Gloucester Building
告羅士打行
1932, Commercial 商業建築
15 Queen's Road Central
香港中環皇后大道中15號
The Des Voeux Road nowadays used to be the Praya in 19th century. The earliest Dent building at Pedder Street corner was redeveloped into Hong Kong Hotel, which became the internationally esteemed glamorous spot at beginning of 20th century, before burnt down in Chinese New Year of 1926. Hongkong Land redeveloped it into the 9 storey Gloucester Building in 1932, integrating the ground and first floor under the colonnade to maintain the grandeur and proportion of the columns of old Hong Kong Hotel. The 9th floor was also set back so that 8th floor roof retains the original façade height. The earlier demolished Central Clock Tower was also re-erected here at corner tower. It was demolished for development of Landmark in 1978. The buildings of every generation on this site testifies the scene of Central driven by property development, and records the evolution of urban design here.
現時的德輔道中是19世紀的維港海傍。最早期座落畢打街角的巔地洋行被拆卸後在1868年被建成香港大酒店，成為在20世紀初聞名中外的華麗熱點，可惜在1926年春節焚毀。置地公司在1932年將它重建為9層之告羅士打行，以地下及一樓結合在迥廊下，保持昔日大酒店廊柱的宏偉尺度和比例，並將9樓後退，使8樓項維持原有臨街高度。早年拆卸的中央鐘塔亦重現告羅士打行角樓。1978年拆卸而建置地廣場。座落這個地點的每代建築，見證著中環地產發展主導的景貌，記載著這裏的城市設計的變遷。
文：梁以華 (香港註冊建築師)
攝影：Hong Kong Land 提供
http://www.etnet.com.hk/www/tc/diva/art_hkac_detail.php?id=29017&page=4
