For better or for worse, many Hong Kongers have grown increasingly nostalgic about the “good ol'” colonial days. Hong Kong-born British freelance architect and artist Peter Ross pays homage to the city’s long-gone architecture with his ballpoint-pen drawings, as a throwback to when our financial hub wasn’t adorned with skyscrapers, but Victorian and Edwardian style buildings.
King’s Building. Illustration: Peter Ross.
“King’s Building was built in 1905. In the 1950s the building was acquired by Hongkong Land, along with the next-door Hotel Mansions Building and the York Building. The three buildings were demolished and the Union Building (later renamed Swire House) was constructed on the site in 1962.” – Peter Ross
Peter Ross, who grew up here, told Coconuts HK that his fascination with Hong Kong’s history began when he embarked on a journey to discover his familial roots. Generations of his family have worked and lived in Hong Kong, including his great-grandfather who worked on the Kowloon Canton Railway, and his grandparents, who volunteered here as part of the British war effort. While researching this, he encountered old photos of Hong Kong, which inspired him to make the series of art works on Hong Kong’s architecture.
Queen’s Building. Illustration: Peter Ross.
“Queen’s Building was designed in a similar style to Prince’s Building. It became a prominent landmark, earning the title of “the city’s most prestigious building”. By the early 60s, the need for space and high-rises led to its demolition. In 1963 the Mandarin Oriental was built on the site and still sits there today.” – Peter Ross
“I think the important thing is really just to appreciate and understand where we as a city come from. It’s important because old places remind us of stories and memories, which give us our roots allow us to learn from our past. In many ways, a city without a past is like a person without a childhood,” Ross said via email.
HSBC Building (second generation). Illustration: Peter Ross
“The Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation at No. 1 Queen’s Road Central was built in 1886. In 1933 the building was too small to meet the needs of the Bank and it was demolished to make way for the third-generation building.” – Peter Ross
His series include drawings of major landmarks that graced the streets of Central during those times such as Prince’s Building, The Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation Building, King’s Building, Queen’s Building, and the Hong Kong Club Building.
Prince’s Building. Illustration: Peter Ross
“Prince’s Building was built in 1904 and overlooked Statue Square. By the early 1960s demand for office space had far outgrown the building’s occupancy provision and it was demolished. In 1963 Prince’s Building was replaced by the current building which sits on the same site and retains the same name.” – Peter Ross
Peter’s artwork has previously been exhibitied at Above Second and Cat Street Galleries, and he has been commissioned by Cathay Pacific and Swire Properties to create works for their projects.
He hopes the series will shine a light on the preservation of Hong Kong’s historical buildings and encourages more public education about our lost architectural heritage.
Buy his work online or at the Hong Kong Museum of History gift shop.
