Grant Hall

Grant Hall

Grant Hall is a classic red tourism attraction.

Grant Hall, also known as the Big Bell Tower, currently houses administrative departments of Sun Yat-sen University such as the Career Guidance Center, Undergraduate Admissions Office, Alumni Association, and Teaching Evaluation Center. Construction began in 1915, and it was completed in June 1916. Because its exterior resembles a bell tower, it is commonly referred to as the Big Bell Tower; the original Big Bell Tower of Sun Yat-sen University was located in the Shiqi architectural complex of the old campus.

The donor named the building “Grant Hall” in memory of Mr. Grant, the son of a wealthy New Jersey businessman, who served as the secretary and treasurer of the New York Board of Directors of the College of Science (predecessor of Lingnan College) from 1896.

Walking eastward from Martin Hall and ascending the steps, you will arrive at Grant Hall at No. 333 in the northeast area. Also called the “Big Bell Tower,” it earned the name due to the large timekeeping bell on its roof. The three grand archways at the entrance are dignified and elegant, while the circular stained-glass windows around the second floor add a touch of translucency and refinement. Strictly speaking, the stone tablets embedded on both sides of the hall’s south-facing entrance are not plaques; rather, the two stone carvings record the construction history of Grant Hall in both Chinese and English.

Though it lacks a traditional plaque, Grant Hall is undoubtedly one of the iconic buildings in the Kanghua Garden campus. The hall was donated by Mrs. Kennedy (also translated as Miss Ganite) of New York, USA, in memory of Mr. Grant, the secretary and treasurer of the New York Board of Directors of the College of Science (predecessor of Lingnan College). Construction started in 1915 and was completed in June 1916. The original bell on the roof was donated by Mr. Goulish of the United States. The hall has long served as the administrative office building of the former Lingnan University. After Sun Yat-sen University moved to Kanghua Garden in October 1952, administrative departments continued to operate here until the completion and use of Zhongshan Building in 2001. Originally a three-story building, a fourth floor was added in the early 1960s.