State Theatre (formerly Empire Theatre)
皇都戲院 (前璇宫戲院)
1952, Commercial 商業建築
Architect: G.G.Grey
When you pass by the junction of King’s Road and Tin Chong Street on Hong Kong Island, it is almost impossible to miss the unique building on the corner - State Theatre (Formerly Empire Theatre). Several parabola arched structures are settled on its roof. In 1952 when Empire Theatre first opened, it was considered very avant-garde how the roof was lifted from the top with exposed structural parts. It was also the first theatre with indoor parking in Hong Kong. Empire Theatre had three floors with over a thousand seats. The ground floor was used as the carpark. Its exterior walls were constructed in Art Deco style by architect G.G.Grey. The structure was turned into State Theatre in 1959, and it is now transformed into a building for other commercial purposes. This architecture truthfully reflects the workmanship and technique of the era when it was built. Rarely seen in Hong Kong nowadays, State Theatre (Formerly Empire Theatre) is exceptionally valuable.
當大家經過港島北角英皇道及電廠街交界時，會看到一座外型獨特的建築物。在它的屋頂上，有多個拋物線形的圓拱結構。這種從上吊起屋頂的外露結構，在1952年當璇宮戲院開幕時，是一種十分前衛的設計。另外它是全港第一座擁有室內停車場的戲院。樓高三層的璇宮戲院，全院有千多個座位，地下為停車場，外牆呈裝飾藝術風格，建築師是G.G.Grey。1959年改為皇都戲院，現轉作其他商業用途。這座反映當年工程技術的建築物，為香港罕有，別具保育價值。
文：林中偉 (香港註冊建築師)
相片：吳啟聰提供 (香港註冊建築師)
http://www.etnet.com.hk/www/tc/diva/art_hkac_detail.php?id=29092&page=1
