{{Short description|Grade I official residence in Hong Kong}} {{Use Hong Kong English|date=December 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}} {{Infobox building | name = Fanling Lodge | native_name = 港督粉嶺別墅 | native_name_lang = zh-hant | logo = | logo_size = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | image = 1973 Fanling Lodge.jpg | image_size = 250px | image_alt = | image_caption = Fanling Lodge in 1973 | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_alt = | map_caption = | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_label = | pushpin_mark = | pushpin_relief = | former_names = | alternate_names = | etymology = | status = | cancelled = | topped_out = | building_type = | architectural_style = | classification = | location = [[Kam Tsin]], [[Hong Kong]] | address = | location_town = | location_country = | coordinates = | altitude = | current_tenants = [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong|Chief Executive]] | namesake = | groundbreaking_date = | construction_start_date = | construction_stop_date = | est_completion = | topped_out_date = | completion_date = 1934 | opened_date = | inauguration_date = | renovation_date = | cost = {{HKD|140000}} | ren_cost = | client = | owner = [[Government of Hong Kong|Hong Kong Government]] | landlord = | affiliation = | height = | architectural = | tip = | roof = | top_floor = | diameter = | circumference = | weight = | other_dimensions = | structural_system = | material = | size = | floor_count = | floor_area = | elevator_count = | grounds_area = {{convert|2.3|ha|km2}} | architect = [[Stanley Feltham]] | architecture_firm = | developer = | engineer = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | civil_engineer = | other_designers = | quantity_surveyor = | main_contractor = | awards = | designations = [[Declared monuments of Hong Kong|Grade I historic building]] | known_for = | ren_architect = | ren_firm = | ren_engineer = | ren_str_engineer = | ren_serv_engineer = | ren_civ_engineer = | ren_oth_designers = | ren_qty_surveyor = | ren_contractor = | ren_awards = | number_of_rooms = | parking = | website = | embed = | embedded = | references = | footnotes = }} {{Chinese | t = 行政長官粉嶺別墅 | s = 行政长官粉岭别墅 | j = hang4 zing3 zoeng2 gun1 fan2 leng5 bit6 seoi5 | p = Xíngzhèngzhǎngguān Fěnlǐng Biéshù | t2 = 港督粉嶺別墅 | y2 = Góng dūk fán léhng biht séuih | j2 = Gong2 duk1 fan2 leng5 bit6 seoi5 }}

'''Fanling Lodge''' is an [[official residence]] of the [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]], which serves as a [[country house]] and occasionally hosts [[official function]]s.<ref name="Finance Committee">{{cite web |url= http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr08-09/english/fc/fc/minutes/sfc_rpt.pdf|title=Report on the examination of the Estimates of Expenditure 2009-2010 |author=[[Legislative Council of Hong Kong]] Finance Committee |date=June 2009 |publisher=Legislative Council of Hong Kong |access-date=21 July 2015 }}</ref> Built in 1934 as a summer residence for the then [[Governor of Hong Kong]], Fanling Lodge was granted a [[Heritage conservation in Hong Kong|Grade I]] historic building status in 2014, amid concerns about its inclusion within a [[New towns of Hong Kong|new town]] development plan. {{TOC limit|2}}

==Location== [[File:Access to Fanling Lodge.JPG|thumb|Access to Fanling Lodge from [[Hong Kong Golf Club]]]] Fanling Lodge is located in the [[Kam Tsin]] area of the [[New Territories]] in Hong Kong, near [[Fanling]] and [[Kwu Tung]]. It is situated in a {{convert|2.3|ha|adj=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201310/16/P201310160301.htm|title=LCQ17: Sites in Hong Kong available for development |date=16 October 2013 |publisher=[[Government of Hong Kong]] |access-date=18 July 2015 }}</ref> wooded lot within the grounds of [[Hong Kong Golf Club]],<ref name="rate">{{cite news |last=Ng |first= Joyce |date=7 August 2013 |title= Heritage advisers to rate historic political retreat Fanling Lodge|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1294787/move-preserve-historic-lodge |newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]] |access-date= 18 July 2015}}</ref> off [[Castle Peak Road|Castle Peak Road - Kwu Tung]].<ref name="Arup">{{cite web |url= http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/register/report/eiareport/eia_2132013/eia/html/ch12a.htm|title= Agreement No. CE 61/2007 (CE). North East New Territories New Development Areas Planning and Engineering Study - Investigation|author=[[Arup Group Limited|Ove Arup & Partners]] Hong Kong Ltd |date= April 2013|publisher=[[Environmental Protection Department]] |access-date= 21 July 2015}}</ref>

