Alford House
Built in 1955, not graded.
Church Guest House Annex.
Historical Interest
In 1932 Ronald Owen Hall (aka R.O.H.) was appointed as the Bishop of Victoria, Hong Kong. R.O.H. participated in the coordination and design of the religious, educational, social welfare and residential complex of Bishop Hill.
Alford House is named after bishop Charles Richard Alford (1867-1872). The building was designed by S. K. Loong Architect and the drawings were approved on the 8th Jun 1955 by Building Authority.
S. K. Loong was ordained in 1941. Loong had been sent to work in Calcutta during the war. After he returned to Hong Kong, he helped the architect who designed Central Hospital and supervised the construction work. He soon became involved with the building of churches in the diocese. Loong was most proud of Kei Oi Church which had a novel design at that time for Hong Kong. The faithful Loong became R.O.H.'s secretary and chaplain, and registrar of the diocese in 1949. He remained in these positions until R.O.H.'s retirement. Loong was the only Chinese and one of the right-hand men of R.O.H..
Architectural Merit
Alford House is a six-storey post-war reinforced concrete shophouse which is classified as Fourth Generation. As the economy was recovering in a steady pace through the 1950s, the Hong Kong shophouse typology entered into the fourth and final generation of development until it was replaced by bigger and taller developments in the 1960s. The widespread application of reinforced concrete in the construction of shophouse during this period reflected the maturity and affordability of the technology. Shophouses of this generation are typically six-storey high and of austere appearance.
The main themes of the Fourth Generation shophouse were a central ventilation staircase, large terrace, big windows, and exposed fire escape stairs. It should be pointed out that windows were meticulously oriented to avoid intrusion of excessive direct sunlight, which is the inspiration for the window design of the Murray Building in Central.
Rarity & Authenticity
Alford House has been scarcely altered since it was built, therefore retains its authenticity. It is
a rare, excellent local example of the Fourth Generation shophouse with definite built heritage
value. The other remaining architecture is the continuous tenement row stretching from No.
190 to No. 220 Prince Edward Road West - this four-storey block is listed as grade 2
historical building.
Social Value & Local Interest
Alford House residents, along with those in Martin’s House, Ridley House and Government House on Upper Albert Road, have guarded the change and continuity in the church as well as the city. The unique scenery and cultural landscape are the collective memory of the Central and Western District residents, shared of course by the Kei Yan Primary School graduates.
With a history of more than seventy-five years, Alford House has supported the development of
the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (Anglican Church) as well as the interaction between Christianity and Hong Kong society. Surrounded by lush greenery and old banyan trees today, the building is the testimony to the story of the gospel and the eternally immutable love of God in this blessed land.
Group Value
Alford House has historical and local interest and also group value being situated alongside Bishop’s House (Grade 1), St. Paul’s Church (Grade 1) and the Old S.K.H. Kei Yan Primary School (originally the south wing of St. Paul’s College, Grade 2).
Alford House is part of the “Conserving Central” initiatives was announced in 2009-10 Policy Address by chief executive Tsang Yam-kuen. The eight sites mentioned in the initiatives include the Central Government Offices Complex, the Central Market, the Central Police Station Compound, the former French Mission Building, Murray Building, the New Central Harborfront, the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Compound (Bishop Hill), and also Police Married Quarters on Hollywood Road.
Alford House residents, along with those in Martin’s House, Ridley House and Government House on Upper Albert Road, have guarded the change and continuity in the church as well as the city. The unique scenery and cultural landscape are the collective memory of the Central and Western District residents, shared of course by the Kei Yan Primary School graduates.
Adaptive Re-Use
The structure and interior of the Alford House are all in excellent condition. Adaptive re-use of the
building as a youth hostel should be considered, given its significance to Hong Kong’s
community and providing affordable hospitality in Central District.