27 Lugard Road Rumbles

Lugard Road construction

27 Lugard Road

27 Lugard Road at night

The HK Peak towers over Central district on Hong Kong Island. It attracts residents and visitors with its stunning, panoramic giddy views over the harbour while strolling along Lugard Road named after Governor Frederick Lugard. The construction of the first section of the road started in June 1913. The remainder of the road was more difficult to build. In January 1919, with WW I over, work began again. This second section encircles the Peak and links with the Peak Tram station. The road was completed in March 1921 at a cost of HK$50,000. In the early colonial days, the Peak area for many years was the reserve of Europeans who built elegant houses on the Peak. 
 
The oldest house on the road is No. 27 a two storey house
constructed in 1914 designed by Lennox Godfrey Bird of Palmer & Bird architects. The original land cost HK$2,160. The house was purchased for HK$384 million in September 2012. The current owners propose to convert No. 27 historical Grade II private house into a hotel on Lugard Road. The Town Planing Board has approved the use as a
hotel. The road is very narrow and only 2 m wide in some places so the owners propose to use electric golf carts for baggage and deliveries. However, it has become another controversial heritage site. Many are against the use of the mansion into a hotel due to mainly road safety concerns.

 Cons
 

• The proposed septic tank daily effluent could leech into the environment.

• The road is far too narrow so vehicles could confront
  pedestrians and baby strollers.
• It would be easy to be pushed over the steep slopes.
• Deliveries would need multiple trips per day.
• Narrow access could limit rescues in case of accidents or sickness.
• Reconfiguring the interior would negate its historic
  importance.
• It would encourage other owners to redevelop heritage private houses into glass monsters.
• There are other possible adaptive
  use to limit the traffic.

Pros

• This particular house is a rare example of a colonial hill residence built before the First World War.
• The architectural style of the elegant house is designed by one of the oldest architectural firms.
• Protects part of Hong Kong’s history and retain its
  architectural value.
• If not used the owners can redevelop the site
  into modern apartments.
• Maintaining it for hotel use would add
  to the value of the building.
• There are few such houses left and
  could encourage other owners as a model.

Wait for the Flash Mob call then pick up your sign FOR or NO at the Rent-a-Crowd shop Peak Tram.