==Official residence== [[File:Peaksummerresidence.jpg|thumb|[[Mountain Lodge]] on [[Victoria Peak]] (pictured, left) was replaced by Fanling Lodge as the summer residence of the [[Governors of Hong Kong]].]] In 1932, citing the high expense for repairs and maintenance on [[Mountain Lodge]], the summer residence of the Governor of Hong Kong on [[Victoria Peak]], Governor [[William Peel (colonial administrator)|Sir William Peel]] proposed constructing a new summer residence in Fanling.<ref name="interpretation">[http://www.amo.gov.hk/form/part1_statement_of_significance.pdf Interpretation study on the site of former Mountain Lodge and its surrounding areas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024003218/http://www.amo.gov.hk/form/part1_statement_of_significance.pdf |date=24 October 2019 }}, December 2011</ref> Completed in 1934, Fanling Lodge served as a weekend and holiday retreat for the Governors of Hong Kong.<ref name="Appraisal">[[Antiquities Advisory Board]]. Historic Building Appraisal. [http://www.aab.gov.hk/historicbuilding/en/N88_Appraisal_En.pdf Fanling Lodge, Kwu Tung, Sheung Shui]{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Mountain Lodge was eventually demolished in 1946. Fanling Lodge remained as an official government residence after the [[Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong|handover in 1997]]<ref name="interpretation"/> and as of 2015 remains the alternate residence of the [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]].<ref name="Hansard 04 2015">{{cite web |url= http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr14-15/english/counmtg/hansard/cm20150429-translate-e.pdf|title=Official Record of Proceedings|author=[[Legislative Council of Hong Kong]]|date=29 April 2015 |publisher= Hong Kong [[Hansard]]|access-date= 21 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Controlling"/>

A helicopter pad (WB16) is located on the lawn of the home and allows the Chief Executive to travel to the lodge from [[Government House, Hong Kong|Government House]], the main Hong Kong residence.<ref name="Arup"/><ref name="lawmaker">{{cite news |last=Wong |first= Olga|date=7 July 2013 |title=Hong Kong Golf Club open to losing Fanling courses to housing, lawmaker says |url= https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1277004/hong-kong-golf-club-open-losing-fanling-courses-housing-lawmaker-says|newspaper= [[South China Morning Post]]|access-date= 17 July 2015}}</ref><ref>[http://www1.map.gov.hk/gih3/view/index.jsp?lg=en GovHK GeoInfo Map] is displaying the helipad as "WB16-Fanling Lodge (Lawn) Helicopter Landing Pad"</ref>

[[Tung Chee-hwa]], the first Chief Executive of Hong Kong, was criticised by the [[Democratic Party (Hong Kong)|Democratic Party]] at the end of 1997 for not using Fanling Lodge. Critics demanded that he consider giving up this government property.<ref name="Szeto"/> Since that time, the relevance of Fanling Lodge as an official residence has been questioned recurrently during [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]] debates. Opponents object that the provision of such a residence to the Chief Executive is an unnecessary perk, and that another use should be found for the building.<ref name="Finance Committee"/><ref name="Hansard 04 2015"/>

At the end of 1997, the combined upkeep cost of Fanling Lodge and Government House, both seldom used, was HK$13 million a year. About 58 domestic staff were employed to maintain the two official residences.<ref name="Szeto">{{cite news |last=Szeto |first= Wanda|date= 6 October 1997|title=Housing critics lodge complaint on empty retreat |url=https://www.scmp.com/article/214141/housing-critics-lodge-complaint-empty-retreat |newspaper= [[South China Morning Post]]|access-date=18 July 2015 }}</ref> It was reported in 2005, at the beginning of the tenure of [[Donald Tsang]] as Chief Executive, that two permanent staff were employed at Fanling Lodge.<ref name="facelift">{{cite news |last=Ma |first=Raymond |date=14 August 2005 |title= Tsang's weekend residence gets $1.3m facelift too|url= https://www.scmp.com/article/512140/tsangs-weekend-residence-gets-13m-facelift-too|newspaper= [[South China Morning Post]]|access-date=18 July 2015 }}</ref> The maintenance cost incurred by the [[Architectural Services Department]] for the upkeep of the Lodge amounted to HK$856,000 for the 2010–2015 period.<ref name="Controlling">{{cite web |url= http://www.archsd.gov.hk/archsd/html/sfc/eng_15-16/3622e-final%20.pdf|title= Controlling Officer's Reply (Question Serial No. 3622)|date= 2015|publisher= [[Architectural Services Department]]|access-date= 18 July 2015}}</ref>

