1881 Heritage::Hong Kong::Tsim Sha Tsui::Marine Police Headquarters

Hong Kong may be small, but over the century since the British arrived, it has developed rapidly. By 1997, just before the handover, the urban development in the city had reached a considerably high level. Given the dual constraints of limited space and a highly developed environment, most people would assume that it’s hard for anything new to emerge—especially in the bustling city center. But amazingly, every time you visit, there’s always something new worth exploring, and “1881 Heritage” is a prime example of this.



 

From the 1880s to 1996, the current site of “1881” was home to the Marine Police Headquarters. This landmark in the prime location of Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui may have been a place many people didn’t want to go near in the past. But thanks to the strong push by Hong Kong’s well-known developer Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited and the local government, this redevelopment project finally came to fruition, breathing new life into this old building.

The reason it’s named after the number “1881” is that the office of the former Hong Kong Marine Police Headquarters was established here starting in 1881. Its main building was designated as a declared monument of Hong Kong in 1994 (the former Kowloon Fire Station and quarters were added later), which gives it special historical significance. That’s why it’s called “1881 Heritage” (known in Chinese simply as 1881).

“1881” consists of five buildings, including the former Marine Police Headquarters main building, the former stables, the former Time Ball Tower, and the former Kowloon Fire Station quarters. The architectural style is predominantly Victorian, full of colonial charm.

After restoration, the facilities at “1881” include international luxury brand stores, fashionable restaurants, a heritage hotel, and a small exhibition hall themed around the historical site. Outside the main building, remnants such as cannons from the former Marine Police Headquarters era can still be seen, highlighting the strategic importance of this location in securing the harbor.