History of 5 Bowen Road Essay Example for Free

History of 5 Bowen Road EssayLook at any oldish photo of pre-1950 Hong Kong and the hillsides above the city were dotted with handsome verandah type homes like this one. From the Mid-levels up to The Peak, either successful European merchant, official, compradore or trader scrambled to put up a mansion gibe their perceived status in colonial society. This home was built in 1914 by the property company, Hongkong grime Investment and Agency Company Ltd.Its Devonian name Iddesleigh (pronounced Idslee) derived from the origins of its occupant, A Mr. Mowbray Stafford Northcote secretary of the Hongkong Land Investment and Agency Company, who was an honorary correspondent to the magazine Devonia and was related to the Earl of Iddesleigh. In common with many structures which were built on Hong Kongs precipitous hillsides, the brook stands on a handsome, terraced granite base. When built, the house would have had sweeping views across the harbour and its verandahs would have been op en to the elements.Three-storey create built in neo-classical expressive style, Corinthian columns, bow arch, decorated with carved eaves and rich ornate interior decoration, present the lofty building owner socioeconomic status. The top of the building facade reflects its ornate pediment architectural style influenced by the Baroque. During the Japanese Occupation (1942-1945), this building was requisitioned as the home for the Japanese Imperial Naval commander. aft(prenominal) liberation at the end of the Second World War, the house was occupied by the Royal naval forces and it would later become the official residence of the senior RN officer in Hong Kong, the Commodore-in-Charge and has been better know as the Commodores House since 1952. In 1979, the building was handed over to the Hong Kong Government. In 1990, the building was allocated for charity Mothers excerpt Baby Nursing and residential special child care centers.