Hong Kong House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hong Kong House |
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Hong Kong House in 2007.
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| Former names | Central Hotel Gresham Hotel |
| General information | |
| Type | Commercial hotel/offices |
| Architectural style | Victorian Free Classical |
| Address | 80 Druitt Street |
| Town or city | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°52′21″S 151°12′23″E / 33.87263°S 151.20629°E |
| Completed | 1891 |
| Client | Excelsior Land Investment and Building Company and Bank Limited |
| Owner | Government of Hong Kong |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Ambrose Thornley |
| Main contractor | Edward Johnson |
| Official name: Gresham Hotel; Hong Kong House | |
| Type: | State heritage (built) |
| Designated: | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference #: | 291 |
| Type: | Hotel |
| Category: | Commercial |
Hong Kong House, also known as the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney, is a famous old building in the heart of Sydney, Australia. It was built way back in 1891 and designed by an architect named Ambrose Thornley. You can find it at 80 Druitt Street, right next to the impressive Sydney Town Hall and the beautiful Queen Victoria Building.
This building used to be a hotel called the Gresham Hotel. Today, it's a special place that helps connect Australia and Hong Kong. It's also listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical landmark.
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A Look Back: The History of Hong Kong House
The story of Hong Kong House began in 1888. A company called Excelsior Land, Building and Investment Company held a competition. They wanted a design for a new hotel and bank building on this spot.
The winning design came from architect Ambrose Thornley. His plans were finished in June 1890, and the building was called the "Central Hotel." By the late 1900s, the hotel's name had changed to the "Gresham Hotel."
In 1896, a branch of the City Bank of Sydney opened on the ground floor. Later, in 1925, a company called Tooth and Co. bought the hotel. The bank changed names a few times, eventually becoming part of the Bank of New South Wales in 1931.
In the late 1980s, the "Gresham Hotel" was changed from a hotel into offices. Since 1995, it has been home to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.
A special plaque was put up on June 23, 2011. It celebrates the building's history and its strong connection to Hong Kong. Important people like the Governor of NSW, Marie Bashir, and Hong Kong's Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, were there.
In late 2014, during some protests in Hong Kong, people covered the front of Hong Kong House with colourful Post-it notes. These notes had messages showing support and solidarity.
What is Hong Kong House Today?
Today, Hong Kong House is a very important building for the relationship between Australia and Hong Kong. It houses several offices that work to strengthen these ties.
The main office is the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office. This office acts like a mini-embassy for Hong Kong in Australia. It helps with trade, business, and cultural connections.
Other important offices inside include the Hong Kong Tourism Board, which helps people plan trips to Hong Kong. You can also find Invest Hong Kong, which encourages businesses to invest there. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council also has an office, helping businesses from both places connect.
Why is Hong Kong House Important?
Hong Kong House is a "heritage-listed" building. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical and architectural site. It's protected so future generations can enjoy it.
The building is a great example of the "Victorian Free Classical Style." This means it has a grand, fancy design with lots of detailed stone decorations. It was built to look impressive and show off Sydney's pride in the early 1890s.
Its location is also very special. It's right on the corner of York and Druitt Streets, making it a key part of the area around Sydney Town Hall. It stands proudly next to other famous landmarks.
The building is also important because of its architect, Ambrose Thornley. It shows his skill and talent. Even after many years, the outside of the building looks almost exactly as it did when it was first built.
Hong Kong House was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Gallery
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Hong Kong House York Street elevation, 2007.
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"The Gresham" Hotel (far left) photographed circa 1900.
