Former Central Magistracy, Former courthouse in Central District, Hong Kong
The Former Central Magistracy is a courthouse in Central District featuring Greek-revival architecture with substantial stone columns and granite walls that rise above Arbuthnot Road. The protected complex now contains restaurants, galleries, and cultural spaces while its original structure remains largely intact.
The structure served as Hong Kong's judicial center from 1914 to 1979, shaping the city's legal system for over six decades. It later became part of police facilities before transforming into a public cultural complex that remains open today.
The building shapes the Tai Kwun complex with its classical stone columns that visibly mark Hong Kong's judicial past. Today these spaces host cultural events and social activities that blend the building's legal heritage with contemporary community life.
The site is easily walkable from Central District with clear layouts that help you navigate between different areas. Most spaces are on ground level or accessible via stairs, though some sections may have steep inclines.
The basement construction during the original building process from 1913 required extensive excavation work that delayed the project significantly. These underground spaces survive today and form a hidden layer of the city's history.
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