The 13 iconic buildings in Hong Kong that no longer exist

Yes, we actually used to have castles in Hong Kong. Eucliffe (sometimes also spelt Eucliff), is one of the most famous castles belonging to millionaire Eu Tong Sen, occupying the entire western side of the cliff above Repulse Bay beach. Built in 1933, this 105,000-sq ft summer home, well known for its collection of antique western armour and stained glass windows, boasted three tall towers and vast grounds which contained swimming pools, tennis courts, and a greenhouse.

Eucliffe has seen its fair share of society balls, galas, and even fashion shows, as Hong Kong’s well-heeled and well-connected social circles frequented the spot, along with the neighbouring Repulse Bay Hotel owned by the Kadoorie family. With the opening of Repulse Bay Road, the area was easily accessible with a mere 20-minute drive from the city. 

After it was taken over by Japanese troops during the Occupation and later became used as a filming location, the castle was eventually demolished in 1988 and the high-end residences of Royal Cliff, 56-58 Repulse Bay Road, now occupy the location where Eucliffe used to stand.

Between 1867 and 1946, Mountain Lodge served as the summer retreat for the Governor of Hong Kong. There were two versions of the home – the first being demolished in 1868 after typhoon damage; the second, built in Renaissance style, was demolished just after the Second World War. Victoria Peak Garden now rests on the site.

A late 19th-century neoclassical building built in 1899. The building housed various commercial offices for shipping, insurance, and trading corporations from Europe. Due to the increase in modern commercial development in the 60s, the building was demolished and replaced by Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong.  

The General Post Office has had four different locations on Hong Kong Island since 1841. But its most iconic stood at the junction of Des Voeux Road and Pedder Street from 1911. Known as the ‘Old Lady of Pedder Street’, the Edwardian architecture, red bricks and granite made it stand out in Central. It was demolished to make way for the MTR station in 1976 and relocated to Connaught Place, where it stands today.

Only the clock tower next to the Star Ferry remains of this landmark. The tower used to be accompanied by a giant station, which was completed in 1910 and served thousands of commuters every day. Despite huge amounts of preservation efforts – including a petition with 15,000 signatures sent to Queen Elizabeth II – the beautiful red brick and granite terminus was demolished in 1978.

Before settling into its current, rather bland home, swank private members institution the Hong Kong Club occupied a grand Victorian structure on the same site in Statue Square. Built in 1897, this, the club’s second building, was designed by Palmer & Turner in ‘the Italian style’ but after some 80 years of use it was deemed too expensive to maintain.

Many Hongkongers spent the happiest days of their childhood at this theme park. Built in 1949, it was once the largest amusement park in Hong Kong. The buildings at Lai Yuen housed classic rides like the Ferris wheel, bumper cars and a carousel, as well as an ice rink and a snow garden during the winter. It closed its doors in 1997 after the land was allocated for public housing. 

Another theme park. Costing a whopping $16 million to build back in 1950, the eight-acre Tiger Balm Garden featured the seven-storey Tiger Pagoda as well as beautiful sculptures. In 1998, the land was sold for redevelopment and the garden and its buildings were eventually demolished in 2004.

Ah, the low-flying planes, the loud roar of plane engines and, yes, the occasional shaking of apartment windows. Kai Tak was Hong Kong’s main airport up until 1998, when it was replaced by Chek Lap Kok, and finally met demolition in 2004.

A spectacle of a building, Ho Tung Gardens was a villa built in 1927 by millionaire Robert Hotung. Spanning an impressive 120,000sq ft, this massive plot of land contained a two-storey main building, beautiful lush gardens and various elaborate pavilions. After a long legal battle regarding its heritage, demolition took place in October 2013.