==History== Fanling Lodge was designed in 1933 by government architect [[Stanley Feltham]] of the Public Works Department of Hong Kong. Its construction was completed in 1934 at a cost of HK$140,000. It was used as a summer residence of the Governor of Hong Kong until the [[Japanese occupation of Hong Kong]] during World War II.<ref name="Appraisal"/> Governor Sir [[William Peel (colonial administrator)|William Peel]], who had proposed the construction of the lodge, had a keen interest in golf and horse riding, and he often made the Fanling Lodge available to the garden parties of the Fanling Hunt and Race Club, that was managing the nearby [[Kwanti Racecourse]].<ref>Chung King Lam, Choi Ming Sum. [http://125.215.250.107/thesis/2014/a1.pdf "Racing and the City: Hong Kong's History of Urban Development and Spatial Planning with Three Racecourses"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723065446/http://125.215.250.107/thesis/2014/a1.pdf |date=23 July 2015 }}</ref>

After the War, it was used as a provisional campus of the Rural Teachers' Training College (香港官立鄉村師範專科學校)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ceo.gov.hk/eng/blog/blog20131117.html |title=Alumni of Rural Training College return to Fanling Lodge |last1=Leung |first1=Chun-ying |author-link=Leung Chun-ying |date=17 November 2013 |publisher=[[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]] |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722121405/http://www.ceo.gov.hk/eng/blog/blog20131117.html |archive-date=22 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> between September 1946<ref>{{cite book |last=Sweeting |first=Anthony |date= 1993|title=A Phoenix Transformed: The Reconstruction of Education in Post-War Hong Kong |location=[[Hong Kong]] |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |page=18 |isbn= 9780195855203}}</ref> and 1948. Later, being considered too close to the [[China|Chinese]] border in a [[Cold War]] context - the People's Republic of China was established in 1949, it was assigned to the British armed forces until 1960.<ref name="interpretation"/> It subsequently returned to its initial function as an alternate official residence.<ref name="Appraisal"/> The Lodge has also hosted visiting dignitaries: famous guests have included [[Prince Charles]] in 1994<ref>{{cite news|date=8 November 1994 |title=Les Intrus |url=http://archives.lesoir.be/m/les-intrus_t-19941108-Z08QNQ.html |language=fr |newspaper=[[Le Soir]] |access-date=18 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150718150219/http://archives.lesoir.be/m/les-intrus_t-19941108-Z08QNQ.html |archive-date=July 18, 2015 }}</ref> and British Prime Minister [[John Major]] in 1996.<ref name="lawmaker"/>

In the years preceding the [[Handover of Hong Kong|1997 handover]], Fanling Lodge served as a venue for secret discussions between China and the United Kingdom, outside of the [[Sino-British Joint Liaison Group]].<ref name="Appraisal"/><ref>{{cite news |last= Ng|first=Joyce |date=7 August 2013 |title=Joseph Yam recalls lodge role in history |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1294804/joseph-yam-recalls-lodge-role-history |newspaper= [[South China Morning Post]]|access-date=18 July 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/publications-and-research/reference-materials/viewpoint/20090917.shtml |title="Home return" experiences|last= Yam|first= Joseph|author-link=Joseph Yam |date=17 September 2009 |publisher= [[Hong Kong Monetary Authority]]|access-date=18 July 2015 }}</ref> Such discussions covered for example new accounting arrangements for monetary control, the [[Hong Kong dollar|linked exchange rate system]], the establishment of a [[Hong Kong Monetary Authority|monetary authority for Hong Kong]] which was eventually established in 1993, and issues arising from a Sino-British Memorandum of Understanding signed concerning the construction of a new airport, now the [[Chek Lap Kok Airport]].<ref name="Appraisal"/>

Minor building renovations were made in 2005.<ref name="facelift"/>

==Architecture== [[File:Temple Fortune 626804 e8218c93-by-Martin-Addison.jpg|thumb|The architectural style of "The Pantiles" (pictured), a block of flats in [[Hampstead Garden Suburb]] of London, has been compared to the style of the main building of Fanling Lodge. Both buildings were completed in 1934.]]

The main building of Fanling Lodge is a two-storey bungalow.<ref name="lawmaker"/> Its architectural style is an eclectic mixture, including [[Arts and Crafts movement|Arts and Crafts]], [[Mission Revival architecture|Spanish Mission Revival]] and "Hollywood Moderne" styles, together with classical elements such as [[Corinthian order|Corinthian]] columns and [[Palladian architecture|Serlian]] arches. The building features [[veranda]]s at the front and back and is topped by a pitched roof with pan-and-roll tiles. Local materials, such as glazed green screen blocks, were used in its construction.<ref name="Appraisal"/>

The interior of the main building follows the minimalist style of the 1930s. All the rooms have panelled doors and brass fittings; the floors are boarded and varnished. Staircases are made of polished [[terrazzo]]. The upper floor comprises four bedrooms, a dressing room and bathrooms, while the lower floor includes a front hall, living room, dining room, study, kitchen and staff quarters.<ref name="Appraisal"/><ref name="facelift"/>

