Edinburgh Place
Encyclopedia
Edinburgh Place is a public square
in Central
, Hong Kong
, adjacent to the Victoria Harbour
. The Hong Kong City Hall
is located in the square. In addition, the Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier
and Queen's Pier
were also located in the square before they were demolished in early 2007.
History
The Edinburgh Place complex, which included the City Hall and the Memorial gardens were designed by British
architect
s Ron Phillips
and Alan Fitch
in 1956 for the most important civic functions of the city.
The Star Ferry Pier was designed by a local Chinese architect, Hung Yip Chan (born in 1921). He worked in the Architectural Office (AO) of the Hong Kong Government from 1952 -1957 as an assistant architect. He designed the elegant facade of the pier, and the Chief Architect, Michael Wright, added the Clock Tower to make the pier more balanced and practical.
Queen's Pier, completed in 1954, was "an integral part" of the cluster: the entrance to the City Hall formed an axis with the Pier to lend a sense of occasion to visiting dignatories. From the completion of City Hall in 1962, each arriving new Governor
would land at Queen's Pier, and they would hold an inspection of the Guard of honour
in Edinburgh Place before being sworn in nearby in the City Hall. The Star Ferry Pier was completed in 1957.
Edinburgh Place was deliberately kept as open space in the overbuilt city, freely accessible to the public, as this was considered an essential contrast to the city bustle. The out-sized public areas were conceived to promote the freedom of movement and a sense of unlimited space.
Its openness meant that the square would occasionally be used as a rallying point for small marches and protests within earshot of legislators. For example, in July 1978, 2000 people rallied to demand re-opening of defunct Precious Blood Golden Jubilee School. Since October 1987, the Legislative Council
has banned gatherings outside the principal LegCo building
.
Public Square
Public Square is the central plaza in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It takes up four city blocks; Superior Avenue and Ontario Street cross through it. Cleveland's three tallest buildings, Key Tower, 200 Public Square and the Terminal Tower, face the square...
in Central
Central, Hong Kong
Central is the central business district of Hong Kong. It is located in Central and Western District, on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, adjacent to the Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour is a natural landform harbour situated between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong. The harbour's deep, sheltered waters and strategic location on the South China Sea were instrumental in Hong Kong's establishment as a British colony and its subsequent...
. The Hong Kong City Hall
City Hall, Hong Kong
The Hong Kong City Hall is a building located at Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.Since Hong Kong does not designate itself or any part of itself as a city, there is no mayor or city council; therefore, the City Hall does not hold the offices of a city government, unlike most...
is located in the square. In addition, the Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier
Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier
Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier, often referred to as the "Star Ferry" Pier, was a pier in Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong; the pier, with its clock tower, was a prominent waterfront landmark...
and Queen's Pier
Queen's Pier
Queen's Pier, named after Queen Victoria, was a public pier in front of City Hall in Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong. For three generations it served not only as a public pier in day-to-day use but also as a major ceremonial arrival and departure point...
were also located in the square before they were demolished in early 2007.
History
The Edinburgh Place complex, which included the City Hall and the Memorial gardens were designed by British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
s Ron Phillips
Ron Phillips
Ron Phillips is a former Australian rules footballer who played with North Adelaide in the SANFL. He won back to back Magarey Medals in 1948 and 1949, the only other North Adelaide player to achieve this feat is Tommy MacKenzie....
and Alan Fitch
Alan Fitch
Alan Fitch was a British Labour Party politician.Fitch was educated at Kingswood School, Bath , and was a mineworker...
in 1956 for the most important civic functions of the city.
The Star Ferry Pier was designed by a local Chinese architect, Hung Yip Chan (born in 1921). He worked in the Architectural Office (AO) of the Hong Kong Government from 1952 -1957 as an assistant architect. He designed the elegant facade of the pier, and the Chief Architect, Michael Wright, added the Clock Tower to make the pier more balanced and practical.
Queen's Pier, completed in 1954, was "an integral part" of the cluster: the entrance to the City Hall formed an axis with the Pier to lend a sense of occasion to visiting dignatories. From the completion of City Hall in 1962, each arriving new Governor
Governor of Hong Kong
The Governor of Hong Kong was the head of the government of Hong Kong during British rule from 1843 to 1997. The governor's roles were defined in the Hong Kong Letters Patent and Royal Instructions...
would land at Queen's Pier, and they would hold an inspection of the Guard of honour
Guard of honour
A guard of honour is a ceremonial event practice in military and sports as a mark of respect.-Military:In the military a guard of honour is a ceremonial practice to honour visiting foreign dignitaries, or the fallen in war, or a ceremony for public figures who have died.The commander is three paces...
in Edinburgh Place before being sworn in nearby in the City Hall. The Star Ferry Pier was completed in 1957.
Edinburgh Place was deliberately kept as open space in the overbuilt city, freely accessible to the public, as this was considered an essential contrast to the city bustle. The out-sized public areas were conceived to promote the freedom of movement and a sense of unlimited space.
Its openness meant that the square would occasionally be used as a rallying point for small marches and protests within earshot of legislators. For example, in July 1978, 2000 people rallied to demand re-opening of defunct Precious Blood Golden Jubilee School. Since October 1987, the Legislative Council
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
has banned gatherings outside the principal LegCo building
Legislative Council Building
The Legislative Council Building of Hong Kong, also called the Former Supreme Court Building , was the home of the former Supreme Court until 1985, when it was renamed and became home to the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. Members of the Council and the President have offices in this building...
.