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About Roberts Block

Historical Background​

Old Victoria Barracks was one of the first British military compounds in Hong Kong. There were over thirty military buildings in the Barracks but most of them were demolished. The buildings which still exist –Roberts Block, Cassels Block, Montgomery Block, Rawlinson House and Wavell Block, together with the declared monument Flagstaff House – were used to serve as residences and dormitories. During the Japanese Occupation (1941-1945), the buildings were used by the Japanese. In 1979, Victoria Barracks was handed back to the Hong Kong Government, and part of it was converted into the Hong Kong Park.

44d Map of Admiralty.jpg
HK_Victoria_Barracks-1971.jpg

Located above Kennedy Road, Roberts Block was built in the early 1900s and was originally known as army Married Quarters “E Block”. It was named after the Second World War probably after Brigadier (later Major-General) G.P. Roberts. It was accorded as Grade 1 Historic Building in 2009.  From 1986 to 2013, Roberts Block was used by the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association as a hostel for recovered psychiatric patients.  In July 2018, The Development Bureau announced that the Christian Oi Hip Fellowship Limited and the Arts Hurb Asia Limited were awarded to revitalize Roberts Block to a creative arts and play therapy centre – Hong Kong Roberts Block Centre.  The Centre will conduct creative arts/play workshops and therapy activities, etc., and arrange guided tours to let the public know more about the history and architectural features of Roberts Block.

Architectural Merits​

This block is three-storey high. The north elevation is in elegant Edwardian Classical Revival style with open verandahs on all three floors formed by red-brick square columns supporting a classical entablature and moulded cornice at each floor level. The spaces between the columns are filled with classical urn-shaped balustrades. The architectural features are painted white in contrast to the red brickwork. The original steel staircases and some half-glazed wooden doors and fanlights still exist.

NE Façade
Chimmeys
Classical motif
Verandah
Doors
Internal stairs
Base
Shoe scrapers

Source: Part of the information was extracted from:
https://www.heritage.gov.hk/en/revitalisation-scheme/batch-v-of-revitalisation-scheme/virtual-tour-on-batch-v-historic-buildings/roberts-block-old-victoria-barracks/index.html

The Revitalisation of Roberts Block

General Project Description

To convert Roberts Block, Old Victoria Barracks, into a creative arts and play therapy centre.  We aim to promote psychological and emotional wellness, and skills for stress management through music, drama, arts and play therapies.

Historical Significance

1 RB before revitalisation.jpg

The historical significance of the building will be demonstrated and maintained by:

  • Retaining its architectural features as an Edwardian classical style building by preserving the existing central core room layout on the ground floor.  An exhibition hall will be provided to display the authentic Edwardian classical style interior;

  • Displaying the history of Roberts Block and its surrounding historical buildings of the Victorian Barracks in the early 1900s as a whole.  A display room will be set up to emphasize the historic value of the Roberts Block as married quarters for the military; and

  • Documenting the whole revitalisation process and displaying the result along the verandah.

Technical Aspects

Roberts Block Creative Arts Centre complies with conservation guidelines by:

  • Complying with modern day requirements;

  • Preserving the existing architectural features and external facades;

  • Replacing the external staircase of the building by a new staircase, additional accessible lift and link bridges to be connected to the ground floor, first floor and second floor of the building;

  • Providing fire service water tanks at the open space next to the building;

  • Removing metal frame with wire mesh fixing at verandah openings.  New glass balustrade would be constructed as a protective barrier; and

  • Constructing a lift tower with a staircase connecting from Kennedy Road to the Roberts Block site.

Social Benefits

Society 1.JPG

The project will bring benefits to society by:

  • Raising the awareness of psychological well-being, reducing stress and depression of Hong Kong people and promoting mental health;

  • Providing free initial professional assessment and treatment recommendations for the underprivileged groups;

  • Conducting therapy programmes and activities to different target groups, including workshops for general public; programmes for students to manage emotion; parent-child relations workshops; retreat and training programmes on tension relief for organisations, etc.; and

  • arranging public guided tours introducing the historic value and revitalisation process of the building.

Development Milestones

2021

 

Completed the detailed project design and 

Funding was approved by the

Finance Committee of the Legislative Council

2022

 

Started the renovation work

2025

 

Completion of phase one's renovation

2026

 

Started to operate partially

2027 (Estimated)

 

Completion of phase two's renovation with accessible facilities and will start to operate

Source: Part of the information was extracted from: 
https://www.heritage.gov.hk/en/revitalisation-scheme/batch-v-of-revitalisation-scheme/selection-result/roberts-block-open-hearts-centre/index.html

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