Chinese People’s Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong Building
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong Building (abbreviated as PLA Forces Hong Kong Building) is a 113 meter, 28 floor building located within the former HMS Tamar naval base on Lung Wui Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong. It serves as the headquarters of the People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison. The building is still popularly known by its old name as the Prince of Wales Building and is located adjacent to the Tamar site.
Constructed in 1979, the building was named the Prince of Wales Building. It housed the head office of the British army stationed in Hong Kong until the territory’s handover to the People’s Republic of China on 1 July 1997 when it was made the head office of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison.
Due to its deviant shape which likens a wineglass, the building stands out from the rest of the Admiralty waterfront buildings. Architects attribute the shape of the building to its protection. Its narrow stem with the protruding upper storey’s is supposed to make it difficult to climb or attack. It is also informally known as ‘the upside-down Gin bottle due to its shape. The corner of the building at the podium level which faces east used to be a chapel under British occupation of the barracks. There used to be a crucifix visible on the exterior, however, during external refurbishment the cross was removed.
Other Information
- Location : Lung Wui Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong
- Also known as : PLA Forces Hong Kong Building, Prince of Wales Building
- Coordinates : 22°16′54″N 114°9′51″E
- Status : Complete
- Constructed : – 1979
- Use : Military
- Height Roof : 113 m (371 ft)
- Floor count : 28