'s "princely" headquarters was located. It was redeveloped into The Landmark
The Landmark (Hong Kong)
The Landmark is an office and shopping development owned by Hong Kong Land in Central, Hong Kong. It is commonly known as the home of numerous prestigious international brands and the gathering place of well-heeled shoppers.-History:...
in 1979.
Clock Tower (1862–1913)
The 80 feet (24.4 m) tall clock tower with a lighted dial, designed by a Mr. Rawlings, was to be funded by subscriptions, but the lack of public response meant that many of the more elaborate decorative features were jettisoned.. In the end, a donation was secured from Scotsman Douglas Lapraik, one of the most successful Tai-pan
Tai-Pan
The term tai-pan was originally used to describe a foreign businessman in China or Hong Kong in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Cantonese colloquialism is now used in a more general sense for business executives of any origin...
s who founded the Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Company, precursor of Hutchison Whampoa
Hutchison Whampoa
Hutchison Whampoa Limited or HWL of Hong Kong is a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. HWL is an international corporation with a diverse array of holdings which includes the world's biggest port and telecommunication operations in 14...
.
The clock tower was taken down in 1913. In 1915, one of the clock faces was integrated into the clock tower
Clock Tower, Hong Kong
The Clock Tower is a landmark in Hong Kong. It is located on the southern shore of Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. It is the only remnant of the original site of the former Kowloon Station on the Kowloon-Canton Railway...
at the Kowloon-Canton Railway
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...
terminus in Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui , often abbreviated as TST, is an urbanized area in southern Kowloon, Hong Kong. The area is administratively part of the Yau Tsim Mong District. Tsim Sha Tsui East is a piece of land reclaimed from the Hung Hom Bay now east of Tsim Sha Tsui...
.
GPO II (1846–1911), GPO III (1911–1976), Supreme Court (1846–1912)
Supreme Court (Hong Kong)
The Supreme Court was the highest court in Hong Kong prior to the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China in 1997 and heard cases of first instance and appeals from the District and Magisrates Courts as well as certain tribunals...
and General Post Office
General Post Office, Hong Kong
General Post Office is the headquarters of Hongkong Post. Built in 1976, it is located at Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong. The office is adjacent to former Star Ferry Pier, Jardine House and International Finance Centre...
. 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.
Further reclamations had taken place in the meantime (ca.1900). The General Post Office was relocated in 1911 to new premises on the newly reclaimed (northern) section of Pedder Street where the wharf once was. It was a typical Edwardian municipal construction of granite and red brick, was situated there until 1976; the Supreme Court was relocated in January 1912 to a new building constructed on reclaimed land, where it remained until 1985. As at 2009, that building is still standing, being used as the Legislative Council Building
Legislative Council Building
The Legislative Council Building of Hong Kong, also called the Former Supreme Court Building , was the home of the former Supreme Court until 1985, when it was renamed and became home to the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. Members of the Council and the President have offices in this building...
.
To make way for Pedder Station of the MTR
MTR
Mass Transit Railway is the rapid transit railway system in Hong Kong. Originally opened in 1979, the system now includes 211.6 km of rail with 155 stations, including 86 railway stations and 69 light rail stops...
, the General Post Office was moved to Connaught Place
Connaught Place, Hong Kong
Connaught Place, formerly called Connaught Centre, is a square near Jardine House in Central, Hong Kong.The General Post Office and Exchange Square have Connaught Place addresses....
. The old building was demolished in 1976, and World-Wide House
World-Wide House
World-Wide House is an office building in Central, Hong Kong. It is located between Connaught Road Central, Pedder Street and Des Voeux Road Central.-History:The site is situated on land reclaimed at the turn of the 20th century....
was built in its place.
Pedder Building (1924 – )
Pedder BuildingPedder Building
Pedder Building , located at No.12 Pedder Street, in Central, Hong Kong, is a historic commercial building. Built in 1923 , it is the last surviving pre-war building in Pedder Street....
occupied the site next to the China Building since 1924. The basement suite of the building, now the home of Shanghai Tang
Shanghai Tang
Shanghai Tang is an international clothing chain company, founded in 1994 by Hong Kong businessman David Tang Wing Cheung and now controlled by Richemont.David Tang claimed that Shanghai Tang is a Chinese label that set out to rejuvenate Chinese fashion...
, was occupied for most of the post-war period by the auctioneering firm Lammert Bros. which had been operating in Hong Kong since 1855.
Jardine House (1841 – 1970?)
The Wheelock HouseWheelock House
Wheelock House, is a commercial office building located at Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong. Wheelock House is a Class A office space completed in 1984, building high 24, the architect is Wang and Ouyang Limited Company, its other building works includ the International Commerce Centre, City One...
stands today on the site which once stood two previous generations of Jardine House, the headquarters for Jardine, Matheson & Co.
Jardine Matheson Holdings
Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited often referred to as Jardines, is a multinational corporation incorporated in Bermuda and based in Hong Kong. While listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Singapore Exchange, the vast majority of Jardines shares are traded in Singapore...
The first Jardine House was probably built around 1841 after Jardine's successful bid for its lots on The Praya Central. In 1908, the second Jardine House was built. It was rebuilt in around 1956, and reborn in the early 1970s as Wheelock House.