Pedder Building Gets Grade One Historic Status

The Pedder Building in Central has been given the status of a grade one historic building, despite opposition from its owners. The commercial building, which was constructed in 1924, is the last pre-World War II building on Pedder Street, and designed in the Beaux-Arts architectural style, according to the Tourism Board.

The Antiquities Advisory Board approved the new grading on Wednesday, some 11 years after it proposed upgrading it from grade two. The owners of the nine-storey building - the family of the late businessman Henry Fok - objected. They are worried about maintenance costs. But the board went ahead nonetheless.

"I believe it is very important because the owner had expressed their view with us, together with the experts," said Douglas So, the board's chairman.

"At the same time the confirmation of the grade one, the status for the Pedder Building, I think it's a very important step in helping to preserve the building."

The board has also given a 120-year-old building on Jervois Street in Sheung Wan grade one status. It houses the shop of the Chinese herbal tea brand Yuen Kut Lam, which moved in there almost a century ago and is still operating.

The board says its rich historical and social value gave rise to its high heritage status.

Meanwhile, members of the Antiquities Advisory Board has expressed concern over a grade one historical building in Central - which had its iconic rooftop and flooring removed while it was undergoing reconstruction work. The Urban Renewal Authority is responsible for the project to revitalise the Wing Woo Grocery shop on Wellington street. It said it had to remove some features to enhance the century-old building’s structure - but they will be restored to their original look afterwards.

The Commissioner for Heritage Jose Yam said each project was different and he believed the authority had kept the relevant materials so they could be used later.

On its website, the Antiquities Advisory Board assesses grade one buildings as "buildings of outstanding merit, which every effort should be made to preserve if possible."

Grade two are "buildings of special merit; efforts should be made to selectively preserve," while grade three are "buildings of some merit; preservation in some form would be desirable and alternative means should be considered if preservation is not practicable."

The board says definitions of gradings are administrative guidelines adopted by the Antiquities Advisory Board and the Antiquities and Monuments Office for the preservation of historic buildings.