The area around No.179 Prince Edward Road West was developed since the 1920s. When Prince Edward Road was completed, land sales were conducted by the colonial government. One of the first owners of the lot was Mr. Wong Yiu Nam, who was one of the two major bus companies established in the 1920s in Hong Kong. After Wong brought the lot in 1930, a semi-detached 4-storey European flat was subsequently built in 1937. According to the records during the Japanese occupation, the upper floors of the building at No.179 were residences while the shop was opened on the ground floor at that time. In the post-war period, new government institutional buildings and theatre were also built in the vicinity of No. 179 to cope with the population growth, such as Queen Elizabeth School and Royal Theatre. In 1982, Prince Edward Mass Transit Railway Station was opened in the vicinity of No. 179 and the area became more prosperous.
In view of its merit, 179 Prince Edward Road West was confirmed as a Grade 3 Historic Building in 2010. No. 179 Prince Edward Road West is conserved with the front portion of the heritage building from G/F to the roof where the three storeys verandah and the living area are retained, restored and revitalized.
No. 179 Prince Edward Road West is of Art Deco style, an influential style that blossomed in the 1930s in Europe which features an expression of decoration in a geometric manner and with an accent of lines. The prominent Art Deco style features are expressed both on the exterior and the interior with high aesthetic value. The front elevation emphasizes the verticality through the adoption of stepped vertical mouldings. At the middle bay, the parapets are deliberately designed to be angled, while on the top is a stepped gable with a mast atop and a 'draped curtain' motif below, making this bay prominent and becomes the focus of the entire elevation.
The interior design of No. 179 Prince Edward Road West adopts a westernized approach demonstrating a high standard for well-off families, for instance the spatial organization reflects a clearly defined front and rear block designated for the main living area and rear servants’ quarters. The westernized interior finishes and fittings also feature the Art Deco style, examples include fireplaces with geometric pattern on the metal hood and a streamlined surround with rounded edges, stepped picture rails, timber pelmets with pointed arrow pattern and checkered floor pattern on verandah, etc. are all kept intact and of high authenticity.
The 2/F of Hotel 1936 is restored showing the original interior setting and architectural elements of the flat and is now opened for guests to visit. For those who want to experience the uniqueness and aesthetic design of this historic place, spend an afternoon at our Heritage Gallery and enjoy the journey back to the gorgeous 30's! Bon Voyage!
General House Rules
- Don’t bring any food & beverage onto the premises.
- Please keep the exhibition room and tidy by placing litter in a bin or taking it away with you.
- No damaging the facilities and displayed items.
- No pets or animals can be brought into the exhibition room except service dogs (guide-dogs) and Police dogs.
- No lighting of fires.
- No smoking is permitted.
- Photography or filming for commercial purposes and/or for wedding, graduation or portrait/cosplay are not permitted unless with the written permission of the Management.
- Do not use tripods when taking photos in the exhibition room.
- Visitors must refrain from entering restricted areas.
- Visitors are required to behave in an orderly and safe manner, shouting and charging around, which are not conducive to a safe and meaningful learning experience, are not permitted.
- Visitors must not operate or play, or make any sounds on, any musical or other instrument, including any sound device, loud hailer, gramophone or radio apparatus, or sing any song or shout without the written permission of the management.
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Visitors must not advertise, deliver a public speech, lecture, religious activities, or hold or take part in a public gathering or meeting without the written permission of the management.
- No obscene or foul language or behaviour that disturbs other people.
- The exhibition room reserves the right to terminate any visit in circumstances where visitors fail to comply with these house rules.
Mondays to Sundays & Public Holidays
10:00AM - 5PM
(Gallery might be temporaily closed for maintenance works or due to emergency situations. Guests are advised to check before visiting.)