Similarities have been noted between the architectural style of the main building and that of "The Pantiles", a block of flats built in [[Hampstead Garden Suburb]] of [[London]] in 1934 and designed by the British architect James Bertie Francis Cowper.<ref name="Appraisal"/><ref>{{NHLE|num=1096075 |desc=The Pantiles, Finchley Road|accessdate=17 July 2015}}</ref>

The property also features a swimming pool, a tennis court and a wood-and-stone [[pergola]].<ref name="facelift"/> Additional buildings include a guardhouse and a Chinese-style pavilion.<ref name="rate"/>

==Garden== [[File:Fanling clubhouse.JPG|thumb|The nearby Fanling Clubhouse (pictured) of the [[Hong Kong Golf Club]] was granted a [[Heritage conservation in Hong Kong|Grade II]] historic building status in September 2014, while Fanling Lodge was listed as a Grade I building.]] The garden of the Lodge was designed in the [[Arts and Crafts movement|Arts and Crafts]] style of the British landscape designer [[Gertrude Jekyll]]. It features woodland with tall trees, vistas and terraced lawns front and back.<ref name="Appraisal"/> Tree species include ''[[Magnolia grandiflora]]'', ''[[Melaleuca quinquenervia]]'', ''[[Eucalyptus citriodora]]'', ''[[Livistona chinensis]]'' and ''[[Bougainvillea spectabilis]]''.<ref name="Arup"/> These species are relatively common in Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/register/report/eiareport/eia_1972011/EIA/pdf/Appendices/Appendix%205.1%20Botanical%20Surveys.pdf|title= Summary of plant species recorded within Study Area at Diamond Hill|author=[[Arup Group Limited|Ove Arup & Partners]] Hong Kong Ltd |date= October 2011|publisher=[[Environmental Protection Department]] |access-date= 21 July 2015}}</ref> The retaining walls around the back garden are a mix of local grey bricks and masonry.<ref name="Appraisal"/>

==Conservation== Concerns have been raised that Fanling Lodge and the nearby Hong Kong Golf Club [[Hong Kong Golf Club#Fanling Club House|Fanling Clubhouse]], built in 1914,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aab.gov.hk/form/new_items_history.pdf |title=Historic Building Appraisal. Item N210 |access-date=17 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722123254/http://www.aab.gov.hk/form/new_items_history.pdf |archive-date=22 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> may be demolished for the development of a [[New towns of Hong Kong|new town]] in the area.<ref name="stall">{{cite news |last1=Fung|first1= Fanny W.Y.|last2=Wong|first2=Olga|date=5 March 2014|title=Heritage grading of colonial-era landmarks may stall golf club housing plans |url= https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1440457/heritage-grading-colonial-era-landmarks-may-stall-golf-club-housing|newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]] |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="lawmaker"/> [[Secretary for Development]] [[Paul Chan Mo-po]] stated in July 2013 that the Lodge and the Golf Club might be replaced by a housing project.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fung |first= Fanny W. Y. |date= 5 December 2013|title=Antiquities board to grade historic Fanling lodge and club |url= https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1373144/antiquities-board-grade-historic-fanling-lodge-and-club|location=[[South China Morning Post]] |access-date= 18 July 2015}}</ref> In this context, the [[Antiquities Advisory Board]] listed Fanling Lodge as a [[Heritage conservation in Hong Kong|Grade I historic building]] and Fanling Clubhouse as a Grade II historic building in September 2014.<ref>[http://www.aab.gov.hk/form/list_new_items_assessed.pdf List of new items and new categories with assessment results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115183424/http://www.aab.gov.hk/form/list_new_items_assessed.pdf |date=15 November 2017 }} (as at 4 June 2015)</ref> Thus, the two historic buildings may be preserved and incorporated into future new town developments.<ref name="stall"/>

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Fanling Lodge}} * [[Antiquities Advisory Board]]. [http://www.aab.gov.hk/historicbuilding/photo/N88_Photo.pdf Pictures of Fanling Lodge]{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} * [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong]]: [http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr12-13/english/counmtg/hansard/cm0711a-translate-e.pdf Official Record of Proceedings], 11 July 2013. Q&A with Chief Executive [[Leung Chun-ying]], including mentions of Fanling Lodge {{North District, Hong Kong}} {{Hk-residence}} {{Government buildings in Hong Kong}} {{coord|22.4984|114.1167|display=title}}

[[Category:Kam Tsin]] [[Category:Official residences in Hong Kong]] [[Category:Grade I historic buildings in Hong Kong]]