Release of ‘CLP Clock Tower: Rebirth of a Hong Kong Icon’ book

Hot off the press! A new book published by The Hong Kong Heritage Project explores the architectural history of the China Light & Power (CLP) building, now known as the Clock Tower. The book was written by John Tang, with Fanny Iu as Chief Editor and History Ink’s Dr Amelia Allsop as sub-editor.

The former CLP Head Office is now a museum, located at 147 Argyle Street

The Clock Tower was once the Head Office of CLP, the electricity company for Kowloon and the New Territories. It was recently transformed into a museum to showcase Hong Kong's history of electricity, the role played by CLP in establishing electricity in Hong Kong, and how electricity shaped the growth of the city during the 20th century. The top floors of the museum are dedicated to the archives of the Hong Kong Heritage Project (the business archive of the Kadoorie Family), and a permanent gallery focuses on the fascinating history of the Kadoories in Hong Kong and Shanghai. In the museum garden, patrons will find a preserved 5th generation Peak Tram car which was in service from 1989-2021.

The book explores the history and architectural conservation of the building, making use of historic records from The Hong Kong Heritage Project (the archive of the Kadoorie Family)

Built in 1940, in the months before the Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong, the Clock Tower building is one of the few remaining examples of international modernist architecture in Hong Kong. The building was designed by the renowned architect Kwan Wing-hong, father of Nancy Kwan, the actress famous for her role as Suzie Wong in the Hollywood film The World of Suzie Wong (1960).

The book explores the conservation of the building, making it ideal for readers interested in built heritage, architecture, and Hong Kong’s business history and urban development. The book is available to buy at the museum’s souvenir shop and Sino United Publishing bookstores.

For more information about the museum, including new exhibitions and opening times, check out the CLP Pulse website.