Force bids farewell to "Daai Gwoon"
A number of retired officers and community leaders were also present at the ceremony.
Used by the Force for more than 140 years, the complex, situated in Hollywood Road, has housed the Hong Kong Island Regional Headquarters and the Central Police Station, which was colloquially known as "Daai Gwoon".
The oldest part of the complex - the Quarters Block - was built in 1864. Originally, it consisted of three storeys, but one more storey was added in 1905 due to inadequate accommodation resulting from development of the Force. The buildings to the left of the main entrance originally housed officers' quarters, mess facilities and the armoury. In 1919, an extension facing Hollywood Road was built, and has been used as the present Headquarters Block. This four-storey building was classic in style, with the whole of the front and the main architectural features of the back and end elevations being carried out in cement plaster. All exposed brickwork in the exterior elevations was of red Formosa facing bricks.
In 1925, the Stable Block, another two-storey structure, was constructed at the northwest corner of the compound for use as an armoury.
The complex, a declared monument, has been handed back to the Government.
